What Should Men Wear In 30 Degree Heat? How To Stay Cool And Still Look Sharp
The moment Britain gets properly hot, a lot of men completely lose their heads when it comes to dressing.
You see it every year- the temperature creeps over 25 degrees, the forecast says it’s going to hit 30+ and suddenly people start dressing like they’ve given up on life. Baggy shirts, heavy running trainers, shapeless chinos, sportswear creeping into professional settings where it has absolutely no place...
I think a lot of this comes from the fact that some men think dressing for hot weather means simply removing clothing.
It doesn’t!
The real trick is understanding fabric, construction and balance.
Personally, I absolutely love it when London gets weather like this. So many people complain about the heat but my attitude is always “come on, people spend thousands travelling abroad looking for this sort of weather!”. London becomes a happier, more social city in the sunshine. Everyone’s outside, terraces are full and the whole place feels so much more more alive.
I ride around on a Vespa most of the summer which probably helps because you create your own personal breeze moving through the city, but I do naturally run hot so I totally have to think about what I wear or I’ll end up looking like I’m melting in front of clients by midday.
Realistically, that’s the challenge most men are trying to solve.
Most Offices Are Cooler Than You Think
One thing I want to bring to your attention right away is that people often overestimate how much of the day they’re actually exposed to the heat.
Most offices, restaurants, hotels and meeting spaces are temperature controlled. You’re usually only dealing with the heat in bursts, walking between places, sitting outside for lunch, commuting or travelling to meetings.
That’s really important because it means you don’t need to abandon smartness completely just because it’s super hot outside.
You just need to make smarter choices (sorry couldn’t resist that one).
What I Personally Wear In Hot Weather
Always help if I talk you through what I do - the first thing that happens when temperatures rise is my wool suits (sae for one or two lighter weight ones) go straight back into my “not in season” wardrobe. Yes I have more than one wardrobe, what do you expect given what I do for a living!
I wear far fewer full suits during summer and my dress style moves more towards jacket / blazer combinations with separate trousers. I find it so much more versatile, more comfortable and easy to deal with in the mornings.
Looking at my wardrobe now, the things getting the most wear are:
Linen jackets
Wool linen blends
Wool cotton blends
Bamboo (yes, the stuff that pandas eat is also an amazing summer fabric)
Lightweight tailored denim
Cotton chinos
Linen trousers
That’s the foundation of summer dressing for me because the right fabric makes everything more comfortable in terms of both heat and general comfort.
If you’re not buying bespoke or high end, linen on its own can sometimes get a bit too creased up depending on the quality, weight and weave, which is why modern blends are such a great option. You still get the breathability and relaxed texture of linen, but the wrinkle resistance and form of wool so your suit or jacket holds itself much better throughout the day, or when travelling.
That’s especially important if professionally speaking you still need to make an impact, create the right (first) impression and look like you know what you’re doing.
What Shirts Should Men Wear In Hot Weather?
Again, this is where cloth matters more than anything else.
Lighter weight cottons, linen shirts and cotton linen blends become your best friend during summer because they allow airflow without feeling flimsy or transparent.
This is one of the reasons I encourage clients to simplify their wardrobes in summer rather than overcomplicate them.
A good set of properly fitting white and light blue shirts (with the odd light pink thrown in for variety) solves most problems immediately.
The mistake men make is trying to reinvent themselves every summer rather than sorting out and lining up the basics properly.
Can Men Wear T Shirts Professionally In Summer?
Guys, you can wear t-shirts professionally in summer but there’s a huge difference between a proper fitted premium t shirt and looking like you’ve just wandered out of the gym. Or the garden. You know, after mowing the lawn.
Depending on who I’m seeing that day, I will absolutely wear a smart fitted plain white or navy t shirt under a linen jacket with jeans or chinos.
The important thing is that everything still looks intentional, like you thought about it, that you look considered.
The fit should be clean, the fabric should look and feel premium. The colours should coordinate properly and your shoes should still feel appropriate enough for the setting.
That’s the bit people miss - casual dressing still requires a little thought.
The Biggest Hot Weather Mistakes Men Make
This is where I start seeing things that give me a nose bleed every summer.
Baggy linen clothes that looks like they’ve been slept in. Guys wearing the trainers they use for running. Oversized, heavy cotton shirts hanging off the body, with sweat patches under the arms making people look even hotter (and in a meeting setting, nervous) than they already are.
Last summer I met a partner at a management consultancy firm - I was wearing a cream linen jacket, light blue shirt, navy chinos and brown loafers. He complimented me and I struggled to return the compliment given he was wearing what I can only describe as a baggy linen suit with OPEN sandals (or Jesus Creepers as I normally call them).
Completely the wrong thing for the environment and this is the important distinction. Staying cool is one thing but you still need to do it with some lvel of decorum.
Your clothing still communicates something about you professionally whether you like it or not (and I know there’ll be some reading this that won’t like what I’m saying - see you guys in the comments you big man-babies).
What Shoes Should Men Wear In Hot Weather?
Summer is where footwear becomes really important because heavy shoes instantly make an outfit feel too wintery and visually weigh everything down. Not to mention make your feet hot, sweaty and smelly. You don’t want that do you? DO YOU?
Personally, I rotate between:
Smart leather sneakers
Espadrilles
Suede single monk straps
Lightweight suede derbies
For those of you that are loafer inclined, suede loafers are a great option. Personally I hate them - not the style, they look great on a lot of guys but I just never get on with loafers personally.
Again when it comes to your footwear, the setting matters.
If I’m mostly in the workroom, espadrilles work brilliantly. If I’m seeing clients professionally, at their offices, I’ll raise the level a notch with things with suede monks or derbies because they still feel breathable and relaxed while looking significantly smarter.
The Simplest Summer Wardrobe Formula
Over the years I’ve realised most men massively overcomplicate summer dressing because they panic once the heat arrives.
Honestly, if you do nothing else, this tiny list solves most problems:
One light coloured linen blend suit
One navy linen blend suit
Seven to ten properly fitted white and blue shirts. Mix a couple of pinks and stripes in their for variety.
That alone gives you dozens of combinations because all the separate components work together.
The jackets can be worn separately. The trousers can be dressed down. The shirts work across everything. Swap the jackets between suits for two more contrasting jacket/trouser combos.
Simple. Elegant. Easy. And you’ll look as competent and confident as any espresso-sipping Italian on the streets of Milan.
Most importantly, it means getting dressed in the morning stops feeling stressful.
Staying Cool Is Really About Looking Considered
Consideration is ultimately the whole point of what I’m trying to relay to you.
When the weather heats up, it’s generally accepted that the way everyone dresses will relax a little. Nobody expects you to wear a heavy business suit in 30 degree heat, but at the same dressing like you’ve binned all standards because the weather got warm is not the answer either.
The men who look best in summer are always the ones who understand balance; lightweight fabrics, softer construction, proper fit and thoughtful combinations.
Relaxed, but still intentional!
That’s the sweet spot.
If you need help with any of this don’t be a stranger. Reach out and I’ll be your guide, or book an appointment and let’s get those foundations of your summer weather wardrobe in place.
