My 10 Summer Wardrobe Essentials

After my first post about Hiro’s shoes was released, a reader sent me a DM on Instagram looking for my recommendation of a good pair of summer shoes. This was thought-provoking as it’s never easy to narrow down your choice to just one single pair of shoes when there were so many available. The conversation then extended beyond just shoes and has led me to ask myself an interesting question: ‘What would my summer wardrobe capsule be like if I only get to keep, say, 10 items in rotation?’.

So after taking a serious look at my wardrobe and re-collecting my thoughts, I would like to share with you below my personal list of summer staples which, for all of the pieces, I have bought and worn frequently during summer season.

1. Ascot Chang Linen Safari Jacket

Versatility is definitely the key for this list and this navy linen safari jacket by the renowned Ascot Chang is certainly great example here. Made in the Italian Solbiati light-weight linen, this safari is finished at the highest standards.

Navy is the most versatile colour in my opinion. So basically, I’d wear this with all kinds of shirts (cotton, linen, denim), and even polos in different shades. It also serves as a great alternative to suit jacket to dress down a bit for the office. The versatility it has definitely makes it distinctive and stands out among other safari jackets I own.

2. Bryceland’s Co. Jet Denim Chore Coat

This denim chore coat is made in Okinawa, the Japanese ‘holy land’ of great denim. Unlike other denim jackets I have, this coat is surprisingly light weight and constructed with slightly loose weave. As a result, the coat is still good for warm weather and I’d usually wear this with light linen/cotton shirts for layering.

3. Wear Not Tear Long-sleeved Polo

This is probably the best ready-to-wear polo I have. Featuring quality details such as mother-of-pearl buttons, gussets at the hem, button plackets and one of the most beautiful button-down collars I’ve ever seen, this polo is perfect as an alternative to proper shirts to wear under sport jackets for a dress-down tone on Casual Friday and during weekends.

4. Ambrosi Napoli Mustard Trousers

We all know Ambrosi as the ‘King of Trousers’ and how good their handmade trousers are. This single-pleated pair comes with a mustard shade which, in my opinion, is quite summery. Perhaps I might not be wearing trousers of this colour for winter, but these are certainly perfect for the summer vibes (and they are much more versatile than I initially thought).

5. Craftsman Co. Raw Denim Gurkha trousers

Craftsman Co. produces some of the most stylish ready-to-wear items available in the market. The trousers feature buckled waist tabs and double pleats which I very much prefer for Gurkha trousers. To my pleasant surprise, unlike most denim trousers which require break-in, these are not stiff at all straight from the box and softened up pretty quickly with just a few wears. I feel really comfortable to wear these in a rather simple way with short-sleeved T-shirts for intolerably hot weather.

6. Echizenya Solaro Herringbone Wool Gurkha trousers

Yes, another vote for Gurkha. These are from Oak Room Taiwan as part of their first run with the Japanese trousers maker Echizenya. Admittedly, it’s not common to have Gurkha trousers to be made in Solaro wool. But this eccentric configuration definitely works for me and at the end of the day, it’s all about personal preferences. Being a great choice of summer suiting, Solaro wool fascinates me with its iridescent red shade which changes nicely under the sunlight. The make of these trousers are also neat and solid, especially the well-made double pleats.

7. Löf & Tung Bingham Suede Oxford

Summer is the season of suede. This pair from Löf & Tung (the private label from the Skoaktiebolaget) is definitely my most well-worn shoes in the summer. These come with a lovely shade of brown which won’t be too dark in terms of colour tone for summer. The suede is also very soft and makes these very comfortable to wear without breaking in.

8. Crockett & Jones Cavendish Loafers

I picked these up at the C&J store during my last visit to London. I usually wear these casually during weekend with linen trousers in dog days, but I can also see these able to cover most formal occasions to wear with suits. Equally worth mentioning is that these feature the C&J’s city sole which is perfect for the wet weather in summer.

9. Berwick Belgian Loafers

Berwick 1707 has established themselves as one of the most notable shoemakers at entry price level. These Belgian loafers were acquired from the local merchant Leather Healer around a year ago and have become my favorite weekend go-to loafers ever seen. Although you won’t see as much construction as Goodyear welted shoes on these, the loafers are purposely built for comfort and I wear them like the ‘slippers

version’ of leather shoes in summer.

10. Frank Clegg x The Armoury Cognac Tote Bag

The Armoury introduced this tote as part of their collaboration with Frank Clegg. Bulky and heavy bags are no fun in a heatwave. This unlined bag uses light weight rugged leather which makes it a perfect companion for weekend getaways in summer.

So that’s all for my seasonal wardrobe staples, what are your summer essentials?