Starting at the top, everybody needs a pair of sunglasses and aviators are the perfect choice. Even though you may not be a pilot, you will be flying high in the fashion stakes with these indispensable summer accessories.

To complement your new glasses you will need the perfect summer shirt. Ideally light and airy, this shirt should feature pastel colours. If you have to go for the Hawaiian theme then keep it fairly subtle like Esquire explains. The beauty of the shirt is that you can button it how you wish; if the sun is proving too hot, just open it up.

Vests are proving increasingly popular and becoming a common occurrence when the sun is shining. Feel free to have a few patterned vests in your wardrobe – just be wary of potential clashing with shirts and chequered shorts.

Obviously no summer collection would be complete without a couple of pairs of decent shorts. The trend this year is pushing towards shorts that finish above the knee, complete with cuffs and trouser-styled pockets. Original Penguin offers a comprehensive range of men’s shorts – again consider pastel colours and don’t be afraid of a salmon pink to help accentuate your newly tanned legs.

Now for the feet – what do you go for in the footwear department? Flip Flops are always a must particularly when heading to the beach as nobody wants sand in their shoes! Be sure to avoid straps and bulky sandals – it’s the summertime after all, not a hiking session with your dad. Away from flip flops you will need some additional shoes and there are a couple of options to go with. Deck shoes are a popular choice for many as they provide the comfort and support of normal shoes with a summery appearance – GQ has listed their favourite ones here. Another option is to purchase a fabric-based shoe; although lacking in support, espadrilles are very light making them perfect for summer conditions.

Follow these guidelines and you will soon have a strong basis for a fashionable summer – just don’t forget the sun cream!

Blue

This year’s biggest colour trend is, thankfully, a wardrobe staple for most men. This also means that another wardrobe staple should be pulled out often – the classic blue jean. Remember, the most important thing to get right with jeans is the fit; as rules of thumb, short men should avoid anything with a low crotch, and tall or wide men should make sure they select jeans made specifically for them. With so many specialists selling taller gents’ jeans online now there’s no excuse for ill-fitting denim.

Pastels

Taking influence from the womenswear catwalks, pastel colours have made a definite entrance into the menswear scene. Soft shades work for even the most fashion-shy men; blush pink, light blues, faded yellows and lilacs are colours to embrace.  Invest in a couple of staple pastel pieces and wear them with your current looks to add an on-trend hint of colour that’ll look fantastic when the sun finally starts shining.

Neon

Punchy neon colours have made a controversial step into the spotlight this season. It takes confidence to pull off large chunks of neon in your outfit, but if you have the right attitude then go for it. Otherwise, aim for subtle accents such as neon-soled shoes or an electric hue backpack. Remember to use contrast to your advantage with neons, combining them with muted tones or plain jeans for a spark of vibrancy in your outfit.

Orange

Orange is firmly on-trend this season, which is good news. It’s very versatile, cheers you up and exudes a playful and creative personality. As with neon colours, use orange sensibly; for the less bold and brash amongst us then orange hues look best infused into an otherwise monochrome outfit.

Camo

Camouflage print is still very much the trend of the season; however the prints are getting darker, more faded and much more subtle. This is ideal for those who were tempted to experiment with the print over the last year but prefer a simpler style.

Wear the classic military print with bursts of bright colours, the aforementioned orange works well here. You could also use subtle splashes of camouflage print to add an effortless sense of style to your formal outfit – think camo pocket squares or laptop cases.

So what can you do to get out of that summer style rut? Try your hand at these on-trend alternatives to same-old fashion:

Get military

This is an enduring style that often gets overlooked as soon as the weather warms up, but there’s a lot to be said for the masculine air it’ll afford you. The tip to remember? Wear it with a sense of humour. A pair of camo shorts or a military shirt is going to make you stand out anyway, so you may as well go for it in bright colours!

Look smart

Summer’s no reason to let standards slip! A polo shirt from a classic brand like Hackett will keep you cool while making sure you look good. Opt for pastel shades to keep it current, or choose a darker shade for even more flexibility. Team with chinos and – depending on the shade of polo shirt you’ve gone for – be bold in your choice of colour.

Be brave

There’s no better way to sidestep the boredom of same-old fashion than taking well-calculated risks, and we think the following are just that:

• Animal print. As long as it’s in a single, fairly subtle colourscheme rather than clashing brights, it can be surprisingly easy to wear. Team a light leopard print sweater with beige chinos for a fun but simple look. Keep your shoes and hair fairly conservative though, unless you want to stray into punk territory – which is cool with us.
• Double denim. Before you let out a snort of laughter and stop reading, hear us out:  Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam has been seen working the look – so it’s not just a relic from the 80s! If you can’t pluck up the courage to go for a full-on jeans and jacket combo, why not look for a classic white shirt with denim detailing around the collar or pocket. Light denim is perfect for summer!

The Bonobos experience is truly one of a kind. 365 days a year they offer FREE SHIPPING BOTH WAYS, hassle free returns and oh ya Bonobos Ninjas, a support staff prepared execute!

Ok enough of the platitudes. Winter is over and spring is here! Its time to brighten up your wardrobe with Bonobos. They have tons of men’s pants, jeans, shirts, sweaters, suits and more all in fabulous colors that will make you stand out. Don’t be a sheep guys, separate from flock Bonobos style!

All LUMINA menswear looked great but this Navy Plaid Pocket Oxford stood out to me. A 100% cotton men’s dress shirt that’s tapered through the waist and is MADE IN CHICAGO. Seriously where else are you going to find a fabulous men’s oxford dress shirt for $84 that is Made in Chicago?

Do yourself and America a favor, browse LUMINA shirts and buy one!

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