Malaysian Fabric Heritage

It was bound to happen. Men have been lolling around in comfortable clothes that are just a little too tattered around the edges for far too long and the backlash has started! Now sharp, stylish and svelte are firmly back in fashion – just in time for summer.

This ‘wear it smart’ movement’s figurehead is style guru and TV and radio presenter George Lamb, who recently scooped the Best Dressed Man of the Year award. The canny Scot collected his accolade at The Clothes Show Style Awards in London, confirming his status as the UK’s most on-trend guy and a closer examination of his outfits gives a clue to this summer’s essential look.

Although, it is not mandatory that you opt for Lamb’s trademark ‘bow-tie’ look, wearing smart clothes and thinking ‘laid-back and vintage’ is essential this summer. Simple layering with sun-bleached and cool colours, using tees or vests with a check shirt or tunic on top, worn with bleached faded jeans or denim shorts is the on-trend look. Accessories such as plaited leather belt, beach beads, straw trilby and a summer scarf complete the Traveller look.

Also big this summer will be the Riviera trend, especially around the pool or on the beach, which features vibrant reds, ocean blues and a lot of bright white. Smart alternatives for this look include cotton chino-style trousers, Wayfarer sunglasses and this summer’s essential footwear – white plimsolls.

So, have no doubt when it comes to men’s clothing for summer 2009, ’smart’ is the key. Close-fitting and smart with not a fray in sight this summer’s wardrobe pays homage to the classic style of our fathers and grandfathers.

To ensure that you can complete this summer’s ’smart’ look here is a list of the top five essentials:

• Simple stripe tee: in solid contrasting colours preferably red and navy or grey and white;
• Polo top: take inspiration from the mod era and go for a tipped version;
• White plimsolls: this summer classic matches with just about everything in your summer wardrobe;
• Cotton trousers: checks again, or simple stripes and bold colours in navy, green and even on-trend pink;
• Accessories: opt for hats, particularly trilbies and mix with cotton scarves and an on-trend man bag

The time has come to get stylish. Goodbye to the days of lounging around in old shorts and Hawaiian shirts. This year, dress up your wardrobe and celebrate the summer in style.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.