Must-have summer clothing essentials for a more stylish (and less sweaty) season

Ah, the great British summer. When beer gardens are bursting at the seams, swimwear is suddenly acceptable for wear in your local park and we too-oft-rained-on Brits can finally enjoy a spot of vitamin D. The only catch? Knowing what on Earth to wear…once you're out of your swim shorts, that is.

Where clammy mornings give way to sun-soaked afternoons and somehow-still-sticky evenings, summer can be a sartorial challenge for even the most discerning dressers among us. It's all too often that in the pursuit of cooling down by even a minutia of a degree that we find our usually-stylish selves reaching for that one battered-up pair of sports shorts and/or a terribly-stained, years-old graphic T-shirt. Well, to that, we at British GQ say: no more.

Having pulled together a balanced combination of seasonless basics as well as trend-focused summer must-haves, allow us to bless your wardrobe with the ultimate list of summer clothing essentials to guide you through the season and maintain some cool (in every sense). Scroll on, enjoy, and may the size runs be ever in your favour.

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A sharp linen suit

The biggest struggle for summer dressing has to be formalwear. Whether we're talking summer weddings or meeting-heavy weekdays, you're going to want to be swapping out your ol' faithful wool-blend suit for something a little lighter.

No longer reserved for French film directors and the cast of The Talented Mr Ripley, the lofty linen suit is experiencing a major, major resurgence right now. From the colourful cast of single-breasted two-pieces over at Chris Gove's Percival to the classic offerings of Dries Van Noten, when you reach for some lightweight linen, you can't really go wrong.

For more linen suits, check out our selection of the very best on the shelves here.

A hands-free crossbody bag

A silhouette that developed out of a need for safety and convenience, the crossbody might have begun as an anti-theft storage style, but it's accrued a reputation of its own, becoming a true style staple — even beyond the wardrobe of Covent Garden tourists.

Of course, in the world of affordable style solutions, it doesn't get much more emblematic than Uniqlo's TikTok-famous crossbody. But if you're looking for more of a statement piece, The North Face's explorative option takes gorpcore to the streets — or, whilst Bottega Veneta's woven pick might not be easy on your bank account, it certainly is easy on the eyes.

For more crossbody bags, check out our favourites here.

A reliable white T-shirt

Is there anything a humble white tee can't do? If there's one foundational piece you can always count on, it's the white crew neck, which has stood the test of time and proudly weathered the storm against fickle trend cycles and aesthetic shifts.

Most likely you already have at least one white tee stowed away, but it's worth emphasising the importance of cultivating a stock of high-quality options. We've picked a couple out for you so: get to clicking.

For more white T-shirts, check out our favourite picks here.

A Sopranos-esque Camp-collar shirt

Whilst the mention of camp collar shirts might historically have conjured images of swingers, New Jersey mobsters or Seinfeld, the laissez-faire silhouette is making some major moves this season, cropping up in some of the biggest celebrity wardrobes in the biz.

From the muted, lightly utilitarian offerings of Cos, through the retro-inspired Percival to this hypnotically-patterned Marni pick, there's a camp-collar shirt out there for every taste.

For more camp-collar shirts, check out our pick of the season here.

The obligatory pair of Ray-Bans

Ah Ray-Ban sunglasses, let us count the ways we adore thee's enduring sartorial appeal. The most consistently-adored sunglasses brand of the 20th and 21st centuries, Ray-Bans can be found in the collections of everyone from top-tier celebs to regular average Joes. Here's our pick of what's on the online shelves right now:

For more sunglasses content, check out our guides to the best sunglasses brands and sunglasses pairs for sale right now.

A bicep-baring vest

What's that old adage? Oh yes: sun's out, guns out. Paired with wide-leg trousers or a pleated ‘n’ pressed, tailored pair, getting the ‘ceps out for summer is all the rage right now, and we couldn’t be more for it.

For a budget-friendly option that's sure to do the job, Topman has a two-pack with your name on it. Where Arket's offering is more sporty and streetwise, shoppers in search of an investment piece with enduring appeal can look to the refined Prada pick as shown below.

For more tank top content, check out our guide to getting the look just right here.

Some breezy linen trousers

While you might think there's little need for us to sing the praises of linen any further, strap in, because here we go. Linen's proclivity for creasing lends it a more relaxed feel than any other trousers in your collection, whilst its breathable flax-based construction allows maximum airflow in even the muggiest of weathers.

For a more casual, everyday feel, Arket's linen trousers are finished with an elasticated waistband and cropped leg, whilst the likes of Percival and Drake's keep a more traditional look thanks to their pressed pleats and tailored cuts.

For more of our favourite linen trousers, shop our guide to the style here.

Some box-fresh white trainers

Whilst white trainers never truly go out of style, they do come into their own in the summer months. Most at home with light-blue denim or peeking out of ankle-length trousers, the humble white sneaker glows in the sunlight — and whether box-fresh or worn in beyond recognition, they basically always look good.

For more pairs of white trainers as picked by GQ editors, check out our guide to shopping (and taking care of) the style here.

A pair of uber-short shorts

This year, showing yer pins is back and bigger than ever. Where they've always been at the forefront of collections from the likes of Saint Laurent and Jacquemus, this summer thigh-skimming short-shorts are finally hitting the mainstream.

Whether you choose to go patterned, plain or full-blown maximalist, the online shelves of Adidas, Lululemon and Harago have an option for every mood that may strike you.

For all things shorts (and micro shorts), look no further.

A subtle chain necklace

Alright, you've got us. This is a year-rounder. There's nothing that subtly takes an outfit up a notch than just a glint of something around the collarbones… whether that's an investment pick like something from Sydney Evan's robust yet dainty selection, or if that's something more on the flashy but affordable side, like an embellished chain from Serge DeNimes. The choice is yours.

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