No, I do not intend to report belatedly on the latest trends of the summer and summer fashion. Rather, I would like to draw a conclusion after this hot summer of the century. Because if we look at this summer, the question arises — what does the future of fashion in the hot summer months look like?
If we think back to past summers of recent years, these were rather mixed and mild in Central Europe. Anyone who wanted a truly warm summer had to travel to more southerly countries for it. Today, however, many people search for countries with average temperatures and cool nights in order to recover briefly from the local summer.
But what does this have to do with the future of fashion and, in particular, men’s and business fashion?
A great deal! Because as meteorologists are already predicting for the future, summers in the coming years will remain similar to this year. That must make us think, and we must adjust our outfits accordingly in order to cope with the hot summers.
Ladies have always had it somewhat easier with summer fashion. They are always equipped with the right wardrobe for summer, because they are also allowed to wear a summer dress, as well as light shoes and sandals, in the office. Men, however, no matter how hot it is, must wear the complete ensemble — from the suit, the shirt, the tie and knee-high socks through to leather shoes.
A rethink must take place
For the fashion world, this means that old habits regarding suit and shirt fabrics must be changed. Whereas in the past we were accustomed to using four-season fabrics with a weight of 260–280 grams, mostly in muted colours, for suits throughout the year, we must now look for an alternative.
Summer shirt in a linen-cotton blend, suitable as a business shirt
The practical man wanted to wear the suit throughout the year, regardless of summer or winter months. The main argument was that the office is not too warm, or that it — just like the car — is air-conditioned. Shirts were also chosen according to the same criteria.
But due to climate change, the cool summers in Central and Northern Europe are now over. In the coming years, summer will probably hardly differ any more from summers in Southern Europe. The office and the car are indeed air-conditioned, but as soon as you walk to your next appointment or to lunch in an ordinary four-season suit in a dark colour, being outdoors becomes an ordeal.
This summer of 2018 was the best example of how awkwardly many men dealt with the heat. Stylistically speaking, it offered a picture of horror. In the best establishments, men sat with sleeves rolled up and ties loosened, or walked through the overheated streets with suit jackets slung over their shoulders. One had the feeling that shortness of breath was setting in for more than a few.
What must change, and what does the future of summer fashion look like?
Summer fashion in the future means lightweight wool fabrics and light colours. Courage for linen and cotton fabrics is also welcome. This applies, incidentally, not only to the suit, but also to the shirt. A linen suit with its typical wrinkles is far more stylish and elegant than a jacket slung over the shoulder. This means a man must give much more thought to his summer wardrobe. The lightweight suit for summer will not be the exception but a main component in the future. There are also beautiful lightweight fabrics and business-appropriate linen fabrics for shirts. Especially for summer, there are also the matching knee-high socks, because shorts and sandals are still not permitted for men in the office.
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