Style Talk with Loïc Fanel Roman: Summer looks between simplicity and boldness

Writen by: Loïc Fanel Roman

When the sun is high and 30 degrees are easily exceeded, only two options are open to a stylish man: simplicity or audacity. As the flood of shapeless Bermuda shorts, flip-flops and shoddy T-shirts flood the streets, squares and terraces, we’ve all wondered how to avoid looking like this, how to beat the heat while retaining a certain sense of style.

Simplicity

The first option is simplicity, but what really counts are the details, because we all know that’s where the devil hides. A shirt with double breast pockets, for example, will add a little visual interest, while being practical enough to hold your card holder or sunglasses. There’s only so much you can wear, so you need to focus on the cut and materials to stand out from the crowd.

Don’t hesitate to unbutton one more button, leaving your torso more bare than normal, letting more air through than usual. Some will say that this is bad taste, but I’d say that taste is like...we all have one.

The shirt can be short-sleeved - again. We’ve known for a long time that this can be very stylish - in a pretty linen, why not silk? If it’s long-sleeved, you can roll them up casually and walk around all day.

All the details count: the low pockets of a guayabera, the epaulettes of a military shirt - again, it’s an eye-catcher, but still very simple. For bottoms, it’s essential that the fabric is loose and doesn’t stick to the skin. A cotton chino with a pinch, beige or white for example, or why not linen? I’ve got one in black, and it creates really interesting contrasts.

Now, if it’s very hot, you could also wear shorts, with a high waist to maintain a certain dignity, stopping above the knee and very short as well, think Magnum P.I.

For cooler nights and mornings, a jungle jacket with 4 large pockets will allow you to carry everything without having to squat in your wife’s bag.

It will protect you from the light sea breeze, sunburn and mosquito bites, and here again the sleeves can be rolled up if the need arises.

Mine has been everywhere, from hiking in the Alps to the jungles of South America, and South Eath Asia, to the South African Bush. It’s simple:

“It goes everywhere with me, it’s solid, it withstands all climates, it rolls up into a ball under the plane seat, and it has a wonderful patina on the zinc.” - Loïc Fanel Roman

If you need to be more elegant, everything has already been said, a seersucker suit, a linen blazer, cold wool will make beautiful trousers and a superb suit.

Daring

The second option is daring! Go for it, be daring, don’t shy away from anything. If there’s one season where everything’s possible, it’s summer, with its tanned bodies and relaxed atmosphere.

Patterns and bright colors are your friends. Wear a madras with its characteristic colored checks, dare to wear Hawaiian motifs on silk shirts, or beautiful variegated patterns. The only limit is your imagination, they’ll go perfectly with your tanned complexion and the sun at its zenith.

For the material, why not venture into terrycloth fabrics, which have texture and are easy to take a dip in the sea and slip on straight away to head for the nearest terrace, to enjoy a cocktail, a good book and perhaps a delicious cigar. If you want to dress up, as I said earlier, the cut and the material are everything, dare to be colorful and take inspiration from Miami Vice.

“It's just like life. You just gotta keep telling yourself, no matter how hot it gets, sooner or later there's a cool breeze coming in.”-Det. Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs from Miami Vice

Pictures: Loïc Fanel Roman