Warm Weather Wear

I am excited that it is getting warm. I love spending time outdoors. I have already tuned up my bicycle and I am ready to suffer through another season of learning how to golf. What I am not looking forward to nearly as much is warm weather clothes.
Yellow Harrington & Clipper Blue ShetlandUnlike the joy I get from putting on the first Shetland or pair of cords of the season most spring and summer clothes leave me cold. I do like a nice muddy green, blue, and brown madras. I am also happy to wear shorts, because that means that it is warm and I am not at work!
Kelly Green Baracuta and SweaterTo be honest most of the time that I wear color it is for the benefit of others. I would be happy in a blue OCBD every day, but I am self-aware enough to know that the monotony of that can wear on others. A few items that I have recently used to help add a spring color to my rigs are my two Harrington jackets (Kelly Green Baracuta & Pale Yellow PRL) and two spring-ish Shetlands (Salmon & Clipper Blue). While they are all very colorful the fact that they are all layers and can be easily removed is great for me. Even better is that I like all of these colors on me.
Pink ShetlandI may have come a little more curmudgeonly in this post than I intended, but I promise that I am excited for summer. This post is not about me hating pastels, linen, or seersucker along with anyone who wears the stuff. It is about knowing yourself. The better you understand what you like and what works on you the less likely you are to regret purchases or even worse, ending up at a great summer party unable to enjoy yourself because you aren’t comfortable in your own clothes.

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Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

16 Comments on "Warm Weather Wear"

  1. James says:

    Great post, I feel similar myself. I prefer spring/summer weather as it is generally more relaxed, the days are longer, you accomplish more, usually more social events, sports etc. However I tend to prefer winter dressing. There is something comforting about layers, a thick wool coat, scarf etc that you just don’t get with a polo/shorts combination.

  2. Athlone says:

    “The better you understand what you like and what works on you the less likely you are to regret purchases or even worse, ending up at a great summer party unable to enjoy yourself because you aren’t comfortable in your own clothes.”

    Hear! Hear!

  3. Fading Fast says:

    “To be honest most of the time that I wear color it is for the benefit of others. I would be happy in a blue OCBD every day, but I am self-aware enough to know that the monotony of that can wear on others.”

    Very funny and very true. I would wear a blue or white OCBD, a grey sweater or sweatshirt and a pair of stone-colored chinos or jean every single day if I wasn’t aware that others would be bored by me and maybe a bit concerned about my lack of color and variety.

    Also, your comment at the end about being comfortable in your clothes is spot on – nothing undermines a fun event more than feeling “off” in our clothes. This is why I don’t wear brand new clothes (despite the inclination to do so because you “want to look your best”) to events because you haven’t test-drived them yet and don’t know how you’ll feel in them.

    Very good post on the psychology of clothes wearing.

  4. Andy Gilchrist says:

    Jerrod,

    I have said it before and I will say it again: you look like a young Steve Mcqueen. It has truly been a pleasure to witness your evolution on the Ask Andy forums.

    Your friend,

    Andy

  5. Charlottesville says:

    Great post and great pictures. I too much prefer fall and winter clothes, although I enjoy the seersucker, linen, madras, etc. of high summer as well. It is 78 here today, and I am not longing for snow or sleet, but do confess to a bit of regret about packing off the Shetlands, cords and tweeds. And I wish I could find a Baracuta like that for a sane price. As I think I recall from a prior post, you were lucky enough to acquire that one without the pain in the wallet that a Baracuta purchase usually entails. Hopefully the same good luck will come my way one day.

  6. Alex in California says:

    Curmudgeonly.

  7. Charlottesville says:

    Thanks, James!

    • James says:

      No problem, a Ben Sherman looks pretty much identical to a Baracuta except BS use a gingham lining instead of a tartan one. I’d like a Baracuta too but their prices are astronomical for a lightweight cotton jacket that (where I live) I’ll use probably only in spring, late summer/early fall.

  8. James says:

    Hi Jerrod, what is the climate like where you live? Looks like four distinct seasons from your posts?

  9. oxford cloth button down says:

    Thanks for all of the kind words guys. I appreciate it. I have been thinking about why I don’t enjoy warm weather clothes as much and I think that it is, because not much of it works well at the office. I might wear a madras or gingham shirt on casual Friday, but other than that not much is gained.

    James – It is spring here. There is about a 20% chance that it could be 32 degrees or 80 degrees. Pretty close to 4 seasons!

    Andy – Thanks! Ask Andy has been invaluable to my growth.

  10. Ian from Downunder says:

    Greetings from an autumnal Melbourne. I’ve only recently discovered your blog and have enjoyed reading all the older posts. I love the photos. Please continue with your stirling efforts.
    Best wishes, Ian.

  11. Steve says:

    Only 60ish today in Richmond, Va., which is a tad cool for late April. Will be lot as hell here soon, and will stay hot until mid September, so I’m enjoying Spring while I can. I know from experience that SW Ohio can get quite warm AND HUMID in summer. Plus, you folks get a LOT COLDER in winter than we do. I enjoy your blog, even though I seldom post.

  12. Steve says:

    hot as hell, not lot as hell. Sorry.

  13. John Jay says:

    Always good posts.
    Looking sharp with great color integration for the straightforward and simple (not simplistic) yet classy minimalistic statement.
    I always try to go for similar ideas but being a 10 year veteran, straight lines and a leaner silhouette becomes more personally desired.
    As for your summertime blues- I’d imagine pairing a nice ivory-colored linen tie to your favorite blue OCBD would set it off with a nice pop.
    John J

  14. YoungSoulRebel says:

    Just to touch on the Ben Sherman jackets… I worked for the company for 8 years and, without coming off as a bitter ex-employee, they are total crap. Thin, cheap, imported and simply do not last very long. I’ve owned literally dozens and the only one that I kept was from the limited “duke st foundry” line which was made in England with quality components. If you can find one of those, I would recommend them highly. Otherwise Warrior clothing makes ok Harringtons in the UK for a good price.

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