How To Upgrade Your Summer Staples

July 2, 2016

Summer may conjure many fond memories of riding boardwalk rollercoasters, eating dripping ice cream and spending days by the shore — but what you wore probably wasn’t among them. And why would it be? The combination of sweat-inducing heat and summer sluggishness is a recipe for disaster when it comes to dressing, causing the best of us to throw on the generic combo of a ratty T-shirt and cargo shorts that even your unfashionable dad would turn his nose up at.

Here at HBX, we’re acutely aware of the malaise that hits you during the hottest months of summer. As much as we love making a sartorial statement, even our editors have trouble putting together a decent outfit that won’t end up soaking in the Hong Kong humidity. That’s why we’ve taken up the challenge of enlivening the taboo T-shirt and shorts combo, and customizing it towards the varied tastes of different men. You can say goodbye to the generic Silicon Valley techie look, and say hello to an outfit that says laidback without being lazy.

The Whimsical Man

This outfit is for the man who likes to wear his personality on his sleeve. He’s the life of the party, the joker and the clown, who certainly wouldn’t be satisfied with a plain white tee and khakis. This quirky lemon print tee from ami will turn his frown upside down, and shows off his sunny personality. The monochromatic patterned tee, with an added hit of blue from the Saturdays NYC shorts, makes for a laidback but distinctive summer ensemble.

Lemons Print T-shirt

Green Outdoor Sunglasses

“Evan” Shorts

The Rugged Man

Maybe he’s ex-military, or just an avid player of wargame, but the Rugged Man is never without his camouflage fatigues sourced from the closest army consignment store. In this weather, when it’s definitely too hot for trench coats and cargo pants, he might just go for this T-shirt from Carhartt with a camouflage contrast pocket, plus these olive shorts from Penfield. Throw on a pair of tortoiseshell-patterned frames from Han Kjøbenhavn to complete the safari-style look.

Contrast Pocket T-shirt

Timeless Clip On Sunglasses

Grafton Short

The Classic Man

He can usually be found in his everyday ensemble of a white polo shirt, khaki chinos and linen jacket, lounging at the country club bar. He’s a man of timeless tastes, not subject to transient trends and superficial fads. Even in the hottest weather, he’ll insist on sticking to classic staples, albeit the ones of highest quality. This finely-spun linen tee from Our Legacy, crafted from Portuguese textiles, is the perfect match for his refined personality. Pair it with these shorts from Manastash, a cropped iteration of his usual uniform khakis.

Dune Linen Weaved S/S T-shirt

Green Outdoor Sunglasses

Flex Cropped Shorts

The Statement Man

Witty, provocative and center of attention, this man’s bold ensembles are always the talk of the town. He’s constantly wowing crowds with unique combinations, and he’d certainly turn heads in this graphic tee by Les Artists, featuring a Instagram-esque print reading “Takashi Does It Better.” Toned down with a plain snapback and khaki denim shorts from Carhartt, this ensemble is subtly striking to all those watching.

Takashi The Best T-Shirt

Canvas Logo Starter Cap

Rinsed 8.5oz Denim Klondike Short II

The Athletic Man

Despite the stifling heat of the summer, this man is going to be found outdoors nonetheless, trekking in the hills or setting up camp by the beach. He may not be the most fashion forward of men, but he’s a stickler for high quality outdoor gear. He’d do well to be equipped with this moisture-wicking tee from Halo to keep the sweat at bay, as well as these lightweight, water-repellent shorts from North Face. Add on pair of outdoor sunglasses from Han Kjøbenhavn, featuring protective side screens, to finish off this rough ‘n’ ready outfit.

Cadet T-Shirt