Style -- 2 days ago
In association with
From leather to cashmere, here’s how to rethink your summer style
From relaxed tailoring to open knits, MR PORTER shows how to assemble a versatile summer capsule that’ll work wherever your travels may take you…
- Words: Jonathan Wells
Here comes summer — heatwaves, holidays and long, lazy days will soon be upon us. Thankfully, MR PORTER is already several steps ahead. Earlier this month, the brand gave us a masterclass on city summer dressing, taking bold tailoring to the streets of Oaxaca. Think suits with sandals, loose Loewe cotton shirts and bold pink suits. It was a reminder that summer doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the coast. But, as it did with city dressing, MR PORTER has also put a distinct stamp on beachside attire. Shot across the sprawling sands of Puerto Escondido, these aren’t your typical seaside stylings. Leather and cashmere? Absolutely — so long as they’re reimagined for the rhythms of summer. Picture wide legs, open knits, woven shoes and open collars. Elegant; effortless.
And the brands curated for this collection are specialists in such understatement. From the crisp cottons of Jil Sander, or the sun-faded, crepe-like textures of Our Legacy, to the experimental textiles Auralee has long-developed with Japanese mills, each piece stands alone as a strong summer essential — or, when woven together, as a flawless coastal capsule.
And the cleverest part? These aren’t one-season wonders. Blouson jackets, cashmere sweaters and slick leather loafers will see you seamlessly from oceanfront strolls back into city life, ensuring that your new summer style picks are as considered as they are versatile. Here are the eight pieces you should be packing to ensure you have style, anywhere.
Tom Ford Leather Blouson Jacket
When’s a leather jacket at its summeriest? When its cut from the warmest, most sunset-soft yellow leather and finished with an ever-flickable point collar, that’s when. Buttery in both colour and texture, this rib-trimmed Tom Ford blouson is a versatile summer statement piece — and, inspired by the classic biker jackets, it’s just asking for adventure.
Our Legacy ‘Above’ Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Poplin Shirt
The Swedish brand may be more accustomed to Scandi sun than Mexican heat, but this bold blue-violet shirt from Our Legacy delivers every inch of intensity and vibrancy you could want from a go-to summer staple. Every year, the brand reimagines the seminal ‘Above’ shirt, and this latest crisp cotton take is ideal for a hot summer, oversized and with a back box pleat for welcome breathability.
Auralee Straight-Leg Wool-Gabardine Trousers
At first glance, Auralee’s straight-leg, wool-gabardine strides look as far away from beach attire as you might imagine. But look beyond those sharp front creases and you’ll find they’re lined with cupro — a ‘vegan silk’ substitute made sustainably from cotton waste, and an airy fabric guaranteed to keep you cool along every step of your summer holiday.
Lemaire Leather-Trimmed Cotton-Canvas Tote Bag
Of course, clothes don’t carry themselves. And, whether you’re dashing across departures or checking-in after hours, a trusty tote is a must for any summer adventure. Lemaire’s wares marry practicality and style at the best of times, but this robust canvas design steps up the brand’s baked-in utility even further: it’s a tote bag with adjustable leather shoulder straps. A ground-breaker, a game-changer — and your new most trusted travel companion.
Tom Ford Cashmere Sweater
Coast-ready cashmere? Who knew. Tom Ford, actually. And it’s like this Italian-made sweater was woven specifically for beachside days. Lightweight, breathable and softer than even the whitest Oaxacan beaches, it’s got a crew neck, ribbed trims and a very strong claim to ‘most versatile piece in your year-round wardrobe’.
Our Legacy ‘Leisure’ Straight-Leg Twill Shorts
Trimly tailored trousers are all well-and-good, but it’s not summer without a good, reliable pair of laid-back shorts. Our Legacy’s ‘Leisure’ design lives up to its lazy, hazy name — with a relaxed knee-length fit, stretchy elastic waistband and mid-rise, mid-weight construction that’s as adaptable as that go-anywhere, sit-anyplace slick black colour.
Our Legacy ‘Light’ Leather Loafers
Also standing firmly in the ‘easy-living’ camp — and also from Our Legacy — these ‘Light’ loafers offer perhaps the ultimate carefree summer shoe. With no laces to labour over and uppers of comfortable worn-in leather, the classic penny design may traditionally be stepped out in the city, but these loafers will play the vacay game handsomely from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca — and back again.
Tom Ford Eyewear ‘Smith’ Square-Frame Sunglasses
The final touch? Some signature sunglasses. And, given these will likely be the only accessory you’ll wear with every outfit this summer, it pays to invest. We’d recommend these Italian-made, polished acetate Tom Ford frames in black for a traditional, proven design — but zhuzhed up with a pair of idiosyncratic orange-tinted lenses. That way, even when summer sadly does end, there’ll still be a warm sunset hue to everything you do.
Want more from MR PORTER? Check out what’s trending now…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal member. Learn more here…
