Summery bargains are out there, but don’t be silly, says Adrian Clark
The world is divided into two types of consumer; those who embrace newness and those who shop out of necessity. Most middle-aged men, myself included, fall into the latter category. The fashion industry (for obvious reasons) favours the early adopters, with autumn ranges already starting to trickle into stores, but this approach can work in our favour, with some great discounts to be had on high-summer essentials. Some of the best deals to be found are in shorts, but we midlifers have to tread carefully here. My advice is to adopt the same criteria you take into account when buying new trousers. You wouldn’t dream of wearing trousers covered in flamingos, now would you?
Instead, opt for a tailored short with the trimmings you would associate with chinos; Arket has a pair for £35 in navy. Or if you want to inject some colour into your wardrobe, Jigsaw’s linen/cotton mix garment dyed shorts (in sky blue or mustard yellow) are £49, reduced from £79.
So what footwear goes with shorts? A technical sandal, or a boat or driving shoe are all safe bets. My favourite is an Arizona Birkenstock sandal (birkenstock.com).
In my opinion, you shouldn’t ever wear a blazer with shorts, instead choose smart/ casual elevated basics that you can layer. A Cabana shirt with short sleeves (albamclothing. com), or a Sixties-inspired polo shirt (think The Talented Mr Ripley), or even a bi-coloured block-print resort shirt (see youmustcreate.com) are trustworthy options.