Image via Complex Original
As summer hits its peak, dudes everywhere are doing everything they can to try and stay cool while looking fresh. It's a tough combo to pull off in sweltering heat, but there are some tricks to keep you from melting completely. But these totally depend on what your personal style is in the first place. If you're a street goth constantly draped in black, then you won't be leaving the crib until after 5 p.m. If you're a surfer dude, then this is the season you flourish. And if you're a streetwear head, then you have nothing but pity for the menswear enthusiasts you see developing collar rings and sweating in their hardbottoms. In case you weren't aware, here are 10 Reasons Streetwear Kicks Menswear's Ass in the Summer.
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Streetwear is cheaper, so you don't have to worry about messing up your gear on your epic summertime adventures.
During all your summer adventures, the one thing you don't want to ever do is hold back. And let's be real, there are times when the style-conscious among us might not jump into an opportunity because it might fuck up our gear. Well guess what—when wearing a $40 T-shirt versus a $900 suit, guess who's going to be less risk-averse when it comes to doing awesome shit that could get down and dirty? The less you have holding you back from having an incredible summer, the better.
Hardbottoms aren't nearly as breathable as sneakers.
During the summer, your feet can be one of the hottest and sweatiest (and therefore grossest) parts of your entire body. So whoever's rocking sneakers over hardbottoms is already at an advantage when it comes to enjoying their summer the most. And it's not even a question that sneakers and streetwear go together much better than sneakers and menswear.
Undershirts are required if you don't want to sweat through your button-down.
If you are gonna go the menswear route by choice or by necessity, then you're going to want to wear an undershirt all season long. Not only will it protect your oxford from being a pit-stained mess, but it will actually keep you cooler by wicking sweat away from your body and keeping a pocket of air between the shirts. However, you know what's cooler than two shirts? One shirt.
Streetwear is much more versatile for summertime activities than menswear.
Don't get us wrong; like anything else, menswear can look dope as fuck when done right. But it's not as versatile for all of summer's great opportunities as streetwear is. Whether it's the beach, a BBQ, chillin' on a rooftop, lounging at the park, or any combo of the above, streetwear is just more versatile and adaptable to whatever situations you find yourself in.
Short sleeve button downs are better untucked and done up in a dope pattern.
Short sleeve button downs exist in the overlapping segment of menswear and streetwear. And not that it's a hard rule that menswear dudes have to always keep their shirts tucked, but bold patterns and prints are meant for the summer, and these strictly exist in the realm of streetwear. Menswear will always champion the popover, but have you ever tried to take off one of those things? Getting stuck and wriggling out will cancel out any instance of coolness you were enjoying before.
Dudes who rock streetwear barely have any dry cleaning bills.
With all the sweating that goes on, dudes who need shirts pressed and suits dry-cleaned have to save up serious dough just to keep their summer gear presentable. Plus, with all the ice cream that's getting consumed, every stop at Mr. Softee is a potential $10 investment when you have to let the pros steam out that soft serve. With a graphic tee, just Tide Stick that bitch out and be on your way.
You never have to put on more than one top layer.
In the turbo heat, streetwear keeps it simple. Tee, shorts, sneakers, and maybe a cap. There's no undershirts or button-downs or anything except your crispiest T-shirt. The winner is pretty obvious, and it's the reason why streetweared out dudes simply flourish in the heat (or at least, don't melt).
Hardly anyone can pull off a short suit.
Pharrell, some wildly out there Japanese dudes, and a handful of Italian gawds. Those are the only dudes who can flourish in this next level style risk. This rarely seen style is an extreme move taken by suit-wearers who are simply trying to survive in the sweltering heat. Menswear in desperate times means menswear taking desperate measures.
Caps and headwear are acceptable in all situations and always provide sun protection.
A dope snapback or bucket hat is a summertime essential, and, sorry, but they just don't mesh well with menswear. Headwear is definitely something in which streetwear reigns king, and the domepiece protection that you require in the summer is just a bonus from an already good thing.
Wearing suits in the heat sucks.
Even a suit made of the most lightweight, breathable materials is going to cause the floodgates to open in the dog days of summer. Just thinking of buttoning up, adding a noose, throwing on a jacket, and hiking up some socks under full-length trousers is enough of a mental picture to get dudes sweating. Hopefully, you don't have a job that requires a suited-up uniform, otherwise your envy when you see dudes laced in streetwear keeping it breezy on the street is going to be through the roof.
