Image via Complex Original
Chasing and hopping on trends is something that will always be a part of men's style. We've all been guilty of planning our day around an online drop, clicking the refresh button furiously, or even waiting in line for hours just to scoop up a pair of elusive sneakers.
What often gets overlooked are the pieces that remain timeless no matter how your personal style evolves. These are the items of clothing and accessories that actually complement your wardrobe and can be incorporated easily into your daily fits. We've put together a list of both affordable and more expensive options, because if you cop the right ones, these can be worn for far more summers to come. With the season in full swing, these are 10 Timeless Summer Style Items, With Both Affordable and Aspirational Options.
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Classic Sunglasses
Affordable Option: Knockaround, $14
Aspirational Option: Oliver Peoples, $390
Spending time outside during the long summer days means having a pair of timeless shades is essential. You could go the affordable route and cop a pair of that will provide UV protection and decent quality, or you could really invest in a classic silhouette with a price tag that will ensure you never lose these bad boys. You can never go wrong with a classic pair of aviators or wayfarers, two effortless styles that look great no matter the shape of your face.
Short Sleeve Shirt
Affordable Option: ASOS, $42
Aspirational Option: Comme des Garçons SHIRT, $160
Short sleeve shirts are the way to go when the mercury starts to rise and the days and nights become hot, humid, and borderline unbearable. Investing in a short sleeve button down in a solid color or bold print can look fresh in the worlds of menswear, streetwear, and the grey area where they intersect. Choose carefully, and you'll have a go-to option for many summers to come.
Tank Top
Affordable Option: Zara, $13
Aspirational Option: Lanvin, $285
As much as you might not think so, a tank top is a necessity for the long days on the hot beach or when a heat wave warning is in full effect. Instead of buying packs of cheaply made tanks that won't last you through mid-July, investing in a quality made tank top that can worn throughout summer and stored away or used to layer during fall and winter is the move. Think of the money you'll save in the long-run (not to mention the inspiration to hit the gym). You can either opt for a simple, solid option, or dive in to the high-fashion world, where house names are offering plenty of tanks.
Lightweight Suit
Affordable Option: SuitSupply, $469
Aspirational Option: Gant, $790
Whether you're required to wear a suit for the work week, or need one for all the weddings you have to attend every summer, or just want to dress up like a bawse, putting the money towards a classic modern fitting suit that's made from lighter fabrics is well worth the investment. Instead of wearing a dark wool suit that will most likely leave you in a puddle of sweat, a blazer and trousers that are made from cotton or linen blend allows you to still look dapper while remaining cool.
Solid Polo Shirt
Affordable Option: COS, $39
Aspirational Option: Sunspel, $128
Polos are the perfect in-between shirt for summer. They're not exactly casual, but they're not as stifling or dressy as a button down. Its versatility alone is worth a serious investment, as it remains worthy of whatever situation or adventure you undertake before Labor Day weekend (and beyond).
Modern Fitting Swim Trunks
Affordable Option: H&M, $13
Aspirational Option: Bather, $85
Summer is all about beaches and pool parties, but you're definitely not doing it right if you're heading to the water with either super baggy board shorts or opting to jump in with your old basketball shorts. Investing in a quality-made, simple pair of modern fitting swim trunks is a must. We're not saying go full banana hammock or Daisy Dukes, but a pair that hits right below, right above, or right at the knee is something that'll become as integral to your summer as the perfect margarita.
Navy Blazer
Affordable Option: Uniqlo, $100
Aspirational Option: Brooks Brothers, $648
One summer item that you never think is required but you need end up needing on multiple occasions is a navy blazer. It's one item that should always be available once wedding season rolls around, and throwing it on is the easiest way to add a touch of class and formality to an otherwise regular summer look. It pairs with nearly everything in your rotation, from polos to button downs, and from denim to lightweight chinos.
Simple White Sneakers
Affordable Option: Vans, $55
Aspirational Option: Common Projects, $350
If there is one type of sneaker that will never go out of style during the summer months, it's the all white option. Simple white kicks are the perfect blank canvas for your warm-weather wardrobe, and will go with any type of fit in any type of situation. Look back to the likes of style icons Paul Newman and JFK if you doubt the longevity of this move. And what's best is you don't have to worry about keeping them pristine. Sporting some wear and tear is only shows how epic your summer's been, and that you've been going non-stop since Memorial Day.
Nautical Sweater
Affordable Option: Topman, $65
Aspirational Option: A.P.C., $250
Yes, it does get cool enough during the summer months to have a sweater in the rotation. Just make sure it's a thin knit sweater made with lighter fabrics. A nautical sweater with breton stripes is a classic item that dates back to the origins of the French navy, and one reason it's stuck around so long is its versatility. Layer up with this for a late night bonfire or a rooftop BBQ and you will not be that sucker in the corner who can't stop shivering in the middle of July.
White T-Shirt
Affordable Option: Hanes, $6
Aspirational Option: Tim Coppens, $90
The quintessential and most reliable summer piece is the white tee. It's simple, basic, and can be worn by anyone, no matter what your style is. It can easily be thrown over some short or jeans for a classic summer look, layered under a denim shirt or button down as a foundational piece, or rocked underneath your navy blazer for a dressier option. Simply put, the white tee works and plays well with any and all your other summer apparel. You can either continue to cop 5-packs of cheap tees and tear them up into rags once the underarms become saturated with pit-stains, or you can invest in a high-fashion version of the classic piece. Either way, this is a necessity.