The summer’s three must-wear accessories

A heatwave is well and truly upon us. The natural reaction – other than downing tools and basking in some very welcome sunshine – is to wear less. But the exception to that summer rule should be accessories. Their practical merit aside, the right hat, sunglasses or shoes can definitely make an outfit.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best and most versatile summer accessories for men. Keep reading to discover how to weave them into your go-to sunny day outfits. 

For some, a hat can be seen as too try-hard while for others it’s merely an afterthought. While both can be true, chosen correctly the right hat can work wonders. For summer, your hat should blend practicality and style – covering you from the scorching sun while simultaneously adding impact to your look. With that in mind, pick a baseball cap, fedora or bucket hat, depending on the occasion and the rest of your outfit. 

While perhaps the most obvious of the bunch, sunglasses are often rarely-updated and are plucked at random out of a drawer or glovebox whenever the sun emerges. Let this summer be the one that changes all that. Like your choice of summer hat, sunglasses are a great way to blend function with fashion. Avoid anything too outlandish and treat yourself to a well-made pair in a timeless style that you can wear to or with anything. 

Sandals have made a comeback in recent years, managing to shake off any harsh geography teacher connotations. Pair them with everything you’d normally wear, but keep the rest of your look fairly neutral. Our favourite smart summer outfit? Lightweight tapered trousers, a short sleeve shirt and sturdy leather sandals.