Summer casual chic: Riviera style Part 2

Wednesday, July 12th 2023
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I really enjoyed Tony’s evocative piece last week on Riviera style. The image of the rose-coloured hotel with palm trees cooling its flushed façade, in particular, has stayed with me

I also thought there was more to explore. Given how challenging men can find casual summer clothing, it seemed worth looking at ordinary, everyday applications of the style; combinations that don’t involve a jacket, but don’t resort to a T-shirt and shorts either. 

The evolution of men’s style that took place in places like the Riviera - as leisured classes met in a new environment, often adapting their clothes to heat and to new activities - can offer real inspiration I think. The more informal aspects even demonstrate a sort of summer casual chic

There’s a bit of a formula with this style, I find, and it comes down to three things:

  • An easy shirt or knitted polo on top
    • Could also be a knitted T-shirt. Could be a short-sleeved shirt if done elegantly. Main point is it’s not a bog-standard T-shirt
  • Tailored but easy trousers
    • Relaxed fit, non-formal materials. Could also be shorts, but like the top it makes a big difference if it’s noticeably different to the T-shirt-and-shorts default
  • Soft, breathable shoes
    • Everything from an unlined loafer with no socks, to an espadrille, to a fisherman’s sandal. Nice if more elegant, but the hard work has been done by the two pieces above

Let’s take the images above to start with. 

It’s all shirts, trousers and bare ankles. The shirts are casualised in some way - sleeves rolled up, chest unbuttoned one or two more buttons than usual. The trousers are linens, cottons, nothing too formal - but they are trousers, not shorts. 

And the shoes, if there are shoes, are soft, open and comfortable. There are no socks. All of those things, of course, are why Dickie Greenleaf looks so much more appropriate (and so easy and stylish) than Tom Ripley. 

Then there are these images from photographer Willy Rizzo, republished recently in Where Is The Cool magazine, showing scenes from St Tropez in 1949. 

Notice the preponderance of shirts, sleeves and trouser legs. Rolled-up trousers, rolled-up shirt sleeves, shirts often tucked in - yet everyone looks relaxed, easy and comfortable. (Often the first thing a man complains about when you suggest a shirt or trousers.)

There’s not a T-shirt to be seen, and the shorts are pretty much only on the women. (Who themselves then usually wear long-sleeves - a decent rule of thumb, if you can do it: long sleeves or long trousers, one or the other.)

More images from Rizzo above, this time in a few different locations and a few years later - some on the Riviera, the beach shot apparently taken in Tahiti in 1959.

There are T-shirts in the cafe scene, but they’re tucked into trousers, and coolness comes from those ever-present soft sockless shoes. Note also the simplicity of the clothing - blue and white predominates, and there are no logos, no flashy designs. This is how casual clothing is elegant.

Then on the beach and the harbour, it’s trousers and easy shirts again. The woman in a Breton top and presumably shorts or a bikini. 

In the well-known image of Gianni Agnelli above, he’s smarter than our other examples, but it’s still a relaxed shirt (here a long-sleeve polo, very PS), trousers and soft shoes. He manages to look more elegant than the two members of his posse behind him, despite them wearing suits. 

And Sean Connery - that menswear nerd’s favourite - makes a helpful contribution with the second image, demonstrating a polo, trousers and bare ankles. 

If we revisit some of those archive images in Tony’s article, these kinds of looks are all there, just scattered among a variety of styles. 

The image above is also a great demonstration of the role these pictures played. This is clearly not a real situation, given the huge variety in formality. Rather, its intention is to show every current summer fashion - every level of formality, even type of look, every optional accessory. 

The gentleman smoking a pipe is wearing a breton and shorts, like many in the photographs. But the magazine is not saying you need to also wear a matching white belt and beribboned espadrilles - just that these are all options, and hopefully you’ll like some of them.

Then the gentleman on the far left. He’s wearing something similar to our casual-chic formula - just with a beret and what look like Hollywood-top trousers. The lesson again here is not that you need a navy beret or have to wear socks with your espadrilles (though that’s a discussion for another time). It can be simply that a nice knitted tee, tailored trousers and soft shoes elevate a warm-weather look. 

Then the lead image of Tony’s article, below, shows how this was actually worn in practice - much more normal and understated. All three gentlemen are wearing good polos, tailored trousers and sockless shoes. 

Your beach holiday is unlikely to be as sophisticated as any of this. And in any case, most of the sophisticated places on the Riviera have had the taste drained out of them by lots and lots of money. 

But when you do go to the beach this summer, with the kids, you could consider a light, loose untucked shirt rather than a T-shirt. You might actually find it breezier and more comfortable. 

Or could consider espadrilles rather than flip-flops - easier to drive in, arguably as easy to get on if you tread on the backs. Certainly more flattering. 

And then the full casual-chic look is for summer working from home, or the weekend. Much more appropriate for a trip to the shops than a T-shirt and shorts - both because that look so easily makes men look like boys, and because no one in Caffe Nero wants to see your hairy toes. 

Top image courtesy of Adret. Second image of me taken from this post.

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SCOTT

Great article Simon and a helpful tip regarding the wearing of long sleeves with shorts (or vice versa) as a way of elevating a summer look. Are you planning to do an article covering your packing for this year’s summer vacation (if you are managing one)? I found last year’s breakdown really informative and took much guidance/inspiration from your choices.

Noel

Very topical post Simon (for those in the northern hemisphere).

I wonder what you think about knitted polos (shirts?) that unbutton all the way down. Like the one Dickie Greenleaf is wearing. Vintage inspired knitted polos (like the ones Scott Fraser offers for example) seem to have buttons all the way down. I think they look more elegant than a short sleeved shirt, particularly if they have some sort of pattern.

Peter Hall

Percival had a few in their summer collection.

You know what the solution is to a gap in the market…

Peter K

I know the brand isn’t of the quality you usually cover Simon but Spier and MacKay has some in knit cotton. There are navy and cream ones among the bright colours.

https://www.spierandmackay.com/collection/polos–short-sleeve

Mateusz

Sirplus has some, which I was considering (in cream) but ended up not getting it, so can’t share my experience. Looked lovely in the photos though, with perhaps only a bit small a collar, but the waffle knit seemed nicely textured and breathable. They have a few more colours, navy, muted green, and I think burgundy

SamS

Grand Sasso made a couple this season that I though was pretty nice, but I wasn’t impressed with the quality considering the price they asked.
The Swedish (?) brand Grand Le Mar offers a merino knit the call the “Dickie knit”: https://grandlemar.com/products/the-dickie-knit I tried it on, quite liked the fit even though it was slightly longer than I would have wanted (I prefer the Rubato approach of shorter, boxier knits), was unsure about the shade of blue, and eventually decided against it because a merino knit worn close to the body in summer would have to be (hand)washed too regularly. I don’t think the brand is usually on the quality level PS usually focuses on, though.

Stephen

If you are willing to go with a light merino wool, King and Tuckfield have a small range. I first saw one on Simon in his lockdown wardrobe. I have one purchased in a recent sale.
Also – I’m not joking – but Marks and Spencer in the UK sell them occasionally. I know not really PS level, but if it works and low risk way to try the style.

Stephen

Apologies, I didn’t specifically pick up the reference to short sleeve. I was going with the LS top and shorts look. Amazing the difference it makes.

David

Endlessly fascinating.
Of course these desirable chic looks involve wearing less clothes. As such they deprive the overweight of the camouflage afforded by well cut tailoring.
They should be the clarion call for the ‘Fat Flaneur’ to get into shape – I’m trying my best !

Wolf

Shirts and polos, or heavier Breton tops, combined with loose tailored trousers would still generally be a lot more flattering for the larger guy than shorts and a T-shirt. And if you want, you can easily stick on a light blazer or odd jacket, just as those vintage illustrations suggest, especially when the sun starts to get lower, and regain some of the benefits of tailoring.

Aaron L

Damn I wish I were up North. This article is making me miss summer. It must be time for a trip…

Robert M

Brilliant. Love the Adret look, and the picture of you presents what is essentially my summer casual chic default now, after having recently converted to short-sleeved shirts (camp collar only).

Andrew

hi Simon, my normal summer formula is cotton or linen trousers; a band or one-piece collar linen shirt or long-sleeve polo with the sleeves rolled up to the mid-forearm; and espadrilles, friulane or boat shoes. I don’t bother to pack socks when I go on holiday in the summer.

I rarely find that I am more hot dressed like that than wearing shorts and a t-shirt and its certainly more elegant. Maybe it is a question of age now that I am in my 40s or having young children, but I find that I feel a bit silly wearing shorts to do anything but messing around in the garden, to play sports, to go to the beach, or go on a boat. Wearing shorts for anything else makes me feel like I am trying to dress like my 4 year old son.

Have a nice summer. Andrew

Scott

Yes indeed! I’ve never understood why grown men, who should know better, insist on wearing shorts. They look like school boys, but worse given that so many are overweight and have the dreaded B&T syndrome(bird legs, twig arms). It’s best then to follow the wise counsel of Mr. Tom Ford and only wear shorts at the resort(mainly at the beach) or while taking exercise. These pictures showing the men wearing some form of trouser is the best way. The men look comfortable, relaxed, and stylish. Thank you Simon for this fabulous article and showing your readers that it’s possible to be comfortable yet also well dressed in the heat of the Summer.

Anonymous

I was intrigued by “friulane,” which was new to me so looked it up. Intriguing Venetian heritage and quite elegant also as a house shoe particularly in velvet. Identified a number of online vendors (e.g., Scarosso, Velasca) and was wondering if you have a particular preference? Shipment to the US would be necessary. Thank you for expanding my horizons. 

Andrew

I started using Friulane as house shoes as well then started wearing them outside because I really like them. I bought mine from the Pied a Terre shop in Venice. They have a website and I believe they ship to the US but I’ve never bought online so I can’t comment on the experience. I like Pied a Terre because they have lots of colors and large sizes (I am EU 46) which isn’t always the case at many shops.

Anonymous

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I enjoyed the website, which has a great “heritage” tab describing the history of the Venetian slipper. And yes, they do ship to the US so a pair in navy has been added to the wish list.

Alec D

Hi Simon. Where would you recommend getting long sleeve knitted polos? Really struggle to find anything decent (other than maybe vintage). Thanks!

Christopher Garcia

New & Lingwood have also got a few lovely ones this summer season. Currently in the sale I believe.

Hugh

Kent Wang carries them. They’re solid, though not luxurious.

Matthew V

I have to say both the PS long sleeve polos (thank you for that, plus a great one from Informale) and Smedley knitted T shirts have become my regular, smarter summer wear. Both feel great on and that you have made an effort rather than be a crumpled mess in a basic t shirt. With smart(ish) shorts, and either loafers, espadrilles or Common Projects.
I am currently in a very warm Ibiza, where anything goes really (which I like as that is the true spirit of the island), but I am sticking with the above, plus a linen shirt as an alternative.

Stephen

Hi Simon,
Another informative article. I remember from a previous post and also mentioned here, the idea of wearing short sleeved shirt and long trousers or the reverse of long sleeve shirts with shorts ( with the exception, in my opinion of pique polos with shorts), which I find very stylish. Having never considered it before previously reading here, it’s something I now regularly wear in the summer – so that so for that thank you. Also concur that a loose long sleeve shirt is usually cooler.
One take away for me from most of the pictures, is they are not overly styled or contrived, it’s just seems the way stylish peopled dressed back then. A good example being Picasso in a Breton top.
All the best

Brendan

Are there any RTW linen trousers that are good for this sort of look? Would Irish linen trousers be too formal?

Fred

Not RRW but Ralph Lauren Polo used to do some great versions of their chinos in linen…Still available vintage, just a matter of keeping an eye out. They have a great cut with wide legs and a slight taper. I have a pair in navy which I wear embarrassingly often. The wide leg makes them excellent in the heat. Also, Casatlantic do many of their chinos models in linen, so definitely worth taking a look.

Harry

Agneli and James Bond, wow

JJ

Haha, is that a good wow or a bad wow? Not sure i need to see another article referencing those two. Wont be long before Prince Charles is trotted out again or maybe Edward VIII?

Stephen

Prince Charles is hardly covered here and IMO a role model. . As for Edward VIII; he should never be covered. Just read a book from authenticated freedom of information sources called The Traitor King. Incidentally, I never though he was an exceptional dresser. Just wearing what was common for rich people and having lots of it never made him special, just contrived.

Stephen

Good point Simon and I stand corrected. As always you are well informed. He appears narcissistic in his clothing and behaviours.

Karol

Great article, but I disagree about the open shoes. Sandals are a blessing in the heat, definitely on par with espadrilles. They fit the look as well, as long as you pick the right style. And regarding the toes… I don’t care what others want to see. Clothing is personal, and I don’t ask others to dress for my tastes either.

Peter Orosz

Some of your recent posts have made me wonder about the cultural history of not showing toes in refined Western dress and I realized I have no idea where it comes from.
Certainly not from antiquity. I recall a statue of Hermes at the National Archeological Museum in Naples wearing a pair of entirely functional running sandals, the design very similar to those you can buy from, say, Luna Sandals in the US. Hermes’s sandals carried a few more embellishments but nothing that would interfere with functionaly, and perhaps as a god you can get away with some bells and whistles.
It doesn’t come from the Renaissance either, where, again, you can see a lot of exposed toes on the statues. Or think of Botticelli’s Primavera for an even more extreme example: on a painting where everyone is achingly beautiful, there is Hermes again, or Mercury if you wish, wearing a pair of mid-calf boots that show nothing but his toes.
But something happened in the next 300 or so years. There is a fascinating statue of George Washington from 1840 that shows the American President dressed in a Roman-style toga and wearing, again, sandals. I’ve never seen it in person but in photos it’s not ridiculous at all but rather dignified and beautiful. In its day, however, the statue’s choice of dress was already very unusual. From Atlas Obscura:

Finally, and at great expense, George disembarked in the Washington Navy Yard, only to be met by an unanticipated and shocked reception. Nobody in the Federal City had expected a semi-nude statue, and Washington’s chiseled musculature and robed garb seemed to them a mockery of the buttoned-up statesman. The founding father’s likeness, modeled on an ancient statue of Zeus, was depicted wearing sandals, cradling a sheathed sword, and pointing toward the sky. Greenough’s counterargument, that apparel of the 1790s already looked ridiculously out of fashion, fell on deaf ears.

The more I think about it, the less sense it all makes. There’s nothing wrong with showing terminal appendages per se, otherwise you’d be expected to wear gloves with Western dress. Nothing wrong with hair, either: you can roll up your shirtsleeves, show far more hair than would grow on most male toes, and it’s fine. Rolled-up trousers and a bit of shin hair? A button or two unbuttoned at the top of a shirt or a polo? Both are fine and unremarkable. But exposed toes? We would all think twice before wearing sandals with nice trousers.
(I happen to be writing this in a café (Karlova Kohv in Tartu, Estonia, instead of a Nero), wearing a short-sleeved Breton top, a pair of green Japanese cotton chinos, and my Rondini sandals, the ones with the four strips of leather shown in their logo. Everyone else is in a some combination of trainers, t-shirt, jeans, or shorts, and if they aren’t short-sighted like I am they can indeed see a bit of toe hair. At the same time I find it a very pleasant and dare I say chic outfit for a warm, sunny summer day, and an unusual way to create with the stripes of the shirt and the sandals the sort of top-down balance you can otherwise achieve with colors or texture.)

Roger

Hi Peter Orosz, great scholarly work you’ve done but unfortunately this isn’t quite the audience for it. Permanent style is more so a place for encouraging men to dress better then the lumpen masses, however it doesn’t extend itself towards the minutia of the deeper history of western costume, and especially not any topics so esoteric as to go back more then 200 years.
I would probably advise you to go have a talk with your local university lecturers on costume history, since they’re probably the only people who could appreciate the depths of your interest in the history of costume. Who knows, they might even convince you to write a dissertation on those topics?
All the best

Dario

I actually found the comment quite interesting to read, I don’t see the need to tell him to go write it elsewhere. You don’t find it interesting yourself? Plenty of other comments to read!

Paul

Rules should be learned then broken (or so someone said). I think Adret’s sandals would be right in line with the elevation – just the right amount of toe.

Karol

I can agree to disagree. For me sandals fit the look fairly well.

Max Alexander

Personally I don’t ever want to see a man’s toes. Not even my own toes. Not even literally on the beach although compromises must be made.

Further, in my experience toes don’t really get hot; it’s ankles that get hot, and wearing loafers or espadrilles without socks solves the problem.

Eric Twardzik

“Much more appropriate for a trip to the shops than a T-shirt and shorts – both because that look so easily makes men look like boys, and because no one in Caffe Nero wants to see your hairy toes.”
Your point in the middle sticks with me. I’m always struck by how the standard summer uniform for American males of almost all ages-sneakers with white ankle socks peeking above the upper, tight cotton or nylon shorts and a tee, often with a logo or graphics-is indistinguishable from the daily uniform of a small boy. With the caveat that their are certainly more pressing problems in the world and not every man will be persuaded or care to wear a long-sleeved Capri collar polo on vacation, photos such as the above remind that once upon a time adults dressed like adults, which has its value. And not every man needs to aspire to be Gianni Agnelli-I’d encourage cribbing style notes from George Costanza, too.

Roger

Hi Eric, I agree with you but I’m not sure that looking or acting like an adult is really coming back in style any time soon in the West. At least not outside of the ceremonies where it’s absolutely necessary.
All the best

Max Alexander

Writing from Rome I must sadly report that not only American men and tourists now dress like boys, although the trend might be epitomized by that U.S. senator who thinks it’s fine to wear shorts and hoodies when meeting with the president.

I’m afraid slobwear has become the international standard for men. I get that it’s hot right now, and when the mercury climbs above 40 no man who isn’t cocooned in an office will wear a jacket and tie. In fact doing so could be dangerous. But really, do your legs get so uncomfortably hot as to justify beachwear in the city? I’ve never heard of someone fainting due to hot legs.

We’ve lost that battle, but what amazes me are all the men dressed like schoolboys who are out on dates with smartly dressed women. I’ve come to accept the selfish and disrespectful attitude of those men; what puzzles me is why the women tolerate it. They can’t all be out on first (and last) dates.

Alex

Hello Simon. Really enjoyed this article, including the selection of pictures. You mention unlined loafers. Would calf leather be acceptable as an evening option or were you thinking suede only, and any thoughts as to the best colours? Would mid-brown, for instance, not be ‘summery’ enough?

JDV

While all this is true, I especially liked your t-shirt & shorts combo from last year‘s vacation. Especially if you have little kids that like to play in the dirt or sand around the house all day long. I don‘t like ruining my linen trousers on the first day.

Darren

I’m not sure my wife would stop laughing all summer long if I told her I was wearing workwear to the beach to deal with the rigours of the sand

JJ

This is a much better take on the style than the previous article. People in these images actually look like they’re relaxed.

The current fashion of oversized fits seems esp. great for casual summer. I esp. like the silhouettes Zegna’s been putting out in recent ss collections.

Sam

Hi Simon – I’ve been looking for a pair of linen trousers that would work here, but also in the city context (especially with current weather). Essentially a regular fit washable chino in linen or linen/cotton with belt loops. Any ideas on this?

Tailored linen pants are a bit too smart (and not washable), and all the drawstring linen pants are too relaxed.

Markus

Hi Simon – That is quite interesting. I machine-wash all of my linen shirts and also some of my linen trousers (spinning only with 600rpm). So far, I have seen no negative impact.

Max Alexander

My tailor recently gifted me a pair of bespoke linen trousers to go with a jacket I’d commissioned. As they were free, I felt emboldened to see what would happen if I tossed them in the washing machine. (Being white, I knew the dry cleaning bill would mount quickly.)

They came out fine, the waistband suffered no distortions. I realize that won’t be the case with all linen trousers. But since then I’ve been putting tailored Rota cotton trousers in the wash (fine Loro Piana suiting cotton, not tough khaki material), also with no problems in the structure. Of course, there remains the ironing.

Peter K

Like many Canadians I am planning to take a beach vacation in Mexico during the winter. Wearing clothes like this will be wonderful break from heavy clothing required for winter.

Jay H

Great article. Thank you.
I’ve never felt comfortable wearing shorts, even as a small boy. Even less so as a middle aged man. I wear them sometimes at home , or on the beach , but never anywhere else.
So thanks for the ideas.

Jeldrik

Hey Simon,

nice article. Regarding the wide pants from Adret (I have one myself). I noticed that the (beautiful) product photos show the models as good as always sitting. For myself, I have noticed that the pants also look good when sitting and walking. When standing, however, you quickly get a bit of a weird look. I wear my Adret signature pants now almost not at all. What do you think of such wide pants?

Jeldrik

Yes, I think so too. I still like the trousers though – just hardly wear them. Thank you.

Rowan Morrison

What exactly is your definition of “tailored trousers”?

shem

Hi simon i’m thinking of doing an olive linen popover with a button down collar and long sleeves to be worn over shorts. Do you think thats a good summer piece to have?

Ira

Excellent photo selections. I really like Alain’s casual style, but have always been to afraid of wearing white pants and getting them stained. Probably an irrational fear as my light colored pants have survived many years. I think I’ll give white pants a try this summer if I can find some that aren’t slim fit
Simon, what distinguishes a Breton top from a t shirt? Also, are they always navy/white?

Peter Hall

Is there enough variety and history for there to be a seperate article,Simon?

On a related note .The Marine Nationale have revamped their we shop.
As to be expected,it’s pretty rugged .I have several of the striped tees and a sweater(Ocean) . Worth a look if you like a nautical style and arrives with added French flair.

https://boutique.marinenationale.gouv.fr/fr_FR/le-vestiaire.

Aaron

I know both Armor Lux and St James do Bretons with crew necks rather than boat necks. Unfortunately, they are soft, combed cotton rather than a heavier carded one.

Paul

Interesting, I love my two Armor Lux crew neck britons, and wear them specifically because I find the neck opening smaller, as I too do not like the more open neck style. The cotton is soft, but substantial.

Ulrich

And for the trousers the colour doesn’t matter, as long as they are white…

Oggi

A nice alternative I like to wear is a T-shirt underneath a fine knit cotton v or crew neck sweater with the sleeves rolled up.It helps if the neck of the T rides a little high in the absence of a collar.

Noel

Trousers and long sleeves have another very practical advantage: you only need to put on sunscreen on your face and neck. Saves time, and effort and avoids the stickiness of sweat mixed with sunscreen.

Aaron

I feel like part of the increased trend towards shorts is the trend of slim fit – I know we’re moving away from it a bit and I do have quite large thighs and calves but a lot of things sold as classic or regular fit end up being fairly slim fit on me, and even when it’s a lightweight, breathable material it tends to cling a bit and be uncomfortable in a way that shorts aren’t.
I am seeing an increase in ads for linen though, so maybe it’ll change.

Adrian
¨But when you do go to the beach this summer, with the kids, you could consider a light, loose untucked shirt rather than a T-shirt.¨ 
Thats something I always do! I live in the south of Spain (40ºC right now!) and It's always seemed to me that shirts (usually a well-worn one with rolled up sleeves) are cooler than T-shirts for going to the beach.

William Kazak

Very good story Simon. I get happy seeing linen shirts and white pants on men for a great summer style. It can be very warm here in the Midwest USA and over the years I have known a variety of linen slacks and shirts. Sperry CVO’s, pique polo’s from Lands End also work very well for me. White Bucks with laces stay onto my feet in way that loafers never have. A camp shirt always stays untucked in a way that linen shirts cannot match. Gary Cooper had a nice casual summer style and I have seen photos of Paul Newman on a yacht that are believable for a summer nautical look for those who do not own a sailing yacht.

Dimitris

Good evening everybody
I’m not a fan of sandals or espadrilles. Lined tassel loafers for the summer, with linen socks on. What came out as conclusion looking at the photos of Riviera 1 & 2, is that -fortunately- the textile industry must have made grate progress over time. The same with the tailors too!

J Crewless

A really enjoyable read. Great pictures.

Bryan

Great article Simon (again). Question – in which issue of Where Is The Cool are those photos found? I would like to purchase it but the website doesn’t give details of each issue’s contents. #9 appears to be the most recent.

Tom

Love these articles on Riviera style, Simon. Out of curiosity, do you find that your Edward Sexton pleated trousers work for this look? Or do you prefer plain fronts here? I recently commissioned trousers in 28306 Mersolair and opted for pleats and a wider leg. Normally I go for plain fronts and a more standard leg, but figured I’d try something different for next summer as an experiment, to wear with knitted tees, polos, overshirts, etc.

JH

Any recommendations on RTW linen or linen blend trousers that meet this description: “The trousers are linens, cottons, nothing too formal“? There are loads of options with a drawstring (no good for tucking in), quite a few which would fall foul of “nothing too formal” (e.g., double reverse pleats and fussy fastenings) and most others I’ve seen all seem to be slim fit, which miss the drapey relaxed style shown here. There seems to be a real dearth of options for the kind of linen trousers shown in these pics!

Zach

Hi Simon,

I’ve enjoyed this evaluation of the Riviera style even though I live in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and this style would really only work on vacation to warmer climes. However, it has started me thinking more about what I see people wear during recreational activities in general. U.S. Mountain Towns in the West such as Boulder, CO, Seattle, WA, and Bend, OR, have a population with substantial discretionary income who frequent the ski resorts and other areas for outdoor recreation. However, the level of style on display often leaves much to be desired. There are certainly some aspects of outdoor activities that lead to challenges, such as the importance of “technical” fabrics, but even so, there are opportunities for integrating less technical fabrics such as sweater worn at the apres ski lodge, or the t-shirt worn for a three mile casual morning trail run. (I enjoyed the article on Tracksmith/Soar/Iffley Road). Since PS has done this type of feature on. running clothing, I’d love to see an evaluation of mountain town style (Chamonix and Zermatt would be good potential locales). I remember one of your collaborators taking an interest in rock climber’s style from the Yosemite era (also an interest of mine), so perhaps you’d have a potential partner for such an endeavor.

And since I’ve not commented before, I thought I’d take the opportunity to let you know how much I enjoy the site and your work.

-Zach

Fashionandstylez

Very topical post Simon (for those in the northern hemisphere).

I wonder what you think about knitted polos (shirts?) that unbutton all the way down. Like the one Dickie Greenleaf is wearing. Vintage inspired knitted polos (like the ones Scott Fraser offers for example) seem to have buttons all the way down. I think they look more elegant than a short sleeved shirt, particularly if they have some sort of pattern.

Fenvig

Hello there,
This might be off topic even though it is certainly riviera related.
I am visiting Napoli in a few days and I will for certain be wearing lots of linen, which had me thinking if it is acceptable to wear linen shirts in fall and autumn?

Best regards

Keshav

Does an easy shirt mean a casual linen, oxford and denim shirt?

Tamesh

Does soft breathable shoes also include slim suede loafers or is it too smart?

Tamesh

Does tailored trouser also include chinos?

Markus

Has anyone experience with Luca Avitabile’s Stromboli silk/cotton t-shirts. They look very nice, though I am put off somewhat by the advice “dry clean only”.

Ayush

Is it possible that when dressing for a summer chic look with a casual shirt and informal tailored trousers then I can skip the belt on trousers even when there is belt loops which could help make the look more relaxed?