Classic Summer
Fashion June 24th, 2010
In the summertime, we love: gin and tonics, Wimbledon, tomatoes off the vine—and this pantheon of summer classics.
Pictured above, top row, from left:
No one should make it through the summer without a Madras—the drink or the shirt! The name comes from Madras, India, where the original fabric was in a red-and-black checked plaid. Now, of course, madras comes in a variety of colors, including this blue linen version from Sid Mashburn. Wear it in style with a Madras in hand: 1 ½ ounces vodka, 3 ounces cranberry juice,and 1 ounce orange juice. Cheers!
Nothing could perk up summer whites or khakis as much as this raspberry and aqua stripe tie belt from Sid Mashburn. Made of classic rep tie silk, it has a sturdy copper belt with an antique brass finish.
The breathable cotton pique polo is every man’s summer salvation and this version from Peter Elliot breathes even more life into a venerable classic. We love the original embroidered logo (so much cooler than a Polo pony or a Brooks Brothers sheep) and the fresh colors including flamingo, forget me not, or the light green pictured here.
Bottom row, from left:
Paul Henreid wore one in both Casablanca and Now, Voyager; Paul Newman favored them off the screen too. Nothing is as dashing in the summer than a fine Panama hat and we are crazy about the choices at 100 % Capri. On a woman, they have even more pizazz—think Lauren Hutton in wide-leg trousers, Oxford-cloth shirt and Panama fedora.
Topsiders were invented in 1935 by Paul Sperry, who designed the rubber sole based on the grooves of his dog’s paw. Sperry was seeking better traction while on his boat’s deck; fellow sailors also loved that the sole’s white color left no marks. The company’s slogan remains nautical—“A Passon for the Sea”—but we think this pair in red from Sid Mashburn will look just as sporty on dry land.
This crisp cotton tunic by Sylvia Heisel may not be a summer classic yet, but it should be. Available at Mimi in blue, black, and white, it is perfect with Capri pants, jeans, or summer wide-legs. Wear it by itself as a bathing suit cover-up and you’ll be the chicest thing on the beach.
Elusive Find: Oysterman
