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Style Let's Go Shopping

Men’s Summer Style Essentials: 5 Pieces to Buy

Your warm weather power players
faded image of a beach umbrella against a blue sky

by Gabi Updated: June 14, 2024

Products are curated by Style Girlfriend editors. Purchases through our links may earn us an affiliate commission.

Summer 2024. It’s so close.

Short weeks, long days. The warm weather season is almost upon us. Can you feel it?

At SG HQ, we’re more than ready to help you embrace the summer vibes.

And now is the perfect time to add a few men’s summer style essentials to your shopping list.

The fashion industry’s seasonal cycles are getting gradually less bizarre, but it’s still true that if you don’t start shopping now, you’ll miss your shot at the best summer styles.

Before you know it, stores will be stocking fall boots and sturdy sweaters, and you’ll miss out on the best pieces to wear right now.

Below, check out the 5 men’s summer style essentials of 2024:

Summer Style Essential #1 Wear-everywhere athleisure shorts

pair of peach-colored patagonia baggies shorts set against a beach background image
Patagonia 5″ Baggies shorts, $65 | shop on Huckberry

SG Says: If there was ever a time to lean into athleisure, this is it.

I’ve loved a man in sport shorts forever, and it gave me much pleasure to see the internet’s resident Menswear Guy agree that the look is, in fact, chic as hell:

screenshot of a tweet from @dieworkwear that says: my one summer style belief is that slim shorts are uniquely bad and shorts should be baggy with a hem that floats around your thigh like a hula hoop
image: @dieworkwear on X (formerly Twitter)

Even better? This new breed of hybrid shorts can take you from the gym to the pool to, well..everywhere else.

RELATED: The 5 Best 5-inch Shorts

Wear yours with a Dri-fit shirt to get in a few squats in the morning, sure. But also? Wear them with a button-front sport shirt when WFH. Wear them on a hot girl walk, or to a backyard barbecue.

Basically, treat all-day shorts like a pair of khaki chino shorts.

Wearing them with t-shirts, oxford button-ups, and long-sleeve knits. They’re all fair (fashion) game.

Summer Style Essential #2 Stylish Sandals

picture of blue Birkenstock sandals against a blue sky background
Birkenstock Arizona EVA sandals, $50 | shop on Shopbop

SG Says: Note that “sandals” is not an umbrella term that includes flip flops.

Love a pool slide, hate a thong (ugh, that name even) sandal.

And yes, we love a man in Birkenstocks. Still. Check back next year and maybe we’ll be saying something different, but for now? So long as your toenails are in check, you’re good to go.

The easy-breezy style makes a great casual alternative to a boat shoe or sneaker and comes in so many colors and styles. Perfect for wearing anywhere even remotely near water.

Poolside snacks optional, but encouraged.

Shop sandals

Summer Style Essential #3 Light wash Jeans

image of a man from the chest down wearing a grey sweatshirt with his arms crossed, and light wash jeans with grey sneakers. set against a beach sky background
Madewell 1991 straight-leg jean, $138 | shop on Madewell

SG Says: Here at SG HQ, we’ve always stressed the importance of owning a pair of slim or straight, dark denim jeans. And we stand by that!

But we just can’t deny the cool factor of a good pair of light wash denim in the summertime. The most stylish pairs have a slim leg, and minimal (if any) whiskering and fading.

READ MORE: 6 sneakers to wear this summer

Wear them rolled up a little at the ankle with canvas sneakers or boat shoes to close out the summer in style.

Summer Style Essential #4 Drawstring Pants

image of a man from the waist down wearing blue drawstring pants with white sneakers. text on-screen reads: men's summer style upgrades
Eleventy drawstring waist cotton stretch pants, $395 | shop on Nordstrom

SG Says: In addition to the athleisure, wear-everywhere shorts above, now’s the time to splurge on comfy-but-still-stylish drawstring shorts and pants in (slightly) more formal materials like twill and chambray.

RELATED: Shorts outfit ideas for summer

Yes, you’ll probably spend most of the summer in swim trunks, but there will still be occasions where *real* clothes are in order!

Shop drawstring pants

Summer Style Essential #5 a cropped tee built for a man

close-up image of a man in profile, wearing a mint green t-shirt with off-white pants. text on-screen reads: men's summer style upgrades
Abercrombie vintage-inspired cropped tee, $29 | shop on Abercrombie

SG Says: If you’ve been holding off from trying a shorter t-shirt, now’s your time. Abercrombie’s go-to style is less than thirty bucks, and comes in plenty of colors.

Don’t worry, this isn’t a belly tee. The slightly cropped hem just adds a modern touch to a timeless staple.

***

Want help shopping for men’s summer style essentials?

Like what you see above, but don’t want to do the work of combing through each item to find what’s best for you? Let Team SG create a customized shopping plan based on your budget, body type, and style preferences!

Learn more here >

***

Gabi

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Gabi Meyers went from Team SG's first-ever intern to a trusted fashion editor and stylist. She currently lives in Chicago with a very cute dog.

More articles by Gabi

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