A compact summer wardrobe can consist of four tops, three trousers and one shirt in colours that combine with each other. If the colours are matched to each other, you can make many different outfits with eight pieces. Choose light fabrics and fits with enough room to move. Below you will find exactly which eight pieces we choose, why, and how to combine them.
Why eight pieces are enough
In summer you usually need fewer layers. That makes a compact wardrobe easier to put together. With fewer pieces, combining becomes simpler. Above all, choose pieces that go with several other items.
The colour palette
- Base: navy and white.
- Soft: cream and light blue.
- Warm: khaki.
These five colours all combine with each other. If you want an accent, add one polo in a warmer shade, such as brown or olive green.
The eight pieces
Tops (4)
- An open polo made of lyocell in light blue. The Theodore is fine-knit, silky soft and has a collar without buttons. Your smarter summer polo for office and dinner.
- A striped cotton polo in white. The Atticus has stripe details on the collar and sleeve and a slim fit. Take one size larger than usual. Your weekend polo.
- A softly draping polo in navy. The Montgomery made of modal has soft stretch and a supple drape. Here too we advise one size larger.
- A knitted polo with quarter zip in cream. The Julian in ivory cream, made of cotton, silk and linen, for evenings and cooler days.
Trousers (3)
- A cream trouser. The Winston is light in weight, has a high waist and a slim-straight fit. Machine washable.
- A khaki trouser with elastic waistband. The Vincent has a mid-rise, a slim fit and two back pockets with zip. Ideal for travel and long days.
- A white trouser with pleat. The Harrison in white is a tapered trouser with a single pleat and belt loops. The most festive trouser of the eight.
Shirt (1)
- A white cotton shirt with a sturdy collar, for the office, a wedding or a dinner. With the sleeves rolled up you wear it just as easily on a terrace.
Fifteen outfits from eight pieces
Below are fifteen examples for office, weekend and holiday.
| # | Top | Trouser | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light blue open polo | Cream | Office |
| 2 | Light blue open polo | White | Summer dinner |
| 3 | Light blue open polo | Khaki | City |
| 4 | White striped polo | Khaki | Weekend |
| 5 | White striped polo | Cream | Terrace |
| 6 | Navy modal polo | White | Evening |
| 7 | Navy modal polo | Cream | Lunch |
| 8 | Navy modal polo | Khaki | Travel day |
| 9 | Cream polo with quarter zip | Khaki | Cool day |
| 10 | Cream polo with quarter zip | White | Festive evening |
| 11 | White shirt | Cream | Office |
| 12 | White shirt | Khaki | Meeting |
| 13 | White shirt | White | Wedding or summer party |
| 14 | Cream polo under white shirt, open | Khaki | Relaxed evening |
| 15 | White striped polo | White | On the water |
Shoes and accessories
With shoes too you can keep it simple:
- White leather sneakers for weekend and informal offices.
- Suede loafers in brown or navy for office and dinner.
- Smart sandals or espadrilles for holidays and the beach.
With that a leather belt in brown, sunglasses and a watch with a leather or fabric strap. Only add what you miss in practice.
Why these fabrics
| Fabric | Why in summer |
|---|---|
| Lyocell | Cool and silky soft, drapes softly |
| Cotton | Sturdy, familiar, easy to wash |
| Modal | Soft with light stretch, supple drape |
| Cotton, silk and linen | Light, with an open structure |
Read more about lyocell and modal on our material pages.
How to care for a small wardrobe
With a small wardrobe the same pieces are worn more often, so care is extra important. Wash knitted polos cold and let them dry flat. Hang trousers up straight after wearing, so creases drop out. And air polos for a night before you decide whether they need to go in the wash: many pieces are fresh again after a day of airing. That way your eight pieces stay beautiful all summer.
Pay extra attention to fit
With only eight pieces, every fit stands out. A polo that fits too loosely or a trouser that is too long will show in fifteen outfits. So with each piece pay attention to three things: the shoulder seam falls on the shoulder bone, and the sleeve of a polo ends halfway down the upper arm. A trouser ends just at the shoe without a big fold. Have a trouser that is too long shortened straight away: it is a small investment that makes every outfit better.
From day to evening with the same pieces
With small adjustments, the same base can work in the evening too. Swap sneakers for loafers, tuck in your polo and add a belt, or wear the white shirt open over a knitted polo. That way you turn an office outfit into a look for a summer dinner in a few minutes.
What if you need more?
If you work at a formal office, add a second shirt and a dark trouser in a light fabric. If you travel a lot, bring a thin cardigan or a light jacket for cool evenings and planes. But start with these eight and see after a month what you really miss. Only add later if you notice that something is really missing.
Take a look at the polos for men and the trousers to put together your summer wardrobe.
Shop the look
Atticus: striped cotton polo with buttons, white
Theodore: open lyocell polo, light blue
Montgomery: softly draping modal polo, navy
Winston: light high-waist trouser, cream
Vincent: slim-fit mid-rise trouser, khaki
Harrison: tapered trouser with pleats, white
Frequently asked questions
How much clothing does a man need in summer?
With eight to ten good pieces you can go a long way: four polos or tops, three trousers and a shirt, plus three pairs of shoes.
Which colours are easiest to combine for men?
Navy, white, cream, light blue and khaki. They all combine with each other, so every top suits every trouser.
Can a summer wardrobe also work at the office?
Yes. An open-knit polo or white shirt with a cream or khaki trouser is business-like enough at most offices.
