What to Wear: SS22
Talking shop. Loafers - so hot right now.
Hello again friends. First, let’s talk trends.
I don’t necessarily subscribe to these - but here’s what you’re seeing on your mens instagram ads, right now:
Loafers & Drivers (Blackstock and Weber is on my TL every day)
Cardigans (See these everywhere - if they have pockets or crazy patterns (like ducks or clouds, what are you, 12???), don’t buy them, cardigans are better without them. Also the pockets will make your cardigan have a weird drape as the knit loosens over time, which is a nonstarter, and an easy way to look old AF (as if you didn’t already (you’re wearing a cardigan)).
Sweater vests styled with t-shirts (Unless you’re ripped don’t do this - I tried once and I looked like a toddler).
6 inch shorts with angled hems (been this way for a few summers now) (if you don’t have 3-4 pairs of 6 inchers that make your thighs look great, hurry up, you’re missing out on attention from other guys)
Prints (like florals, Hawaiins, wild shirts etc.) (with tasteful chest hair, too) (more on this later).
Cargo shorts/Tech shorts (the Patagonia Baggies will always be a hit - but I’m seeing some people bring back American Eagle type cargo shorts like when we were in high school).
Trends are always; some good, some bad, some ugly. I think cargo shorts are awful lol but why not - if you’ve got the GORP/fanny pack style down pat, sure, I guess, go fucking fish (pun intended). I’m gonna skip the rest of the critique section and just tell you what should be looking for in the next few weeks to ramp up your Spring-Summer Style. Gonna throw a fit collage at the end too, so scroll down for the TLDR.
1. Linen Bottoms (Shorts & Pants both) (But Pants First)
Loose fitting pants ROCK in the summer because you don’t have to worry nearly as much about sweating. The dreaded swamp ass is always lurking during long days on the town; It’s important to keep it easy breezy. While, sure, linen shorts - or maybe some Nike or Adidas golf shorts if you’re all about #performance - could do the trick in keeping your ass crack out of sight and mind, I’m going to tell you that linen pants are the real winner. 1) You can wear them to the club 2) you can add pounds throughout the day (most have a relaxed fit/drawstring), 3) the fabric is at least a 50/50 cotton/linen blend, and natural fibers just breathe better in the summer and 4) the baggy shape is not only trendy, but flexible with the shoes you’re wearing (they’ll kinda sag/drape on top of high top sneakers but they’ll hit just above the ankle with your loafers).
Shorts: These aren’t linen but they’ll do the trick.
2. Wide(!) Camp Collar Shirts
A camp collar is a collar that kind of juts out like a lapel. Some people call this a “Cuban Collar” - the point here is that you. are. chillin. - and you’re not even thinking about buttoning up. That’s a weekend vibe we can all get behind.
Google search “Camp collar shirts” or use this Gear Patrol article for reference - it’s from last year so a lot of the shirts are on clearance.
3. Lil’ Piece o’ Jewelry
First there was LL Cool J. Then Lil’ Wayne. Then Lil’ Uzi Vert. Well let me introduce you to: Lil’ Piece of Jewelry.
Guys. We have to get over the social stigma that jewelry is only for women and Italians. It’s time we show some cleavage too. Lil’ Piece o’ Jewelry is not to be confused with his cousin, Lil’ Bitta Chest, but when paired together, this duo has a ton of sex appeal. Don’t be afraid to unbutton and show off what you’re rocking - as long as you keep your lowest button north of your nipple. Always save some mystery for the afterparty.
BREAKING NEWS: YOUR FIRST COMMUNION “ST. SEBASTIAN PROTECT WE TRAVELERS” CHAIN WILL WORK JUST FINE. WANT PROOF? I HAVE BEEN WEARING IT FOR 5+ MONTHS AND NO ONE HAS SAID A WORD. NOT ONE PERSON. NO ONE’S PAYING THAT MUCH ATTENTION. JUST MAKE SURE IT’S NOT RUSTED OUT OR FAKE. DON’T OVERTHINK IT. OK.
4. Loafers - NOT Drivers
This picture should explain my thesis but basically the rules for summer loafers are:
1) No suede. Not tryna worry about getting stepped on when I’m stepping out.
2) The harder the bottom the better. Love it when they hear me coming.
3) If you can rock an elevated heel, rock an elevated heel. I don’t wear loafers with shorts but if I DID, my calves would pop TF off.
4) Don’t be afraid to get a lil’ crazy. Two-tones are nice - I especially enjoy the one’s above on the left.
5) Wear. White. Socks. Just do it. The key to truly steezin’ is not looking like you’re trying tooooo hard. (Like Ye says… “When you try hard / that’s when you die hard) (RIP Bruce Willis)
5) Hair (Naked Heads in general)
Speaking of Bruce Willis, let’s get scalpular. Last year was all about bucket hats - this summer let’s go topless. I don’t care if you’re bald (you know who you are…), just be sexy. Stop worrying about how it’ll be received, wearing a baseball hat to the bar is a good way to look shady, not skip the line, and even worse, not get any attention from other guys. If nothing else the chrome dome is a conversation starter. Pretty rich coming from a guy with a ton of hair - sue me!
If you’ve got enough up there to style - I really don’t have much to say besides a little bit of product goes a long way.
6. Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
The Goodlife x WM Brown S/S Sweatshirt from SS21 was my favorite thing to wear last summer (the one I bought was in Navy). THEY DON’T MAKE IT ANYMORE which is kind of sad, although part of me loves the fact that I received a rare product for less than $100. By the end of the summer I’d lost too much weight to wear this shape with confidence - so when you’re considering fit, you’ll either wanna bulk up a little, or size down a lot. Wear it with nylon shorts, your go-to 6 inch inseam khakis, or even those Banana linen pants you just browsed, on a boat, on the beach, at the bar - you’re vintage, sporty, comfy, even. The bigger the size, the wider the collar. Everyone wants to see some collarbone these days - and if you’ve got traps, that’s even better. Either way a short sleeve sweatshirt makes for strong looks across the board.
This one from Todd Snyder is the best I can find. (And shamelessly, I’ll plug American Trench sub-brand Original Equipment too - ours sells for $90 but message me and I’ll lob you a 10% off code).
Okay, that’s it.
Thanks for reading The Seam.