3 End of Summer Essentials

As we reach the end of summer, getting dressed can become slightly more difficult. The weather is still warm, but the evenings are beginning to cool, and the very lightweight clothes we have relied on throughout July and August can start to feel a little out of place.

This is where a few versatile wardrobe staples come into their own. Rather than completely changing your wardrobe as we move towards autumn, there are a number of pieces that can bridge the gap between the two seasons. Linen remains perfectly suited to warm days, while a lightweight cotton polo can be worn on its own or underneath tailored suits. And when the temperature drops in the evening, a fine cashmere crew neck is an easy layer to reach for.

Below we have put together three of our favourite end of summer essentials, along with some of our favourite ways to style them.

1. French Linen One Piece Collar Riviera Shirt

Our French Linen One Piece Collar Riviera Shirt was designed with summer in mind, but its darker colourways make it particularly useful at this time of year. Available in navy and dark olive, both shades are subdued enough to work well with autumnal colours, whilst the lightweight French linen remains breathable enough for warmer days.

The one-piece collar also gives the shirt a little more versatility than a conventional casual linen shirt. Worn open with jeans or trousers, it has a relaxed holiday feel, but under a jacket the collar develops a beautiful roll and gives the outfit a little more formality.

Look One:

Starting off with a simple look, try the navy riviera shirt with a pair of light wash jeans and black loafers. We particularly like the contrast between a darker navy and a lighter denim, as it keeps the outfit looking distinctly summery without becoming too bright. The black loafers give the outfit a little more structure and prevent it from becoming overly casual. You could wear the shirt tucked in for a slightly smarter appearance, or leave it untucked for a more relaxed look.

Look Two:

Dark olive and white is one of our favourite combinations for summer, and the riviera shirt makes the pairing particularly easy. When paired with white jeans, this creates a contrast against the olive without making the outfit feel overly stark. 

To take the look into the evening, add a dark jacket or blazer over the top. This introduces another dark colour whilst remaining harmonious with the olive, and the combination has enough depth to work particularly well as the evenings begin to cool. If you want to keep things relaxed, leave the shirt untucked. Alternatively, tuck the shirt in and add a belt for a slightly more polished interpretation.

Look Three:

For a smarter interpretation of the riviera shirt, pair the navy shirt with grey or black trousers and a blazer. This is an excellent combination for the office, dinner or any occasion where you want to look smart without resorting to a conventional shirt. It is a relatively simple combination, but one that demonstrates just how far the riviera shirt can move away from its holiday origins.

2. Extra-Long Staple Cotton Coach Polo

The Extra-Long Staple Cotton Coach Polo is another piece that sits comfortably between casual and formal. Inspired by the classic coach polo shirts of the past, it has slightly longer sleeves, a more substantial collar and ribbed cuffs and hem, giving it a more elegant appearance than many modern polos.

The five colourways (cream, navy, brown, grey and black) also make it particularly versatile. The lighter cream works naturally with white, denim and brown, whilst the darker colours can be paired with more tailored garments or more casual pieces without looking out of place.

Look One:

Cream and brown is a combination that is difficult to go wrong with, particularly towards the end of summer. The warm cream of the polo would work naturally with a brown jacket, whilst an addition of white jeans can keep the outfit light. This is a good example of how the coach polo can be used in place of a shirt. The collar gives the blazer enough structure to keep the outfit looking smart, whilst the polo itself makes the overall appearance considerably more relaxed. If the white jeans feel a little too stark, try a slightly warmer ecru or stone pair instead. The result will be just as elegant, but with a softer overall appearance.

Look Two: 

The navy coach polo is perhaps the easiest of the five colours to dress up. For a straightforward smart casual outfit, pair it with grey trousers and black loafers. The combination is deliberately simple. Navy and grey are both understated colours, so neither competes with the other, while the darker footwear gives the outfit a little more definition.

For the office, or for a dinner where you want to look slightly more formal, add a navy or charcoal jacket. 

3. Cashmere Crew Neck

Although cashmere is often associated with colder months, a fine 2-ply cashmere crew neck can be an incredibly useful transitional piece. Our Cashmere Crew Neck is knitted in Scotland from 100% cashmere and has a relatively lightweight 12-gauge construction, making it considerably easier to layer than a chunky winter sweater.

At the end of summer, this makes it particularly useful for evenings. Wear it over a shirt during the day, layer it underneath a blazer when you want something smarter, or simply keep it to hand for when the temperature drops.

Look One:

For an easy combination, try pairing the oatmeal crew neck with a navy blazer and light wash denim jeans. This makes for an ideal end of summer outfit. The oatmeal cashmere gives the outfit a softer appearance than a bright white sweater would, whilst the navy blazer provides enough contrast to stop the colours from becoming too similar. Light wash jeans then bring everything back towards the casual end of the spectrum.

For a slightly more relaxed appearance, simply wear the crew neck with the jeans and loafers. If the evening becomes cooler, the blazer can easily be added later.

Look Two: 

Dark olive works particularly well with cream, and the combination has a natural, understated quality that makes it very easy to wear. Pairing the cashmere crew neck in dark olive with cream trousers and brown loafers creates a beautiful yet sophisticated, earthy palette. The olive, brown and cream colourway complement each other without the need for a harsh contrast. And if you want to make the outfit slightly smarter, try adding a textured jacket in a different shade of brown or olive.

Look Three:

For something a little smarter, the grey mélange cashmere crew neck can be worn over a white Oxford shirt with navy trousers. Grey, white and navy are all extremely versatile colours, so there is very little risk of the outfit becoming too busy. The grey cashmere also gives the shirt a softer appearance than a jacket would, making this a good option for those occasions when tailoring feels slightly too formal. Finish with loafers and allow a small amount of the white shirt collar to show above the crew neck.