MyTheresa, Johnstons of Elgin, Scarosso
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As we move into the second half of 2025 those of us in Europe (like me) and North America begin to think of summer. We’ve earned a return to sunshine and warm weather. The nature of my job writing about style and travel means that when I’m not flying to resorts and hotels to investigate the best places to holiday in, I’m heading to cities for menswear presentations and catwalk shows. Summer menswear can be more tricky than in the colder months—fewer layers generally means fewer options—but it’s by no means impossible to look cool while basking in glorious heat. To make things easier for you, the hard-working Robb Report faithful, I humbly present my tips for blending style with comfort on this year’s summer travels, as well as a few of my top choices for where to go this season.
I have two main criteria when I assemble my travel wardrobe: I like to pack light, and I like to be able to go from day to night without heading back to my hotel to change. That means versatility is key. Outfits should be able to go from “by the sea” to “in the restaurant” with minimal effort, if timings demand it. You never know what kind of invitation may come your way when on a riviera somewhere. It’s always best to be prepared. Here’s how to do just that.
Tailoring
Image Credit: Brioni, Dunhill Summer tailoring is one of my favourite areas of menswear. Packing a suit is always a good idea: there will likely be a dinner for which you need it; separate the pieces and wear them with beach gear to create an outstanding high/low mix. Pleats are very much in trend now for trousers, and I’m a fan: they create so much comfort if you need to wear them all day and soften the look when compared to flat-fronted trousers. The summer collections from Dunhill and Brioni, shown in Milan last June, contained some exquisite examples of relaxed, flowing tailoring, which will allow the body to let heat out and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. These trousers from dunhill ($625, at center) are in a soft, light cotton perfect for the heat—roll up the trouser legs to dip your feet in the ocean, throw your shoes back on and pair with a light jacket to head straight to dinner. Brioni’s limited-edition Amalfi jacket ($15,600) will brighten up any outfit with the vivid colours of both the single and double-breasted version.
Of course, linen is the most popular summer tailoring cloth, and this year, the suit I’ll be grabbing comes from English heritage brand New & Lingwood. Alongside the classic creams and browns, they have released wonderful separates in crisp black linen ($1,295 for the jacket, $325 for the pleated trousers), which will bring an extra touch of rock star swagger to my summer looks. Find them at their New York townhouse to have the fit adjusted to your exact needs.
Pleats are also not restricted to trousers: tailored shorts, like ones from Italian house Pal Zileri, ($305), will be perfect on the beach but are formal enough for dinner later. Just dry off, throw on your jacket, and you’re good to go.
Wear it to: Monaco is the quintessential blend of formal and relaxed. Kicking off the summer with the Monaco Grand Prix at the end of May is about as luxurious as travel gets; a room at Hôtel de Paris will make sure you have a good view (they have the most track viewing area of any of the luxury hotels) and comes with access to all the other properties owned by Monte Carlo SBM, including the beach clubs. 2025 is the year Monaco reinvents itself for the more modern traveler. Make sure you’re first on the scene.
Knitwear
Image Credit: Colhay’s, Johnston’s of Elgin This one may sound weird, but hear me out: knitwear works for summer too. Now I’m not advocating for chunky rollnecks by the pool, but a fine gauge, lightweight cloth in either Merino or cashmere will let heat out when you need it to, repel the sweat and sunscreen transferring over from your skin, and look great across your body.
Matthew Gonzalez, the only American bespoke tailor on London’s Savile Row, agrees. “High-gauge yarns can be knitted with a higher stitch count, making it especially well-suited to summer weather,” he tells Robb Report. “This construction results in a fabric that is lighter and more breathable, allowing air to circulate freely across the skin, keeping you cool without sacrificing the garment’s silhouette.” Gonzalez offers a made-to-measure ribbed t-shirt in Loro Piana Merino or a 70-30 cashmere-silk blend from his Savile Row atelier; if you’re in a hurry then a Merino sport shirt (around $265) from Colhay’s, at left, the wide rib at the collar looks great under a tailored jacket; or a Superfine Cashmere Polo ($750) from Johnstons of Elgin, at right, is a great alternative. For the more adventurous, a Lavender Cashmere Tank ($550), also by Johnstons, will allow you to show off your guns by the pool.
Wear it to: best suited to places where the evening breeze is cooler. Glenapp Castle, on the southwest coast of Scotland, has opened a new restaurant for this summer, offers sea safaris around the Hebridean Sea, and is a short car ride from some of the world’s best golf courses. Head to Portrush for the Open, then hop on a one-hour crossing to Scotland to test your swing against what you just saw.
Casualwear
Image Credit: MyTheresa, Orlebar Brown There is no need to forgo style when you head to the pool (or jump off your yacht, whatever works). Swimshorts have been elevated these days so they can be as much part of an outfit as they are a practical necessity. For 2025, Chanel-owned Orlebar Brown has released a version of its signature Bulldog shorts in silk ($745)—the cloth brings a super-luxe touch, the side tabs bring sartorial comfort, and I can’t wait to rock mine this summer.
On top, I’ll be wearing bold print shirts to match the brightness of the sunshine. Brazilian luxury resortwear brand Frescobol Carioca has launched a capsule exclusively with MyTheresa, which includes this punchy bowling shirt ($350) in silk, at left. Wear its Cuban collar wide over the lapels of that black linen suit, or forgo the jacket and pair it with your pleated shorts. As with tailoring, linen is also king of the summer shirt: this palm tree embroidery from Frescobol x MyTheresa ($305) or this vibrant Paeonia print from OB ($525) will bring the right amount of life and energy to my looks, either alone or toned down with the suiting.
For days when a little more subtlety feels appropriate, I never look past the Riviera Polo ($155) from English brand Sunspel. Its Classic T-Shirt ($98) is the best on the market – I always pack a few, no matter what the season—but the breathable cotton mesh and tailored fit of the polo is perfect for the summer heat. Grab a few seasonal colours so you can switch them out with a couple of different jackets for a whole series of semi-formal day-to-night outfits.
Wear it to: Saint-Tropez is a must-visit at some point in the season, and the legendary Byblos is where you should post up. Summer 2025 sees a new rooftop bar, new restaurant, summer residency by Zuma, and new suites by designer-of-the-moment Laura Gonzalez all added to their offering; days at their beach club in Ramatuelle followed by nights at Les Caves du Roy are the pinnacle of decadent summer luxury.
Shoes
Image Credit: Scarosso, Jacques Soloviere Summer footwear is tricky for me: I need my feet to breathe, but I need them to be fully covered. Flip-flops and slides are decidedly not my thing; leather loafers can be too much. This year, I think I’ve found the balance between comfort and elegance with braided and perforated versions of classic loafer shapes. The Vittorio ($485) and Andrea, at left, ($475) by Scarosso—if you don’t know the name yet, you have undoubtedly seen them on feet walking red carpets—have refinement with a bit more airflow.
For even more lightness and breathability without sacrificing any of the style I’m looking for, I’ll go to Parisian brand Jacques Solovière. The slim body and tapered toe of its Belgian loafer, fittingly named Jacques, is now available in perforated leather ($401), allowing plenty of air in and heat out while retaining enough structure to be worn in the evening. That versatility is also shown in the range developed with N.Y.C.-based creative director Steve González, including the Biarritz suede sandals, at right, ($262). “[They] have a vintage shape with a modern touch, which makes them easy to style with any ensemble you envision,” Gonzalez explains. “My preferred approach is with ivory trousers and a tobacco linen shirt.” That shape allows the sandal to appear almost fully closed when worn under tailoring, without the worry of looking too hippie-esque, but the gaps in the woven suede allow all the heat to escape the foot.
Wear it to: Norman’s Cay is a new island resort in the Bahamas, accessible by private jet or yacht, with an abundance of nature-immersion activities, private dining options, and just a handful of luxury villas and bungalows for you and your friends to enjoy. Tranquil, unless you decide to make it otherwise…
Accessories
Image Credit: Carl Friedrik, Nordstrom, Jacques Marie Mage No summer outfit is complete without good embellishments, starting with the sunglasses. There are two ways to go with your shades: larger-than-life, rock star excess—in which case L.A.-based Jacques Marie Mage are your choice, my favourites are the Admiral, far right ($1,075)—or subtle, sleek frames which perform their function quietly—for these, N.Y.C.’s Moscot are the answer. They’ve just released a limited edition of its Lemtosh frames ($870), which will be my everyday wear, if I can grab a pair in time. Whatever the shape of your face or preference for colour or flamboyance level, the idea is the same: pack one pair that works with every outfit and be done with it.
The same rule applies to my summer scent. I like to wear something at all times; I don’t like to pack several bottles. This year it’s the new Buongiorno from Aqua di Parma, center, ($307 at Nordstrorm), as the basil and lavender notes smell great in the day or night. Grooming expert Robin James, founder of Man For Himself, agrees: “Acqua di Parma Buongiorno is an energetic, elegant fragrance that can do it all. The Acqua di Parma DNA is very much there, blending bright citrus and aromatic greens with a more structured, herbaceous quality. The inclusion of spearmint brings a clean, energetic lift to the scent…Effortless, elevated, and perfect for summer.”
All this gear has to be packed somewhere, and I’m very much in favour of looking as good in the airport as at the destination. I’ve been a fan of Carl Friedrik luggage for a while now as their pieces are light but sturdy, and impeccably designed. They just released a new version of their cabin luggage ($395)—I’m a carry-on man all the way—in partnership with the Atlassian Williams Racing F1 team, in a blue-on-white colourway to match the team’s livery. It looks crisp and cool, which is exactly how I hope to be throughout my summer travels.
Wear it to: The Windsor, London Heathrow’s new private terminal. Why here? Because you should start your trips like you mean to continue them: in uncompromising luxury.
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