So far, the “great British summer” has been, well, not so great. But let’s look on the bright side — while our continental cousins are perspiring through their linens, we get to play around with an entire picnic basket of menswear to suit our ever-unpredictable climate.
And what a year to have such freedom! As the summer collections hit stores, we’re reminded of just how hard the S/S ’24 shows really went. Here, in collaboration with Seiko Presage, we revisit four of fashion month’s biggest and best trends and explain how timeless accessories can help you make them your own.
Lighten up, loosen up
It’s only natural that tailoring errs towards the lighter side in summer. But looking back to fashion month, there was a clear vision for breezy suiting in shades of white and cream. At Dior, boxy jackets were worn with cropped trousers. Givenchy paired its white suit – which was oversized but fluid — with T-shirts and black patent loafers, while Zegna made magic out of linen. The lesson? Dare to go pale, skip the summer red and keep everything else simple. Think: good-quality loafers and a handsome watch, such as the Seiko Presage Classic ‘Shiro-Iro’, with a textured dial that references the natural finish of silk, and a stainless-steel bracelet inspired by those of the Seventies. Miami Vice, be damned.
Wear your shorts long
The great question in menswear: how short should a pair of shorts be? For summer 2024, designers were split between two camps: thigh-grazingly short, or long and loose around the knee. We’re firmly on team Bermuda, and in such good company too! There’s Fendi, which opted for swishy, knee-length shorts paired with oversized shirting, a bucket hat and clogs; and Kenzo, where Nigo made a surprisingly solid case for three-quarter lengths. Just remember: the longer the shorts, the more important a wide leg becomes. With accessories, it never hurts to keep things tonal. Khaki shorts work well with taupe Birkenstocks and a pale persimmon Seiko Presage Classic Series ‘Araigaki’.
Double down on double breasted
Double-breasted tailoring in itself isn’t anything new. But it was inescapable at the S/S ’24 shows, this time with a relaxed, Eighties feel. Think Giorgio Armani, whose signature louche cut is without doubt the suit of the moment, and whose DBs this season were worn over waistcoats and bare chests. If you’re inspired to go sans shirt, it’s worth paying particular attention to your accessories to avoid looking slovenly. A thin gold chain and a statement watch — like the Seiko Presage Classic Series ‘Sumi-Iro’, with its striking open-heart design — can be the difference between artfully understated and looking half-dressed.
Denim redux
It’s denim, but not as you knew it. At Louis Vuitton, jeans and jackets screamed loud luxury with an all-over ‘Damoflague’ jacquard check. Wales Bonner reinvented the Canadian tuxedo with bona fide tailoring in classic indigo, while at both Valentino and Bottega Veneta, jeans were worn with shirts and ties. The moral of the story, here, is that denim can be elegant when done right. Focus on fit and cut — high-rise with a wide leg is a good bet this season, and experiment with more embellished styles. Don’t be afraid to dress it up with a white shirt, leather boots and a Seiko Presage Classic Series ‘Sensaicha’, with a wabi-sabi-inspired dial that complements the natural imperfections of the denim.
Discover the full Seiko Presage Classic collection, designed with inherent Japanese elegance
Seiko Presage Classic Series ‘Shiro-Iro’
Seiko Presage Classic Series ‘Sumi-Iro’ Open Heart
