Gitman Vintage, $210

Leave it to a city just 12 degrees north of the equator to create the ideal summer fabric. Named for its southeast Indian birthplace, Madras the city was founded by the British in the 17th century (and officially renamed Chennai in 1996). Sometime in the early 19th century, local weavers—influenced by the tartans worn by Scottish soldiers—started making vibrant plaids out of lightweight yet durable cotton. And it's stuck around ever since. These days, we're not wearing them in the prep context of yesteryear. But they sure look and feel cool when worn over a T-shirt with your favorite washed denim or by themselves with some cut-off chino shorts. Here are a few that range in price from the easy pick-up to the investment piece.