
Your Summer Suit Alternative
Try a matching set for a no-brainer warm weather fit
Suits, in the summer? Sure, they're sometimes necessary but they never really made sense. If you don't have a dedicated summer suit, the three-season variety can bring the suffering with stiff fabrics and multiple layers. With the relentless heat, it doesn't matter how breathable your blazer claims to be, it's rarely comfortable once the temperature rises. Which is why more and more guys are starting to realize that there's a better, more seasonally appropriate alternative: the matching set. These are coordinated combos—think camp-collar shirts or workwear-inspired shirt jackets with matching trousers or tailored shorts—that offer the same visual cohesion as a suit, without any of the formality or fuss.
The best part? You don't have to sacrifice style to stay cool. Today's matching sets come in soft, lightweight fabrics like linen, seersucker and cotton poplin, with cuts that are relaxed but still refined. They're ideal for everything from low-key weddings and summer Fridays to rooftop drinks and vacation dinners. It's the kind of look that says, “I've got it together,” even if you're just trying to beat the heat.
The Pairings
1
Cut from a striped cotton poplin that's finished with a special enzyme wash that gives it a soft, slick feel, almost like dense satin.
Poplin shirt ($198)
and short ($198),
both by Todd Snyder
2
Long sleeve, with a rugged workwear vibe, but cut from a breezy European flax linen. The pants have a single pleat with a crease down the leg for a tailored finish.

Linen utility shirt,
$128 / $90 by Everlane

Linen trouser,
$148 / $104 by Everlane
3
Like a modern, streamlined version of seersucker, this crinkled fabric offers plenty of space for airflow. The pants have a wide, tapered leg.
Crinkle cotton shirt ($109)
and pant ($109),
both by COS
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4
The closest thing to a suit on our list, this chore jacket/blazer hybrid is lightweight and pairs with a pair of relaxed pleated pants.

Loiter jacket,
$432 by Engineered Garments

Carlyle pant,
$372 by Engineered Garments
5
A Cuban-style stitched and embroidered Guayabera shirt is paired with some matching pull-on pants.
Brisa linen shirt ($159 / $111)
and pant ($109 / $98),
both by Dandy Del Mar
6
This vintage-inspired military shirt has been reimagined in lightweight linen, but kept all the cool details. The same goes for the fatigue pants.

Loomed linen fatigue shirt,
$198 by Buck Mason

Fatigue pant,
$188 by Buck Mason
7
A boxy, cropped camp collar shirt (in a wide range of colors and patterns) pairs with matching 6-inch pull-on shorts.
Linen-blend shirt ($60)
and short ($60),
both by Abercrombie & Fitch
Upgrade Your Detergent
You’ll be washing clothes more frequently during the warmer months due to sweat. Dedcool’s “dedtergent” is eco-friendly and offers at least 60 washes in this cool, industrial tin. The soap itself has a sophisticated scent, with notes of citrus peel, fresh dew and warm amber—perfect for this time of year.
Dedtergent 01 “Taunt”,DedCool
$35 by