LAWS OF THE GAME: VOL. 8, PT 2: THE NEW RULES OF YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE
PART 2 – PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE
There’s casual summer style, and then there’s summer professionalism. This is the realm where form still matters — where your wardrobe has to carry the weight of your intellect, reputation, and ambition, even when the mercury pushes 95.
And while some industries have embraced “business casual” to the point of collapse, you don’t have to follow them into oblivion. Because dressing well in the heat doesn’t mean layering up or sweating through wool. It means dressing intelligently.
Here’s how to play it cool — and proper.
RULE 1 — Logo Golf Polos Are a Minefield
The country club crest. The luxury resort name-drop. The “I played Pebble Beach once” badge. These are not fashion — they’re souvenirs disguised as status. While the logo polo has its place (on the course, on a Saturday), it doesn’t belong in a professional setting unless your job is funded by Titleist.
If you want to wear a polo to work, keep it clean, classic, and logo-free. Pique cotton or a crisp jersey knit. Slim, not tight. And neutral colors — navy, white, olive, or charcoal. Brands like James Perse and Sunspel get it right. But when you're ready for next-level polish, CMMP offers made-to-measure polos cut from fine Italian cotton — tailored to your frame, stitched with your standards.
RULE 2 — Keep a Blazer at the Office (And a Proper Hanger, Too)
The commute is a war zone — sweat, friction, and unforgiving subway air. Don't let it ruin your fit. Instead, keep a sharp, featherweight blazer at your office, hung up and ready for action. It’s your armor — for impromptu client meetings, steakhouse lunches, or 4 p.m. drop-ins from senior leadership.
A well-made tropical wool or high-twist wool jacket will resist wrinkles, breathe with you, and look crisp even after a long hang on the back of your chair. Linen is fine for weekends in Montauk, but wool remains the undefeated champ in terms of recovery and structure. Navy is the most versatile. Brown or olive if you're bolder.
At CMMP, we make unstructured blazers with real guts — tailored in here in the USA and cut to handle the heat without compromising presence.
RULE 3 — Trade the Tie for the Pocket Square
Let’s be honest — the tie has lost its everyday relevance. Outside the courtroom or your own wedding, it can feel a little… forced. But go tieless and squareless, and you risk looking like you forgot something. A pocket square is the bridge — the sign that you care, that you’ve thought this through.
Skip the origami folds and exploding patterns. Choose a subtle square — something white always works, perhaps hand-rolled — and let just half an inch peek out of your chest pocket. It’s an elegant nod to tradition without the literal noose around your neck.
Want to really signal fluency? Match the square to mood, not shirt or socks. A muted print for somber occasions, a splash of color for rooftop drinks. It's jazz, not math.
RULE 4 — Wear the Right Trousers, Not Just "Not Jeans"
Summer workwear isn't just "not denim." It's a curated approach to pants that move, breathe, and drape with quiet confidence. Think cotton-linen blends, lightweight high-twist wool, or brushed cotton in tonal colors — cream, sand, slate, or moss.
Pleats? Yes — if you need some extra thigh room and know how to wear them. Drawstring waists? Only if they’re tailored. Cropped or cuffed? Depends on the shoe. The point is: intentionality. You're not mailing it in. You're saying, “I still care — even when it’s 92 degrees.”
And yes, we make custom trousers in our in-house atelier that nail this balance — clean lines, breathable fabrics, and finishes that feel quietly elite.
RULE 5 — Leather Still Matters in the Heat
Footwear gets lazy in the summer. We get it. But just because you can wear sneakers every day doesn’t mean you should. In the professional world, footwear is still code — and your colleagues are still decoding it, even if they don't say it out loud.
A well-made loafer — penny or tassel— is the best summer option. Pair with no-show socks and let your ankles breathe. If your office leans more formal, a lightweight derby or blucher in suede or calfskin works perfectly. Save the espadrilles for your Mykonos escape.
At CMMP, we partner with Vogel NYC to craft custom shoes built for the modern man — American-made, bench-built, and fully customizable. Because shoes still matter. Even in August.
FINAL WORD:
Looking good in the heat isn’t about layering up. It’s about leveling up. Knowing your materials, your cuts, and your context. Because summer may be casual, but you’re not. And style, especially when it’s hot, is just another form of strategy.
Stay sharp, stay cool, and always—Die Proper.
— Craig Arthur von Schroeder
Founder, Commonwealth Proper