These Uniqlo pieces are the secret for staying polished and put-together in the heat.
Summer in the city has its own particular logic. Somewhere between a morning meeting, a lunch that bleeds into afternoon day drinking, and a date with your personal trainer right after, you're expected to look like you've got it together. Without even breaking a sweat, obviously.
That's the friction of summer dressing nobody talks about. Not the heat itself, but the accumulating toll of moving through it. The underground commute that leaves you dishevelled before 9am right through to the restaurant terrace where you wish you'd worn literally anything else. For decades, the default response was to simply suffer through it - wear looser fits when acceptable, and resign yourself to the fact that the cotton shirt you're wearing is going to show it all. Luckily, these days, brands like Uniqlo have made keeping your cool not only possible, but look easy too.
Uniqlo's men's summer collection, like all of its pieces, asks the question of function - of how what you put on in the morning actually performs across the full arc of a day. In a heatwave, that question matters more than ever. What good is a pair of trousers if they crease when you sit down? Enter, the linen-blend easy pants that do the opposite. Same goes for the broadcloth shirt that reads as considered without requiring effort of linen. Then, of course, there's the AIRism range - built on ultra-fine fibres engineered to draw moisture away from the skin and dry rapidly. These are all simple, unfussy, well-made styles that still feel right at 6pm, when the day has had its way with you. And what's even better is Uniqlo's knack for making sure everything works together. Their styles aren't statement to be worn in isolation - they're building blocks, each one cut and coloured to sit naturally alongside the next so you really can't really get it wrong (which is half the point).
But if you're in any doubt, you can simply scroll and shop our edit of the easy styles we plan on living in all summer long. From the ultimate plain white tee to the trousers you can wear to the office, dinner or an open air rave (why not), discover them below.

Uniqlo
£24.90
The trouser that sidesteps every morning decision - clean enough for wherever the day takes you, comfortable enough that you'll forget you're wearing them entirely. These are so much easier on a hot day than your typical chinos.

Uniqlo
£29.90
Cut from rare ultra-long cotton, with fibres longer and thinner than usual, this broadcloth shirt has a beautiful sheen that feels instantly elevated. It reads as put-together without trying, which is exactly the point when the thermometer is climbing.

Uniqlo
£34.90
A dependable anchor at any time of year, these chinos are the ultimate smart casual buy. Versatile enough to carry you from desk to dinner, cut cleanly to keep things sharp but in a fit that feels cooler than most.

Uniqlo
£19.90
Not to be dramatic, but this is hands down the best white tee you can buy on the high street. Uniqlo's AIRism technology is engineered from ultra-fine fibres that absorb moisture and dry quickly, keeping the body feeling fresh through long days, busy commutes and warm evenings. Light against the skin, and built with anti-odour functionality that means a single T-shirt can carry you further than you'd expect. Plus, the oversized cut adds ease without volume. Perfection.

Uniqlo
£39.90
The cargo trouser, finally made good on its promise. Wide enough to feel relaxed, structured enough to look deliberate - with the pockets actually worth using.

Uniqlo
£19.90
These are the fast track to a thought-about outfit - even if your look is as basic as a white tshirt and blue jeans, these will turn it into your best look yet.

Uniqlo
£39.90
A piece that solves the temperature swing - the air-conditioned office, the warm street, the bar that can't quite decide. Layering in summer should feel like a choice, not a compromise.

Uniqlo
£39.90
We don't know what it is, but the grey stripe really puts a cool spin on the humble linen shirt. A great way to summer-fy your work wardrobe, as well as your weekend one too.

Uniqlo
£19.90
Big hot for joggers, but they're still the most comfortable thing in your wardrobe? Crop them into shorts obviously.

Uniqlo
£24.90
Black trousers that actually breathe - which means they'll work at a morning meeting, a long lunch, a last-minute dinner, a rooftop, a terrace, a park, a rave, and the night bus home. The most quietly useful thing you can add to your summer rotation.

Uniqlo
£39.90
Non-uniform linen fibers have been removed by hand to achieve a smooth surface. This shirt styles tucked in or untucked. 100% Premium Linen Shirt GREEN 3XL

Uniqlo
£34.90
-Shoulder and body dimensions and ribbing width adjusted for a modern regular fit. Versatile, simple design. Sweatshirt GREEN 3XL

Uniqlo
£39.90
A generous cut that offers plenty of waft on a hot day, while still looking smart with a nice t-shirt and shirt.

Uniqlo
£29.90
Smarter than a T-shirt, easier than a shirt. The ribbed texture adds enough weight to hold its shape without feeling like it'll weigh you down.

Uniqlo
£29.90
This versatile, relaxed-fitting shirt can be worn alone or layered. Open Collar Shirt (Short Sleeve, Printed) BLACK 3XL

Uniqlo
£34.90
One thing about is a British summer is that you never know what it's going to do next - and a waterproof jacket is the piece you forget you need until the moment you need it most. Packs down to nothing, pulls out when the weather changes and you won't leave it on the bus like an umbrella.

Uniqlo
£24.90
Linen = summer. But linen can also equal holiday vibes, or incessant ironing vibes. These solve those troubles by being relaxed in fit but cool, cropped and oversized in the cut. Exactly how wearing linen in the city should feel.

Uniqlo
£39.90
Half shirt, half jacket, entirely useful. The shirt jacket is the summer layering piece you need when something weightier just feels way too much but your t-shirt would be underdressed.

Uniqlo
£19.90
Corduroy in summer sounds like a provocation but translated into these easy shorts, it makes complete sense - textured, relaxed, and slightly more interesting than everyone else's.