Image by: MR PORTER
Wearing men's suits in summer? Discover breathable fabrics, layering tips and tailoring tricks to stay cool without sacrificing style.
The first summer I worked in the City, I made the classic mistake: navy wool twill, fully lined, two-piece, worn with a kind of masochistic pride through the smoggy purgatory of the Northern line. My shirt stuck to my back before I even reached Bank. By lunchtime, the suit had lost its shape and my dignity was slipping fast behind it. That day, I learned a hard truth - suits don’t stop being necessary when the sun comes out. They just demand better choices.
The need for tailoring doesn’t vanish when the mercury hits 30°C. You still get wedding invites. The office still has expectations (even if it's just "business casual" in theory). Dinner with the in-laws, gallery openings, first dates, even holidays in the Med - there are still moments that ask for something sharper than a Cuban-collared shirt. But dressing with intent in the heat takes more than bravery. It requires strategy.
In the same way you wouldn’t run a marathon in brogues, summer suiting demands rethinking your armour. Fabrics get lighter. Silhouettes become more relaxed. Construction pares back. And - crucially- your understanding of where, when and how to wear a suit becomes more flexible.
Think of it as an evolution rather than a compromise. From unlined linen jackets that breathe like your favourite tee, to cotton-twill trousers that go with everything from brogues to sandals, summer tailoring has learned to loosen up. And so should you. The perfect warm-weather suit doesn’t just keep you looking cool - it keeps you from losing your cool entirely.
So, where are we getting these sweat-proof suits? And what makes a good one, anyway?
The Best Men's Suits for Commuting
When you're shoulder-to-shoulder on the Tube or sweating it out on the 8:12 from Clapham Junction, your suit needs to work harder than you do. Think crease-resistant fabrics - preferably blends of wool with a touch of technical fibre. Unlined or half-lined jackets reduce bulk, while patch pockets and soft shoulders keep things from looking too stiff. You want breathable, packable, sweat-hiding magic. Also: keep a spare shirt at the office. Always.

Uniqlo - Airsense Trousers - Dark Grey
£39.90
Uniqlo’s AirSense Trousers are featherlight, crease-resistant, and tailored enough to pass for officewear - basically the commuter’s secret weapon when the heat’s on. They move like techwear but look boardroom-ready.
Stone Tailored Sharkskin Italian Suit Jacket - 1913 Collection
£319.00
Lightweight Italian wool, constructed with silk and linen. Sharp tailoring, and breathable enough for the rush hour grind. Smart, subtle, and built to keep you cool on the move.
Salerno 100% linen slim fit suit blazer
£149.00
Built for hot days at work and stuffy morning commutes, this relaxed fit is lightweight, breathable, and cut to keep you looking sharp without breaking a sweat. It's office-appropriate tailoring without the heat-trap.
Weddings are the catwalk of summer menswear. Whether it’s a Tuscan vineyard or a Kent barn, you’ll want something formal enough for the vows but breezy enough for the dancefloor. Pastel tones, cream linens, pale greys and sandy cottons all shine in natural light. Bonus points for double-breasted numbers that look intentional, not boardroom. Just remember: the bride should sweat more than you.
Tailored Linen Blazer
£229.00
Percival’s linen suit is brought back year after year, and its green version - arguable the suit that started it all - is as wedding-ready as it gets: lightweight, breathable, and bold enough to stand out without stealing the show. Ideal for vows in the sun and dancefloors after dark.
Slim Fit Taupe Stripe Suit Jacket
£189.00
Give your highsummer options a new lease of life with the taupe tone and fresh vertical stripe of our twopiece suit Weve cut the jacket and trousers to a slim fit in a summery linen blend adding cotton and stretch for breathable comfort

Kin - Pink Single-breasted Linen Suit Blazer Slim Fit
£104.00
Now this is how to wear pink the grown-up way -refined, quietly confident, and cut from breathable100% linen that’s perfect for summer weddings. It’s pastel, but make it powerful.
Best Men's Casual Suits
Summer suits for the everyday man about town. Think drawstring trousers, deconstructed jackets, and textures that look as good with a tee as they do with a button-down. These are the suits you can wear to a terrace brunch or a Friday pub garden session without feeling overdressed. Style them with suede loafers, leather sandals or, if you must, pristine white trainers. But please- no socks.
Cotton Linen Blazer - Beige
£129.00
ARKET’s cotton-linen set nails the casual tailoring brief: the blazer’s relaxed fit keeps things easy, while the trousers taper just enough to stay sharp without trying too hard. Plus, those Corozo buttons are made from tagua nuts - fancy!
100% Linen Suit Jacket
£119.00
Here's another excellent and fantastically-priced linen suit from the high street, courtesy of Zara. The rich russet tones and relaxed fit makes this perfect for a holiday dinner.
Washed Suit Blazer
£99.00
Cut in a relaxed fit with a washed finish that feels broken-in from day one. It’s the kind of suit that makes even a plain tee look considered.
Asolo Straight-Leg Herringbone Linen, Wool and Silk-Blend Suit Trousers
£1320.00
Brioni’s Asolo suit is summer tailoring at its most refined, while also nailing nonchalance. Linen, wool and silk blended to perfection, with a herringbone weave that whispers “old money” in Italian. Known for dressing Bond and billionaires, Brioni doesn’t do flash - just flawless fabrics, razor-sharp cuts and that effortless Roman ease. Pricey? Sure. But this is investment-grade elegance, for those comfortable drawstring waist trousers alone.
H&M - Relaxed Fit Double-breasted blazer - Brown
£799.00
The blazer's loose fit and soft brown tone exude effortless cool, while the matching tailored shorts provide a polished yet comfortable silhouette.Together, they form a modern ensemble that's far from schoolboy, perfect for warm-weather occasions.
The Best Worth The Splurge Designer Suits For Men
Sometimes, it pays to go big. Designer summer suits aren’t just about logos or labels—they’re about craftsmanship that works with the heat, not against it. The right one will drape like a second skin, wick away moisture like a sports kit, and turn heads without breaking a sweat. Look for unstructured cuts, featherweight wool or linen-silk blends, and finishing touches that only come with five-star tailoring. Perfect for jet-set weddings, rooftop launches, or any moment you want to feel like the best-dressed man in the postcode.
Straight-Leg Pleated Woven Suit Trousers
£1200.00
Brunello Cucinelli is the king of quiet luxury—his tailoring is relaxed, refined, and impossibly soft-spoken, blending classic Italian craftsmanship with modern, wearable ease. The Straight-Leg Pleated Woven Suit Trousers and matching blazer are peak Cucinelli: featherlight, flawlessly cut, and finished with that signature nonchalance. Yes, they’ll cost you - but this is tailoring built to outlast trends, and quite possibly, your current job title.
Double-Breasted Virgin Wool-Twill Suit Jacket
£3410.00
Loro Piana’s Double-Breasted Virgin Wool-Twill Suit is the definition of timeless - impeccably tailored, whisper-soft, and cut from some of the finest wool on earth. It’s not just built to last seasons, but decades, ageing as gracefully as the man wearing it. Quiet luxury, loud longevity.