When winter decides to throw furniture at the sky, reach an outfit that feels like a warm room you can wear. The forecast is doing that familiar thing where every map is angry, the snow is falling sideways, and the whole country collectively starts talking about batteries, bread, and whether the porch steps have turned into an ice rink.
This is my hibernation set, built around three requirements, comfort, warmth, and still feeling like I’m wearing real clothes. It’s not “loungewear” exactly, it’s more like… cabin adjacent.
Fuller cuts, British countryside, and the return of 90s favorites. The week begins with a look made for the season’s first breath of cold air.
There’s a moment when it becomes clear that fall is here. I open the door and the different-over-night weather winks like a grandpa and asks me where my jacket is. Soon I remember how comfortable (and easy to style) layers are and it’s like Ralphie waking up and it’s Christmas season. This is Fall Getup Week.
This is the part of the year where clothes stop being things you tolerate and start being things you choose. Layering becomes possible, shoes with some heft return from their seasonal exile, and jackets finish outfits like Bond’s bow tie. There’s texture, there’s structure, there’s comfort, and for once it feels like the effort has a payoff.
This Year’s Style Creative Direction
If there’s a plot this fall, it revolves around proportion and lost favorites from do-not-wear lists of decades past. Pants with classic, fuller cuts, shirts that have room to layer, tuck, and drape, accessories once phased out. Imagine the British countryside aesthetic colliding with the ‘90s J.Crew catalog. The result: modern, fuller silhouettes catch up to the last decade’s grounding in refined minimalism.
These clothes make sense together, and not in a way that requires learning a new aesthetic. For many of us, it’s one we grew up with, now through our contemporary lens.
The jeans and pants drape, shirts offer room for a little lunch, and jackets manage to frame you without making you look like a wedding photo from 1992. Nothing is baggy, but it all feels a little less precious, everything looks like it belongs to an adult who knows where his keys are.
No one here is chasing the new for its own sake. As the fits across menswear have loosened, we’re invited to a reunion where lost favorites like pants labeled “classic fit,” chunkier-shaped footwear, braided belts, and yes, the prodigal son cargo pant are given a modern edit: shapes you’ve worn before, now with better company.
Sure, you might grumble that you’ve been there, done that, but isn’t that the point? The challenge is finding out how these old shapes fit the current version of you, who, let’s face it, knows a lot more about taste.
There’s baggage. Jewelry, for a lot of men, brings up a flood of doubts: Is this too much? Too feminine? Too Vegas?
But men have always worn some jewelry. Rings, chains, medals, cufflinks, class rings, ID bracelets; it was part of the uniform. The suspicion toward adornment grew out of the Depression and World War II, when utility took priority and middle-class men pared back to the essentials. That leaner look hardened into habit, and by the early 2000s minimalism made anything beyond a watch feel suspect.
Even then, jewelry never disappeared. Plenty of regular guys wore it without a second thought. My father has approached his appearance with a practical, Primer-like philosophy. In the ’70s he wore his class ring daily, keeping it on for decades. That was common.
F1’s costume designer, Julian Day, echos this when describing the creative direction to WWD, “The people in the movies in the ’70s had an edge, they weren’t as clean cut as people [are today],”…“So I looked at people like Kris Kristofferson, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, [Clint] Eastwood.” Much of the jewelry was reportedly Pitt’s own collection, brought to set, and selected by him when shooting.
So the hesitation now isn’t timeless, it’s modern. And it isn’t about jewelry. It’s about being caught trying. The clothes keep the beat. The jewelry alters it. Which is exactly why it feels dangerous, the way a beginner drummer panics about hitting the wrong thing and ruining the song for everyone.
What Good Jewelry Actually Does
It adds texture. A gray tee, navy chino, white sneaker outfit is oatmeal. Jewelry is the salt and butter. It also makes you consistent. If someone always wears the same necklace, it stops being “jewelry” and starts being them.
Minimalists should be pleased: it’s the easiest way to add dimension without expanding your closet. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. Just a chain.
How to Start Without Looking Like You’re Auditioning for a Fragrance Commercial
My curiosity about jewelry started well before Pitt and Apple triple-downed on Formula One. Primer style contributor Daniel Baraka had been including rings, bracelets, and necklaces in his outfits for years. I looked on the way my dog Leela approaches water, fascinated, tail wagging, ready to leap, then recoiling the instant the tide reaches her paws.
Late summer slows down, the light runs long, the air finally moves. A washed navy linen shirt does the breathing, sleeves rolled, collar open. Stone gray chinos keep a clean taper, hem skimming the ankle so the penny loafers read. Warm tortoise frames, a diver on bracelet, a simple signet and bracelet add quiet shine. Built for patios after six, last coffee runs, the walk home at sunset.
Structurally, it’s business casual. Maybe even a little nautical prep if you squint. But the linen has ease, the shirt stays open, and the details shift it. The whole thing feels more lived-in than styled. Less afternoon meeting, more early evening with nowhere to be.
Then there’s the metal. That’s where the temperature changes. A steel diver. A slim gold pendant chain at the collar. A signet with some weight to it. A thin gold bracelet that flashes when you move.
One more detail keeps it relaxed, a narrow woven cord at the wrist, the kind that looks picked up on a trip and stays. Nothing loud. But together, they bend the look. Less prep, less uniform, more presence.
Every piece does its part. Linen breathes. Twill holds shape. Leather catches the light. The proportions stay sharp: room up top, legs cut clean. Nothing piled on, details that give depth to affordable closet staples. Just a look that settles in and takes the summer evening as it comes.
Comfort that handles AC blasts, hardware store stops, and everything in between.
Late August behaves like a moody houseguest: sunny one moment, wrapped in fleece the next, always “thinking about heading out” but never actually leaving. You open the door and it’s hot. You come back inside and now you need a blanket. Plans show up, cancel, then show up again wearing different shoes. Somewhere in all of this, you’re supposed to get dressed. For home. For errands. For a dinner that might be tacos or might just be someone texting “next time!” at 6:47 p.m.
It’s real clothes that whisper “loungewear” if you lean in close enough. The solution is absurdly simple and I refuse to feel smug about it, but here we are:
A little less jogger, a little more dress pants thanks to the stripes and texture.
$$$ Taylor Stitch Apres Pants One of the modern OGs in the pull-on-but-I’m-still-trying pants space. The Sashiko texture elevates these to something noteworthy.
$$$$ Faherty Dune Utility Pants Closest match to the ones I’m wearing in full size run and better quality.
The styling’s sharp, the prices make sense, and for once the best stuff isn’t sold out.
If you’re looking for smart summer style upgrades, this Banana Republic sale is stacked. Lightweight linen-blend chinos, breezy resort shirts, textured polos that don’t cling like a gym tee in August. Most of it’s up to 60% off with an extra 20% on top, and this time the good stuff isn’t buried under 19 pages of “final sale” no-sizes filler.
A lot of these pieces punch above their weight. The sneakers, the belts, and the Oxford are clean, classic designs with details that look closer to premium labels like Todd Snyder or Buck Mason. And for the fall-friendly stuff like the plaid shirt jacket, the styling’s sharp enough that waiting a few weeks to wear them feels like a fair trade for how much you’re saving.
This is the rare moment when affordable, quality, and easy actually line up. If you missed our piece on that dynamic, it’s worth a read. In the meantime, these are the picks we’d grab before sizes disappear.
This looks like something you’d see hanging in a boutique in Silver Lake or snapped on a rooftop in Marrakech. The geometric stripe give it that $300 Todd Snyder-adjacent energy. Wear it open over a tank or wear it solo. It’s vacation-shirt DNA with grown-up tailoring. In my Getup above it adds modern desert vibes to some otherwise classic staples.
Most D-ring belts men come across are webbed fabric. Going leather gives you that cool slouchy look of a braided belt with the summer nautical feel of a D-ring.
These are name-brand shades at a fraction of the price I paid for them a couple of years ago. I have not been shy about my love for champagne-colored sunglasses and these got scooped up early on in my quest.
Getting belts on sale is a smart move, while it’s not hard to find a sub-$40 leather belt, getting a higher quality one while on deep discount gives you longevity and patina.
A classic straight leg in a black rinse, no overly done distressing. The denim will undeniably be better than the lower tiered sister brand Old Navy’s similar offering.
Mid-weight cotton with just enough structure at the collar and placket. Roll the sleeves or button up, either way, you’ve got an essential that’s nearly half off, so scoring a second color feels totally justified.
Lightweight linen + stretch for chinos that look sharp without feeling like you’re wearing army pants in July. At this price, you’re basically stealing breezy comfort that usually rings in north of 80 bucks.
Textured like a fluffy spa towel, but with a collar that says you still know what day it is. It breathes better than your average knit, so you stay chill on blistering afternoons.
Clean lines, narrow shoulders and just enough body to tuck or untuck depending on your mood. The linen-cotton blend cuts down on some of the wrinkles a linen shirt guarantees, so you spend less time steaming and more time actually getting out the door.
Clean low-top silhouette in smooth leather, moisture-wicking OrthoLite insole for all-day strolling, warm cognac tone that pairs with shorts or chinos.
Polished burgundy leather, hand-stitched apron front, Blake Stitch construction that hints at investment-grade quality for the guy that doesn’t need it.
Looks like a pull from a more premium brand like Corridor or Todd Snyder. Brushed wool-blend with bold grey and navy checks, chest pockets for whatever you need to stash, button-front you can layer over denim or knits.
It’s hot. Not “ooh, let’s grab iced coffees and stroll” hot. No, this is the kind of heat where your phone shuts off just from looking at the sun and you start Googling “symptoms of spontaneous human combustion.” The weather map looks like someone dropped a bottle of hot sauce on the Midwest and said, “Good luck out there.”
Surprisingly, layering isn’t always about warmth. Sometimes it’s about surviving heat with dignity.
Start with a white linen-blend camp collar shirt. It’s light, breezy, and casual enough that you don’t look like you’re about to lead a tour group through Sicily. Underneath is a deep green tank top. Yes, a tank. I know it sounds like I’ve given up, but it serves two noble purposes: 1) absorbing sweat before it hits the linen, and 2) giving you a backup plan when even the linen shirt is too much and you need to pretend you’re totally fine and this was all very intentional.
The shorts are slate blue with a vintage 5.5-inch inseam, which lands squarely in that sweet spot between “tastefully classic” and “yep, those are definitely legs.” They’ve got that easy, broken-in feel right out of the box. These are the same ones I featured in my summer sneaker lookbook, you can see photos there.
On the feet, Espadrilles. They’re basically slippers with a passport. Light canvas uppers, jute soles, zero ankle support, which is perfect for me, since I won’t commit to plans in the heat that require standing for more than 90 consecutive minutes.
Accessories are where I feign competence. A field watch, a silver chain that I’m 68 percent sure doesn’t turn green when I sweat, and a pair of olive-tinted aviators that are a cheaper-but-still-name-brand alternative to the expensive Randolph Engineering ones. Everything gets tossed into a structured canvas tote that implies I’m going somewhere interesting, like a bookstore or a gallery, instead of the pharmacy for foot powder.
You can run errands, meet friends, or stare blankly into an iced drink for an hour without feeling like you’ve lost control of your life. It’s breathable, functional, and most importantly, helps you forget that the weather has forced you to avoid leather seats for fear of becoming fused with them. ■
In fall, the air is cool enough to switch out t-shirts for something a bit nicer, but not so cold that you need heavy layers every day. Enter the sweater polo—an unassuming workhorse that strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined.
There’s something almost regal about a navy sweater polo. The deep blue fine knit has a sophistication that says you know your style without broadcasting it. Like a perfectly fitting white tee, a well-cut sweater polo made of a nice knit is so stripped of ornamentation it’s almost a style flex—proof of how good simplicity can look. When the temperature dips below seventy, and you need to bridge the gap between casual and a little more put-together, this is your move.
Not a sweatshirt, but just as comfortable. Not a dress shirt, but every bit as sharp when paired right. And best of all? It won’t break the bank—whether you’re browsing the grail racks at Buck Mason or hunting for that perfect knit below $40, the sweater polo is a piece that offers great style at any price point.
The true distinction between a sweater polo and a typical biz casual pique polo is this: drape. In menswear, drape refers to how fabric hangs or falls over the body, shaping the overall silhouette and appearance of a garment. The sweater polo, when made from fine-knit merino or cashmere, brings a drape that’s simply different than the corporate polo—it flows with a softness and natural elegance that your standard pique polo just can’t match.
Tucked in with a pair of dressier chinos—here beltless with the extended button tab for a bit of European flavor—it becomes the backbone of a look that feels polished without feeling contrived.
Or throw it on with straight-leg denim and a woven leather belt, and you’ve got a modern spin on the current relaxed prep trend we’re seeing in all of our usual places like J.Crew and Buck Mason.
Fall isn’t about overdressing; it’s about getting it just right—and the sweater polo is that perfect move. Cozy, refined, versatile, and no fuss—just effortless style from morning chill to evening plans. The sweater polo gets fall right.▪
What exactly is a chore coat? First and foremost, the name is your biggest clue. Popular during the first half of the 1900s, the lightweight chore coat was born out of France and exclusively made to protect laborers and artists by creating a tough barrier on top of clothing, typically work overalls.
Chore coats featured oversized pockets (at least one spacious chest pocket and even larger hip pockets) for the tools of their respective trades, and they were generously cut so as not to impede movement. Materials typically included cotton canvas or thick cotton twill fabric in a blue hue with large buttons rather than zippers, which required more dexterity and focus to operate. The fabric could be cut and sewn together quickly since drape and fit weren’t exactly priorities.
One of its most iconic iterations is the French “bleu de travail,” literally translating to “work blue.” Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during France’s period of rapid industrialization, this classic French work jacket was initially a staple among agricultural and industrial workers. Crafted from durable cotton twill or moleskin, its blue color was practical for disguising stains and dirt that came with a hard day’s work. The garment gained popularity for its durability, comfort, and cost-effectiveness, becoming emblematic of the working class in France. Over time, the bleu de travail transcended its utilitarian origins to become a symbol of French working-class culture and has even found its way into contemporary fashion. Yet, at its core, the bleu de travail remains a tribute to the labor and craftsmanship that it was originally designed to serve.
When the chore coat came to the States in 1923, it expanded beyond the blue French workwear coloring for more neutral tan, brown tones, and was crafted for the American railroad worker. In fact, the iconic striped “train” coat you’ve seen in old movies and period pieces is a chore coat in a uniquely American fabric known as wabash.
Carhartt was the first one that took a stab at creating an icon and went ahead and crafted one with copper rivets and triple stitching for strength. A flannel lining was later added for warmth, a necessity in the colder climes and work environments.
In recent years, the bleu de travail has also gained a following among painters, artists, and other craftspeople, who value its functional design and pockets for conveniently holding tools and materials.
Some might confuse the chore coat with the field jacket, which we’ve covered extensively, and that’s understandable since both are casual and practical while imparting a rugged style. The chore coat is traditionally unlined and wasn’t meant to act as a layer of insulation but rather a light protective layer, while field jackets may be unlined or lined.
Original field jackets were military-spec, and they were not as baggy as chore coats and typically had a standing collar and flap pockets with snap closures, while chore coats could employ notch-lapel or point collars and had large open patch pocket. Occasionally, a chest flap pocket was used. Modern interpretations of the chore coat run the gamut of materials and still use traditional denim, waxed cotton, canvas, and even boiled wool. The versions are myriad, and you’ll also see chore coats called “engineer coats”, which is another very similar permutation. The chore coat was never meant as a fashion statement, but like the venerable work boot, it’s evolved into a key member of workwear style that’s prevalent today.
They also tend to be cut slimmer today, though boxier versions are still popular. The key is to find the cut and material that works for you. If you’re on the job as a contractor, factory worker, tradesman or artist, go for the roomier cut. If it’s hitting the pub on a crisp day, opt for a narrower cut for a more put-together style pallet. And rather than scour the web for the best choices, we’ve assembled 11 of the best chore coats to suit your look or your occupation.
Unlocking the potential of the chore coat in a contemporary setting is less about rigid fashion rules and more about embracing its innate versatility. As a modern guy, you’re constantly juggling different roles—be it the casual weekend warrior, the nine-to-five professional, or the spontaneous adventurer. The chore coat seamlessly fits into all these scenarios, serving as a sartorial Swiss Army knife in your wardrobe. Whether layered over a crisp dress shirt for a smart casual office environment or thrown over a tee for a laid-back vibe, this jack-of-all-trades outerwear piece effortlessly elevates any outfit. It’s a style buy that pays dividends in adaptability and ease.
As an outer layer on a sweater and t-shirt
Not surprisingly, the chore coat makes for a great, well, lightweight jacket. Here Primer contributor Daniel Baraka expertly pairs blues across 3 layers for a modern and useful outfit. See more in Live Action Getup: Spring Layers.
As a modern alternative to a blazer
If your office is on the casual side of business casual, as in, you don’t want to wear a blazer but sometimes just a tucked in shirt isn’t enough or too plain, a cotton chore coat makes a great stand-in. Between this and an unstructured blazer one of the most notable differences is just the lack of a traditional blazer’s notch lapel. The result is a look that feels like an intentional layer but not dressy.
As an alt for a denim trucker jacket
When many say “denim jacket” what they really mean is a denim trucker jacket, but there are lots of great denim jackets that aren’t truckers and lots of great truckers that aren’t denim. A denim chore coat offers a distinctive departure without feeling out of place in day-to-day life.
In a casual outfit as an alternative to a shirt jacket or sweater
When it comes to the generally limited options of everyday men’s style, having one more is always welcome. If you regularly wear flannels, shirt jackets, or shawl collar cardigans and are looking for an alternative either just for a visual change up or for a difference in weight, a chore coat makes an effortless swap.
Keeping things visually consistent with the chore coat’s origins is always welcomed, and this take from Spier & MacKay details why this European classic has quickly become a modern menswear staple. This traditionally cut chore coat in 100% linen features spacious exterior and interior pockets for easy access, the cut is roomy, and the big buttons ensure ease of use.
When it comes to menswear, we love a great corduroy piece. This versatile jacket features a traditionally charming spread collar and button front, and the patch chest pocket and front patch pockets offer convenient storage with a nod to the vintage workwear aesthetics. Crafted from 100% cotton for a soft, durable finish, the boxier silhouette means more room throughout the chest for an easy fit.
Made in San Francisco of legacy American-made Cone Mills Denim, Tellason’s denim chore coat is just as drool-worthy as their famed jeans. Made of 14 oz non-sanforized selvedge denim, this classic design represents a stylish non-trucker denim jacket.
Lucky Brand Four Pocket Cotton Jacket, $42
A deal find that likely won’t last long, this chore coat from Lucky, most known for their jeans, hits all the classic chore coat cues, with the four front pockets and all cotton construction.
The mall department store brand’s budget-friendly interpretation of the chore coat combines old school silhouette with 2% elastane for modern comfort. The large buttons and point collar also retain the customary chore coat look.
Count on the iconic American jeans brand to come out with a minimalist but handsome version of the chore coat. This coat is the perfect layer for microclimates, with a mid-weight feel to the fabric. The rugged silhouette features a fold down collar and three front pockets to bring together form and function to this signature style.
The Ojai jacket embodies just about everything we love about a modern chore jacket because it honors tradition while adding style and versatility points without deviating from what made the chore coat so great to begin with. Pre-washed and properly faded 8-oz. 100% organic cotton is soft, and the Ojai’s cut is just the right amount of roomy. It all gets punctuated with slick black ring-buttons that use real brass, bar-tacked pockets, and double stitching all over. Getting it dirty and faded will only add to its character, but we’re guessing you’ll take really good care of it.
This navy denim version embodies traditional chore coat style, rugged materials, and American craftsmanship. The thick 12oz. Cotton duck fabric jacket is crafted in Bristol, Tennessee, and the style features pewter riveted seams and pockets with big pewter buttons and beautiful white contrast threading. There’s a simple single interior pocket, and button cuffs to roll back. It’s unlined, roomy, and versatile for both work and play.
When it comes to balancing the time-honored design of a chore coat with modern sensibilities, Everlane’s Organic Cotton Barn Jacket sets the bar high. Crafted from 100% organic cotton, this garment presents an eco-conscious choice that doesn’t skimp on quality. Featuring a distinctive corduroy collar, patch pockets with flaps, and sleeves that are meant to be cuffed to reveal more corduroy, this jacket combines practical features with a sophisticated look. Traditional patch detailing at the shoulders and elbows not only enhances durability but also adds a touch of vintage charm. Pair it with your favorite jeans or chinos, and you have a look that’s timeless yet distinctly your own.
Coming from one of our favorite men’s clothing brands, Todd Snyder, their premium Japanese selvedge denim chore coat is an upgrade piece you’ll love for years. This modern take retains the classic silhouette with its crisp lines and easy fit, featuring three functional patch pockets. The standout feature is its lightweight 11.5 oz denim sourced from Takhiyo in Japan. This coat is versatile enough to pair with just about anything making it a standout piece for any wardrobe.
The uncompromising craftsmanship of the ASKET Overshirt is what elevates this workwear piece to a more sophisticated and intentional wardrobe staple. The military grade fabric is tailored from 100% organic cotton which is then gently washed down to eliminate shrinkage, and the finish is an amazing soft handfeel that you are going to love wearing. Three spacious front pockets honor the rugged utility of this straight cut, classic style.
Easy mix and match outfit building with a denim jacket.
In 1873, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss inadvertently forever changed fashion and pop culture by patenting a pair of sturdy work pants made from indigo cotton corduroy, reinforced with copper rivets. Blue jeans, as they’ve come to be known, have become such a universal symbol of casual style it’s hard to imagine what the last 100 years would look like without them.
As denim’s popularity grew, it quickly extended beyond jeans to create another wardrobe essential: the jean jacket. First introduced by Levi’s around 1880, the jean jacket has since become a cornerstone of effortless style, valued for its simplicity and ease in pulling together outfits.
Jean jackets are a wardrobe staple for good reason – their decades-old, straightforward design makes them incredibly easy to wear, no matter the occasion. Whether you’re dressing down with a t-shirt and jeans or layering it over a sweater for cooler days, a jean jacket instantly adds a touch of casual cool to your look.
What you think of when you hear “jean jacket” is actually a specific style, that originated as the Levi’s Type III Trucker Jacket, introduced in the 1960s. The Type III, known for its cropped, waist-length cut, slim tailored fit, chest pockets with pointed flaps, and iconic “V” stitching, represents a more specific style within the broader jean jacket category but there are other styles that can work just as effectively, like my denim chore coat in a few of the outfits below.
The best part about denim jackets, like their blue jean cousins, is that nearly every brand in every price range makes one. Like the simple t-shirt or chino, the jean jacket is classic style democratized.
To help you make the most of your jean jacket, we’ve created an outfit “swipe file” featuring our favorite jean jacket looks from Primer over the years.
If you’re new to the concept, a swipe file is a curated collection of ideas or examples that you can save and refer to whenever you need inspiration. Originally used in advertising and design, swipe files have become a handy tool for organizing creative ideas across various fields.
→ In this case, it’s a collection of jean jacket outfit ideas that you can keep in an album on your phone, Pin to a style board on Pinterest, or organize in a more elaborate system with a tool like Notion or Evernote for easy reference. Whereas a moodboard is intended to visualize an overall feeling of a style in total, a swipe file is designed to be used individually as a template.
These outfits can be recreated exactly as shown, but they’re also meant to be flexible starting points—whether you’re experimenting with color combinations, layering techniques, new fits, or specific pieces to pair with your jean jacket.
Jean Jackets Over T-Shirts:
Resin rinse denim trucker jacket over olive henley worn with light gray jeans and tan suede boots
A denim chore coat over a cream t-shirt with loose green chinos
We’re excited to team up with Gustin on this piece, because like Primer, they believe that great style doesn’t have to break the bank.
You can only choose two: Affordable, Quality, or Easy. This is the framework I recently discussed for men’s style. If you’re dissatisfied with the quality of your clothing—whether it’s the materials, manufacturing and ethics, or design—you’ll either need to pay a premium or accept a more complex and time-consuming buying process.
Attempting to make affordable and quality a little less annoying is one of the big reasons we highlight sale and deal finds, giving you the opportunity to buy a higher quality item on a discount that’s ready to order as soon as you add to cart.
But of course, that is really just a different version of thrift hunting, limiting what you can buy based on what you stumble across at the time. And like thrifting, it requires a certain commitment to paying attention and not waiting to buy things right when you need them for your big presentation or family vacation.
Gustin is one brand we’ve long referenced for affordability and quality through their pre-sale, made-to-order model—American-made clothing at a fraction of the retail price, with a trade-off of having to place an order in advance and waiting for production and fulfillment.
But now, getting your hands on their well-crafted pieces just got a little easier. Using data from over a decade of campaigns, they’ve started stocking a selection of their perennial bestsellers, so you can enjoy the same quality without the usual wait.
If you’ve been poking around these parts for any length of time then you’re not new to the brand, which we’ve featured many times over the years, since their launch as a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 then later that year as a direct platform. Gustin pioneered the idea of crowdsourcing men’s made-to-last US-manufactured clothing. By partnering directly with US factories and taking advance orders through a campaign on their website, they’ve dramatically reduced the waste and overproduction that plague fast fashion retail brands—issues that have only worsened in the industry over the past 15 years.
Once the campaign is funded (98% of them are), the partner factory starts on the order, and Gustin fulfills shipping everything out to customers. The result is Gustin customers get premium, decades-enduring menswear at a near wholesale price.
The clothing you get from Gustin isn’t the same quality you get from J.Crew, but happens to be made in America. The jeans, for example, are made out of some of the world’s best denim from the best manufacturers. Take their 1968 model that I’m wearing: Made of deadstock USA-made selvedge denim from the legendary Cone Mills White Oak plant in North Carolina, a standard-bearer of the premium denim world for decades, that abruptly shut down in 2017.
Or the BlackXBlack Stretch, which is cut and sewn in America from premium Japanese selvedge.
While Gustin initially got their start with jeans, over the past ten years they’ve expanded to everything from USA-made Horween leather jackets to Italian-made leather sneakers to joggers to briefcases and everything in between, with 95% of their campaigns made in American partner factories and 98% of campaigns getting successfully funded.
The “Quality” in the Affordable-Quality-Easy matrix isn’t just about how and what a piece of clothing is made out of, but also the quality and uniqueness of the design. What really sets things over the edge for me is, on top of the unrivaled pricing to quality ratio, they also feature some really interesting and stand-out designs like the Canadian-made natural rainbow nep fabric on the Vintage Heavyweight Sweatshirt I’m wearing.
It’s clearly unique in detail, when noticed, but far from flashy — a hallmark of refined style. Doing this for as long as I have, I’ve never seen something like this at the price ranges we cover and made at this quality level.
To make the process as painless as possible here are a few of my tips:
Gustin doesn’t use vanity sizing. Using their size and fit charts as a reference, measure one of your current favorites in whatever type of item you’re looking at.
Pay close attention to the measurements you took when choosing your size on their site. Expect to order a larger size than you’re used to. If it’s close or in between, err on the larger size.
Waist sizes 29-33 have a 34” inseam, and waists 34 on up have a 36” inseam, meaning whether you’re narrow and long or wide and short, the perfect-fitting jeans are a quick hem away.
When you find an outfit color combination you like, sliding the colors between the component pieces is an easy way to make new outfits.
Mastering good style isn’t about endlessly mixing and matching every item in your closet. Just like the millennial work mantra—work smarter, not harder—applies to your daily grind, it can also guide your process for building looks.
Have an outfit you already love? Create iterations with the design concept of color blocking: a simple and powerful tool that allows you to create new outfits for different occasions, weather, or moods by strategically shifting the colors of your fav outfit’s components in the new look.
One way I personally like to do this is with a dusty color palette in summer. With the heat and humidity calling for a pared-back approach, sticking to a core palette of dusty neutrals—beige, charcoal, white, and tan—enables pieces to be both flexible and weather-appropriate.
These shades not only embody a classic, refined vibe but also make it easy to mix and match, giving you the flexibility to be ready for whatever the day might bring, from morning brunch to a casual evening out.
Here are four easy summer outfit ideas that illustrate the power of neutral color blocking. By just shifting where these tones appear in the look, you can transform the feel of your outfit—from relaxed and modern to something that’s a bit more polished and classic. Best of all, all four make use of something you’ve likely already owned for years: a trusty pair of suede desert boots.
Let’s start with one of my current favorites:
Beige Linen Shirt with Faded Black Jeans and Tan Desert Boots
With a looser shirt and straight fit jean, this outfit feels laid-back, comfortable, and classically rakish.
This order of colors still feels cohesive but has a decidedly different feel. While the darker shirt will always have a more evening-essence to it, the low contrast between the jeans and the boots has a very dusty summer effect.
We can continue shifting things around now that we have the tan jeans. Anchoring that as the darker focal point like the charcoal jeans were in the original, we can swap the dark linen shirt for a white one:
White Short Sleeve Linen Shirt, Khaki Jeans, and Tan Desert Boots
When the other elements are shades of beige, a simple, everyday white shirt can become a vibrant addition to balance things out.
Compared to the outfit with the same jeans and boots with the dark linen shirt, this one feels more appropriate for a daytime activity in the mid-day summer sun.
Circling back around, we move the white from the shirt to the jeans, and bring back the charcoal linen shirt:
Charcoal Short Sleeve Linen Shirt, Natural White Jeans, and Tan Desert Boots
White jeans can feel like a bold move, but when you keep things within the subdued colors we’ve been working in, like with the dark shirt, it keeps that boldness reigned in. Plus it’s such a dead-simple pro summer move: Take an outfit you like, swap in white jeans, and you’ve instantly got summer-is-for-vacation vibes.
Natural White Levi’s Premium 501 Jeans: Amazon, Levi’s
Special thanks to Thursday Boot Co. for supporting Primer’s mission and sponsoring this post.
Looking rakish and modern on a summer evening is a breeze, whether for a rooftop bar, live music, or outdoor cocktails on a first date.
This outfit makes use of several outfit-building strategies:
Monochromatic color palette
Dark and simple colors are a staple of dressier and more refined styles like a suit or tuxedo. While we’re maintaining a casual and comfortable vibe, borrowing this reduced palette makes a shorts and sneakers look feel more evening-ready.
Simply visualize this same outfit with a version of the shirt that has a vibrant pattern and colorful shorts to see how sophisticated the outfit becomes with this subdued approach.
Style is in the details
The polo not only has a full button placket but also a substantial knit texture that loudly yells “this isn’t my golf shirt.” Similarly, the tank top isn’t just a white undershirt, this cream color lowers the contrast between it and the shirt, giving it a role in the style but in a more integrated way.
The court sneakers are a modern and low profile take on tennis and basketball shoes from the 80s and 90s; the moc-toe-like stitching and perforated cap are hallmarks of athletic shoes, keep this choice casual and firmly in sneaker territory. But when paired with the minimalist, low profile design of the rest of the shoe, the overall effect feels almost like broguing on a wingtip.
Heat adaptations
The loose knit on the 100% cotton shirt provides breathability and air flow, making up for its thicker-than-a-t-shirt weight.
While it’s perfectly fine to wear more vibrant styles in the evening, using our monochrome palette helps balance the innately more casual feel of short sleeves and shorts, that are a necessity for comfort in many regions this time of year.
The right sneaker is the secret ingredient to easy and sharp summer style. The just-released Court sneaker from Thursday takes classic sneaker design cues and updates them for day-and-night smart casual style.
Made with Italian Nappa Leather with a Strobel construction and quality-of-life features like shock-absorbent footbeds, these premium sneakers are meant for heavy wear just as much as they are to look good. The Court is also available in a number of other colorways, I’m particularly partial to the Smoke and Clay styles.
Unlike many cheaper options that are made entirely of less breathable synthetic materials, the 100% cotton construction offers breathability, maintenance, and durability of shape.
Continuing on the “style is in the details” approach, I love how this small pop of orange, on an otherwise color-matching watch, contributes to the overall outfit. The green jasper stones of the ring similarly inject a blip of nuanced personality.
Dan Henry is a watch microbrand, started by the eponymous vintage watch collector, that offers era-themed designs of historically significant watches. The 1970 is a design that aesthetically and mechanically honors the dive watches of the decade.
These are essentially dress chinos hemmed into shorts. Italian-milled cotton fabric with 2% stretch in a tailored fit and my go-to fav extended tab closure give these shorts a finish that clearly separates them from your casual heavy twill shorts.
Give your shirt a quick French tuck to show off that extended button tab, and combined with that necklace, ring, court sneakers and cream tank top, you’ve got a modern look still firmly rooted in enduring styles.
The polo is standard issue uniform for a majority of guys who are trying to not wear a t-shirt but don’t want a button up shirt.
They also have a tendency to look kind of junky because cheap and/or old ones begin to curl at the collar. And, unfortunately, unlike some men’s staples like a leather jacket, polos don’t look better the older and more beat up they get.
One way of tackling that and adding some interest to an otherwise mundane shirt style is to choose one made of a non-pique cotton (the material most polos are made of). For cooler weather a knit, almost sweater-like option is sharp and vintage, but for super hot days of summer I like to keep it light with a slub cotton or linen-cotton blend.
Slub cotton is a type of fabric characterized by its uneven, textured appearance, created by weaving cotton with slight knots and imperfections.
A classy tropical evening look that looks like it costs way more than its (sale) price.
You’re a long night’s sleep and a full day of decompressing into your respite in paradise and you’re heading to the first real dinner with the people you care about. The goal is look put-together but still comfortable and casual. This outfit will work in most waterside spots, with some easy tweaks if needed:
This relaxed fit shirt is made with jersey cotton, so while it has buttons and has a dressier effect, it’ll feel like wearing your nicest t-shirt. Plus the flat camp collar with white piping gives it a retro vibe, one of my tricks for dressing “nice” in summer.
These Sperrys strike that perfect balance of classic, minimalist, and sophisticated, no easy feat for a simple canvas sneaker from a brand dating back to 1935.
If you’re looking for something more like a dressy sandal, leather huaraches are a solid choice that will fit right at home in any hot vacation spot.
Rectangular watches always offer an outfit a dressier vibe, and in summer, with less layers, making use of that is strategic. We recently also featured one in our Chris Pine outfit rebuild.
Summer style sounds easy: when the weather’s warm, almost any sartorial option is on the table. Short sleeves, light layers, fresh sneakers, and even sandals open up a world of opportunities for dressers of all kinds, from the modest to the most experimental.
But where some guys run into problems is when it comes to styling their bottom half. Shorts seem like the obvious option – right? But for some, they’re not the go-to. Perhaps they’re not appropriate for where you’re heading. You might just not want to show off your legs. Or you might simply dislike the way shorts look. You don’t have to justify your reason to us, but we can sympathize: finding a summer alternative to shorts is no easy feat.
Thick denim is too warm and chinos can be too formal for everyday laid-back summer style. But that doesn’t mean they’re off the dressing table altogether. To help you pick the best bottom half for your warm-weather look, we’ve rounded up the 7 best pants for summer, if shorts aren’t your thing.
Linen trousers come in all shapes and styles, and though we get why the loose white variety have become the image of hippie summer style, you don’t have to bend your look to pull those off.
A tapered pair in a color that matches your wardrobe can easily become your summer go-to. Linen is a natural fabric that can hold 5x more liquid than synthetic fabrics without looking wet. That’s why it’s favored for summer shirts, but it holds the same light, comfy benefits for pants too.
If you love wearing dark denim or chinos for smart casual occasions but find them too stuffy for summer, try them in white. It’s likely to be a bolder color than you’d wear for work, and it makes a stylish statement when paired with colorful, floral, or printed shirts.
They’re also a great way to ease into the white pants look without diving straight into wide or looser fits that might not feel natural in your wardrobe.
Typically thought of as a formal style, pleated pants have had something of a revival in the past few years as looser styles have come back around. Defined by the folds or pleats along the waistband which give them a cool vintage edge, pleated pants can be a perfect pick for summer.
Since they’re not well suited to slim or skinny fits, pleated pants are a great way to pull off straight- and wide-leg pants with ease. We love them for warm weather because they don’t cling to the skin and allow plenty of room for comfortable movement.
Ideal for warm weather, the cut keeps the refined feel but the comfy stretch means you won’t have to worry about overheating and pulling at your waistband during occasions that call for a slightly smarter look.
For the best summer style, opt for a looser leg and a light tone that can be paired with any kind of top, from T-shirts to Oxfords. The versatility means you can pull off a pair of drawstring-waist pants at the beach just as easily as a summer wedding.
Like a sporty look but not into sweatshorts? Enter: summer sweatpants. Loose, light, and ideal for guys who are concerned about sweating in summer, this flattering fabric retains the casual look you love, without the thickness of jersey.
For extra summery points, pick a relaxed fit with lots of pockets for all your gear. They still feel laid-back and perfect for lounging, and are easy to style up for days out with friends or neighborhood cookouts.
Need to wear pants in the summer and have to move around a lot? We feel you. The good news is, it’s not so hard to find a pair of slim- or straight-fitting pants that have the look of jeans without the heavy feel.
Cotton or polyester pants offer a wider range of movement, which isn’t just great for your everyday comfort, but makes them perfect for summer when you’re more likely to find slim pants restrictive. Look for pants made with elastane, which will keep them moving without rubbing.
One of our favorite things about summer dressing is that anything goes. It’s a season of laid-back self-expression. So if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to dip your toe into a more exciting style of dressing, this is it.
Stripe prints are perfect for spring and summer – but we think they can work just as well in winter too. So seize the season to invest in a cool, loose-fitting pair of striped pants and you can integrate them into your wardrobe just in time to make them a year-round favorite.
Special thanks to Thursday Boots and Nothing New for supporting Primer’s mission and partnering with us on this post.
When it comes to summer style, the right shoes can make all the difference. And the good news is, you don’t need a closet full of options. With just two carefully chosen pairs of sneakers, you can elevate your summer outfits and stay comfortable in the heat.
The classic white minimalist sneaker is a decades-long enduring style and the perfect way to anchor any summer look in the smart casual territory. Smart casual is my home base – it bridges the gap between formal wear and casual streetwear, blending comfort with a more polished aesthetic. What does that mean? Think of it as the sweet spot between dressed up and dressed down – you’re putting in effort, but you’re not too dressed up in contrast to the people around you. A crisp white sneaker can take a simple shorts and t-shirt combo and make it look clean and put-together. The beauty of the white sneaker is its versatility – it can adapt to almost any outfit and occasion, instantly giving you that effortless style vibe.
But sometimes, you want a little more color and personality in your summer footwear. That’s where a great pair of retro running shoes comes in. And we’re not talking about the vibrant, overly sporty styles that make you look like you’re headed to run club. We’ve specifically chosen a pair with a classic silhouette, a sophisticated dark green, blue, and white colorway, and minimal branding. These details bring a different kind of versatility to your summer fits – they allow the shoes to add visual interest to your outfit without overwhelming it.
There’s an elephant in the room when it comes to men’s summer footwear. Comfort. Let’s face it, as much as I love the look of a sleek loafer or a leather sandal, they’re not always the kindest to our feet. And in the summer heat, the last thing you want is to be hobbling around in pain. The retro running shoes are an opportunity to maintain don’t-have-to-think-about-it comfort in your summer footwear, something flat-soled sandals and flip flops are not known for until they’re worn in.
But this specific pair, because of its colorway, retro design, and lack of ornate sporty logos, takes a timeless silhouette in a classy color palette, and combines them with the comfort of an athletic shoe, all while keeping your outfit looking sophisticated – not like a guy who wore his 5k runners to a summer baby shower.
Picture any season but summer and think about what you would default to wearing if you wanted to look put-together and sophisticated. It doesn’t have to be dressed up, but it’s dressier than casual. I feel safe guessing that it includes some type of jacket like a blazer, bomber, or trucker, some form of long sleeve button up shirt, nicer pants or darker denim, and some kind of boot or dressier shoe.
Now picture what you would wear if you had to go to the same dress-level destination in the sweltering summer heat on August 1st. Maybe it’s a work function. Maybe you’re going to a four dollar sign restaurant while on a tropical vacation. Maybe you got invited to some trendy launch event from a friend of a friend.
If you’re mind goes blank, you’re not alone. Dressing well in summer is one of the most common things I get hit up about. For guys that live anywhere with more than two seasons, we default to layers and thick, textured fabrics – and lots of them – to build refined, cohesive outfits.
In summer, all of that goes out the window. But, here’s a little fun motivation: learning to dress well with the limitations of the hot season will noticeably improve your overall style for the rest of the year.
Here are 7 of my summer principles for making my summer uniform more put-together for dressier occasions:
1. Wear more refined versions of your summer go-tos
For many of us, sneakers are the shoe of summer, and there are some classics like canvas options from Vans and Converse that will pound pavement for you through your sunny months.
But when it’s 7PM and you’re getting ready to go somewhere, you may find paired with your pared down summer clothing, a pair of Vans Classics doesn’t seem put-together enough for the nice place you’re going.
In that case, swapping the canvas Vans for black suede slip-ons keeps everything you like about your just-kickin’ it shoes, but noticeably augments the outfit to something more intentional.
Similarly, keeping everything else in your outfit the same, swapping out your flip flips for a leather sandal immediately upgrades the look from oceanside to an evening appropriate outfit.
2. Lean on simple, enduring styles
I often see guys end up doing too much because they’re trying to make up for a lack of layers and material choices. A bright coral pink linen shirt with an intricate and colorful swim suit. Vivid shirts, shorts, and canvas sneakers all in completely different colors. I’m not opposed to bold colors, but when looking to build an outfit that looks more refined, as they say, less is more.
Just like with our recent Chris Pine outfit rebuild, starting with items that are classic and simple naturally create a more sophisticated outfit. To whatever degree that feels “boring” to you can be augmented incrementally, as Pine did with his rectangular watch, braided leather belt, and fuller cut chinos.
Bold or vivid colors and patterns are right at home in summer. To do it well, consider employing an emphasis hiearchy. Choose a bold item to highlight in your look, and build out the rest of the outfit with more subdued pieces that enhance the bold item, instead of fighting it or compounding it:
In summer, that could mean a uniquely patterned short sleeve shirt with neutral-hued shorts or pants. Or it could be bright teal chino shorts with a white oxford shirt and brown loafers. If you’re ever looking in the mirror and unsure if you’re attempting to do too much with your summer fit, try swapping just one item for a more subdued alternative and check again. If it feels balanced and cohesive, you’re good to go. Repeat as necessary.
3. When you want more splash, turn to vintage/retro trends so you’re calling on menswear from past eras, which are inherently more dressy
The summer months can feel a little repetitive: Polo, shorts. T-shirt, shorts. Short sleeve button up, shorts.
When you want to inject a little punch into a summer outfit, my personal move isn’t to go wild with bright colors or trend-chasing styles, it’s the opposite. I like to lean on vintage or retro designs, calling on past eras from menswear.
Lots of great options have become increasingly mall-accessible over the last few summers. Knit polos with interesting textures and tipping take your standard polo look from sporty to suave. Grail brands like Todd Snyder are the go-to for celebrities and the otherwise financially inclined but more affordable options are available if you’re willing to look.
Abercrombie & Fitch has become one of my favorite summer shirt stores thanks to their rotating offering of unique, retro-inspired knit polos and button ups. The Tie Bar is probably the safest, budget-friendly option, which is something I’m excited to see.
The pattern is intricate, so using trick 2, I balance it with dark charcoal chinos and brown suede loafers
For bottoms, flowier pants like the linen ones we recently featured instantly add a touch of retro Riviera. For shorts, going with a shorter inseam, cuffs, or pleats all introduce visual callbacks that enrich the way your shirt and footwear appear in your outfit.
PRIMER SPONSOR:
4. Add Structure to a Structure-less Season
With traditional professional and formal wear, there is an emphasis on structure and silhouette, with both virtually absent in summer clothing. On the far end of formality, with things like tuxedos, dress military uniforms, overcoats, crisp standing shirt collars, and perfectly knotted ties, sophistication is delivered with a detailed balance of rigid form and elegant drape. Drape is the quality of how clothing hangs and moves on your body.
With summer, all emphasis is placed on a flowing and rakish drape. Classic summer menswear staples include loose linen shirts and fluid, unbuttoned silk-like resort shirts. The looseness and thin material allows movement and airflow.
But sometimes that thin material can look too casual, for instance, in the collar area because it flattens out under its own weight.
Sliding a Slick Collar under the collar gives this soft, linen shirt more structure.
A dead-simple way to dress up your summer clothing is by adding structure. For example, wearing a polo with floppy collars looks casual and possibly even sloppy. Having a linen shirt’s collar go any way it wants in the sun is fine but casual.
You can instantly add more structure with a Slick Collar, which keeps it standing tall and intentional without reducing any of the comfort we expect in summer. In fact, I always forget it’s there when I wear it.
Slick Collar requires no sewing or alterations, and is adjustable so you can use it on all of your shirt collar sizes and types. You just flip up your collar, slide it on, and flip the collar back down.
With the collar flipped down, the Slick Collar is completely invisible, even on thin white fabric like this linen shirt
Instant structure – plus it stays in place all day and its completely invisible to anyone and undetectable by you. Each flexible Slick Collar kit comes with 3 separate sizes: Regular, for most shirts, Slim, for polos and thinner collared shirts, and Athletic, for larger shirt collars and neck sizes.
The kit also comes with 10 traditional shirt stays and is packaged in a small, metal travel storage box to make packing, even in the smallest luggage, a breeze. Primer readers save 15%!
5. Shop from the middle out
Personally, I prioritize buying things that “live in the middle.” Either because of their design or how they interact with the other outfit elements, these items can be dressed up OR worn casually. I refer to this as “shopping from the middle out.” I still buy only-casual or only-dressy pieces sometimes but I’m always drawn to this priority of versatility.
I do this all year, but it’s especially important in summer.
Unless you live somewhere hot and sticky most of the year, your summer-only clothing likely gets worn more frequently but for less of the year. This makes the case for buying not only designs that are versatile, but also nicer versions of these things. The benefit is you can then incorporate these into other seasons (linen shirts in spring, knit polos year round) even further justifying investing in these better versions.
Now you’ll start building a wardrobe that is not only easily pairable with one another within a specific season, but also when building outfits in other seasons:
Shopping from the middle out for your summer clothes makes them more easily worn in the rest of the year as well.
One of the best parts about shopping from the middle out, is “how dressy they appear” is controlled predominantly by what footwear you choose for a Getup.
Wear a retro-inspired knit polo with beat up white vans and you have a cool, casual day look. Pair them instead with a premium suede loafer and the entire outfit feels refined and evening ready. Generally speaking, it requires more effort and expertise to take a very casual or very dressy item and pull it the other way. Beginning with a middle out mentality requires a lot less computing power when you’re rushing to pack before summer vacation.
6. There are 2 ways for combating heat when making summer outfits
More than any other season, getting dressed in the summer prioritizes reducing the discomfort of making a hot sun hotter.
You have two options for optimizing being comfortable in high heat while maintaining some semblance of your personal style: Wear different, summer appropriate items (e.g. shorts over jeans):
or wear the same thing as always but with swaps for their summer versions (e.g. linen pants over jeans):
In this outfit, I’ve swapped the white long sleeve dress shirt for a silk short sleeve camp collar shirt, the cotton dress pants for linen pants, and brown suede boots for suede loafers.
In summer, swap your…
…for:
jeans
chino shorts, pull-on shorts
chinos and dress pants
linen pants
Wool suit
linen or cotton suit; linen blazer over a polo with lightweight chinos
button up oxford shirt
Short sleeve resort shirt; knit polo
dress shoes or boots
leather loafers or leather slip on like huaraches
Sweaters
loose knit button up shirts or polos
Jackets
Unlined cotton or linen versions
7. Embrace Jewelry
Lots of guys stop at sunglasses, wedding ring, and a watch, but accessories can add a lot to an outfit, especially a low key one, like the rectangular watch and bold sunglasses in the Chris Pine outfit I mentioned earlier.
For a long time, men’s jewelry in specific forms has only been embraced by certain subcultures, economic classes, or the fashionably fearless. In the last few years, the guardrails have really come off on what is and isn’t “acceptable” for day-to-day wear.
And it’s not just “who” can wear it, it’s how to wear it. Wearing both metal colors, multiple rings or bracelets, and simple chain necklaces can be mixed and matched as desired.
Nobody does that better than Primer style contributor Daniel Baraka, who regularly includes multiple pieces of jewelry in the outfits we feature to great effect. It never feels flashy or out of place, and we’ve previously discussed his personal connection to some of the pieces, which make wearing them that more meaningful.
Start slow and simple, if you’re curious. A narrow metal cuff bracelet or simple chain necklace adds degrees of character to a classic and minimal outfit.
What are some of your summer style tricks? Keep the list going in the comments below!
The key to their elevated aesthetic lies in the pleats, which add a touch of refinement and create a sleek vertical line that elongates the silhouette. Baraka emphasizes their importance: “To me the most important part of these pants are the pleats and that they’re ironed in a way that pleated pants are. They walk the line between the very formal and the abysmally informal.”
But the true value of these pants is their unrivaled versatility. “When thinking about taking them from their natural habitat, which is lounging, to a cocktail party, brunch with friends, or any smart casual or dressed-up event that doesn’t require a super formal outfit – maybe even say a beach wedding, I can pull this off. They’re perfect for any party where adults are gathering and you have to look good and stylish,” Baraka shares.