The recent explosion of remote work, a greater emphasis on budgetary concerns, and warmer weather being just around the corner have all been catalysts in putting the mantra of "less is more" to the forefront of fashion sensibilities for 2021 going forward. That being said, a greater trend toward minimalism doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice personal style for the sake of comfort and convenience. A proper balance among all of these concerns is what's going to drive overall fashion sense in the coming months, and this is true for both formal and more casual spheres.

The upcoming summer season looks like it will bring more people outdoors again as the worldwide pandemic seems to be heading toward a more guarded place of being under control relative to last year, and while no one can predict the future with 100 percent accuracy, it does appear that many people are more eager—and more inclined—to socialize as they have a better handle on what's expected of them in the New Normal. As outdoor spaces become the more preferable social space even in warmer climates, this increases the need for additional comfort when it comes to formal wear.

As a result, lighter suit materials, and linen in particular, will of course be a part of this "less is more" trend, as balancing comfort and style is now way more important than it had been in years past. But while material is a major component of personal comfort when it comes to formal wear, there are subtler, less obvious considerations to be taken into account for leveling out comfort and style. Ever wonder why brighter pastel colors are more popular during the summer? Or why wearing an undershirt as an extra layer can actually keep you cooler? There is a science behind all this that many people don't think about at first, but we'll visit that later.

In this article, we'll give you the rundown on summer trends for 2021 as well as the benefits of linen and other light materials, so you can keep your summer ensembles as comfortable as possible when the mercury begins to rise. If there's anything at all that beats feeling comfortable while you're out and about, it's being able to look good while you do it, and our style pointers will surely help you get there.

--Less Is More--

After an unusually frigid winter, the warmer season couldn't come soon enough. This change in the weather, of course, brings with it, as always, the search for ultimate comfort. In spite of many people's preconceived notions about formal wear as it relates to a decrease in one's personal comfort level, a well-tailored custom suit should feel no less comfortable than putting on a pair of well-worn jeans. Proper measurements go a long way in achieving this balance, but in the summer months, clothing materials and color choices are also ever so important.

Before we move onto the suits themselves, we should touch on the types of shirts that you'll wear underneath the jacket to keep you cool. It's important that your dress shirts are of a lightweight material, but your color choices can be equally as vital. Your standard white is perhaps the best color suited for warmer months, as it tends to absorb the least amount of heat from the sun. The opposite is true for darker colors such as black or navy blue, and there's a reason why you don't see too

many people out and about in these colors on those bright sunny days. By wearing dark colors, your body will retain more heat, and if you try this yourself, you'll likely notice that your comfort level takes a dive after a very short amount of time, perhaps even 10 or 15 minutes. By sticking to white, lighter shades of blue, and bright pastel colors, you'll be able to stay outside for longer without sweltering in the summer heat. The same principle applies to the suits themselves, as well.

While many of us tend to look our best in a three-piece black suit, we might not always feel our best if we're forced to sit out in the sun for hours on end. Thankfully for this reason, summer formal events tend to be a bit more casual than their winter counterparts, so you're able to get away with more as far as what is considered to be formal in terms of style. Rather than being restricted to classic black, navy blue, or charcoal, you have a little more freedom to get creative with colors and patterns so long as they're tasteful as they are subtle. When you're dealing with pastel colors, sometimes it's actually better to go with narrow pinstripes, crosshatch, and herringbone patterns to offset the louder color schemes. Even in the brightest colors, subtle patterns sometimes have a way of dampening the loudness factor, and this is especially true on those oppressively sun-filled afternoons. It is best, however, to avoid patterns that might be too obvious or bold. Something like plaid, for example, especially when the intersecting lines are too large, can actually detract from any semblance of formality. Whatever you decide to choose, keep your patterns tight and narrow, as this will soften, rather than accentuate, bright pastel shades, keeping you looking good and feeling good at your next formal event.

These color and pattern considerations, however, can be lost if your suit material isn't up to handling the summer heat. Just as you wouldn't wear jeans and a T-shirt to the golf course, you wouldn't sport a flannel suit when the temperature outside is pushing 105 degrees, either. While the color of your suit may be important in keeping you comfortable, the material is essential. Lighter wools, wool/cotton blends, and linen in particular will outperform everything else when you have to be outside for extended periods of time. Although wool has remained the gold standard for suits of all styles, largely due to its ability to regulate body temperature through the wicking process, linen is a viable alternative for the summer months thanks to its similar cooling ability and structural properties.

--Linen--

Just like wool and cotton, linen has been used as a clothing material for thousands of years, and so far has not been replaced or made obsolete by anything else that has hit the market ever since humans have been wearing clothes. Various synthetic materials come and go, but natural materials such as linen have stood the test of time and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Made from fibers of the flax plant, linen has unique properties that make it a superior material for warmer weather, hence its popularity in the manufacture of suits designed to hold up to the summer heat. Compared to wool and cotton, linen dries much more quickly so your body will stay cooler by the process of evaporation. The more moisture is kept away from your body, the more comfortable you will feel. In addition to its superior drying capabilities, linen is also

more lightweight than cotton or wool, which further enhances its tendency to help you stay cool.

When the fibers from the flax plant are woven into their final linen products, the strands themselves are thicker than they are with cotton or wool, and this is one of the reasons why linen suits tend to have a lower thread count without sacrificing durability. Because the linen strands also have slightly more space between them, this allows air to circulate more easily through the material, which accelerates the evaporation process. Those living in hot climates who aren't quite familiar with linen suits almost immediately notice the difference when they try one out, and because of this, linen is very popular in warmer regions throughout the country including the desert southwest, Florida, and other portions of the Gulf Coast.

While linen as a suit material doesn't have too many drawbacks, the material itself can be more expensive than cotton and certain types of wool, given the geographic and climatic limitations of where the flax plant will grow. But because linen suits require fewer strands of individual fiber, the cost of a linen suit can be comparable to one made of wool or other natural materials. Another minor drawback to linen is that it has fewer practical uses during the winter months, when staying warmer is desirable.

--Accessories--

A proper quick summer suit guide wouldn't be complete without at least touching on trends as far as accessories go, and while shedding all the unnecessary frills, bells, and whistles seems to be very in right now, light touches to accentuate your outfits can maximize your style without weighing you down. Given the

upcoming warmer weather, you might be inclined to ditch the necktie to give your collar a little more breathing room. If you choose to do this, consider adding a pocket square in lieu of any neckwear. A pocket square, after all, is much easier to fold than tackling any complicated necktie or bow tie knots. If a necktie is a must, consider lighter materials or loosening the knot ever so slightly so it allows a little more room around the collar, but not appearing noticeable to anyone else to any degree. For those breezier summer days, consider adding a tie clip to help keep your necktie from flapping around too much; while the tie clip serves a mostly utilitarian function, its subtlety can really bring out your personal style with seemingly effortless precision.

From all of us here at Enzo Custom, we hope your upcoming summer season blows last year's out of the water. Whether you need to get fitted for something sporty for the coming months or require a tuxedo for more formal engagements down the line, feel free to step into one of our showrooms or schedule an online appointment with one of our expert clothiers, who will be more than happy to help you.