Each month Nashville #1 Men’s Personal Stylist, Bentley Caldwell will weigh in on the latest trends and answer men’s styling questions. His partner in crime, Carson Love will share her style tips for women.
JULY 2023 ISSUE
His Style: Let’s talk tailors
As people from both coasts migrate to our wonderful city, they’re being introduced to an adversary that we Southerners have known since birth: humidity. Love it or hate it, The Humidity Train is never late! Air that consists of 90 percent water vapor is oppressive, inescapable and inevitable. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to survive the soupy summers of the South.
Lighten up!
When the summer heat is on, it’s best to opt for lighter colors and lighter fabrics. Darker colors tend to absorb more heat, and heavy fabrics can make you sweat like the “XXX Hot” at Prince’s Hot Chicken.
When looking for colors to add to your summer wardrobe, look for whites, pastels and lighter earth-tones like khaki. When it comes to fabrics, opt for linens and lightweight cottons — both are extremely breathable and help keep your body cool.
Loosen up!
Everything is more relaxed in the summer. This rings true for fashion as well. This is a good time to opt for more relaxed-fit clothes, allowing for more airflow to keep you cooler. Shirts should still fit in the shoulders but can be looser in the body. The same idea goes for pants: Make sure they fit in the waist, but they can be looser in the leg.
Sky’s out, thighs out!
Gents, embrace the shorts life. Wearing jeans in the summer can be the equivalent of having a forest fire in your pants. You’re not going to enjoy it. Opt instead for a linen or chino short. Depending on your height, I would suggest a 6- or 7-inch inseam; you want your shorts to land about an inch above your knee.
In this civilized age, it should go without saying, but I’m going to emphasize this anyway: Under no circumstances do you wear cargo shorts. You’re better than that.
Kick off your shoes and relax your socks!
With the warmer weather, adjust your footwear accordingly. Put your leather boots in the closet for the next few months, enjoying sandals and canvas sneakers for the summer. Non-leather shoes allow your feet to breathe, making a more comfortable experience overall when the asphalt is hot enough to fry an egg.
Pro tip: If you’re going to wear sandals, treat yourself to a pedicure. No one wants to see toes that look like they can snatch salmon out of a river.
Stay hydrated, my friends!
