Seeing Blue: Style Updates for Any Summer Night

Blue is the number one sport shirt color for a night out (and for any occasion, really). That is because blue goes with everything, and has a masculine yet stylish look. This dark blue dot pattern on a light blue ground is a color combination that looks great with dark wash jeans. The contrast trim on the placket, under collar and cuffs add a little sartorial fun, while Bugatchi’s relaxed, modern fit will keep you comfortable all night long.

Dark wash jeans are the “go to” after 5 pants for most outings these days. The 11.75 oz Japanese denim is a year around weight and luxe, designer quality. 7 For All Mankind’s whiskering and hand-sanding treatment give these jeans an appropriately worn-in and modern look, while the final resin rinse seals in the indigo color to keep them looking dark and rich. The “Standard” fit has a straight leg and a medium rise with room in the seat and thigh, so it’s a versatile modern fit that is comfortable for most gents.

When it’s just too hot for long sleeves, this short sleeve blue plaid shirt will be your go to for a casual night out. Zachary Prell’s fabrics are always sophisticated but understandable, and this blue/green combination looks great with jeans, cotton twill pants and shorts. The smaller spread collar gives it an updated feel that works with the modern fit – the ideal middle ground between gentleman (relaxed) and contemporary (trim), so it works on most every gent.

During the Summer, a cotton cardigan sweater is a great replacement for a more structured blazer, and is also an easy alternative to true outerwear for a cooler evening. This contemporary fitting shawl collar cardigan from Vince Camuto fulfills both needs with a stylish finish. Wear it with any jeans or pants, and layer it over everything from a sport shirt to a t-shirt. Simple as that.

For an evening out, you’ll never go wrong with a classic look like this modern fitting Robert Talbott navy blazer. The cotton fabric is blended with a touch of stretch for comfort, which also gives great “bounce back” to the jacket, so it stays crisp looking all through the evening. It is a softly constructed jacket so it has a casual look that pairs well with dark wash and cotton twill pants. And, of course any solid or pattern button up shirt works with it.

With so many linen options, it’s important to make sure you’re going with a good quality, especially when it comes to pants. Linen looks right when it has a natural wrinkle to it, but poor quality linen can get deep creases in it that look just messy – and it can be scratchy. This is exacerbated when it comes to pants, but not when it comes to these contemporary fitting pants from Joseph Abboud. The all-linen fabric is soft and lined to the knee for added comfort. There is a faint striated pinstripe in the fabric that gives them an elevated look (click through the ‘shop it’ button to zoom in on it). Of course, they look great with a solid white linen button up, but a patterned shirt adds a stylish touch. And with free shipping and returns, you can easily try them out for yourself.

There’s nothing easier than a blue polo. Peter Millar’s cotton lisle fabric has a handsome box-pattern jacquard (the pattern is just stitched right in to the fabric) that combines for a dressier polo that you can wear with khaki’s and casual oxfords for a relaxed dinner with friends. It has a modern fit that is easy, and will also work under a sport coat, so all your bases will be covered.

We are huge fans of these dark blue brogues from Allen-Edmonds. The weathered leather and contrast stitching give them such a cool look – just the right balance of style and ease. They look amazing with dark wash jeans and instantly add a dapper finish to any of your neutral cotton pants. They are pictured with red laces – and we love them – but they come with a set of tan laces, too, which makes them even more versatile.