Seeing Blue: Denim & Beyond, the Casual Answer

Blue flat front cotton twill shorts will take care of all your weekend needs – when it comes to your clothes, anyway. The 9” inseam of these contemporary fitting AG shorts hits above the knee, making them a good length for the golf course, weekend errands, and dinner at a casual restaurant. Their fabulous quality takes color really well, so they’re not too saturated and won’t fade over time. They are also a great weight, not too heavy though substantial enough to hold up to multiple washes. And the versatility of the neutral color (called Shadow Grey through the 'shop it' button) and clean style means you can wear them with a t-shirt, polo, or sport shirt so you’ll get tons of use out of them season after season after season.

Add a little style to your t-shirt collection with this blue stripe from Agave. The Henley collar, a fashion trend, gives it a modern look that pairs with the enzyme washed fabric for an ideally worn-in look that still retains its rich indigo color. Throw it on with any shade of jeans or any color pair of shorts, and a cool pair of sneakers.

In Clothes & Conversation this week, we talked about the appeal of jeans who’s fabric is blended with linen for a lighter weight denim that is perfect for Summer. This pair – in a relaxed and easy modern fit from Agave - perfectly fills that need. The light wash pairs with all the brights, neutrals and easy graphic t-shirts we like to wear this time of year.

When you are headed to brunch or casual party, this unique shirt from Thomas Dean will give you an appropriate look and a relaxed fit that is perfect for the occasion. The bolder bar stripes are actually a series of mini checks and stripes - click through the ‘shop it’ button to zoom in and check it out. The blue and white combination looks great with jeans, cotton pants or shorts and cool slip-on sneakers.

We’re not reinventing the wheel in suggesting a great blue t-shirt for your wardrobe. But that doesn’t make it any less essential. Vince’s quality holds up to lots of wear and washes. And they never overlook the details – the 100% pima cotton feels silky against your skin, with a wash that creates the perfect shade of blue so it looks like you’ve had it for years. The contemporary fit and nicely sized crew neckline ensures a modern, trimmer fit that’s not sloppy, so it will work under a sport shirt or on its own with everything from jeans to a swimsuit. You can buy cheaper t-shirts, but the Vince’s quality is visible, and you’ll get your money’s worth when you reach for it again next Summer and it looks just as good.

Come on, how fun are these Tommy Bahama shorts? We’ve talked about the importance of prints this season, and the tonal floral pattern in these shorts is a great way to do it. At first glance you may not notice it, but these easy fitting shorts are actually made of a fine wale cotton corduroy (click through the ‘shop it’ button to zoom in and check it out). While you may not initially think of corduroy for Summer, these will win you over in their soft feel and light weight that mutes the pattern and provides a subtle texture that is just plain good-looking. Play up the beachy feel with a simple white t-shirt and flip flops.

Dark blue sneakers are a great alternative to those standard black and white varieties. Tretorn’s canvas and leather combo has a white gum rubber outsole that sets these shoes apart, and gives them a substantial enough feel that they work with shorts and jeans alike. Their EccoOrtholite insole will also help keep your feet dry and odor free. So everyone around you will appreciate more than just how good-looking they are.

Summertime is baseball time. A baseball cap is a must to shade your face and keep the sun off the thinning parts of your head. J.Crew has a line of baseball hats, made with Ebbets Field Flannels who is known for vintage baseball hat reproductions. Even if you’re not a New Yorker, you’ll love this Brooklyn Eagles re-creation. As J.Crew points out, the 1930’s Brooklyn Eagles were owned by Effa Manley, the first woman to own and operate a professional baseball team and the first woman elected to the Hall of Fame. So that will give you something to talk about.