What to Wear on a Summer Date For Guys

Co-authored by Lisa Shield

Last Updated: August 4, 2022 References

It’s summertime! The sun is out. The days are warm. And you’ve got a date! Whether you’re the plus one at a wedding or planning to dip your toes in warm ocean waters, there are plenty of clothing options to look and feel your best, even in the summer heat. We have outfit suggestions for all of your summer date needs and tips to keep you stylish and comfortable no matter the occasion.

Section 1 of 2:

Summer Date Outfits for Guys

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Button-down with jeans and Chelsea boots. For a nice evening meal, either outdoors as the temperature cools or inside an air-conditioned restaurant, match a simple pair of light jeans with a button-down shirt and Chelsea boots.
- For a more casual look and looser feel with a button-down, leave your top two buttons unbuttoned.
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Button-up with chinos and canvas sneakers. If you want to switch it up from jeans on a date, chino pants are an excellent alternative. They strike a great balance between formal and casual depending on what you pair them with!^{[1]
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Research source} For a fashionable look on a lunch date, try a short-sleeve button-up and clean white sneakers.

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Polo and chinos. Pair a classic white polo shirt with dark gray or navy chinos and matching white sneakers. This look is simple and effective; great for grabbing drinks or an evening stroll.
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Utility shirt, jeans, and chukkas. For outings to a museum or gallery, consider a utility shirt—a more casual and comfortable button-up style. You’ll look good with the sleeves down or rolled up so you can adjust to temperatures wherever you go. Complete the look with dark, cuffed jeans and suede chukka boots.^{[2]
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Overshirt and chinos. This outfit is great for a laid-back outdoor rendezvous, like a picnic! Layer a t-shirt of your choice with a breathable overshirt, and pull on a pair of comfortable chinos. Complete the outfit with a low-cut slip-on shoe in white or tan. In addition to giving you the ability to remove or add layers depending on the current conditions, summer layering provides an added barrier to sweat and odors soaking through your clothes ^{[3]
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T-shirt and jeans. For a casual date with no set expectation of attire, like seeing a movie, you want to impress your date without dressing impractically. A classic white t-shirt with jeans is always a solid choice. For a sunny summer day, break out a pair of light-wash jeans and contrast them with black sneakers.
- If you find that you get cold sitting in an air-conditioned theater for two hours, remember to bring a light jacket or overshirt to put on inside.
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Linen button-up and pants. If you’re looking to exude beachiness for a walk across the sand or down the pier, wear a loose, casual button-up with cuffed linen pants and sandals.
- If you’re confident showing some skin, button a few less buttons than usual.
- For sandals, wear a pair that can handle sand or that you don’t mind carrying–and be sure they’re comfortable in case you want to extend the date for a stroll through the local shops.
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Short-sleeve button-up and shorts. This is definitely an outfit to try with bold summer colors, and it is another solid option for a beach outing, especially if you might want to get your feet wet. And it also works if you want to grab a smoothie or ice cream after you’ve had your fill of surf and sand.
- Sandals and sneakers both work with this look. It all depends on your goals and expectations for the day.
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T-shirt, shorts, and walking shoes. Summer is a great time to take your date to a festival, an amusement park, or on a day trip downtown. When you spend all day standing, walking, and dancing in the sun, you need clothes that will keep you cool, and shoes that keep your feet comfortable.
- If you’re worried that shoes can’t be both supportive and fashionable, aim for shoes with simple designs in white or black that will seamlessly blend into a variety of casual summer looks.
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Summer suit. If your date necessitates dressier attire, like a meal at a fancy restaurant or a formal performance, there are still ways to stay cool. For a suit, opt for lighter shades of gray or blue, or even green, beige, or khaki.
- Materials like linen, or particular wool weaves such as fresco (which has an open weave, allowing airflow) or tropical (which is lightweight) will be cooler than a standard wool suit.^{[4]
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- You’ll also be cooler if you wear a suit jacket that is half-lined and has a sewn interlining rather than a glued canvas interlining.^{[5]
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Single-layer formal. When dressing for a wedding, you may be asked to wear a particular style or color if you are in the bridal party or otherwise close to the couple, and some couples ask all guests to adhere to a dress code for the event. However, if you’re not expected to wear something special, wear a light-colored dress shirt with light-colored pants and no jacket. Combine those with light brown shoes and a belt.
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Suit and t-shirt. If someone you’re seeing invites you to tag along to a summer wedding reception, especially one that isn’t too formal, swap the button-up for a plain white t-shirt under a colorful suit.

Section 2 of 2:

Summer Date Fashion Tips

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Wear breathable fabrics. For a variety of styles, reach for lighter fabrics in the summer, like chambray, cotton, and linen.^{[6]
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Research source} Linen is particularly suited for summer wear because it won’t stick to your skin and allows air to flow in and out, helping you to keep cool.^{[7]
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Research source}. Cotton is another solid summer fabric because it allows airflow and can even absorb moisture.^{[8]
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Select moisture-wicking underwear. While you are preparing for your date, set out a clean pair of breathable underwear. Like your armpits, your groin becomes warm and sweaty more easily than the rest of your body, and that can make you feel uncomfortable on your date. Try moisture-wicking underwear made with modal or cotton to be sure you feel your best down there all day.^{[9]
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Wear no-show socks. Baring your ankles with no-show socks looks sleek with a variety of pant and shoe combinations, and avoids the unnecessary warmth of longer socks. If you’re thinking of attempting the look without any socks at all, reconsider. Especially in the summer heat, sweaty feet without socks will make your shoes stink.^{[10]
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Accessorize. Although the warm weather might keep you from wearing winter essentials that add an additional touch to your ensemble, there are plenty of subtle ways to accentuate your look without heating it up. For slightly more formal occasions, add a simple wristwatch. On more casual dates, wear a favorite bracelet or necklace. On long days in the sun, be sure to bring sunglasses and a hat to keep sun out of your eyes and face. Don’t pick items that will clash with your outfit, but allow your personality and style to show.
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Dress for the weather. Plan ahead by noting the weather predictions for the entire time you plan to be on the date. In addition, consider the temperature of any indoor venues you’ll visit. Ultimately, you will be most comfortable in a weather-appropriate outfit, so be prepared and flexible.