August is possibly the most informal part of the year. The sight of morning dress at Royal Ascot, striped blazers at Henley Royal Regatta, and bearskin hats at Trooping the Colour are a distant memory. Even the Square Mile is largely devoid of brogues and pinstriped three-piece suits. The truth is that August brings a different mindset to life. It is the month to unwind, and because of other factors at play such as the heat, whether on holiday or not, people want to feel comfortable, and that is mostly made possible by what you wear. Now, that doesn't mean one should become slovenly in appearance, but merely a signal to jettison your business suits and tie in favour of stylish and well-made garments in sync with your holiday style.
As dress codes become more polarised we were already seeing hybrid creations of classic garments. Some don’t stand the test of time, but occasionally you come across something different – a design with real inventiveness that is aesthetically cool. The Lazyman jacket by The Anthology is one of those pieces. Featuring a 3-roll-2 button fastening, chest and hip patch pockets, it is both functional and chic yet its unconstructed design eliminates restriction, and instead is the reason for its ethereally lightweight feel. To emulate the traditional Riviera style heroes of 1950s, one should opt for the white and tan seersucker version, or if you’re looking longer term, their navy bouclé Lazyman jacket can be worn all year round. Another budding firm shaking things up in the menswear scene is Gownsmith. Labelled a ‘cardigown’ because you guessed it, it is a cross between a cardigan and gown, their stunning cream wool knit is a casual masterpiece. Without the heft of a jacket or coat, it can be worn with ease in any casual setting. Its cable knit texture gives it a chic edge, but due its lack of lapel and unconstructed design it takes away a degree of formality.
