Florida Agenda

By Alex Vaughn

It is HOT! There is no question the heat is on, so how can we stay stylish and cool? Well, there really is only one perfect summer fabric: Linen

Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.

Linen is great because it really is effortless. If it is a bit creased, that isn’t an issue as the island feel is not about perfectly pressed clothes! It’s also perfect for travelling, because you can just roll up your shirt or shorts and shove them in a bag and be pool glamour ready instantly!

Color wise, I think white is the best, but it’s almost the most impractical, so opt for beige, teal or navy. If you are
daring, many designers from the Banana to Ralph Lauren offer a linen range in vibrant colors such as orange, turquoise and pink!

Here’s the thing about linen pants: you can wear them whenever you want. They’re comfortable in either warm or cool conditions, so you can wear them around the house, to the beach or you can wear them out to dinner.

Classic linen pants are good summer pants because they’re light and great to wear to the beach, but also can hold up into the evening and night. You can wear them with a tee shirt to make them more casual and relaxed or you can put on a collared shirt to dress it up.

Linen shorts are more relaxed – and yet smarter than the ever-popular cargo or plaid variety.

As for linen shirts, it’s always best to get a relaxed fit, because it leaves room to breathe and for the wind to pick up some of the fabric! When choosing a suit, there are two basic options: Fitted and structured linen or loose. If you are attending a wedding or function that isn’t on a beach, then go for the structured like the one I selected from Nirvana and jazz it up with some bright accessories. For all else, go for the looser option as it offers more variety.

The other advantage of having a linen suit in the summer is you can wear the pieces separately, but be careful cleaning them though or you could end up with different color pants and jacket (particularly if you have a dark hue of linen)!

Turquoise linen Shirt  – Ralph Lauren $110 www.ralphlauren.com

White Button – less Men Suits/ Tuxedo Jacket And Pants $260 www.shoppingnirvana.com

Mode Suite  – White Suit $410  www.modasuite.com

Hartford Blue Fine Stripe Linen Shirt $94 www.mywardrobe.com

Boss Brown Linen Shorts $137 at www.asos.com

Calvin Klein Linen Shorts $72.50 www.calvinklein.com

This Season’s “Short List”

In much of Europe and the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries shorts were worn as outerwear only by young boys until they reached a certain height or maturity. When boys got older, typically around puberty, they would receive their first pair of long trousers. This produced the perception that shorts were only for young boys. Because of this, men would not wear shorts to avoid looking immature.

In the 1890s, knee pants (an early type of short pants) became the standard wear for American boys. Many urban school portraits from the 1890s show all but the oldest boys wearing knee pants.

From the 1950’s, however, shorts became a staple of men’s wardrobes – particularly in the US – and were traditionally slim and fitted. In many countries, however, there are few formal settings where wearing shorts would be acceptable, as they are considered casual wear. Notable exceptions where men may wear short trousers to the office or at a formal gathering are South Africa, Bermuda, Australia and New Zealand.

Styles

• Baggies: loose-fitting shorts which reach the knees.
• Bermuda shorts: Approximately knee-length short trousers commonly worn in Bermuda (with long socks
and a blazer and tie) for business attire and even at cocktail parties.
• Board shorts: A combination of shorts and a bathing suit, which have recently gained in popularity, that reach the knee or below.
• Cargo shorts: Typically khaki shorts with cargo pockets.
• Cut-offs or Daisy Dukes: Home-made by cutting the legs off trousers, typically jeans (known as “denim
cut-offs”), above the knee.
• Cycling shorts: Skin-tight long shorts originally worn by cyclists to reduce chafing while cycling, but which have also been adapted and adopted as street wear.
• Hot pants: Categorized as “short shorts,” they commonly have an inseam length of two inches or less.

They are meant to emphasize the
buttocks and the legs.
• Jean shorts: Made out of denim, jean shorts are worn by both genders.
• Three quarter pants (Or Flood Pants): A name used to refer to pants such as Shants or Shankles which go down to the calf and are arguably not long shorts but ‘short longs’.
• Zip-off Shorts or Convertible Shorts: A pair of long pants that zip off at the knee, allowing the wearer to change from pants to shorts as the weather changes.
• Yimps: Very short men’s shorts designed to have a vintage, mid-
century look.

Eric Christian is a style consultant. Eric@styleconciergemiami.com www.styleconciergemiami.com

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