As August holidaymakers prepare to enjoy a few well-earned days off, we have compiled the essentials to pack in your summer suitcase in this article.
Tops, bottoms, accessories: below you will find the essential pieces for enjoying your holiday with ease and elegance. As for sun cream, we’ll leave you to take care of that.
The holiday checklist
- When it comes to underwear, your sandals, sliders and clogs will allow you to forgo socks. As for boxer shorts, however, we recommend packing one for each day of your holiday, plus a spare in case one of them becomes swim shorts. As you probably know, ours are upcycled, meaning they are made from fabric offcuts from our formal shirts. Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed.
- An essential item if ever there was one, the T-shirt naturally deserves pride of place in your summer luggage. In very hot weather, we recommend opting for linen styles, a natural fibre whose absorbent and breathable properties will be a great help in beating the heat.
- The same applies below: linen trousers (or trousers containing linen) will be more pleasant to wear in summer thanks to their dry hand and thermoregulating properties. As for styles, there are two options: relaxed elegance with our chinos in métis fabric, or formal elegance with our pleated trousers.
- For the legs, it is what the T-shirt is for the torso: shorts are an absolute essential for heading off on an August adventure. At Hast, we have created different styles to help you choose the look that suits your wishes. From the most classic to the most sophisticated, you will find plain or patterned shorts, in cotton or cotton-linen, from the lightest shades to the deepest colours.
- Lightweight shirts are an option worth considering to stay smart above 20 degrees. From there, it is best to turn to natural raw materials, open and airy fabrics, relaxed cuts and light colours. Our linen shirts, in seersucker and in Giro Inglese are among them, designed and made to support you through hot days.
- A shirt enthusiast but not keen on overheating? Our short-sleeved shirts are made for you. In cotton or Tencel, they skilfully combine distinction and ease, fitting just as easily into smart outfits as relaxed looks. A fine alternative to wear without restraint.
- A close cousin of the short-sleeved shirt — unless it is that of the T-shirt, the polo shirt also combines sophistication and ventilation. With its collar and short sleeves, it is sure to appeal to those who favour an understated, chic style. Sound like you? Ours are waiting for you.
- We nearly forgot the unforgettable: swim shorts. Because life is not all midnight swims, you will probably need a pair for a splash in the coming weeks. Whether you are a pool or pond person, lake or river, sea or ocean, you absolutely need to pack a pair. If you choose ours, know that they are made from 100% Seaqual®, an innovative fabric made from recycled plastics recovered from marine environments. What is more, you can kill two birds with one stone and wear them as shorts: their cut and design are entirely amphibious.
- Finally, don’t forget to combine the useful with the enjoyable by accessorising. For example, our caps and our sunglasses made in France offer the dual benefit of protecting you and adding substance to your outfits. At the heart of a season in which temperatures leave little room for creativity, accessories are an excellent way to give even the simplest looks more character. Don’t go without them.
A few outfit ideas for your summer
While the bermuda shorts / T-shirt combination is the most obvious of the summer season, the one we are proposing is probably not what you would expect. Seersucker and stripes below, a navy 70% cotton and 30% linen shirt above: it is a far cry from the dull duo you see on every street corner. And if the wind picks up a little around 8 pm, the matching jacket for the shorts is there to create a remarkable ensemble.
Speaking of matching jackets, take a look at this ecru 100% linen suit. If you have a wedding, civil partnership or ceremony to attend this summer, you have found your uniform. With its elegant lines and carefully considered details, this suit is as light as it is elegant. A model of refinement and breathability, to wear over a shirt or a colourful T-shirt.
Less formal but just as summery, the lightweight trousers / short-sleeved shirt combination is foolproof in fine weather. Here, we have chosen a pair of 100% linen trousers in dark green, paired with a generously cut striped short-sleeved shirt. Maximum ventilation, assured style.
Feeling the chill? Swap your short-sleeved shirt for a long-sleeved shirt, and you are all set. Still striped? Yes, sir. Paired with 100% linen pleated trousers, the result is bound to convince.
If you are lucky enough to spend your holiday by the sea (or within 10 km of any body of water), you can also choose to live in swimwear. Cut like shorts, ours are just as at ease beneath the waves as on dry land, and all you need is a T-shirt and a pair of canvas trainers to complete the illusion. Absolute comfort.
As we were saying, it is essential — and sensible — to accessorise your summer outfits. For example, what better way to add a little texture to your look than by placing a handsome cap on top of your head? None. Just as there is no better way to avoid sunstroke. Having your cake and eating it too.
A final word
A season for well-earned rest, summer need not become the graveyard of elegance. It is entirely possible to dress well during the hottest months of the year, and our August holidaymakers know it better than anyone.
We hope these few tips and inspirations will accompany you on your holiday, and wish you a wonderful break.