Want expert guidance? Get some style advice from Charlie Casely-Hayford
The gear you need to look stylish this summer
Navigating the shapes and tones of a whole new style season isn’t easy – especially if you’re more Wall Street than high street. So we’ve done the hard work for you

Chester Barrie
Ebury suit, £1,100
Choosing a summer suit can present a dilemma – stay cool in lighter fabrics but risk looking scruffy, or sweat it out in a more traditional wool-heavy cloth? Luckily, you don’t have to compromise at all with Chester Barrie’s spring/summer suit, which is a very wearable 50% wool, 30% silk and 20% linen blend, and will provide a pleasing balance of drape, sheen and comfort. Whether it’s for the inevitable round of summer weddings, parties and outdoor occasions or just days in the office where you need to keep your cool, it will see you through the warmer months well. Cut on the brand’s Ebury suit model, it has a smart, clean shoulder and broad peaked lapels, while mother-of-pearl buttons add an elegant finish. OK, you can stop looking at yourself in the mirror now – you’ve got an event to get to. chesterbarrie.co.uk

JM Weston
calfskin leather and suede loafers, £485
They say you shouldn’t mess with perfection, however we think the new suede and leather take on JM Weston’s iconic 180 loafer is a stroke of genius. Adding a softer edge to the classically all-leather loafer, the addition of calfskin suede brings the shoe straight into casual-with-a-twist territory; they’re as wearable in the office as they are at home. jmweston.com

Bennett Winch
The weekender bag, £575
You’ve booked the perfect mini-break, now you need the perfect kit to go with it. Transport your weekend wear in this holdall from luxury British accessories brand Bennett Winch. Each bag is handmade from waterproof canvas and leather, and full of handy compartments and pockets. There’s even a padded laptop sleeve if you really can’t leave the City behind. bennettwinch.com

Crockett & Jones
Seymour III double monk shoe, £525
In the business since 1879, Crockett & Jones knows a thing or two about timeless sophistication. The brand’s Seymour III double monks are made from the finest calf leather with bark-tanned leather soles for both comfort and longevity. They’re hand polished and hand burnished – and the buckles are handmade in Paris. You’ve gotta hand it to them… crockettandjones.com

Ettinger
Billfold wallet, £170
Simple and understated on the outside, vibrantly coloured within, Ettinger’s billfold wallet from the luxury leather brand’s Sterling collection is subtly stylish. The exterior is made from black, Italian calf leather, drum-rolled for a pronounced grain, with an interior made from the butter-soft Italian calf sides, and dyed in colours inspired by the regal hues of British notes. It’s the perfect excuse to flash the cash. ettinger.co.uk

Brunello Cucinelli
jacket, £2,020; shorts, £490
Some designers understand British summer, others do not: what can be seen as acceptable on the shores of St Tropez is definitely not the same as what works for St Mary Axe. Italian designer Brunello Cucinelli has struck a balance with his collection of warm-weather-friendly garments, which blend top-quality fabrics with seasonal styles. Take this blazer, made from a cool blend of houndstooth linen, wool and silk for a look that won’t make you hot under the collar. Team it with the brand’s twisted cotton canvas Bermuda shorts and step into summer in style. brunellocucinelli.com

Private White VC
twin track jacket, £695
This updated version of Private White VC’s iconic Twin Track motorcycle jacket is handmade in Manchester, a sure-fire indication that it’ll do its job against the elements. Sturdy waxed cotton with military-grade copper hardware accents go even further to suggest that it’ll protect you from any downpours. This is British summertime, after all. privatewhitevc.com

Mark Giusti
Reversible belt, £138
With one classic, smooth side, and a slightly flashier embossed surface on the reverse, this belt is a top choice for those days when you want to change your look but not your entire outfit, or just because you’re rubbish at making your mind up. Whichever look you choose, it’s made entirely of 100% calf leather in a rather smart and aptly named ‘London’ grey. markgiusti.com

ST Dupont
iconic document holder, £755
The year: 1947. The place: Paris. The situation: Hollywood royalty Humphrey Bogart is on the hunt for a light, easy-to-carry travel bag to take with him on flights. And the solution? A trip to ST Dupont, the French luxury accessories retailer, where the actor ordered one such item, to be embossed with his initials. Inspired by this famous customer, the ST Dupont team created the ‘Iconic’ collection, a range reflecting Bogart’s elegant, chic style. This document holder is a perfect example of the aesthetic: made from classic beige oiled cotton canvas and cognac leather, with a touch of panache in the form of a tricolour strip down the centre. You don’t have to take it to Paris, but what we would recommend is carrying it with a touch of Bogart swagger. st-dupont.com

John Lobb
levah sneaker, £445
John Lobb’s Levah sneakers are more than just a pair of plimsolls. With a gleaming white rubber sole, waxed suede upper and quality of craftsmanship that’s second-to-none, they look pretty fresh, but if you’re not convinced they have the colourway for you, worry not – the Create Your Own Levah service means you can stay a step ahead of the rest, quite literally. johnlobb.com

Porsche Design
Titanium P8678 sunglasses, £350
When it comes to shades, there’s a fine line between a classic shape and just plain dull – there’s no such problem for these immaculate sunglasses from Porsche Design. Made from 100% titanium, they offer the perfect blend of retro chic and modern material. The lenses can also be changed for different lighting conditions thanks to a handy quick release. porsche-design.com

Dolce & Gabbana
Fine tailoring
What do you do when you’ve got the board meeting at 5pm, and a dinner date at 6pm? Aside from organising a pretty nippy car, you get a suit that will take you seamlessly from work to play. Enter: Dolce & Gabbana, experts at mixing classic tailoring with Italian flair for suits that always look on point, whatever the situation. The sharp lines of this classic black number are formal enough for the day, but come the evening, cast aside your tie and it’ll see you through until the early hours. dolcegabbana.com