The Dress Tan Suit

Poplin suits can be a great staple for the well appointed gent in Summer, and they're comfortable in their inherent slouchiness. But don't forget the "other" tan suit, you know, the "dressy" one, tan gabardine.

Yet another tan suit by Brooks Brothers in their last heyday, the 1980s. This one is built like any other business suit, rendered in wool. The only difference is the pale tan hue, making it the perfect dress suit for Summer. Once again, all the details are in place: soft shoulders, 3/2 roll, two button cuff, half lining, flat front trousers in a classic cut with cuffed hems. Not bad for $9.99.

Being more of a "proper" suit, this number takes well to dressier touches in the rest of the outfit, such a contrast collared shirt and collar pin, as well as the the tone-on-tone combo of navy and white tie on blue and white shirt. Note that if you're going to attempt an all pale colored ensemble, texture and pattern will be the key to keeping from looking washed out. Note also that the tie is rendered in what should be an awful rayon/acetate blend, but it's cut well and well made, so it gets a pass. However, remember only one cheap element at a time, and occasionally at that. This seemingly crummy tie hides well amongst a Brooks Brothers suit and custom shirt.The late great Richard Merkin had more than a few polyester pocket squares that he hid in the pockets of custom suits. Get it?

 Speaking of pocket squares, I think this cotton one in white with tiny lavender and navy flowers, with juts a whiff of green at the edges, was just the final touch this outfit needed. A real flower in the lapel would have been nice, at a wedding maybe, but hinting at flowers is much less brash most of the time.

Brown suede shoes work well here, and the peacocks among you will delight in these lavender socks, which unfortunately never show their color well in photos.

If you happen to have a job where you can really wear a suit, consider tan gabardine for Summer. It's a style that's due for a comeback. Here I've gone for a bit of the old boulevardier in the rest of the outfit, but I think that with a white shirt, foulard tie and burgundy shoes such a suit would be quite appropriate for many business situations in Summer, especially given the lax state of affairs in most business places these days. When the rest of the staff is showing up in too big tennis shirts tucked into too baggy, too long khakis for the loath "business casual", you can own the place in tan gabardine.