From your morning run to your work Zoom call to your evening socially distanced drink in the garden and weekend summer activities, LLM – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine contributor Michael Atkinson takes a look at some of this season’s best premium menswear brands to ensure your summer wardrobe is fit for purpose for every occasion.
1. Tom and Teddy
Tom and Teddy has a focus on injecting colour and fun into swimwear with the brand providing premium matching swim shorts, trunks and shirts for father and sons.
Founded in 2011 in Australia, the company was set up by husband and wife couple, Michelle and Jelle, to create super-soft, super-stylish shorts that bring a touch of the great Australian outdoors to your day. They named their durable, comfortable and eye-catching swim short brand after their long-loved family names, Tom and Teddy.
From time in the surf, to jogging along the beach, to relaxing poolside, to standing around the barbeque, Tom and Teddy shorts add a touch of colour to any summer occasion.
My vibrant Tom and Teddy trunks were packed and ready for the swimming pools of Miami and the beaches of Florida until lockdown put an end to that holiday. Attempting a dip on staycation in the cold waters of Loch Morlich in July in the Scottish Highlands wasn’t quite the same vibe, but nevertheless, the bright and fun matching swim shorts certainly make for a great family photo and provide a fantastic comfortable and stylish cut and fit.
2. Love Brand and Co.
Love Brand and Co. was established in London in 2010 by Oliver and Rose Tomalin and was founded with a conservation mission at its heart. It began as a swimwear brand providing ‘Trunks for Trunks’, with a percentage of the company’s gross revenues committed to helping save elephants from extinction.
Channelling this money to wildlife charities and environmental funds, such as the Tusk Trust and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, by wearing Love Brand’s beachwear, customers provide a positive impact protecting elephants and their habitats.
Whilst it started as a swimwear brand, the range now includes shirts, shorts, trousers, polos and T-shirts, all stylishly elegant in design for the summer season. All products are made from natural, organic or recycled materials.
I’m a particular fan of their 100% linen shirts, which are soft and light and cut a dash in the long summer evenings.
3. Beaufort and Blake
Beaufort and Blake launched in 2013 selling dress shirts (pattern backed) out of a Land Rover. It has gone from strength to strength since then and now has a wide range of clothes for men and women. It uses premium fabrics and has an attention to detail across its range which makes for beautiful quality garments.
Its classic white Oxford shirt, a must-have item in any man’s wardrobe, is finished with a flourish – it features a contrast elephant print across the inner collar and cuffs, adding just a touch of personality to this style essential.
Beaufort and Blake provides the perfect range of smart casual attire. Its seaview chinos are ‘unapologetically cheery’ and suitable as they say for the work, pub, beach, croquet match and in-law approved. The full range features rugby shirts, polo shirts, knitwear, shorts and a range of accessories. All classically stylish.
For your canine companion, you can also match a dog collar to your Beaufort and Blake belt.
4. The London Sock Company
The London Sock Company was founded in 2013 with the desire to inspire confidence from the feet up. The brand states: “At the London Sock Company we believe that pulling on a great pair of socks in the morning has the power to transform not just your style, but your state of mind”.
Lofty ambitions for a sock brand but using the finest materials and the most advanced knitting methods to create socks which feel great, fit better and last longer, this brand has attracted a following from the likes of model, David Gandy.
As the London Sock Company adds: “great socks aren’t just a finishing flourish an outfit. They are the first steps to effortless style”. Pulling on these socks, with their array of bright and quirky colours and designs, is a pleasure. They are sumptuously soft, fit perfectly and are extremely comfortable. Wearing these socks, it doesn’t take you long to agree with the company’s belief that socks can inspire confidence.
They even offer a sock club; a subscription service which sees socks sent to your door on a monthly basis, meaning you’ll never have an excuse for a bad pair of socks again.
5. Montane
Montane sponsors events such as the Tor des Géants, one of the premier endurance trail running races in the world, a non-stop 205 mile ultra-race crossing 34 municipalities, 25 mountain passes, 30 alpine lakes and 2 national parks. The race starts and finishes in Italy’s Cormayeur.
The lightweight and breathable clothing and equipment supplied by Montane is the perfect partner to such endurance races. However, the versatility of the Montane range makes it equally ideal for your slightly less adventurous early morning summer run or your staycation where you are simply enjoying being in the great outdoors.
The Montane Featherlite Down Jacket offers outstanding insulation in a lightweight format when you’re looking for some warmth in the outdoors on colder summer days or when the temperature drops and you’re outdoors in the evening, standing around the barbeque or camp fire.
You can pack it down into a supplied bag the size of an orange, making it an easy and practical jacket to take anywhere. It’s also stylishly designed, making it suitable for a jacket to simply grab on your way out the door on any occasion.
For running, I wear their Razor shorts and Dart t-shirts. The Allez Micro hoodie is also great for colder morning runs and all the kit has a flattering neat fit with great comfort.
Main image – Beaufort and Blake
