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Fashion Do’s and Don’ts Every Man Should Know for Summer

Updated on May 9, 2025 by TMM Staff · Clothing and Style

A man in a long-sleeve olive green shirt and white pants, sitting on a chair and holding sunglasses near his face.
©Maqi mahe/Pexels,com

Looking stylish in 2025 isn’t about having the most expensive wardrobe or chasing every trend, it’s about making smart, intentional choices. Even small tweaks in how you dress can make a big difference. This summer, avoid the most common fashion missteps and follow these simple yet powerful do’s and don’ts to elevate your style. Whether you’re heading to a rooftop party, the office, or a casual weekend brunch, these tips will help you show up looking your best.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Fit Is King Always
  • Casual Isn’t an Excuse for Sloppy
  • Neutral Colors Are Your Style Foundation
  • Avoid Trend Overload
  • Save Graphic Tees for the Right Occasion
  • Cuff with Confidence
  • Skip the Walking Billboard Look
  • Coordinate Belt and Shoes
  • Grooming Completes the Look
  • Balance Proportions Smartly
  • Gym Socks Aren’t for Loafers
  • Layer Light, Layer Right
  • Accessories Should Accentuate, Not Distract
  • Dress for the Moment

Fit Is King Always

A man with a beard and braided hair, wearing an oversized tan t-shirt with a graphic design, standing against a grey wall.
©armağan başaran/Pexels.com

Do wear clothes that fit your body properly. Oversized shirts and saggy jeans won’t do your frame any favors. Well fitted clothing sharpens your silhouette and instantly boosts your presence. Tailoring a few key pieces can transform your wardrobe without adding new items. If it doesn’t fit right, it doesn’t look right.

Casual Isn’t an Excuse for Sloppy

Close-up of a man in a white dress shirt working on a laptop computer.
©cottonbro studio/Pexels.com

Don’t confuse casual with careless. Summer dressing should be relaxed, not lazy. Swap wrinkled tees and beat up shorts for clean basics like fitted polos and chino shorts. A casual outfit still deserves intention. You can look laid back and sharp at the same time.

Neutral Colors Are Your Style Foundation

A smiling man in a white t-shirt and dark pants, pointing upwards with both hands against a white background.
©Mart Production/Pexels.com

Do lean on neutrals like navy, gray, olive, white, and beige. They mix effortlessly and make outfit planning easier. Neutrals also project maturity and versatility across settings. Save bold colors for accents or statement pieces. A wardrobe built on neutrals is always in season.

Avoid Trend Overload

A man wearing a white outfit with a jacket and wide-leg pants, standing outdoors by a lake or large body of water.
©magapls./Pexels.com

Don’t fall into the trap of chasing every new trend. Not every style works for every guy. Instead, develop your own personal uniform and sprinkle in trends that suit you. The best dressed men dress with purpose, not hype. Confidence always outlasts trends.

Shoes Make the Outfit

Three leather loafers in blue, orange, and grey with metal buckles, lined up on a wooden surface.
©Rakin/Pixabay.com

Do invest in versatile, well-made footwear. Clean white sneakers, leather loafers, and breathable summer shoes like espadrilles are warm weather essentials. Worn out or low quality shoes drag your entire outfit down. Shoes should match both the season and the setting. Elevate your footwear, and the rest will follow.

Save Graphic Tees for the Right Occasion

A man in a yellow graphic t-shirt, smiling and looking over his shoulder, standing in an tree-lined outdoor area.
©Khanh Nguyen/Pexels.com

Don’t rely on graphic tees for every occasion. While fun, they can look juvenile or unpolished outside casual settings. For everyday style, stick with plain or subtly patterned tees that pair easily. A great tee should enhance your look, not dominate it. Reserve bold prints for casual weekends or music festivals.

Cuff with Confidence

Close-up of legs wearing cuffed light wash jeans and white patterned low-top sneakers.
©Hannah Nelson/Pexels.com

Do roll or cuff your pants with intention. It adds detail and allows you to adjust length visually. This move works best with jeans or chinos, not suits. A neat cuff just above the ankle makes your outfit look styled, not sloppy. Just avoid overly thick or uneven folds.

Skip the Walking Billboard Look

Close-up of a man wearing a white t-shirt with large black and pink graphic logos, looking away from the camera.
©Cottonbro Studio/Pexels.com

Don’t wear too many visible logos. Overbranding can make even expensive clothes look cheap. Let quality and fit speak louder than logos. If you want to wear branded pieces, keep them minimal. Understated beats overstated every time.

Coordinate Belt and Shoes

Three men in white long-sleeve shirts and dark trousers standing on a sandy beach.
©Jay jay Redelinghuys/Pexels.com

Do match your leather belt to your shoes, especially in dressy or smart casual settings. Brown shoes call for a brown belt; black shoes need black leather. It’s a small detail that shows style awareness. In summer, woven belts can also add texture and color to a neutral outfit.

Grooming Completes the Look

A man wearing a tie-dye pattern t-shirt and blue sunglasses, looking and smiling to the side while holding his sunglasses.
©GlassesShop GS/Pexels.com

Don’t overlook grooming, it’s part of your style. A clean shave or well trimmed beard, neat nails, and fresh breath matter. Summer heat magnifies poor grooming. Use deodorant, sunscreen, and a bit of product to stay fresh. Looking stylish starts with feeling clean.

Balance Proportions Smartly

A man wearing a green and blue abstract pattern short-sleeve shirt over a white t-shirt, and dark shorts, sitting outdoors while adjusting his sunglasses.
©GlassesShop GS/Pexels.com

Do balance fitted and relaxed pieces. A tailored shirt with looser pants or a relaxed tee with slim trousers creates harmony. Avoid going too tight or too baggy from head to toe. A well balanced silhouette always looks intentional. Think smart contrast, not extremes.

Gym Socks Aren’t for Loafers

Close-up of feet wearing white sneakers and grey socks with a black Nike logo, standing on a wet street.
©justcreativestock/Pixabay.com

Don’t wear white athletic socks with dressy shoes or loafers. It ruins the refinement of your outfit. Instead, opt for no show socks, thin neutral pairs, or nothing at all, depending on the look. Your sock choice should match your overall outfit’s formality.

Layer Light, Layer Right

Close-up of a man in a light blue open shirt over a white tank top, wearing sunglasses and a necklace, with a flower in his mouth.
©Maximilian Orlowsky/Pexels.com

Do use light layering to enhance summer style. Try a linen button up over a tank or a cotton overshirt with chinos. Layers add depth without adding bulk. Just make sure each layer breathes well and serves a purpose. Summer layering is about texture, not warmth.

Accessories Should Accentuate, Not Distract

A man wearing a red zip-up track jacket over a light shirt, patterned shorts, a necklace, and a baseball cap, posing with his arms out.
©Daniel Friday Danzor/Pexels.com

Don’t wear every accessory you own. Stick to one or two sharp, subtle pieces. A watch, bracelet, or sleek sunglasses can polish an outfit. When in doubt, simplify. Loud accessories can easily derail a clean look.

Dress for the Moment

Close-up of a person wearing a grey short-sleeved shirt and white pants, looking at their wristwatch while standing outdoors.
©JESHOOTS-com/Pixabay.com

Do dress appropriately for your environment. The right outfit in the wrong setting stands out for the wrong reasons. Know your context, dinner, date, beach, or business casual and dress accordingly. When unsure, lean slightly more polished. Confidence comes from feeling like you belong.

Clothing and Style ethical clothing, sustainability, Tentree

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About TMM Staff

The Modest Man staff writers are experts in men's lifestyle who love teaching guys how to live their best lives.

If an article is published under TMM Staff, that means multiple writers worked on it. For example, sometimes several of us have experience with a certain brand, so we collaborate to publish a more thorough review.

Or, if an article was originally written by one person, but then it was updated by someone else, we'll re-publish it under TMM Staff.

Remember: all of our articles (including those below) are written by real people with decades of combined experience in men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

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