How to Keep Your Cool: Custom Style for a Southern California Summer

Summer in Southern California doesn’t mean ditching your suits. It means knowing how to wear them right. Tailored style still belongs at the table – whether it’s a wedding in wine country or a rooftop meeting in the city. The trick is in the fabric, the construction, and a mindset that welcomes the wrinkle.

Start with the Fabric

Rule number one: no polyester. Not even a blend. It doesn’t breathe, it traps heat, and it will turn a tailored moment into a sweaty mistake. Stick to natural fibers like lightweight wool, linen, cotton, and silk blends. Each has its own personality – linen for laid-back charm, tropical wool for polished ease, and cotton when you want that crisp, clean line.

Linen gets a bad rap for wrinkling, but that’s the point. The right linen doesn’t look messy – it looks lived-in. Worn well, the wrinkle becomes part of the story. Especially at a summer wedding or a dinner under string lights. It’s not imperfection. It’s atmosphere.

Construction Counts

If you’re layering up, make sure the jacket’s doing its part. Go unlined or half-lined to cut down on bulk and heat. A well-constructed, deconstructed jacket (yes, that’s a thing) gives you the shape and structure of tailoring without the extra layers weighing you down.

And for guys who run hot – ask for sweat shields. Not a glamorous detail, but a smart one. It’s a custom option I can add that keeps your jacket fresher and your look sharp.

Summer Weddings: Make It Look Easy

A summer wedding suit should feel like it belongs in the season – not just look good in photos. Think light, breathable fabrics, softer silhouettes, and textures that work with the setting. A linen or tropical wool suit in a dusty blue, tobacco brown, or soft gray feels just right – refined, effortless, and personal.

This isn’t about dressing for the dress code. It’s about dressing for the moment – and the person waiting at the end of the aisle.

The White Shirt, Always

If summer had a uniform, the crisp white shirt would be it. Long-sleeved, short-sleeved, poplin, linen, or pinpoint – there’s no wrong version. It’s clean, intentional, and works with everything from a suit to your favorite pair of jeans.

It’s the kind of piece that looks like you’ve got it together, even when the heat’s doing its best to challenge that.

The Bottom Line

Summer style doesn’t mean dressing down. It means dressing smart. Tailored doesn’t have to be heavy – and when the fit is right and the fabric breathes, you’ll look great and feel even better.