Summertime often calls for casual clothing, but for the discerning man, dressing appropriately for the season can sometimes pose a challenge for those wanting to feel comfortable and put together at the same time.
At Farley’s of Newburyport, the goal is to create a store environment that is warm and easy to shop, ideally one that is a “low pressure experience” for the customer, explains manager Anthony Conte. During colder months, it can be more intuitive for men to know what to wear. When the weather calls for structured coats and classic suit styles, it can be as simple as pulling one out of the closet. But during summer, it can be harder for men to achieve a laid-back look that doesn’t look like something they just threw on.
No matter a man’s summer style, a swimsuit is likely high on the priority list. Farley’s carries a swimwear line designed and printed in Lake Como that is available in colorful yet understated designs and at a reasonable price point.
Whether a customer comes in needing something to wear to a sunset wedding or a backyard clambake, linen and seersucker are the fabrics of the season. As Conte points out, unlike women who often favor skirts or dresses in warmer weather, many men wear pants year-round, so “easy, breathable fabrics” are key. When it comes to selecting a color palette, men can be as daring or conservative as they desire, depending upon their own preferences and the nature of the event they’re attending.
If a sportscoat is called for, Farley’s has deconstructed designs with shorter silhouettes that present as polished when worn, but are made of lightweight cotton, making them the ultimate “easy to wear summer piece” says Conte.
Much of the store’s inventory is made in America, and the shop’s in-house tailoring ensures that any purchased piece can quite literally be tailor made.
Conte urges customers to look out the window for wardrobe inspiration, and here in New England that’s great advice as we get to experience all four seasons. In the summer, blooming flowers and green grass lend themselves to colorful linen shirts. In fall, warmer tones of brown and burgundy find their way into wardrobes in the form of sweaters and lightweight jackets. In winter, steel grays and blacks appear in wool garments and accessories. In spring, the entire process cycles around again as color and lighter materials once again reemerge.
If really in doubt of what an occasion calls for, Conte says it is “always better to be overdressed than underdressed” no matter the season. Good advice, and he would know.