Suiting men for summer's heat

The Politico delivered a fun (though poorly written) piece on men's fashions and grooming for the sweltering, muggy days of Washington in a piece entitled, "Guys, are you suited for a D.C. summer?" (I put in the title because I really like how suited was used as a double entendre.) Here's a a good bit of it:

... "We went through a real period of men who stopped wearing suits and ties to work, and now that whole trend has reversed. They're back to dressing again," said Craig Fox of Wm. Fox & Co. on G Street Northwest.

Fox says seersuckers aren't the only option for air-conditioning-minded Hillers, because the Southern standard is rarely Kentucky Derby dapper - more like old-fashioned ice cream salesman chic.

Khaki suits made with a silk and linen blend - something light and breathable - are acceptable substitutes, said Fox. (His aren't cheap - around $1,000 - but there are less expensive options out there.) Linen suits should be relegated to cruise ships or celebrity weddings on the beach.

"Washington is a city of blue and gray suits," said Fox, who observed that style comes from the top down. In the early '80s, some of his regulars wanted to wear brown - like President Reagan did. "Now it's enough for me to say they're wearing suits again," he said.

Lauren Rothman, of fashion consulting firm Styleauteur, suggests custom suits with "side vents" - vertical slits on the right and left sides - with patterned lining for flair.

Plus, "sea-foam mint is the new pink this season," said Rothman. It might sound scary, but if a man can pull off pink, he's got to be able to pull off light green.

A no-no in the heat, Rothman said, is casual khakis. Banana Republic has plenty of other options, with a seemingly endless supply of flat-front cuffless pants (perfect for guys seeking the illusion of increased height and reduced pounds) for the coming season. And please resist every urge to flip your polo shirt collar.

"We're seeing a lot more higher-end fashion stores for men like in Tyson's Corner and Georgetown. We're just the cherry on top," said Matthew Caraballo of the Grooming Lounge.

Lobbyists, lawmakers and other "spotlight" men call the Lounge home for an hour or two during the week. ... During the summer months, the Lounge does about 10 to 20 back waxes a day, so in terms of sheer numbers, you have to assume that some members of Congress are having their own "40-Year-Old Virgin" moment in the back rooms. ...

... "Also, it was universally agreed by everyone interviewed that back hair for anyone younger than your grandpa has gone the way of the unibrow and ear hair - it's gotta go, dude," The Washington Post reported recently. ...

... All this advice could fall on ears deafened by too many of the Hill's familiar old standards. "You'll still see the guys with the blue suits and red ties," Caraballo said of the District's lack of diversity, but with a little work, we can effect some real change, people, "one man at a time."

Men, heed the advice! I've seen too many males on the Hill in the past couple weeks wearing totally inappropriate attire. To read the entire piece, click here...

– Façonnable Contrast Stripe Classic Dress Shirt ($135) at Nordstrom.com