Lucas is a great ‘moodboarder’, much better than me. Where my outfit choices are often driven by individual pieces – their craft and materials – and working outwards to an outfit, Lucas is often the opposite, starting with style inspiration and the mood of certain looks, and then working inwards.
I think menswear guys tend to be a little too much like me, focusing on the details at the expense of style. And I’ve found Lucas’s moodboards inspirational myself, giving me new ideas and a sense of direction. So I asked him to pull together a few of his current favourites – from the thousands he has – and give his views on why he finds them inspiring at the moment.
He has also suggested some places to buy similar things, but these aren’t necessarily recommendations and by no means comprehensive. If you have suggestions in those categories, do add them.
By Lucas Nicholson
Summer gets a bad rap in terms of dressing: the lack of layering and texture means things can feel stale, or with too many layers, stifling. So I’ve deliberately picked images here that I find directional, and steered clear of simple classics we’ve all seen before (Steve Mcqueen in a T-shirt etc).
Some of them aren’t a literal representation of the style I’m enjoying, but rather conjure a mood. Often it’s a sense of a particular place and time, and then the clothes you’d want to be in – with the sun on your face, a drink in your hand, surrounded by loved ones. Who wouldn’t want to be well-dressed for that?
Not every style will be for everyone, but we’ve tried to include a range from tailoring to casual. And if just one or two of these make you look forward to getting dressed this summer (and perhaps dressing more like yourself), then we’ve done our job.
The summertime blues
Giorgio Armani showing denim is for summer. He looks great with the deep tan, shock of white hair and opposing blues.
I’ve always had an aversion to wearing jeans in summer as I run hot, but this makes me want to think again. I also think the blue of the T-shirt is interesting, and maybe not what people would normally choose, but it adds interest to a simple outfit where white would be a bit plain.
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Hanks for the inspiration
When I stumbled across this picture of a young Tom Hanks I stopped dead – this is exactly how I want to wear tailoring in the summer: loose, light, tonal.
Hanks wears a double-breasted beige suit with a tonal T-shirt, the shoulder soft and the buttoning low.
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A Grand Slam-an
I realised after picking this that it’s from Saman Amel, but it’s an image that’s been running round my head ever since I saw it. It’s so simple but so chic: a great soft, open-collared polo, tailored white trousers and leather sandals.
I think this is some kind of ideal of summer holiday in the south of France or rural Italy. You’ve spent the day by the pool and had a couple of glasses of white wine, you’re dressed to walk the 10 minutes to the local village to have dinner under the stars on a terrace overlooking a vineyard. I might not ever wear exactly this, but it will definitely inspire me.
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Piercing looks
Pierce Brosnan waiting for a taxi (not sure if he actually is but it has an airport taxi-rank vibe) wearing a light blue shirt and micro check jacket, with a stronger shoulder line and dropped notch.
This has the relaxed yet tailored feel that I think is perfect for the PS reader. The lightweight wool is easy to travel with and won’t get too warm, the light-blue shirt is effortless and adds a cool tone to the outfit. The micro check also adds texture to the jacket, which can sometimes be something lacking in summer cloths.
I like the way Brosnan’s shirt collar is outside the jacket but not in a full-flat-fold like you see at Pitti; it’s just a relaxed, unfussed vibe. The heavyweight glasses also add interest to the face, balancing that boldness.
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No.1 Fran
Fran Lebowitz showing how being dressed minimally doesn’t have to be boring.
I like the way she has her cuffs folded out, and the classic colour palette of white button-down and blue knit. A cotton sweater can be so nice for the evening in the summer – breathable enough to not be too warm but heavy enough to feel comforting against the breeze.
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(I know self-promotion is not what this piece is about, but this cotton knit with Speciale is actually my favourite cotton I’ve ever had!)
Ferry good tailoring
Bryan Ferry in a beige suit with a blue shirt (Italian background!) and a heavy repp tie, with canvas dress shoes. It makes me think of sneaking off the dance floor at a wedding to catch my breath and grab a negroni, the heat blaring and music still ringing in my ears.
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Deniminimalism
Ralph is Ralph, so this isn’t a direct copy-and-paste situation but the heavily worn jeans and crisp white tuxedo shirt is the kind of juxtaposition that’s very inspiring. I would probably go for a plain-white poplin shirt, because a tuxedo shirt with jeans outside of a runway show is harder for us normies to get away with.
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Loro Loro Fun
Sergio Loro Piana, the master, showing us how to wear a cream suit.
I think a cream suit can definitely become showy or ostentatious, but the more I see images like this (or ones like Manish’s piece here) the more I want to try and embrace it. It isn’t the easiest option, but with a white shirt and dark-knit tie it has that Italian elegance that’s so alluring, and manages to not feel too pristine or over the top.
Julio? That’s him-io
Julio Iglesias showing sharp suiting can work for warmer weather. Structured tailoring isn’t my personal style, as I have broad shoulders and don’t really need the padding, but I always admire how sharp it can look. I loved Aleks’s article on PS about wearing it in the summer.
This look from Julio (yes we are on a first name basis) made me think of seeing Maximilian Mogg in a high-twist peak-lapel suit under the heat of the Florentine sun. Also shout out to the big sunglasses again, with a light tint. Wearable until dusk, they help to soften the sharpness of the suit.
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Taupe draw
I’m going to use this opportunity to talk about something I have been thinking about a lot recently: the return of bootcuts. You can see how flattering they are on Princess Di in lengthening the leg. With a tonal shirt tucked in, the effect is a long slim silhouette. The open shirt further enhances the effect.
Popover and underrated
Ok so I lied about not having any classics, but Robert Redford in a Breton-stripe polo and light-coloured trousers is too good not to share.
Although not exactly the same, I have had my eye on the shirt below from HE Sports in terry toweling, perfect for throwing on after a dip in the sea or icy pool.
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Come Jane or shine – Jane Birkin
The lived-in nature of this outfit is what appeals to me – the shirt that looks like it’s been washed a hundred times, the faded jeans, and everything just looks soft, easy and loose.
The hastily rolled sleeves and small watch on a leather strap also feel like effortless summer chic. The subtly striped shirt and faded jeans add depth and interest.
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Lemon rizz-le (one for our Gen-z readers)
This look from Don Johnson is actually one I used last summer, wearing light wash jeans and my yellow PS oxford shirt with some loafers. It’s a look I’ll reach for again this summer.
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First and second Gere
Two Richard Gere looks for you, demonstrating the power of the shirt in summer. The first desmonstrates the power of an undershirt for layering in summer – wear a light T-shirt or a favourite of mine, the perforated vest from Scott Frasier Collection.
I also found the Drake’s shirt below, which is close to the pink Richard is wearing. Stronger in colour than a baby pink, it can hold its own against the blue jeans.
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Image two is subtle and sexy evening, leaning into wearing black but still in an easygoing way. Also note the light-tint sunglasses again.
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