The best short suits for warm weather-proof formalwear
Short suits are a modernised take on formalwear that divide opinion but hold their own when temperatures exceed 30°. From trad takes by Thom Browne to youthful, knee-baring options by Topman, here's our pick of this season's high-hemmed suiting
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Business up top, party down below. Short suits are the summery, youthful take on trad suiting that – if the last heatwave is anything to go by – there's an increasing need for in your sartorial arsenal. Offering a clear and rather literal take on ‘your-suit-but-shorter’, the short suit (sometimes also known as a ‘half suit’) is comprised of your typical blazer and a pair of knee-baring tailored shorts. To put it simply: sun's out, knees out.
A new concept, short suits are not. First sent down runways by Thom Browne as a playful take on the idea of uniforms, short suits were introduced to fashion as an aged-up image of the everyday schoolboy. And if Pharrell Williams divided opinion when he first started hitting the red carpet in them, you can rest assured that short suits are now entering the mainstream. From the likes of Topman to Twisted Tailor, short suits now sit alongside linen suits in the battle to keep us feeling cool and looking put together in rising temperatures.
With summer wedding season in full swing, there's no better time to peruse the best suits that'll trade in stuffy tailoring for something a little breezier. From hyper-formalised interpretations by Commas and 120% Lino to more chilled-out takes from Percival and Arket, here are GQ's picks for catching a breeze in style.
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1/8Cos
- Fabrication: Nylon blend
- Sizes: Jacket 44-54, Shorts 44-54
- Colours: Navy
To those in need of a suit that can be worn with shorts for summer and trousers come September, simply head to Cos for this recycled nylon-blend set. Tailored from the high-street brand's regular fit block, it falls with a slightly oversized drape to create the perfect level of nonchalance upon wear. Pair it with a simple white vest top and leather Greek sandals for serious seaside appeal. Jacket, £200. Shorts, £75. At cos.com
2/8Commas
- Fabrication: Linen twill
- Sizes: Jacket XS-XXL, Shorts XS-XXL
- Colours: Cream
Since its inception in 2017, Australian brand Commas has quickly risen as a favourite for menswear enthusiasts, and it's largely thanks to its effortlessly-tailored silhouettes. A fine example from the current collection? This cream short suit. Balancing the relaxed status of shorts with a more formal upper (note the excellent shawl-lapel structure of the blazer), it's an impeccable ensemble that will take your sartorial summer style to fresh heights. Jacket, £647. Shorts, £393. At commas.cc
3/8Mango
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: Jacket 36-44, Shorts 30-36
- Colours: Tan
Since they lend themselves to summer so well, it makes sense that many short suits also come in breathable, sun-worshipping linen. Enter Mango's latest tailored offering. Assembled from a stunning tan-take of said texture, the charm of this single-breasted blazer is enhanced by matching Bermuda shorts: shaped with a slim fit, detailed with darts on the front and fitted with welt pockets at the back. The perfect option for a summer wedding, if you ask us. Jacket, £339.99. Shorts, £89.99. At mango.com
4/8Brunello Cucinelli
- Fabrication: Linen/Flax blend
- Sizes: Jacket 36-52, Shorts 46-60
- Colours: Navy
As the master of Italian tailoring, it's safe to say Brunello Cucinelli knows how to craft a sharp suit for a sunnier climate, and the latest edition feels both traditional and modern at once. Fresh through the Bermuda cut of the shorts layer, its classic sartorial status is ensured through the wide pinstripe motif which works to elongate the frame and show you mean business. In short, it's an investment worth making. Jacket, £3,820. Shorts, £990. At farfetch.com
5/8Marks & Spencer
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: Jacket 36-52, Shorts 30-42
- Colours: Beige, blue
Marks & Spencer knows how to serve stylish suiting at a price which won't break the bank, a point proven by this latest short set. Clad in a summer-apt beige shade, this straight-cut suit is made from the brand's own 'linen miracle' fabric: exclusively created to grant a premium and durable feel. Oozing with sartorial touches – from the neat flat front on the shorts to the broad notch lapels on the jacket – it's as stylish as it is budget-friendly. £179. At marksandspencer.com
6/8Percival
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: Jacket 34-44, Shorts 28-38
- Colours: Navy, beige, black
It’s true that Percival’s linen suits are made to be worn in pairs of jackets and trousers, but would the brand have made its linen shorts in the exact shade of navy if it didn’t want us to pair our blazer with the shorts on occasion, too? Thought not. Blazer, £219. Shorts,
£99£49.50. percivalclo.com
7/8Arket
- Fabrication: Cotton blend
- Sizes: Jacket 46-54, Shorts 46-54
- Colours: Off-white
While you’ll have to take care not to spill while eating your crab linguine, it’s hard to imagine this white linen two-piece in any place but the cobbles of Cinque Terre. That debonair Mediterranean nous will follow you wherever you wear it, of course, whether that be Vernazza, London Fields, or Battersea power station. Blazer,
£119£65. Shorts,£59£40. arket.com
8/8Thom Browne
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: Jacket 00-4, Shorts 00-5
- Colours: Grey
In many ways the father of the short suit, Thom Browne’s playful designs reference the thing that the style came from in the first place: the schoolroom. Look like the chicest dunce in the class with this striped cotton seersucker set complete with tricolour trim. Blazer, £1,970. Shorts, £920. At thombrowne.com
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