“With their classic preppy edge, beige chinos in particular work perfectly alongside a light blue Oxford shirt and a pair of trainers,” says Courcey. “For the summer, look for a pair cut in a slim shape that allows a little bit of air flow and aren’t too constricting.”

Sunglasses

Yeah yeah, protect your eyes. UV rays, yada yada. The practical reasons for owning a decent pair of shades are obvious. But on a more superficial level, the right colour, cut and size can help bring symmetry to your face and hide crimes of excess, making them essential for summer.

“If a pair of sunglasses is uncomfortable, it’s because most are built in generic sizes for the impulse buyer,” says bespoke eyewear designer Tom Davies, who has made frames for the likes of Kevin Spacey and Heston Blumenthal. “Take time to understand your features and face shape and find out which style suits you best. This is unlikely to change so doing so pays off for life.”

White T-Shirt

No well-edited wardrobe is complete without the humble white T-shirt, ideally in supremely soft Supima or cotton-jersey. While a year-round essential that can also be used to add ballast in winter, its place on the menswear mantle is most important in summer when the light colour helps reflect heatwaves and therefore keeps you cool, in more than one way.

Doidge says the T-shirt’s greatest asset is its versatility. “There are so many styling options available. Wear one under a light coloured linen jacket for a relaxed take on summer tailoring; under an open short sleeve printed shirt for a breezy summer look; or on its own with blue jeans for a quintessential heroic men’s look.”

Breton Stripe Top

From sailors to Saint Lauren, few items have a history as varied or storied as the Breton stripe top. First worn by French mariners in Brittany during the 1850s (with a stripe for each of Napoleon’s victories), today the piece serves as a solid choice for underpinning smart-casual looks or wearing solo.