Good style doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, often the opposite is true. Just take summer: while, as the saying goes, the devil is in the detail all year round, it’s during the satanically warmer months that the smaller elements of an outfit truly make a difference. You might be able to put together a solid, ‘gram-worthy look with a killer jacket or knit during winter, but as the seasons change and we begin to strip back the bulk, it’s wise to learn how to do more with less. To that end, here are 12 subtle ways of taking your style game up a stitch or two this season.

Mankles & No-Show Socks

While fashion portmanteaus are almost universally naff (we’re looking at you, mewellery), there’s no escaping the appeal of the mankle. Aside from helping regulate body temperature (on account of your hooves being home to two of the body’s pulse points), a flash of flesh, achieved by cropped or pinrolled jeans or trousers, adds a breezy air to any look. To keep your hygiene on the right footing, ground the look with a pair of invisible socks, ideally with rubber heel grips to keep them in place. No one need ever know.

Distressed Denim

Once derided as an icon of unforgivably bad taste, distressed denim is back in a big way, and it’s not just for reality TV show stars this time around. Chiming perfectly with menswear’s toughened-up aesthetic, ripped, stained and generally worn-in jeans give a rugged and relaxed feel to off-duty attire. Of course, distressed – rather than destroyed – is the aim here. Anything that can be considered more holes than jeans should be sent to the rubbish tip immediately.

Nato Watch Straps

The majority of guys – at least those without a six-figure salary – often limit themselves to two watches: one with a leather strap and one with a metal bracelet, which they switch between depending on the occasion. However, with most big-name brands now offering interchangeable straps for their wristwear, it’s easier than ever to update the look and feel of your timepiece on the regular (and on the cheap). Consider switching out one of your regulars in the summer for lightweight canvas (also known as a ‘Nato’) strap, which can be found in a range of colours and designs, not to mention save you from a sweaty wrist when things heat up.