Have you ever thought about the first impressions you make?

On a first date, at a business meeting, or during any other kind of interpersonal exchange, your age, gender, ethnicity, posture, voice and numerous other features – varying depending on the observer – come together to produce a subjective, abstract and sometimes, unfortunately, unfair impression of you. This whole process happens as quickly as one tenth of a second, after which it becomes much more difficult to impress otherwise or fix anything that went wrong.

Yes, it seems unjust, but isn’t it better to know exactly what you’re dealing with? From the condition of your hair to the state of your shoes, each component of your image contributes to how you’re perceived each day.

So, how do you ensure you’re received warmly, rather than pointedly dismissed, by your more style savvy peers?

The answer is texture, gentlemen. Texture – whether the supple smoothness of a nappa leather jacket or the resinous effect of a sweatshirt’s painted shoulder – is what separates the men from the boys.

What Is Texture?

By definition, texture is the feel, appearance or consistency of a surface or substance. In fashion, it may come from a material’s natural appearance or the way it has been treated (woven, printed, covered, embossed, etc.) for a functional or aesthetic purpose.

A bit like a fine wine, the richer and more complex the texture, the greater the degree of attention you capture, whether that’s a double-take of appreciation from a passer-by or someone so intrigued they can’t help but cop a feel.

With this in mind, check out some of the best ways you can add eye-catching 3D interest to your warm-weather ensembles this season:

Knitwear

Just because the sun is splitting the rocks outside, it doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of knitted textures. Cable, ribbed and waffle knit jumpers and cardigans in season-appropriate gauges are well suited to summer wardrobes in need of some textural enrichment, and especially good for throwing on over the top of a vest or tee once the evening draws in.