Most guys’ summer calendars are light on engagements on the Buckingham Palace lawn, and most are still waiting on that invite to the Gold Cup polo tournament. But damp barbeques, day-to-night drinking sessions and other such inevitable scenarios? Booked solid until September, thanks.

And just because these events don’t require a swish hat, unless you are that way inclined, each does have its own approach when getting dressed. Here’s how to boss any social engagement with the five essential summer outfits you’ll need this season.

The Heatwave When You Still Have To Go To Work

Most guys lust for sun, until it actually arrives. Then we rediscover a universal inability to handle heat. Train tracks warp, headlines scream that it’s hotter than Dubai, and people everywhere shed clothes like they’re lined with napalm. But a glimpse of nipple won’t be welcomed at the morning sales meeting.

You have two weapons at your disposal in the fight to stay cool and decent: fit and fabric. Skinny- and slim-cut clothes trap warm air against your already sweaty skin. Loosen up, and it starts to flow. “A boxy shirt will keep you cool on those hotter than hot days,” says ASOS head of menswear design Nick Eley. This shape is already off dress code, so don’t push it any further with hula girl patterns – plain white, light blue or grey designs reflect heat and the wrath of HR.

Whichever material you choose should be just as breezy. Linen and light cotton are both covered with tiny holes, which ensures the air circulates. “Linen is a great option in tailoring or for granddad collar shirts,” says Mr Porter style director Olie Arnold. “Lightweight chinos are also office-worthy.” If shorts definitely aren’t, then a slight roll gets some ankle skin on show, to help your body dump heat. And won’t get you handed a P45.