Bradley Cooper and Gerard Butler attend the men's singles final at Wimbledon Source: Supplied
Chinos are the perfect halfway-house trousers, since they can work on and off-duty. Source: Supplied
After all, there's such a huge array of choices and, unlike womenswear, there's no bobbed and sunglassed fashion harridan dictating a new set of DOs and DON'Ts for us to slavishly follow each season.
So I'd like you to think of the following as suggestions rather than rules on how to look good this summer, on and off-duty.
1. T-SHIRTS
One item that should be simple to choose - but where many fail each summer - is with the humble T-shirt. The following styles probably should be avoided:
Patterns. If you're over 30, avoid any brightly coloured, bold designs featuring flowers, animals or slogans. They are very fashionable this summer and look great on twentysomethings hanging outside inner-city bars. They look less appropriate on you or me pushing a trolley around Bunnings.
The black T-shirt is a perennial favourite with ageing rockers and reality TV stars who've spent too much time in LA. Avoid.
Gaping necklines. Many men choose T-shirts that have low-slung, baggy necklines (yes you, Simon Cowell). Avoid.
The safest, most stylish option is a classic white T-shirt.
There is no need to choose anything else: look at how they worked for James Dean and Marlon Brando.
The best examples I've found are by Gap, Banana Republic or, classiest of all, J. Crew (all available online), whose version has a pocket on the front.
2. SINGLETS
The current fad is to wear these long, hanging well below the waist. Former royal butler Paul Burrell has been photographed wearing these on holiday. Need I say more?
3. SHORTS
The current trend for short shorts is best avoided: you don't want to look like Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno. But don't go too long or baggy, either, as this will be unflattering.
A pair of shorts in a brushed cotton or linen is ideal (and a good place to try a splash of colour). Cargo shorts are popular, but avoid too many pockets as they will make you look bulky. You don't want to be mistaken for a gap-year student.
4. SOCKS
Should never be worn with shorts. Next summer's catwalks presented lots of models wearing shorts with socks and sandals. It didn't look good.
5. SUMMER SHOES
If you find sandals a bit scary, the safest and most stylish choices this summer are espadrilles, Swims (rubber and mesh boat shoes) or Rivieras. Do not consider Crocs or flip flops.
6. SWIMWEAR
Not everybody needs to know your religion, mole count or grooming habits from your choice of trunks: leave the Speedos for the gym bunnies on Mykonos. Neither, however, do you want to opt for long, baggy boardshorts that will make you look like a wannabe surfer. Opt instead for a tailored pair of swim shorts that fall halfway down your thigh. Orlebar Brown produces the best version. These are made from a smart, quick-drying fabric that lets you walk straight out of the sea to a table for lunch.
7. POLO SHIRTS
The ubiquitous summer staple can all too easily look bland, ill-fitting and ageing. To avoid looking too nerdy, choose a style that is tailored, slim-fitting and ideally in a pastel colour that you can team with a light-hued trouser. A loose design, teamed with loose-fitting chinos, will make you look middle-aged. For inspiration look at old pictures of President Kennedy sailing around Hyannis Port.
8. CHINOS
The perfect halfway-house trousers, since they can work on and off-duty. Best in traditional khaki or navy (although red is popular this summer), make sure that they're not worn too baggy or too long. A chino should finish at least half an inch above your shoe or trainer (ideally with a turn-up). If you let the fabric crumple on to your shoe it will look as though you've borrowed someone else's.
At the weekend they look best teamed with a white trainer or a deck shoe; for work they look good with a loafer or lightweight brogue (no socks required).
9. BELTS
Don't wear your black suit belt with shorts or chinos. A woven leather-trimmed (Trenery has great examples) or canvas belt will look much more sprightly and appropriate.
10. JEWELLERY
Coloured beaded or roped bracelets are popular with the jetsetters in Ibiza. These look best grouped together, rather than worn singularly. Some men, including Tod's owner Diego Della Valle, like wearing theirs with their business suits, too.
11. HOLIDAY BAG
On holiday, many of us end up carting all the stuff we need for the beach in a bag that our wife has given us to carry. This is often not ideal; it might well be emblazoned with a big girly logo or a Hello Kitty! design.
Come prepared with your own beach-ready carrier: choose something casual and un-poncy - a simple blue canvas tote, for example.
12. BASEBALL CAPS
Great if you're a paparazzi-avoiding celebrity - or Jay-Z - but otherwise best avoided if you're over 25. Old-fashioned bucket hats are back in fashion, and have served Woody Allen well for decades.
13. DENIM
Avoid dark navy or black jeans and opt for a more washed denim in a looser fit. A pair of weathered jeans (no rips; you're not Bros), rolled up once (or twice) at the ankle teamed with a white T-shirt and a pair of espadrilles is hard to beat. Denim jackets have also made a comeback. Again, opt for a washed finish and team with a T-shirt and a pair of cotton shorts or chinos. No double denim.
14. CHAMBRAY SHIRT
A classic that looks great with shorts at the weekend, but also works well worn with a knitted tie and a blazer for the office or a dinner out.
15. A GREY SWEATSHIRT
Perfect over a T-shirt. And, in a preppy way, worn over a white shirt and slim striped tie for smarter occasions.
16. SUNGLASSES
So many styles, so hard to choose. Avoid big, coloured frames or blue mirrored lenses. A chic, safe option is a pair of dark lenses with a rounded tortoiseshell frame. Check out those by Oliver Peoples. Or Ray-Bans: they suit everyone.
17. LINEN SUITS
Avoid white linen (too Our Man in Havana) and go for a slim fit or you will look too much like those well-fed guys taking up too much seat room on budget flights to obscure areas of southwest France. If you don't like linen (it does crumple), invest instead in a smart, light-grey suit.
18. TIES
Knitted and cotton ties look and feel summery and go well with light-coloured suits.
19. SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS
Unless you have extraordinarily pumped guns or are in a boy band, you will look like an extra from The Office. Just roll up the sleeves of an ordinary shirt.
19. NAVY BLAZER
The best option for summer formality (soft and unstructured). You can slip one over a T-shirt or formal shirt, with smart trousers or chinos, with or without a tie, and it will look just right. A navy blazer is the most versatile item that you can buy.
20. DON'T BE SCARED OF COLOUR
Aside from swimwear or shirts, experiment with a bright tie, a pattern on your shirt or even on an entire suit. Some designers have come up with bright red (Paul Smith) or green (Gucci), but that's quite hard to pull off. Safer, and more flattering, is a strong blue - look at Gerard Butler at Wimbledon.
21. BACKPACKS
There's a big trend for these again, but don't wear with a suit.
22. PANAMA
They're admittedly a bit of a statement, but can look rather dashing. You just have to look confident and make sure you don't resemble Mr Samgrass from Brideshead Revisited. Best brands are Borsalino and, should you find yourself in London, Lock & Co on Jermyn Street. Don't wear them on the back of your head.
23. HEADPHONES
These are now a fashion accessory, especially on public transport. The big bling pairs of headphones (see Dr Dre) are everywhere, but I think smaller is better - a neat wire leading into the ear, for example, unless you're a teenager or a footballer.
24. SUMMER MAC
Although most raincoats come in taupe, navy is much more versatile. Navy looks better worn over a light suit (you can have too many shades of beige). Second, if you shove it into your briefcase, it won't show up the creases as much as a light mac.
25. SUNCREAM
Not only is sunburn uncomfortable, it is uncool.
THE TIMES
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