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12 Best Summer Suits That’ll Keep You Cool, Even on the Hottest Days
For weddings, job interviews, and everything in between.
We’ve all been there... fully dressed in the summer heat and the sweat dripping down our back. All you want to do is shed some layers and cool the fuck off.
Still, there are certain occasions in summer that warrant something spiffier, something that frames your body, something that shows others that you’re the master of your domain. And nothing telegraphs that better than a suit. But before you reach for any ol’ thing on the rack, know that the best suits for summer are ones that are built to withstand the heat.
When choosing, you have to pay attention to three major factors: fabric, silhouette, and color. Not all suits are created equal, meaning there are styles that are better for some seasons than others. And if you have a wedding or a big meeting or other professional event to attend in the coming weeks, throwing on layers of corduroy, wool, or cashmere in navy and black is a recipe for disaster. Back sweat is a real thing, folks. So to help you avoid that scenario, we rounded up the best suits to wear in 2024, and for all summers after.
ABC Pant
Ah, Lululemon. The brand that made athleisure super cool also has suits that offer equal parts comfort and style—and will work for you come rain or shine. This blazer, for example, is made of a water-repellent fabric with two-way stretch. Feel free to move around at your, well, leisure. Ditto that for the pants, which are equally stretchy and comfy.
| Fabric | 77% Polyester, 23% Elastomultiester |
|---|---|
| Fit | Casual |
| Lining | Yes |
Ludlow Suit Pants
The Ludlow put J.Crew’s tailoring on the map when it debuted in 2008. Over the years, the just-slim-enough silhouette has been made of every material, from wool to seersucker to corduroy—and also in every conceivable color and pattern. But for a professional vibe in the summer, a cotton-linen option in subtle blue is our Ludlow of choice.
| Fabric | 72% Cotton, 28% Linen |
|---|---|
| Fit | Slim |
| Lining | Yes |
Madison Suit Pants
$268 At Todd Snyder
A striped suit often calls to mind one of two characters: Beetlejuice or Patrick Bateman. Neither can be seen in Todd Snyder’s take on the ubiquitous pattern. Made of a cotton-linen blend, this single-breasted two-piece is both impeccably tailored and easy to wear; it nips and hangs loose in just the right areas. And the details are not to be missed: a butterfly lining (so even less layers), a double-vent in the back of the jacket, and sleek front pleats on trousers.
| Fabric | 100% Linen |
|---|---|
| Fit | Tailored |
| Lining | Yes |
Suit Trousers
Richard James is a brand known to many who frequent Savile Row. Its suits are tailored and cast in an array of bright colors that make an elegant statement. This double-breasted two-piece definitely represents that credo but is made more summer-ready with the use of linen in an effervescent shade of pink.
| Fabric | 53% Linen, 46% Wool |
|---|---|
| Fit | Tailored |
| Lining | Yes |
Brunello Cucinelli is the name to know if you’re a fan of perfectly cut classic tailoring in muted tones. And there might not be a more comfortable blend than linen and cotton when it comes to keeping cool. Factor in the sleek trousers, and you have the most versatile suit on the market.
| Fabric | 100% Linen, Cotton Lining |
|---|---|
| Fit | Classic |
| Lining | Yes |
Corcoran Suit Pants
$200 At Banana Republic
A loose chambray shirt with some fitted jeans and a whole lot of swagger is the quintessential summer look. But if a situation calls for something spiffier, try a délavé blue-colored suit from the always-reliable Banana Republic, a brand that never ceases to offer goods that are sharp, comfortable, and won’t break the bank.
| Fabric | 58% Viscose Rayon, 42% Organic Cotton |
|---|---|
| Fit | Slim |
| Lining | Yes |
No roundup of suits, regardless of the season, would be complete without Suitsupply. As long as the brand keeps on turning out suits like this one—cut slim from cotton by Italy’s E.Thomas mill and featuring a single-breasted closure—that’s not going to change.
| Fabric | 60% Linen, 40% Cotton |
|---|---|
| Fit | Slim |
| Lining | Yes |
When it comes to lightweight tailoring, leave it to the clothing whizzes at Bonobos to make a striped suit in seersucker with a little bit of elastane for some added breathability.
| Fabric | 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane |
|---|---|
| Fit | Slim, Athletic, Standard |
| Lining | Yes |
Delave Suit Pants
$268 At Bloomingdale's
Easy, breezy, and always elegant: That’s what encapsulates Robert Graham’s best. The brand’s blazers—this one made of lightweight linen—typically boast a tailored but not too slim fit, meaning they only get better the more you wear them. The trousers? Well, they’re made to match, both in fabric and in feel.
| Fabric | 100% Linen |
|---|---|
| Fit | Slim |
| Lining | Yes |
Master of all things pleated, Spier & MacKay has the perfect suit to lounge in as soon as the warmer weather hits. The brand’s styles are so lightweight you won’t feel like you’re wearing a two-piece at all, and wearing a suit for fun is the biggest flex.
| Fabric | 100% Linen |
|---|---|
| Fit | Tailored |
| Lining | Yes |
Made from top-quality linen, this affordable suit by 1PA1 is lightweight, breathable, and perfect for high temps. With just the right amount of shine, it will turn heads in every room you’re in.
| Fabric | 100% Linen |
|---|---|
| Fit | Slim |
| Lining | Yes |
Leave it to Saks Fifth Avenue to bring something unexpected to traditional styles. Case in point: this tailored single-button suit made of a cotton-and-wool blend. It’s as refined as it is comfortable, and it’s definitely a fit that’ll allow you to hang loose.
| Fabric | 51% Virgin Wool, 49% Cotton |
|---|---|
| Fit | Casual |
| Lining | Yes |
What to Look For
Fabric: The choice in material is what really differentiates a summer suit from, say, one for winter. You’re going to want to opt for fabrics that are easy, breezy, and lightweight; ones that allow for maximum air circulation. Some of the best options include cotton, linen, seersucker, silk, and tech fibers—or blends of two or more of these fibers.
Silhouette: It is best to avoid styles with an excess of fabric, ones that could appear sloppy when not properly tailored to fit your body. You also want to stay clear of options that are too constricting; let your body breathe a little. Of course, there are exceptions, but it’s best to find cuts that fit just right.
Color: Dark colors attract heat. It’s science. So if you really want to keep things light, try suits in cream, soft shades of gray or blue, or, if you want to be adventurous, pink. And if you must wear standard black or navy, make sure the fabric is up to snuff.
How We Chose
A few key factors were considered to create a list of the best 12 summer suits for men.
Budget: Just as all summer suits are different, so are all budgets. That’s why on this list, you’ll find options that range from $110 to $5,000.
Reviews: Not only did our reviewers test hundreds of different suit styles to bring you the best options for summer, but we also paid close attention to consumer comments. We wanted to ensure that every pick on this list was lightweight, comfortable, and breathable, which is why we searched for as much input as we could possibly find.
Material: As we mentioned above, material is one of the most important things to consider when selecting a suit for the summer. That’s why we narrowed down this list to include only fabrics that will keep you cool and breezy and won’t turn you into a puddle before the night is over.
Why You Should Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to summer suits, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these summer suits are the ones that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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