Anti-Quiet: 7 Easy Ways To Wear Pattern This Summer

Traditional men’s style advice tends to revolve around restraint. Cream trousers, grey knitwear, beige this and khaki that. If you’re not careful, you can end up with an entire wardrobe consisting of varying shades of porridge. Throw in the rise of quiet luxury, and it sometimes feels like modern menswear has lost its zing.

Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with keeping things plain, but there’s a difference between good taste and a complete lack of visual interest. Knowing how to use prints to your advantage will help you to avoid falling into the latter trap, and summer is the perfect time to give it a go.

Historically, warm-weather clothing has always been a bit more expressive. Madras checks arrived from sweltering India. Hawaiian shirts emerged from a blend of Japanese, Filipino and American influences on the islands. Riviera style embraced stripes, embroidery and colourful knitwear. Even Ivy League dressers, normally conservative by nature, relaxed into vibrant patterns once temperatures climbed.

The trick is understanding where pattern belongs. You don’t need to go over the top. All it takes is the right garment, and here are a few of our favourites.

Knitted Shirts

Percival

Knitwear probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘summer’, but a knitted shirt is something every man should have at their disposal when the weather warms up. Pattern is built into the fabric itself, and the tactile element provided by crochet weaves and open-knit constructions creates visual interest without relying on anything overly loud.

A knitted shirt can feel more sophisticated than its printed counterparts because the pattern is structural rather than purely decorative – part of the piece rather than something simply slapped on top. Try wearing one with tailored pants and loafers for a smart-casual look that can do a bit of everything.

Camp-Collar Shirts

Orlebar Brown

The gateway drug of summer dressing. A good camp-collar shirt’s relaxed shape already signals informality, which means it can support patterns that might feel a little OTT elsewhere. Stripes, block prints, abstract motifs and even colourful florals all feel at home on a camp-collar shirt, so if you want to go bolder, this could be a good option.

The key is to let the shirt do the talking. Pair it with plain shorts, linen trousers or light-wash denim and leave the rest of the outfit alone. If you don’t, you risk creating a whole that feels cluttered, overcrowded and confused. Pattern is great, but some guys seem to view it as an invitation to invite even more pattern to the party. Don’t make that mistake.

Embroidered Shirts

Wax London

As mentioned above, a knitted shirt works well because it adds both texture and pattern. Embroidery does something very similar, and the effect can be subtle or dramatic depending on the execution. We find it’s usually best to aim somewhere in the middle.

White or off-white linen works well as a base. Not only is it great for keeping you cool and comfortable, but it really makes coloured threads pop. Some small, scattered florals always work well, or if you want to keep things restrained, you could look for something with tonal embroidery instead.

Swim Shorts

Orlebar Brown

If you want to quite literally test the waters, swim shorts are probably the safest canvas on which to experiment with some pattern. Even the most conservative dresser is unlikely to raise an eyebrow at a patterned pair chilling by the pool.

Geometric prints, stripes, tropical motifs and playful graphics all feel appropriate in a context where people are literally dressed for the exact opposite of work.

If you like a particular pattern, but you’re unsure about it on a shirt, try it on swimwear first. Worst-case scenario: you get a nice pair of swim shorts. Best case: you might discover you’re more comfortable with it than expected.

Overshirts

SIRPLUS

An overshirt might not seem like the most obvious vehicle for pattern, but it can be an extremely useful one. It’s worn as a removable layer rather than an integral part of the outfit, which means you can get away with prints that might otherwise feel like too much.

Checks and stripes are where most people’s minds wander, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Check out brands such as Kapital, Story MFG and Kardo, who have some fantastic options that are anything but ordinary.

Throw one over a plain white T-shirt and some simple trousers and you’ve done enough.

Trousers

Orlebar Brown

Patterned trousers are not to be trifled with. This is the sort of garment that’s incredibly easy to get incredibly wrong. Loud prints can very quickly veer into novelty golf territory, but if you can strike the right balance, patterned trousers can actually be pretty versatile. No, really.

Think fabric first. Seersucker is our favourite option as it’s great in the heat and its trademark stripes are just the right amount of understated. It’s enough to draw the eye, but not so much that it overwhelms the rest of the outfit.

Accessories

Todd Snyder

If all of this still feels like a step too far, accessories offer an easy entry point. A patterned baseball cap, woven belt, printed silk scarf or striped tote bag can introduce just enough colour and personality without dominating an outfit.

This approach works particularly well if your wardrobe already leans towards neutrals. A simple navy T-shirt and cream trousers might not sound especially exciting on paper, but add a patterned accessory and suddenly the whole thing feels more considered. It’s proof that embracing a pattern doesn’t have to mean dressing all out.

Sometimes a small dose is all you need.