Men’s Style: 7 Style Hacks for Men Living with Humid Weather
PUBLISHED April 22nd, 2017 05:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:25 pm
Summer style – especially for dudes – sounds like an oxymoron, but in sunny Singapore (or if you’re living in other parts of Southeast Asia where its tropical climate) where it’s pretty much summer all-year-round, it’s easy to fall into the temptation of dressing sloppily. While it might be cool for the wet market and alright in the heartland malls, it sure does fall short of being presentable when you head out into the city.
Contrary to popular opinion, it’s actually possible to be out in the heat and look amazing in more than a tank top or a tee; all without melting into a pool of sweat. From switching up colours to playing with new fabrics and styles, here are 7 ways to look good in the lion city!
Come on, loosen up
In a tropical climate, good tailoring is necessary to look sharp and together during the day, and we don’t mean skintight shirts and pants that ripple with fats (or muscles) when you reach out to hit the lift button. If there’s one thing we learnt from the skinny jeans era – gone are the days, thankfully – it’s that you can say goodbye to climbing stairs the moment you put them on. That, and the fact that everyone will ask you for a lighter.
Rather, we’re talking well-fitting (read: slim) silhouettes that allow you to bend down with ease without looking too baggy or slouchy. Then again, oversized t-shirts, jackets, and even tunics seem to be all the rage in 2017.
Make it light and breathable
The less textile piled upon your skin, the less work you’re doing and the easier it is for air to circulate. This should really go without saying, but you’d be surprised at how little people know about their fabrics. Linen is the freshest and most breezy option, though it isn’t quite as ready for the office – good for Orchard Road, not so much for the boardroom. Plus, isn’t its texture just amazing?
When in doubt, look at clothing tags and try them on before making your purchase. Synthetic fibres like polyester and spandex (also known as lycra and elastane) are typically non-breathable, trapping sweat and heat in. Even with the failsafe cotton, pay attention to the fabric weave – a tight weave will inevitably hold air and moisture in rather than let it evaporate.
Less is more – it’s all in the details
If we got a dollar for every time we heard a man citing the weather as an excuse to head to town wearing a t-shirt and pair of berms, we might be able to hustle up our deposit for a HDB flat. While we’re firmly again wearing thongs (the kind you wear on your feet, nothing against the underwear as long as you’re comfortable) for anything more than a quick neighbourhood errand run, there’s actually no need to layer up if you know what you’re doing.
A simple t-shirt and shorts can look good if you pay attention to the details. Stripes are always good, or a plain one with a well-cut chest pocket. And unless you’re going for the hypebeast look, steer clear away from slogan tees. Alternatively, fitting polo shirts can be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe. Shorts should be matching, clean, and preferably plain, with the exception of pocket linings.
Colours, colours, colours
Ever been to a crowded concert and bumped into a guy in black? If so, you’d have realised that the colour is connivingly deceiving in terms of how much sweat it can hide. Let’s face it, no matter how much you dress ‘down’, some degree of sweating is still inevitable in Singapore.
Which is why you’ll want to go for dark-coloured fabrics; it’s the lighter colours – the light blues, the yellows, and the 50 shades of grey – that will reveal your sweaty body when the sun hits. Call us nerdy, but physics also tells us that darker colours absorb heat faster from the sun, but similarly, it does the same to your internal body heat. Thank us later when you look through your old photos.
NATO your watch
Before your leather strap starts stinking to high heaven, swap out your watch’s strap for a canvas NATO. Originally invented by the British military to help keep a watch secure in tough conditions, the modern ones – most popular among the hipsters – come in all sorts of colours and sizes, which is great for adding texture, details, and a nice pop to your awesome outfit. One thing’s for sure: they’re way easier to switch out and wash as compared to leather straps.
Go sockless
Well, we don’t actually mean no socks, just the appearance of such. Unless you want your feet to smell funky fast, add some ‘invisible’ no-show socks to your arsenal. Then, put aside the heavy leather brogues and opt for any form of slip-ons: loafers, boat shoes, espadrilles; or even sneakers. We guarantee you’ll instantly feel (and look) cooler without those dad-length socks.
Shave it off
As any male who’s served his National Service can attest to, a good haircut can literally shave off a few degrees. Don’t worry if you can’t pull off the bald look, simply get your barber to tighten up your sides and thin up your thick heap of hair; or if you’re really confident, tie it up into a man-bun. Also, switch to lighter products and slick your hair up to enjoy the full breeze of the wind.
Got any other tips for looking good in Singapore? Share them with us in the comments below!
Top Image: SHENTONISTA
