In preparation for my 2nd interview on CNBC’s Business AM, I headed off to my shopping Mecca in Sandton and decided to browse some of the finer men’s stores for some ideas. An hour spent with Sumesh at Hugo Boss provided tons of great tips for a cool, stylish summer office wardrobe.

Suits

The super fine Virgin Wool suits range from plain fabrics to self-stripe, pinstripes to chalk stripes. Some of my favourites were the Cotton-Silk “Shark skin” suits, which have a beautiful sheen and seem to glide like liquid with every movement. After work you can take off your tie or throw on a T-shirt underneath to remain effortlessly stylish for social events.

Brad Pitt in Shark Skin – Cotton/Silk Blend

Single breasted, lapel low-on-the-chest, 2-button jackets are in this season, keeping just the top button fastened.

Shirts

Most Hugo Boss shirts are easy iron and all double-cuff shirts come with wearable presentation cufflinks included. While the Herringbone fabric is slightly heavier, the Oxford Weave is lightweight as are the 100% Egyptian Cotton (Super Fine) shirts, which make these preferable for hot South African summers. My favourites were the self-stripe as they have a handy crease-hiding effect, which means you’ll look just as polished at the end
of a long work day as when you first set out.

Trends are leaning more towards the slimfit rather than the traditional regular cut. Influences from Europe, still catching on in South Africa, streamlines the body and gives a more defined shape for the torso. Always wear a slimfit shirt under a slimfit jacket, as your suit shouldn’t “just hang”.

New shirt colours coming in to South Africa are beautiful pale nectarine and pastel salmon, which work very well with khaki, fawn and beige.