Let’s get one thing straight — when the mercury rises and your morning commute feels like a slow roast, no amount of fabric wizardry will keep you 100 per cent cool. But what you can do is dress smartly enough to keep discomfort at bay while still looking like you mean business. Whether your office demands formal wear or just a crisp, professional presence, dressing well during the Indian summer is a matter of mastering fabric, fit, and finesse. Here's how to power through the season without showing up to meetings looking like you wrestled a heatwave — and lost. 

Fabric First: Let Your Clothes Breathe 

Indian heat doesn’t negotiate, so your first line of defence is the fabric you choose. When it comes to office wear, there are only two rules: breathability and natural fibres.  

1. Linen 

The MVP of summer dressing, linen is airy, natural, and has that charming “I’m-too-breezy-to-iron” crumple. It’s ideal for shirts, trousers, and even suits if you’re feeling bold. If wrinkles scare you, go for linen-cotton blends or Irish linen, which offer a cleaner drape with the same cooling benefits. 

2. Tropical Wool & Merino Wool 

Wool in the summer? It sounds counterintuitive, but tropical wool is specially woven for heat—it’s lightweight, breathable, and doesn’t crease like linen. Merino is another quiet luxury pick: anti-odour, moisture-wicking, and surprisingly thermoregulating. Perfect for suit trousers or light blazers. 

3. Cotton (But Smart) 

Cotton’s everywhere—but not all cotton is equal. Look for lighter weaves like chambray, seersucker, or madras. “Summer-weight” cottons are specifically engineered to stay cool. Bonus points for cotton-linen blends for added airflow. 

4. Other Players 

• Hopsack: Great for summer blazers with an open weave and matte finish. 
• Viscose/Rayon: Semi-synthetic but breezy. Just don’t count on it lasting years. 
• Hemp: Strong, sustainable, and as breathable as linen. 
• Seersucker: That puckered texture isn’t just a style flex it keeps the fabric off your skin. 

Fit Matters: Ditch the Slim Cuts 

 
Tailoring doesn’t mean tight. In fact, the more air between your skin and your shirt, the cooler you’ll feel. But remember you’re dressing for the office, hence, relaxed—not baggy. 

 
Shirts: Choose boxier fits with room at the sleeves and torso. Cuban collars and band collars offer extra ventilation and a style twist without losing formality. 
Our Picks:  

1. Loro Piana André linen shirt 
2. Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Dress Shirt 
3. Polo Ralph Lauren Men's White Custom Slim Fit Featherweight Mesh Shirt 

 
Trousers: Swap your cigarette pants for pleated, tapered trousers with a relaxed upper leg. Cropped or ankle-length styles allow your skin to breathe (and show off those no-show socks). 

Our Picks:  

1. Bode Tropical Wool Side-Buckle Trousers 
2. Brooks Brothers Pleated Side-Tab Pants in Mini-Houndstooth Cotton Blend 
3. Emporio Armani Full-Length Trousers with Single-Pleat 

 
Blazers: Look for unstructured jackets with minimal lining. Hopsack or tropical wool blazers in relaxed fits will make it feel like you’re wearing a feather, not a furnace. 

Our Picks:  

1. Polo Ralph Lauren Men Multi Men Multi Tailored Linen-Silk Blazer 
2. Giorgio Armani Blended Regular Fit Blazer 
3. Dolce & Gabbana Linen twill suit jacket 

 
Colour Theory: When in Doubt, Think Pale Or Light 

 
Dark colours might look sleek, but they absorb heat like a rooftop at noon. Keep your palette light and bright. 

• Go Neutral: Beige, ecru, dove grey, light blue, pale olive, and off-white are your allies. 
  Our Recommendation - Beige linen blazer + white shirt + dove grey trousers 

• Try Pastels: Lavender, mint, powder pink, and baby blue look refined, not juvenile, when cut well. 
  Our Recommendation - Powder pink shirt + ecru trousers + pale olive blazer 

• Use Contrast: Pair lighter trousers with deeper (but not dark) shirts—say, a washed khaki shirt with off-white chinos. It breaks monotony while keeping the mercury in check. 
  Our Recommendation -  Washed khaki shirt + off-white chinos + brown belt and loafers  

   

• Avoid stark black unless you’ll be indoors all day with industrial AC—and even then, pair it with looser silhouettes to balance the heat it attracts. 

Styling Without Layers 

In winter, a well-layered outfit is half the charm. In summer, layering feels like a personal vendetta. So, how do you look elevated with fewer pieces? 

Play with Texture: Linen, seersucker, hopsack, and matte cottons add visual depth without adding weight. 
 
Introduce Patterns: Subtle pinstripes, micro-checks, or soft florals in a smart shirt or pocket square can do what layering usually does—add interest. 

Smart Accessories 

A woven belt, textured loafers, or a minimalist watch elevates a simple outfit. Just don’t overdo it, you don’t want your accessories sweating too. 

Belts -   

DIESEL B-LINE Textured Leather Belt with Buckle Closure 

Briefcase -  

Tom Ford Grained leather briefcase 

Footwear: Style from the Ground Up 

Let’s put it plainly: your shoes matter more than you think when dressing for the heat. 

Loafers (Suede or Canvas): Light, breathable, and versatile. 
Our Picks:  

1. Ralph Lauren Purple Label Suede loafers 
2. Dior Granville Loafer 
3. Christian Louboutin Dandelion canvas loafers 

 
Derby Shoes: In lighter shades and materials—try tan suede or beige nubuck. 

Our Picks:  

1. Nappa Dori Derby Suede 
2. Tom Ford Suede desert boots 
3. Tommy Hilfiger Men Suede Derbys 

 
Mules or Kolhapuris: If your office is slightly relaxed, these offer air circulation and culture in one. 

1. Tod's T Timeless Bubble Gommino Mules 
2. Bottega Veneta Sunday Intrecciato leather mules 
3. Balenciaga Sunday suede mules