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You might say layering is the raison d'etre of getting dressed. As an expat New Yorker living on the West Coast, I dig a sun-dappled mountain view as much as the next guy…but can't deny part of me misses the massive, intricately layered fits NYC weather engenders. (Things I don't miss? Breaking out a sick new winter coat only to sweat my ass off in a crowded, steamy subway car.) But when the mercury starts to soar, the idea of wearing any shirt—let alone two of them!—can feel downright diabolical, even for me. Until now. At GQ, we’re in the business of making dreams comes true, and we refuse to give up on ours. Where there's a will (lightweight fabrics, a little ingenuity) there's a way (layered summer looks). All you need is a touch of inspiration—and a handful of key pieces—to keep you looking easy, breezy, and save your torso from going full-on schvitz-o mode this summer. If you're feeling starved for layering opportunities as the weather heats up, these three unassailable techniques will satisfy your hankering and then some.
Pair Your Button-Front Polo With a Tank Top
Layering an A-shirt beneath your button-front polo evokes the right-now energy of ‘60s-era menswear, allowing a healthy breeze to buffer your torso in the process. The trick is to make sure your tank isn't some oversized graphic tee with cut-off sleeves; you’re going to want a true undershirt of the ribbed, slim-fit, variety. Accent with a necklace to complete the "morally dubious but undeniably stylish" look perfected by dudes like Ray Liotta in Goodfellas.
Slip a Sweater Vest Over a White Tee
Lop the sleeves off your favorite sweater, do it up in cotton instead of wool, pair it with a crisp white T-shirt, and voila: you're left with an unbeatable style hack for summer layering. We're not saying you should wear one when you're at the beach...but find yourself at a swanky upstate affair where the weather can turn brisk on a dime? That sweater vest (and, uh, your sparkling personality) might be the only thing separating you from the pastel-hued masses.
Wear Your Camp Shirt With a Lightweight Jacket
The same reasons we swear by camp collar shirts every summer—they're lightweight, they come in a billion different colors and patterns—also makes them ideal for layering underneath an unstructured suit jacket. Consider the move on dinner dates, weddings, and any time dressy-ish vibes are afoot. The key is to let your button-up do the loud-mouthing; for bonus points, wear the shirt collar over your jacket lapels—just like the Miami kingpins of yesteryear intended.
