BY JAY AQUINO

SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

This December, I’m flying to Manila for a trip split between work and the beach. God, I hope the sun shows up! A morning swim could lead to lunch, an afternoon in the city and dinner somewhere worth dressing for. I want to move through those plans without stopping to reconsider my outfit at every turn. So each piece I pack needs a job: keeping me comfortable in the heat, working across occasions or giving a simple look some character. These are the summer essentials I’d make room for.

T-Shirts

A good summer tee needs enough ease through the chest and arms to wear alone, and a shape that still works beneath an open shirt. Always check the weight of the tee as well as its fibre content, since a linen blend can still feel substantial in the heat.

Our current favourite is the off-white linen and cotton tee from Anthony Squires, a classic-fit style made from 78 per cent linen and 22 per cent cotton. Its midweight jersey adds texture to a simple outfit, while the off-white shade works with printed swimwear or an expressive overshirt. On particularly hot days, a lighter jersey may serve you better. Pack a spare either way, so you can change into a fresh tee before dinner instead of adding another layer.

IMAGE SOURCE: ANTHONY SQUIRES

Swimshorts

Think about where you’ll go after the swim. A secure waistband, comfortable lining and a pocket that closes matter when a beach day turns into lunch. One plain pair offers flexibility. A second, more colourful pair can give an otherwise simple outfit its point of view.

Vilebrequin’s Octopussy swim shorts take the latter approach, with a bold print on stretch fabric made from 98 per cent recycled polyamide and two per cent elastane. They have an adjustable elastic waist, a mesh lining and a fastening back pocket. Cut shorter than the brand’s classic Moorea, they show more leg and work well with a loose, plain shirt.

For more coverage and conservative option, Orlebar Brown’s Navy Bulldog has a tailored, mid-length shape with adjustable side fasteners and a zipped back pocket. It works with an open linen shirt without competing for attention. The brand recommends sizing up if you fall between sizes. Let either pair dry before sitting down to lunch, and change into day shorts for a dressier setting.

IMAGE SOURCE: VILEBREQUIN

Shorts

Away from the water, start with shorts that serve a different purpose from swimwear. Bermudas with room through the thigh sit well beneath an oversized shirt and can carry you through a long lunch or an afternoon in the city.

If you want to lean into the short-shorts trend, bring a pair cut high on the thigh. The shorter hem shows more leg and gives a loose shirt or boxy tee a different proportion. Try them while walking and sitting before you pack them, so the cut works beyond the mirror.

For a more conspicuous choice, Satoshi Nakamoto’s Danny’s denim shorts have straight, relaxed legs, embellished seams and raw hems, with a black wash fading towards white. The cotton denim is midweight and non-stretch, with care instructions that call for dry cleaning. That makes them better suited to an evening in town than a long afternoon in tropical heat. Bring a lighter cotton or linen pair for the latter.

IMAGE SOURCE: MR. PORTER

Shirts

Pack one clean, long-sleeved shirt for a last-minute meeting or dinner invitation. Giorgio Armani’s regular-fit linen shirt offers a warm-weather option, cut from 100 per cent flax with a small pointed collar held by stays, French seams and mother-of-pearl buttons. The collar gives the shirt enough definition to wear buttoned for dinner, though the linen will crease and may be too relaxed for a formal meeting.

After the dressier shirt, choose something with more personality: a stronger colour, a print or an unusual cut. If you want a looser shape, look for an oversized shirt designed with room through the body. Try it open over a tee and buttoned on its own. Check where the hem falls in both versions, and make sure the extra volume comes from the cut rather than a regular shirt bought several sizes too large.

IMAGE SOURCE: GIORGIO ARMANI

Overshirts

An overshirt earns its suitcase space on a flight, in a cold restaurant or after sunset. It can also carry the visual interest of an outfit when everything underneath is simple.

Louis Vuitton’s Monogram Workwear Overshirt makes a case for the statement layer with khaki cotton canvas, a woodland-toned print, plain patchwork panels and a leather patch at the back. Put it over a light tee and uncomplicated shorts and let the layer do the work. If your evenings stay hot, an unlined overshirt in a lighter fabric will be more useful.

IMAGE SOURCE: LOUIS VUITTON

Footwear

Pack for the ground you’ll actually cover: clean sneakers for travel and long walks, espadrilles for dry resort paths and relaxed lunches, and loafers for dinner with a shirt and Bermudas. I’d choose Tod’s City Gommino loafers in suede. The soft calfskin and exposed hand stitching give them a relaxed finish, while the penny bar and stamped monogram add detail without taking over. Their rubber outsole is useful on the way to dinner, but keep the suede out of the rain. If you plan to wear them without socks, try them on that way and make sure the heel stays put.

If a boat is on the itinerary, ask whether the operator requires non-marking soles. Keep rope-soled espadrilles clear of a wet deck. And if there is no dinner or meeting on the calendar, the loafers may be the pair to leave at home.

IMAGE SOURCE: TOD'S

Underwear

Fit, fabric and enough clean pairs matter during summer. The waistband should stay put without digging in, and the cut should move with you instead of bunching under shorts. Soft cotton works for everyday wear. If you’re travelling with only a few pairs, consider a lightweight fabric that dries quickly so you can wash and wear it again. Pack an extra pair for the day that runs into dinner. Calvin Klein, Tom Ford and Skims are the brands I’d start with for everyday styles. Saligia Greek Vine brief is worth a look if you want a bolder cut.

IMAGE SOURCE: SALIGIA