The Case for Khaki: Why a Khaki Suit Is the Best Choice You'll Make This Summer
If you haven't already seen it, Callum Turner's khaki wedding suit has been making waves. We already know the man has great taste (clearly), but this got us thinking — when is the right time to wear a khaki suit?
Order the Spritz
If Callum Turner is telling us a khaki suit is a good choice, it's a good choice. No questions asked. But in all seriousness, context is everything. The man was in Sicily celebrating his wedding. A khaki suit photographs warm, plays nice with sunlight, and gives off sprezzatura without feeling performative. There is never a better time or place.
Aesthetically, earth tones belong outdoors — against a mountain-scape, a vineyard, or a coastline, the khaki thrives. If the black suit is a dirty martini, the khaki suit is an Aperol spritz.
Not All Suits Are Created Equal
The most important consideration for a summer suit is fabric. Your suit's only as good as you are comfortable in it.
From a breathability standpoint, linen is king if you can stomach the wrinkles. Cotton blends offer a strong middle ground but can look beat down after a few hours in the heat. Seersucker is a nice, lightweight option under the right circumstances (think: Kentucky Derby), but a bit more limited in its versatility. Wool gets a bad rap, but Merino wool is surprisingly breathable — it holds its shape for long events and repeat wear, with ultra-fine fibers that wick sweat and regulate temperature naturally.
No matter how good your suit looks in the hotel room AC, if you're drenched with sweat after one trip to the bar, your whole look falls apart.
Do's:
Breathable Fabrics. Linen, a cotton blend, or Merino will carry you through a hot day. Main takeaway: you only look as good as you feel.
Tonal Accessories. Brown leather, a cream shirt, gold-toned hardware. Stick with warm, earthy tones and the look reads intentional instead of accidental. → Shop accessories
Construction Matters. A canvassed jacket breathes, drapes, and holds its shape — the difference between a suit that moves with you and one that just hangs there.
Don'ts:
Fused Canvassing. A fused polyester suit in July is a bad choice regardless of color or cut — it traps heat and can bubble over time. Half-canvassed options breathe better and are worth every dollar.
Over-Formalize. A stiff white shirt and a power tie drag khaki straight back to the boardroom. Open the collar, lose the tie, and let it be the relaxed move it's meant to be.
Hard Contrasts. Black shoes and hard contrast work against an earth tone — keep it brown and tonal, and don't go so pale that you vanish into the sand.
The verdict? Khaki isn't a compromise. It's a choice. And right now, it might be the best one you make all summer.
