James Bond is probably one of the most elegant male movie characters ever. Like his famous alter ego, Sean Connery has often worn classic suits on the red carpet. He obviously dressed for his build: his jackets were tailored with a full chest, a gently nipped waist, and roped sleeve heads, and paired with trim forward-pleat trousers with side-adjusters.

If you are tall and slim, you can carry more volume with your suit adding a waistcoat to your custom. Alternatively, if you’re not that tall, keep it simple. As for the colors, keep it simple: grey, in all its shades, blue or dark brown, is a must. A little trick: Connery never forgot to unbutton his jacket before sitting down, so as not to ruin it.

When the weather is cold, an elegant coat is a real “must” if you want to impress with your style. Sean Conney was a real lover of this item: he always chose it long just above the knee, as he went nonchalantly from dark single color to tweed to Prince of Wales.

When it came to the coat, the Scottish actor was very conservative, always wearing it buttoned up. If you want, you can complete your winter outfit with a scarf.

An elegant custom won’t be the same without a folded handkerchief in the jacket breast pockets, and Sean Connery obviously knew it very well. The clutch can be made of linen, silk, cashmere, or wool, but the most popular fabrics are certainly linen and silk. If in linen, the handkerchief should generally be worn white, and it matches any type of dress.

If you wear a white or light blue shirt, you should choose a handkerchief of the same color. If you are eccentric and you like colored handkerchiefs, then it is a must to use the colors featured in the tie.

Human history is inextricably linked to fashion evolution and often interlaced with the fabric textures that, over the centuries, have become iconic.

Among these, we certainly have to mention linen, part of style history since the dawn of time. But what is linen? Together with hemp and cotton, linen is one of the most used plant fibers by man: linen nets were already found in pile-dwelling villages of 8,000 or 11,000 years before Christ, and it was the very first textile fiber that men have ever woven: in fact, unlike wool or cotton, this material has long fibers which lend themselves to being immediately woven, and was one of the first textile fibers to have been created and marketed in Ancient Egypt. 

To prove the success of this fabric, there are various documents, come down to the present day and kept for centuries in pyramids, tombs, and stone inscriptions. Known for its whiteness, linen symbolized gods’ purity and became very popular over the years, especially in the Middle Ages, spreading throughout Europe; it is a popularity that continues today, both for the aesthetics of linen and for its properties — especially during summer.

The heat, humidity and frenetic rhythms of this season often do not go hand in hand with style and elegance, and the only solution is to opt for the use of comfortable and breathable fabrics, to be introduced in the wardrobe to feel always fresh and dry: linen fits perfectly in this category of fabrics, being a very precious natural fiber known for its breathability and the feeling of freshness.

As previously mentioned, linen is an ancient fabric, and among the reasons for its success are its cooling properties. Today linen is dealt with in ways that are much more impressive than centuries ago and the fabric has become even more valuable and, therefore, refined.

Available in many different colors, this fabric has become a symbol of class and ease, in particular in the classic warm shades for shirts and trousers, from off-white to light brown.

Wearing a linen garment is a symbol of class and elegance, as well as investing in an extremely durable and comfortable item of clothing. Perhaps yes, the linen fibers are not particularly elastic, but they are very resistant to heat and washing and, above all, they do not tend to discolor over time, becoming timeless and long-lasting.

In addition to being a great ally against the heat, this fabric absorbs humidity in an excellent way and, even on the hottest days, it does not adhere to the body, allowing the skin to breathe. But how to wear linen garments properly? During summer most clothes, even casual ones, become difficult to wear due to the fabric. Here, therefore, linen comes into play, offering an excellent alternative to cotton, another evergreen of the current season.

The only flaw of this material is that is easily wrinkled, but with some general foresight, it can be easily avoided. Also, high-quality linen fibers are between 18 and 30 inches long, and this means they’re not very likely to “relax”, becoming very wrinkly. A pronounced characteristic, by the way, that is a sign of a sophisticated casual style.

In addition to the lighter and classic shades for shirts and trousers, we also find colors and patterns suitable for different occasions, from cocktails by the pool to dinner in a refined outdoor restaurant (think the likes of Da Vittorio near Bergamo, Italy) from blue to pink, passing through the stripes. A wide choice for every personal taste.

But how do you go about assembling items in your summer wardrobe and look like you’ve subconsciously just thrown them all together? It is important to invest in quality items from the outset: classics crafted by artisans for a timeless longevity of style. Products so well made that you’d be proud to pass on to the next generation. 

Perfecting the art of separates is paramount – it’s not necessarily about the volume of clothes you have, but choosing items which work well together in a capsule wardrobe. Start by investing in a linen shirt – and I’m suggesting two different styles here which will transport you from beach to bar and all eventualities in-between. The key to it all is dressing-down traditional formalities.

Alternatively, if you’re opting for a slightly more formal look, trade it up for a collared striped linen shirt – with the cuffs folded in a laissez-faire fashion over the jacket sleeves. You can even throw a tie into the mix just before you sit down to dinner, and dispense with it again for that sultry stroll back to the hotel. A knitted silk or grenadine fabric will work wonders, or if you’re game for something a little more playful a medallion or diamante repeat pattern to contrast with the more muted tones of your outfit.

As jackets go, you should err on the unstructured side – it remains smart but will ensure comfort is key in the extreme heat of the Italian summer – as it’s softer on the shoulder and not cut quite so close to the body. One of the key pieces for SS20 is the safari jacket which offers a stylish alternative to the classic tailored blazer. I particularly love a loosely belted khaki coloured safari. A pair of cream trousers are key to pulling the whole look together and will pretty much go with any other colour you decide to sport. With that in mind, it really doesn’t matter what colour the jacket is if it’s paired with more muted tones. If you’re a confident embracer of colour, think along the lines of teal, mustard yellow or burgundy, with wider lapels and patch pockets to make it feel less suity – the lighter the fabric the better, preferably linen or linen with cotton in the blend. All of these sit well with earthy tones so you can’t go wrong. If the jacket is worn over a camp collar I’d keep the pocket square plain white or cream (if at all), and upgrade it to something a bit more ornate for the evening.

If I was to choose one pair of cream trousers I would opt for the Gurkha style waisted type with 2 pleats – because I think they look equally as good with a t-shirt as they do with a more formal shirt, tucked in to not only show off the high waistband, but your inner debonair. 

As for shoes, stick to suede loafers or monk straps where possible as they’re less associated with business – not a word you want entering your vocabulary when you’re on digital detox on the Amalfi Coast – and definitely worn sans socks in holiday season. If you insist on wearing socks, make them super lightweight with a dandy shadow rib to complement your upper half.

And you’re going to need a stylish bag to stow it all away in. I’m a big fan of the classic leather weekender as it can be carried by hand or slung over your shoulder in equal measure and is stylish to boot. Unlike its wheeled carry-on cousin (although these do have a place when you’re flying, but you’ll be doing that much less this year, right?) will not aggravate the locals as you tow it along the cobbled streets disturbing the peace. Don’t scrimp on this detail as a smart investment here will pay dividends ensuring the bag will age as gracefully and stylishly as the late Gianni Agnelli, the playboy of Italian style who sought after every moment as if it were his last – and whose sprezzatura has influenced sartorialists the world over ever since.

The choice must be made taking into consideration a greater versatility of the suit that will be packaged, so that it can be used on many more different occasions, especially in relation to the fact that a tailored suit has a very long duration within a wardrobe. The advice is therefore to choose a series of features that can allow one to define a classic suit. Choosing a single-coloured dress, in a “basic” shade like a midnight blue or an anthracite gray, could prove to be the wisest decision, especially if accompanied by the choice of an evergreen frescolana, or cool wool. These first two choices will make the outfit very versatile. Another option would be to choose a different type of classic—opting for a timeless pattern such as a houndstooth, preferably micro, or a Glen Plaid, which will make the outfit a timeless piece of one’s wardrobe and wearable on various occasions.

The choice relating to fit and single or double-breasted is certainly more personal but also linked to the type of physicality. The most obvious advantage of a tailored suit is represented by the fact that it can be perfectly adapted to your body, thus going to eliminate any defects so that the final silhouette is impeccable. Ultimately, what should always guide you when one is in the presence of a tailor is the concept of the versatility of a classic garment. The rest is in the skilled hands of the craftsman by your side.