In menswear, whether or not you can wear shorts past a certain age is a hotly debated topic. The late fashion designer Sir Hardy Amies said that a man should “never wear shorts except actually on the beach or on a walking tour”. Some are still in this camp, believing that shorts should be left in the school playground and exist in a grown-man’s wardrobe exclusively for gym sessions or running marathons. Others – thankfully, most – are of the opinion that shorts can be worn at any age. And at any length. Here at MR PORTER, we firmly fly the flag for the latter. Just look at stylish guys such as Pedro Pascal, who wore Valentino Garavani shorts to the Met Gala, or Jacob Elordi, Donald Glover and Harry Styles who have been papped running errands and revelling at Glastonbury in their very-short shorts. For Londoners, it’s more surprising to spot Paul Mescal in anything else off-duty.

Weddings have a way of forcing men to reckon with their wardrobes. In a world where dress codes have steadily relaxed, formalwear has become the exception rather than the rule. And yet, certain occasions still demand it: weddings, funerals and, God forbid, court appearances. The problem is, as suits have receded from daily life, so has the knowledge of how to wear one. In my years writing about menswear, I’ve seen a recurring drama unfold: men who delay, who misjudge, who seek out tailors too late. The suit is too tight or too loose. It doesn’t look terrible, exactly, but it doesn’t look great either. And he’s paid dearly for it. To avoid that fate, it helps to know what you’re up against. Buying a good suit means accounting for dress codes, tailoring lead times should you need one and the subtle signals clothing can communicate, especially for an event as photographed and emotionally freighted as a wedding. Whether you’re standing at the altar or sitting in the third row, here are a few key considerations that can sharpen the results and lower the stress levels.

As any menswear fan worth his salt knows, summer in the city is tough to dress for. It’s hot, it’s sweaty and the options for clothes that serve form and function drastically decrease. So, what to do? According to the model and menswear expert Richard Biedul, buying menswear in summer is a minefield. “[The sudden change in weather] results in men, who are notoriously loyal shoppers, making spontaneous purchases they instantly regret, because it was something ‘fun for summer’,” he says. To build a seasonal wardrobe you’ll actually keep wearing, then, here are a few pretty effortless suggestions.

There’s nothing quite like sunglasses for adding the finishing touch to an outfit. But with so many styles to choose from, finding the pair that’s right for you can seem like an impossibly daunting task. It’s not just the practical concerns you have to keep in mind, such as how well they’ll protect your eyes from the sun or how they’ll complement the shape of your face. (We have some thoughts on the latter, if you’re wondering.) You also have to consider what they will say about you. That’s because sunglasses are a uniquely potent style statement, capable of lending an air of mystique, adding a dash of personality or just making you look cooler and more attractive. As such, they’re closely tied up with notions of identity and self-image – far more so than, say, a pair of socks. We’re here to help you up your frame game by arming you with all you need to know about sunglasses, from the most common frame shapes to the technical jargon you’re likely to encounter on your quest for the perfect pair.

In menswear, whether or not you can wear shorts past a certain age is a hotly debated topic. The late fashion designer Sir Hardy Amies said that a man should “never wear shorts except actually on the beach or on a walking tour”. Some are still in this camp, believing that shorts should be left in the school playground and exist in a grown-man’s wardrobe exclusively for gym sessions or running marathons. Others – thankfully, most – are of the opinion that shorts can be worn at any age. And at any length. Here at MR PORTER, we firmly fly the flag for the latter. Just look at stylish guys such as Pedro Pascal, who wore Valentino Garavani shorts to the Met Gala, or Jacob Elordi, Donald Glover and Harry Styles who have been papped running errands and revelling at Glastonbury in their very-short shorts. For Londoners, it’s more surprising to spot Paul Mescal in anything else off-duty.

Weddings have a way of forcing men to reckon with their wardrobes. In a world where dress codes have steadily relaxed, formalwear has become the exception rather than the rule. And yet, certain occasions still demand it: weddings, funerals and, God forbid, court appearances. The problem is, as suits have receded from daily life, so has the knowledge of how to wear one. In my years writing about menswear, I’ve seen a recurring drama unfold: men who delay, who misjudge, who seek out tailors too late. The suit is too tight or too loose. It doesn’t look terrible, exactly, but it doesn’t look great either. And he’s paid dearly for it. To avoid that fate, it helps to know what you’re up against. Buying a good suit means accounting for dress codes, tailoring lead times should you need one and the subtle signals clothing can communicate, especially for an event as photographed and emotionally freighted as a wedding. Whether you’re standing at the altar or sitting in the third row, here are a few key considerations that can sharpen the results and lower the stress levels.