One of the joys of summer is that we no longer need to wear a coat or jacket every time we leave the house, but that doesn’t mean we should shun outer layers altogether. For one, jackets do more than just keep us warm. They’re practical, too, providing us with an array of pockets in which to stash our stuff. Also, they provide an element of formality when required.

But what makes a good summer jacket? Fabric and cut are of paramount importance. You really don’t want to be weighed down or hemmed in by your clothes, especially during the torrid heat of high summer. Lightweight, breathable materials such as cotton and loosely woven linen come into their own in the warmer months, as do technical fabrics such as nylon shell. Relaxed silhouettes become a smarter choice as the mercury rises, too.

Other than that, it’s very much a case of finding something that suits your style. There’s plenty to choose from this season, but if a little guidance is required, why not take a glance at the three outfits we’ve suggested below?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a chore jacket deserves a spot in every guy’s wardrobe. As you’d expect of a garment that finds its origins in workwear, it’s both hard-wearing and practical: qualities that translate well to the active lifestyle of the modern man about town. But what really sells them for us, especially during the summer, is just how lightweight they can be. This one, from Carhartt WIP, is a crisp shade of white, which not only distinguishes it from the traditional indigo-blue chore jackets that you now see everywhere, but also helps to keep you cool in the sun, as it absorbs less heat. For an easy look that’ll work all weekend long, throw it on over a T-shirt, wool-blend trousers and Converse sneakers, and finish it off with a camping-style backpack and pop-colour baseball cap.

For technical outerwear with serious street appeal, look no further than Stone Island. This in-demand Italian brand enjoys a cult following in the menswear scene thanks to its truly innovative approach to fabric, which it marries with a smart, utilitarian approach to style. Colour is a big part of the Stone Island brand, showing off the results of its experimental dyeing processes with vibrant shades of purple, pink, orange and red. Take this gossamer-thin shell jacket, for example, which comes in a retina-searing bright shade of pillar-box red. The trick to pulling off bold colour is to keep the rest of your outfit relatively low-key, and so, sticking with the streetwear theme, we’ve paired this Stone Island jacket with a long-sleeved tee from COME TEES, cargo trousers from Carhartt WIP, and the latest all-white colourway of Balenciaga’s much-hyped Track sneakers.

Loro Piana is one of the world’s most renowned textile manufacturers, with a reputation for creating fabrics that are not only incredibly luxurious, but often highly technical, too. And this tech-meets-luxe attitude carries over to its casualwear line, which includes items such as this Traveller field jacket, a waterproof and wind-resistant shell jacket that’s also fully lined with cashmere. Loro Piana occupies the top rung of the pricing ladder, but with good reason: you simply can’t buy better clothes than these. The jacket is worn here as part of a low-key weekend look with a polo shirt from The Row, denim from Brunello Cucinelli, sneakers by Dunhill and sunglasses from Cartier Eyewear. Pack a change of clothes into this leather holdall from Bleu de Chauffe, toss it in the back of the car and you’re ready to go.