About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething business analyst in the construction industry. He enjoys whiskey, watches, boots/shoes, and working on his dad bod father figure.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a more casual riff on our ongoing Chinos, Chukkas, Polo series. Is it incredibly basic? You bet. But this basic summer uniform can look smart instead of sloppy, if just a bit of attention is paid.

The “More than just a Tee” T-Shirt: Buck Mason Vintage Jacquard Pocket Tee – $68 or BR Factory Mini Ribbed t-shirt in Desert Thyme – $9.60 ($36.50). Swapping out a basic cotton tee for one with a visually interesting texture or knit pattern is a nice style move. The Buck Mason option is admittedly a significant splurge, but well made tees are having a moment, and Buck Mason really knows what they’re doing when it comes to knits. It has a tonal jacquard pattern that adds a chunk of character without being so wild that it becomes hard to wear. Meanwhile, the sub-$10 BR Factory Mini Ribbed Tee brings some retro “sweater-tee” looks without being heavy or bulky. Both are versatile enough to wear now during these dog days of summer, but when the temps start to dip in a few weeks, each would look great underneath a chore coat.

The Shorts: Abercrombie & Fitch Go-to Shorts in Light Brown – $60. Speaking of dog days, we’re still dealing with a lot of temperature fluctuations down here in the South. While this week was rather comfortable with most days in the mid 70’s, next week’s forecast is calling for a brutal week full of high 90°F days. With this in mind, I want comfortable, breathable, and quick-dry shorts to help keep me cool throughout the day. Look for a pair like these from Abercrombie and pick an inseam length that works for your body type. Thighs out! The More Affordable Option: J. Crew Stretch Chino Shorts – $29.50 ($69.50)

The Sneakers: Vans Premium Authentic Suede Sneakers in Sea Turtle – $85. We recently reviewed these ultra sophisticated suede Vans and they’re going to look great in this earth-toned outfit that we’re building. When versatility is the name of the game, these classic skate sneakers are as outfit friendly as it gets. Dress them up a touch with a soft knit polo and jeans or dress them way down with a textured tee and shorts. Note that these sneakers are low cut and expose a bit more ankle and foot than you might be used to.

The Socks: Bombas Low Cut No-show Socks – $13. Speaking of wearing low cut sneakers, your typical no-show socks might not be as no-show in lower cut shoes. Assuming that you’re not riding the tall, white athletic sock trend that’s sweeping the world, let’s go with some ultra low-cut no-show socks like these from Bombas. Why even wear loafer socks like this? Well, some of us want a little extra friction protection and prefer to have a breathable sock-like material there to help keep down on excessive sweat.

The Sunglasses: Spier & Mackay Model 04 “Clubmasters” – $48. Big fan of these Spier & Mackay “Clubmaster” sunglasses. Not only do they look fantastic, the polarized polycarbonate lenses help keep your peepers safe when you’re bouncing around town and running errands. With a slightly retro vibe the light tortoise acetate frame and brown lenses will make you look like an old school movie star from the 1950s.

The Watch: Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm Watch – $595. If you’re the kind of person who wants one good watch to wear forever, I’d highly recommend finding a simple, military-inspired mechanical watch like this one from Hamilton. You don’t need any fancy electronics or batteries with the Khaki Field Mechanical watch; just wind it every few days, wear it a lot, and enjoy. The 38mm case width will look good on just about everyone, too. The More Affordable Option: Citizen Eco-Drive (quartz) Field Watch – $119

The Belt: Flint & Tinder Vintage Leather Belt – $85. To add a bit of color and warmth to this outfit, focus on adding a handful of accessories with richer color shades like browns and golds. This textured “vintage” leather belt from Huckberry’s Flint and Tinder brand looks great. The “washed” and tumbled brown leather strap and well-worn looking bronze finish buckle both add interesting visual weight and warmth here.

The Fragrances: Imaginary Authors Best Sellers Collection Sample Kit – $42. Last year, my sister gifted me a box of cologne samples to try. In effect, she drop kicked me down the rabbit hole of niche fragrances and I haven’t turned back yet (but my wallet hates me). If you’re looking to branch out from the simple, rudimentary scents typically found at department stores, try a sample set like this one from Imaginary Authors. Cape Heartache is one of my favorites because it leans into that earthy, woody sphere with notes of douglas fir, pine resin, vanilla leaf, strawberry preserves, and that petrichor smell of a mountain’s fog or fresh rain.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a more casual riff on our ongoing Chinos, Chukkas, Polo series. Is it incredibly basic? You bet. But this basic summer uniform can look smart instead of sloppy, if just a bit of attention is paid. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Target Goodfellow T-Shirt in “Orchid Leaf” – $5.60 ($8). Inexpensive at full price and at post time it’s on sale. Versatile shade of olive green. Looks great with gray shorts or white chinos now, will look great with jeans come fall.

The Shorts: Old Navy: Tech Chino Shorts – $20 ($30ish). Usually around $30, now on sale for $20 through Monday. Wow, if you squint those look like lululemon warpstreme. They even have similar looking snaps on the rear pockets. No personal experience, and one has to assume there’s no way they’d feel or wear the same, but for twenty bucks they could be worth a shot. Available in either 8″ or 10″ inseams. Almost 5/5 stars with 200+ ratings. They’re called “hybrid” tech chinos shorts, but it certainly doesn’t look like these would have a liner in them for swimming. They just appear to be performance fabric based shorts made to look like standard chino shorts.

The Sneakers: Nike Air Force 1 ’07 – $82.50 ($110). Not low profile canvas sneakers, but timeless white sneakers all the same. The thicker soles and beefier construction will please those who like a little more bounce to the ounce when it comes to their casual footwear. Currently getting a quiet 25% off once you put them in your cart.

The Sunglasses: (via Amazon) Carfina Polarized Sunglasses – $29. A relatively new, affordable classic. Fulfilled by Amazon.

The Watch: Invicta Automatic Dive Watch – $74 on a C&B Black & Desert Supreme NATO – $34. The famous entry level automatic diver dressed down for summer on one of Crown and Buckle’s excellent supreme NATO straps. Terrific hardware, smooth fabric, etc.

The Socks: Darn Tough 1715 Quarter Lightweight Running Socks – $18. Cool and comfortable and wicking. That’s what merino does. Perfectly weighted for runners, so it’ll excel here in the shorts/sneakers/tee scenario. Cheap? Not at first glance. But they have a lifetime guarantee. So while they may not be cheap, they are affordable. And there’s a difference.

The Belt: GAP Basic Leather Belt – $22 ($44.95).  A reliable casual/smart casual standard for just north of twenty bucks.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirt is a riff on our series for Chinos, Chukkas, Polo. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not, I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and mattress/sneaker hybrids (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Old Navy Beyond 4-Way Stretch T-Shirt for Men – $9 ($15ish). A plain navy tee that’s made to be extra comfortable. Fabric is a 74% polyester, 19% Tencel, 7% spandex blend. So it should have plenty of stretch (7 percent!) and the Tencel should give it a nicely soft feel. Size down if you’re in-between sizes as Old Navy has a tendency to run large. The Splurge: Ten-Thousand Versatile Peformance Shirt in Navy – $58

The Shorts: Nordstrom Coolmax Stretch Chino Shorts – $29.99 ($59.50) Part of the Anniversary Sale. Ships and returns for free. 8″ inseam should work for many. The Splurge: adidas Crosshatch Stretch Golf Shorts – $55.99 ($75)

The Sneakers: adidas Stan Smith Lux – $145. Full review here. Upgrades include the leather lining, uppers, and details like that gold foil branding. Ships and returns for free via Nordstrom. Also available at adidas, although the green heel tab option shown is pretty close to sold out at post time at adidas. Other color options are available there though.

The Sunglasses: Spier and Mackay Black with Green Lens Wayfarer Style Sunglasses – $45 ($55). Classics but the green lenses make them a little different. 56mm lens diameter, so best for average to larger sized heads/faces.

The Watch: Casio Diver – $50ish w/ Crown & Buckle NTTD Supreme NATO – $34. The famous super-affordable dive watch, upgraded a notch thanks to a super smooth NATO strap with a 007 inspired color/stripe-scheme. All for around $90 bucks total.

The Socks: Quince Merino Ankle Socks – $29.90 / 4 pack. Wear socks. It’s hot enough out that you’ll be glad you did, as they’ll act as a buffer between any foot sweat and the leather interior of the Stans. Big thanks to Tai H. for the rec on Quince. He reports that they’re just as good as his Bombas socks, and have a tendency to be cheaper.

The Belt: Spier & Mackay Suede Woven Belt – $58. More Spier accessories. They do a nice job. Sometimes their smaller purchases can get lost though among their (terrific) suits, shoes, and sportcoats.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a more casual riff on our ongoing Chinos, Chukkas, Polo series. Is it incredibly basic? You bet. But the basic summer uniform of a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers can look mighty good if just a bit of attention is paid. Some of us lean on blue. A lot. Here’s one way to mix it up, palate wise, and avoid blue for once. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Target Goodfellow Slub Pocket T-Shirt in Olive Green – $12. Inexpensive, the pocket and the slubbed fabric make it interesting, and the earthy olive-green is versatile. Looks great with gray shorts or white chinos now, will look great with jeans come fall.

The Shorts: J. Crew Tech Shorts – $79.50. Spendy at full price, but can go on sale. This isn’t their cotton-blend “Tech” fabric. Instead it’s pure performance, with a 57% recycled nylon/39% polyamide/4% elastane makeup to its blend. Available in 7″, 9″, and 10.5″ inseams. Yes they make a bit of a “Swish Swish” noise when you walk. But they’re lightweight, flexible, and breathable. They’re one of their warm-weather bestsellers for a reason. The Cheaper Option: Old Navy Slim Go-Dry Shade StretchTech Shorts – $25ish

The Sneakers: Nike Air Force 1 ’07 – $110. Not low profile canvas sneakers, but timeless white sneakers all the same. The thicker soles and beefier construction will please those who like a little more bounce to the ounce when it comes to their casual footwear.

The Sunglasses: J. Crew Forrest Sunglasses – $19.19 FINAL w/ 48HOURS ($79.50). A new (yet totally classic) frame design for J. Crew’s line of sunglasses. Final Sale though.

The Watch: Orient Ray Automatic – $155 on a C&B Black & Desert Supreme NATO – $34. Orient’s entry level automatic diver dressed down for summer on one of Crown and Buckle’s excellent supreme NATO straps. Those straps continue to be the best, not overly spendy NATOs out there. Terrific hardware, smooth fabric, etc.

The Socks: Bombas Men’s Merino Wool Golf Ankle Socks – $22. Green but not “matchy matchy” green to the t-shirt. A nice midpoint between the shorts and tee.

The Belt: J. Crew Italian suede and leather round-buckle dress belt – $59.50. More J. Crew. Dressy but not, thanks to the suede that’s used. Can be worn with shorts, can be worth with a summery-fabric suit.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a more casual riff on our ongoing Chinos, Chukkas, Polo series. Is it incredibly basic? You bet. But the basic summer uniform of a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers can look mighty good if just a bit of attention is paid. Plus, it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The Sunglasses: Sunski Avila – $51 ($68). Clubmaster style without the Ray-Ban price. Polarized too.

The T-Shirt: Banana Republic Striped Supima Cotton Tee in Ivory  – $27.99 w/ BRAFF20 ($50). Hard to beat stripes. Made from American grown Supima cotton. Getting an extra 20% off at checkout. Clearly not quite an exact match to the t-shirt in the pic at the very top of the post, but that’s actually an old French National Soccer Team jersey, with wider Breton style stripes. The extra 20% off Banana Republic Sale styles code BRAFF20 ends tomorrow, 6/22.

The Shorts: J. Crew 9″ Stretch Chino Shorts – $15.99 FINAL w/ SHOPNOW ($69.50). This one’s for those who are tired of all the “performance” this and “tech” that in their clothing. Classic, cotton shorts in a not-flashy-at-all shade called “surplus,” with just a bit of stretch woven in. Final sale, so no returns or exchanges.

The Watch: Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Black Nylon Strap – $250ish (depending on sales). Seiko’s 5 sports dive style on a stock black fabric strap. Ready to go for summer. On sale at Macy’s, but in the past these have dropped as far as under $200. Who knows if those days are long gone though.

The Belt: Maikun Gray Canvas Belt – $10. Cheap. Shipped by Amazon, so returns are easy if it doesn’t work out. But if it does, it’s a nice casual summer belt minus any “woven leather Dad just got back from a Tommy Bahama shopping spree” vibes.

The Socks: Bombas Men’s Merino Wool Golf Ankle Socks – $22. Going with some ankle socks here because of how substantial the canvas is on the sneakers. You’ll want to break those sneakers in first before you go sockless or with no-shows. It’s certainly not sharp or irritating, but the tongue (while nicely finished) isn’t padded like a pair of runners or Stan Smiths. So, give your skin a little extra protection at first.

The Sneakers: OBRA 240 Canvas Low Wrap Toe – $130. Or whatever your favorite black and white canvas Chucks-like sneakers happen to be. Hard not to appreciate OBRAs though. They’re lightyears more substantial feeling than Chucks, and still super easy to wear and pair with just about anything. No full rubber cap toe like Chucks, but the extra reinforced rubber around the edges gives it a nice look, and really does feel solid. Supportive cushioning. Extra padding around the collar. Made from industrial grade canvas that is slightly rigid right out of the box, but breaks in shockingly well relatively quickly. Made in a family owned factory in Brazil.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirt is a riff on our series for Chinos, Chukkas, Polo. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not, I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and mattress/sneaker hybrids (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Nike Dri-FIT Academy Soccer Top – $25. Bit of a pro-tip here: If you like tech-wear but don’t like how a lot of it can run big and loose, look for a brand’s soccer shirts (training or otherwise). Usually soccer gear is a bit trimmer compared to the basic workout-lines. And these are proof. A size Large fits my 5’10″/185 lb frame pretty darn great. Smooth, wicking, breathable fabric made from 100% recycled poly fibers. Micro perforated back for extra air-flow. And you get the sweet retro-styled arm stripes. Looks like one of those old-school “ringer” tees, only made from high-performance fabric. More than a couple colors to pick from, so if you think the navy would be too dark in the sun, grab one of the white ones.

The Shorts: Old Navy Slim Go-Dry Shade StretchTech 10″ inseam Shorts – $24. Shockingly good for Old Navy. Lightweight, breathable, mesh lined pockets keep the air moving, and they feel surprisingly… good? Good, for such a cheap Old Navy product? They’ve quickly become a favorite. Also available in an 8″ inseam if that’s more your deal. Light heather gray option is shown in this post.

The Sneakers: Adidas Stan Smith Primegreen in White/Off White/Green – $100. More expensive than the old leather options, but now more sustainable. Whereas the previous version of this shoe came with upgraded leather compared to the run-of-the-mill Stans, the new version is built in what Adidas calls a “Primegreen” upper using recycled materials as part of their push toward a more sustainable and responsible future of manufacturing.

The Sunglasses: Huckberry Weekender Sunglasses in Cola/Slate – $35. That translucent, matte “cola” brown frame with the slate lenses really is something. Cheap too!

The Watch: Invicta Pro Diver Automatic – $80 w/ Moose Strap Co. “James” NATO – $20. The dirt cheap, gateway automatic diver on a super smooth 007 inspired NATO strap. All for a hundred bucks total.

The Belt: BC Belts Canvas Web Belt – $8.99. Dead simple, and perfect for summer when a leather belt can look (and feel) a little “heavy”. Super cheap. Ships fast with Amazon Prime.

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirt is a riff on our series for Chinos, Chukkas, Polo. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not, I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and mattress/sneaker hybrids (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Below are picks to maximize your summer athleisure look, with an eye on functionality, not just form. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Under Armour Tech Tee in Navy – $25. Or whatever your go-to tech tee is, but not all are the same. Under Armour is possibly THE Godfather of the tech tee movement, and what former CEO Kevin Plank founded the business upon. Lightweight. Breathable. Fit is from their “looser” line, so if you’re between sizes, size down.

The Sneakers: Danner Overlook Knit Sneaker in Black – $170. The hybrid trail sneaker is quite trendy this summer, as more folks hit the outdoors after extended time inside. These work well transitioning from hardcore hiking boot to running errands around town or popping into your local shop to grab a coffee. Knit construction lets your tired feet breathe, and these will work well for more leisurely strolls on hard-packed trails in town parks with their Vibram soles. Just don’t effort a substantial hike in these – there’s just not nearly enough support. But, the series is called “shorts sneakers tee”, so, here be some sneaker leaning (heavily leaning) trail kicks.

The Shorts: Patagonia Nine Trails 8″ Shorts in Grey – $65. A true do-it-all reliable summer fitness short. Patagonia packed these with features for the gym, the park, and around town. Zippered pockets keep your valuables secure, and a stretch liner keeps your….valuables secure. Water repellant and moisture-wicking fabric keeps you dry and is lightweight for high temperatures. These are my go-to hiking shorts AND travel shorts. Recently on a road trip, I spilled a bottle of water on them while stopping for lunch. Gonna be damp and uncomfortable for a bit in the car right? Nope. The liquid beaded off the shorts. Nifty.

The Sunglasses: Huckberry Polarized Weekenders in Tortoise – $45.  A bargain buy from the minds at Huckberry. Classic casual styling in a cost efficient polarized package. And, in the event you lose them at a barbecue, on the lake, on the trails, or otherwise, you won’t be too upset given the low cost.

The Liquid Vessel: Yeti 16 oz Rambler in Aquifer Blue – $25. For a pre or post sip (drink water, lots of water on the trail). Avoid single-use plastics, and get an insulated bottle or thermos like this slick teal blue Yeti pint and keep plastics out of streams. An investment, but you’ll use it forever. 16 ounce version pictured above and linked here, but also available in a variety of other styles to fit your drinking needs.

The Watch: Fitbit Charge 4 – $128. It’s not often I (the Jason guy) suggest a tech-forward timepiece instead of a dive watch or cheap Casio rubber watch in a casual scenario, but if you’re moving and grooving it’s encouraging to know how long and far you’ve been trekking, as well as your heart rate and overall performance. The Fitbit Charge 4 offers all that in a sleek and well-designed package.

The Socks: Darn Tough Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion Sock – $18.95. They’re quite literally Darn Tough’s “Hiker” sock. Quarter height protects your achilles whereas a no-show wouldn’t. Made in the USA. Extremely well reviewed, because they’re kinda the industry standard.

BONUS: Tick Twister Set – $8. Stay vigilant in checking for ticks after hikes, walks in the woods, and even picnics in an open field. Ticks are nasty things, and your initial reaction might be to rush to rip it off you, but that can leave behind pieces of their body stuck in your skin. Instead, keeping one of these small twisters in your pocket when you’re out in the wild will allow you to safely remove them from you – or your pet – with limited resistance and breakage.

About the Author: Jason P. spends his days working in the creative marketing department of a big telecom company. He also does a bit of real estate investing on the side. He believes in curating a timeless, classic wardrobe with subtle modern touches for today. He and his wife love hiking with their dog and shopping at local small businesses and antique stores when they travel. Jason is a practitioner of muay thai and traditional boxing, and his favorite drink is a hoppy New England IPA

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a riff on our ongoing series for Chinos, Chukkas, Polo. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not… I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and mattress/sneaker hybrids (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: J. Crew Slub jersey T-shirt in Deck Stripe – $22.50 ($36.50). Hard to beat stripes, and the slub tees from J. Crew are well loved by plenty. Be warned they can shrink up a touch in the washer/dryer. A size medium on my 5’10″/190lb frame is just a touch too tight after being laundered (and I rarely shrink stuff in the wash). So if you’re in-between sizes, the suggestion is to size up for possible shrinkage. On sale often.

The Shorts: Goodthreads Men’s Slim-Fit 9″ Inseam Flat-Front Comfort Stretch Chino Shorts – $25. The classic khaki short for summer, in a nicely trim but not tight fit, and no cargo pockets. That combo (slimmer fit, no cargos) goes a long way. Nice fabric here. 98% cotton/2% spandex chino is on the lighter weight side. NOT some thick pair of old dockers. But not paper thin or crinkly feeling either. Just right.

The Sneakers: OBRA 240 Canvas Low Wrap Toe – $130. UPDATE: Looks like OBRA has these direct for 30% off right now. BIG thanks to Evan B. here! New favorites. Lightyears more substantial feeling than Chucks, but still super easy to wear and pair with just about anything. The materials and feel of the solid construction really are a noticeable few steps up. No full rubber cap toe like Chucks, but the extra reinforced rubber around the edges gives it a nice look, and really does feel solid. Supportive cushioning. Extra padding around the collar. Made from industrial grade canvas that is slightly rigid right out of the box, breaks in shockingly well within 48 hours (at least they did for me, after I picked up my pair during the recent big Huckberry sale). I thought the blue heel tab would look/feel cheesy, but it’s anything but. It’s a high quality, soft, grosgrain style fabric, and I think it adds quite a bit to the look. Made in a family owned factory in Brazil. Total convert here. Love ’em.

The Watch: Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Black NATO – $200ish. Seiko’s new-ish release into the diver market sure looks the part. Full review here. If you’re looking to go cheap, there’s always ol’ reliable, the Casio Diver. Just put it on a Crown & Buckle Supreme NATO, and you’ve got a super comfortable, hard wearing watch for the summer.

The Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster Polarized 51mm – $126.99. Too spendy? Try Kent Wang. Too small? Try the oversized/modernized Clubmaster RB4175. Those are shown at the very top of the post. The RB4175 are great for guys with bigger heads.

The Belt: Maikun Gray Canvas Belt w/ Silver D-ring – $10. Cheap. Shipped by Amazon, so returns are easy if it doesn’t work out. But if it does, it’s a nice casual summer belt minus any “woven leather Dad just got back from a Tommy Bahama shopping spree” vibes.

The Socks: Bombas Men’s Merino Wool Golf Ankle Socks – $22. Going with some ankle socks here because of how substantial the canvas is on the sneakers. You’ll want to break those sneakers in first before you go sockless or with no-shows. It’s certainly not sharp or irritating, but the tongue (while nicely finished) isn’t padded like a pair of runners or Stan Smiths. So, give your skin a little extra protection at first.

Want more of these shorts/sneakers/t-shirt posts? Head here for the growing archive. 

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a riff on our ongoing series for Chinos, Chukkas, Polo. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not, I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and mattress/sneaker hybrids (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Below are picks to help break out of the Spring and Summer blues we so often rely on and add some other colors to your closet. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Banana Republic Supima Pocket Tee in Chocolate Stout – $17.07 w/ BRSOLVEIT ($34.50). Early favorite for t-shirt of the year. A pocket and vented sides keep it from looking like an undershirt, while 100% genuine Supima cotton guarantees softness. Not super slim – this offers a strong athletic cut. This Chocolate Stout shirt is a delicious, rich shade of brown. 50.5% off code BRSOLVEIT expires today, 5/17. But you probably already knew that.

The Shorts: Goodthreads 9″ Inseam Flat-Front Comfort Stretch Chino Shorts in Burgundy‘ $25. Amazon calls these a slim-fit, but they aren’t. These will fit thick-legged gents with ease, as there is plentiful stretch to help with flexibility and movement. Deeper red shorts like this burgundy color are a great way to shake off the blues and add variety to your wardrobe for the summer. They don’t shout like a fire engine red, and being that they’re shorts instead of pants, they’re inherently more casual/easier to wear. These performed exceptionally well in our Goodthreads Spring/Summer 2021 collection review, which is coming up tomorrow. Stay tuned for that.

The Sneakers: Adidas Continental 80 in White and Blue/Red Stripe – $33.73 ($80). An absolute steal at this price, although they’re close to sold out at post time. And they’re quickly becoming hard to find. Are they getting phased out? If your closet is filled with Stan Smiths, or white sneakers with similar builds, the Continental is an ideal shoe to keep the same general look but add a sportier aesthetic. A toe rand and a retro-heel clip produce a throwback athletic look and added layers for more texture. These look every bit as much of an old-school tennis shoe as the Stan Smiths, especially with their subtle pebbled leather. Full review here. 

The Sunglasses: Huckberry Polarized Weekenders in Black – $35. Man, $35 for these seems too good to be true. These could be a real winner for this summer and, in the event you lose them at a barbecue, on the lake, on the trails, or otherwise, you won’t be too upset given the low cost. Stylish looks with all-situations utility. A bargain buy from the minds at Huckberry. For those that want to spend a bit more/reach a bit in quality, the sunglasses shown at the very top of the post are actually the Warby Parker Barkley. Highly recommend those.

The Watch: Casio Stainless Steel Quartz Diver in Blue/Black – $50. Alright, I cheated. A little blue. But it’s a dive-watch, so of course there’s going to be some blue! Ok, I’m a fraud. But for $50, Casio offers a reliable quartz timekeeper with a stainless steel case, date window, and 200M water resistance. Can you blame me for including this? Full review here, in the original black color scheme. Watch shown at the very top of the post is this Christopher Ward C60 600 from the previous design generation.

The Belt: Mile High Life Braided Stretch Elastic Belt in Light Grey – $11. Basic. Cheap. Does the job while adding texture and a visual pop. Braided belts are great for the summer due to their light weight and availability in a variety of colors. This light grey number works wonders on this no-blues outfit to break up the deeper colors for a lighter touch. The key in deeply colored outfits like this is adding some brighter balance. The shoes and this belt do the trick.

The Socks: GAP No-Show Socks in White – 2 pairs for $9.57 w/ FRIEND ($16). The best budget pick in our recent no-show sock review. Our guy Ryan found these to be a great buy for the price, and despite being cotton socks (usually a bad move in the heat of the summer), quite comfortable and secure on foot. Ideal for early mornings or late nights when the sun (and heat of the day) have yet to hit their peak. Going with white to match the lining/the shoe leather just in case they DO end up showing a bit.

The Water Bottle: Hydroflask 32oz Insulated Water Bottle in White -$50. Temperatures are rising, so staying hydrated is key. Drink your water in a sustainable way by avoiding single-use plastics, and get an insulated water bottle like this Hydroflask to keep you cool, and keep plastics out of streams. An investment, but you’ll use it forever.

About the Author: Jason P. spends his days working in the creative marketing department of a big telecom company. He also does a bit of real estate investing on the side. He believes in curating a timeless, classic wardrobe with subtle modern touches for today. He and his wife love hiking with their dog and shopping at local small businesses and antique stores when they travel. Jason is a practitioner of muay thai and traditional boxing, and his favorite drink is a hoppy New England IPA

Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts is a riff on our ongoing series for Chinos, Chukkas, Polo. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not… I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and mattress/sneaker hybrids (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com.

The T-Shirt: Made in the USA “45” Textured Cotton/Poly Tee – $35 (or 3 for $95). The latest edition to Huckberry’s hit Made in the USA t-shirt brand. 60% cotton/40% poly = super soft but with a bit of visual texture. Fit is true. A size medium fits my 5’10″/195 frame great. CHEAP ALTERNATIVE: Don’t want to spend thirty five bucks on a t-shirt? Understood. Try this from Old Navy. It’s four bucks.

The Shorts: Banana Republic Slim Core Temp Shorts in Olive – $40ish. A deep dark green. Going for lots of saturated color here, that leans towards the greens and blues of the pacific northwest/cascadia region. We haven’t hit the dead of summer, searing heat yet. So now’s the time to work these oceany/pine tree forest seaside colors in. The tans and khaki and white will come later when it’s… 107 degrees.

The Sneakers: Onitsuka Tiger California ’78 – $72 ($90). On sale via East Dane, so they ship fast and free. And return for free too. Just don’t be too spooked by the terribly over lit photos on East Dane. The sneakers seen at the very top of this post were ordered from East Dane. Same shoe. The Onitsuka Tiger website has accurate shots, and more sizes. Albeit not on sale. Same goes for Huckberry. A quick review: They look awesome. Quality and cushioning are so-so at best. These are not the Victory Sportswear sneaker. Nor are they a Rancourt. But they’re nowhere near as expensive either. Just don’t expect high end materials or squish. For example, these Onitsuka Tigers have ZERO padding to the tongue. It’s basically two rigid pieces of fabric stitched together. They also run slightly narrow. Again, great looks, but expect Converse Chuck Taylor levels of “quality”.

The Sunglasses: Sunski Topeka in Tortoise Amber – $68. Ships and returns for free via Nordstrom. Sunskis get mentioned a ton. I know. But these things really are the business. Whether it’s a sweaty day of chores outside, or looking good for patio cocktails/beers as the sun sets… these things get it done. Lightweight but not rickety. Non slip nose pads keep them from sliding down. You really do forget you’re wearing them.

The Watch: Timex Q Reissue Silver/Black – $179. Watch shown at the very top of the post is an old, out of production, manual wind Christopher Ward. Not sure why they stopped making it. Seems like it sold well. Bring it back Chris! But the Todd Snyder Exclusive Q is a more than capable, still very retro looking replacement. Plus, sometimes it’ll go on sale via random codes (check those paper catalogs) and promos.

The Belt: J. Crew Factory Faded Chambray Shark Belt – $35. SHARK BELT.

The Socks: Bombas Men’s Performance Cushioned No Show Socks – $16. Being that the shoes aren’t super cushioned, you’ll want your socks to provide some comfort. Go with Bombas here. Reviewed as part of our massive no-show socks roundup. (Thanks Ryan!!) And if you do go with the Onitsuka CA ’78, test out that tongue. For real. It might be a little too rigid up against your ankle. Some taller socks might be in order.