Chris Black has returned to the Strategist with a monthly column to answer all of your burning questions — from super-specific style predicaments and workout and tennis recs to foolproof host-gift ideas that will get you invited back to the beach house.
Best non-denim pants for summer?
I wear jeans year-round because I love the look but also hate myself. That being said, I understand the need for looser, freer, cooler options for when shorts just won’t do. I was just in Jamaica, and our hotel (Round Hill, highly recommended) required pants for dinner. I knew jeans wouldn’t work, which forced me to dig deep into my closet.
You aren’t going to beat these for the price. The brushed cotton can be dressed up or down, and the fit is loose but not baggy. They also feature an elastic waist, so you might not be able to tuck your shirt in.
New York by way of Texas favorite Wythe does a great summer pant that is made of a cotton linen slub-twill fabric. Breathable but not too casual. The perfect shade of khaki is based on the original 1940s U.S. chino.
Supreme makes great (mostly) logo-free pants at a very good price. These are made from a cotton-twill blend that is tough and will wear in nicely. They also come in six colors, but I am partial to brown or green. For this price, get both.
Everything from Copenhagen-based Fugazi-loving mfpen is created using deadstock fabrics. These are from Italian deadstock wool. Double pleats, but nice and roomy. You can wear these out on a summer night and look better than everyone else.
[Editor’s note: Mfpen lists its prices in Euro; the price shown is an approximation.]
Can you recommend some short-sleeved button-down shirts that aren’t camp collar or linen?
The short-sleeved button-down can be a challenge. I don’t like camp collars, either. They have had a chokehold on celebrities and civilians alike for far too long. Look at Ryan Reynolds at any press junket in the last decade, and you are gonna see a camp collar. You also want to avoid looking like a substitute teacher in the 1980s or an extra in Swingers. Luckily for us, there are plenty of good options out here.
I have one of these in a university stripe that I stole from my dad a decade ago, and I wear it every summer. It’s simple, classic, and can be worn buttoned up or open with a T-shirt underneath.
The Brits at Sunpel produce a wide range of high-quality garments. This Sea Island Cotton button-down shirt is no exception. Made from the best cotton in the world, this one will work at the beach or in the city.
This might be the perfect summer shirt. The double gauze gives the shirt an interesting texture but also provides maximum breathability. The earthy color palette is merely a bonus.
The popover shirt has a silly name but can be a fun option. It’s just a woven garment that has four buttons at the top of the shirt. The half-placket stops at the center of the chest. This one from the prep kings at J. Press is made from breathable madras and comes in a summery pink, green, and red plaid.
As a fellow form queen, do you have any recommendations for gym shorts that don’t cut circulation or break the bank?
Gym attire has gotten completely insane. A survey of my local Equinox will feature everything from three-inch running shorts to cut-off sweatpants with Timberlands. I don’t even understand people who wear pants, seems weird to sweat in pants? I digress, but needless to say, it’s a jungle out there. For me, it’s about being practical and understated. Let the plates do the talking.
I have bought so many pairs of these it’s embarrassing. For a cardio day (inside or outside) these are the perfect shorts. I like a lined short. Just makes life easier. The pockets can handle all the necessities. Stick with black.
If we are squatting heavy, a longer option is helpful. I have had great luck with Salomon shorts (but mercifully somehow never succumbed to the XT-6 trend). These fit perfectly around the leg and come down a little lower than my usual five-inch. Perfect for a PR.
Half-tights aren’t for everyone, but if you are running outside (or on the Woodway), these are essential. They look great, keep everything in place, and they prevent any chafing if you are training for a marathon. The Japanese woven drawcords give them a little added flavor.
These are the lightest gym shorts I own, and it’s no surprise they come from Vancouver-based outdoor innovator Arc’teryx. Made from high-performance recycled polyester, they have a discrete logo and a zippered pocket on the back.
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