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.
Can you recommend swim trunks?
As we inch closer to warm weather, it is, in fact, time to start swim trunk shopping. The only goal here is to avoid the dreaded knee-grazing boardshorts or anything that could lead you to wear boxers in the water. A few years ago at the Prada outlet in Palm Springs, I was seduced by a pair of navy trunks that had a questionable, even for me, 3-inch inseam. Needless to say, they mostly stay in the closet. Luckily for you and me, there are plenty of great options out there.
You probably know Vilebrequin for its loud printed suits, which I avoid like the plague. I have had a solid blue pair of swim trunks for over ten years and they still look great. The drawstrings have heavy-duty Zamak (zinc, aluminum, copper, and magnesium alloy) tips, and every suit comes with a little bag for storage, which is very handy if you leave the beach with your trunks still a bit damp.
These are the best shorts on the market, and you can also swim in them. They are the perfect length and lined, and they dry surprisingly fast. They come in a wide array of colors. Buy them now, as they sell out every summer.
Swim trunks are a place to experiment with color. This style from Stüssy comes in a great shade of “classic green,” and they have a slightly longer inseam and a zipper pocket on the back.
Again, have a little fun. This pair of trunks from Polo is done in a fun vintage bandanna-patchwork print that is eye-catching but not obnoxious.
Thanks to insurance, I can splurge on glasses. What eyewear brands would you recommend?
Kudos to your employer for providing vision in your insurance package. I hope the 401(k) and bonus structure are just as robust. I was a lifelong glasses wearer until I finally took the plunge and got LASIK surgery with Dr. Feinerman in Laguna Beach. I had a signature pair of round yellow frames from Cutler and Gross that I wore for years. I miss them sometimes! Let’s find you some good options.
I love this understated round pair made from high-grade titanium. They are superlight and have some nice engraved details on the bridge and temples. A true everyday pair of glasses.
Oliver Peoples is one of the most classic eyewear brands on earth, so it’s hard to choose just one style. The Finely has been around since 1993 and will look good on anyone, especially in this light tortoiseshell.
This pair from London’s Cutler and Gross is more substantial and the style harks back to movie stars of the 1950s. They are handmade in Italy from a dark tortoise, which works well. Black would feel too heavy.
Legendary New York–based Moscot has been making glasses for over 100 years. I have had several pairs in my time and can attest to their quality and the brand’s customer service. This style is a slightly funky shape — maybe you’re feeling playful!
What’s your take on elevated sandals for the upcoming warm weather?
This is a complicated inquiry; “elevated sandals” are inherently uncool, but I understand being attracted to the breathability. Regardless of which sandals you pick from this wide array, the key to pulling them off is making sure to only wear them in the right environment. I better not catch you at the midtown DMV on a blazing July day with your little toes out.
My friend and former colleague Taka Kasuga, who is the vice-president of design at Arc’teryx in Vancouver, wore these sandals all the time and they looked extremely cool. They are simple, but the strap configuration is very unique, making them oddly comfortable.
These are minimal but still have a durable Vibram sole, they lean a little outdoors, but I have faith that you could dress them up if need be.
You want elevated, you get elevated. Made in Italy from lightweight matte rubber in a nice shade of blue, these will work on the beach or in the city (if you absolutely must).
This is one of the most underappreciated Birkenstock styles. The brand stopped making them for several years, but mercifully, they are back. Done in the classic taupe suede, they feel a little dressier than the Arizona and a little more breathable than the Boston.
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