Written and Produced By James Vincent

Wow it’s already past the July 4^th  holiday people – summer is half over! Get moving! Time to not only get to the beach but also start some summer neighborhood exploring. Get out of your own and into another. In the spirit of the 50^th anniversary of 1967’s “The Summer Of Love” and if you enjoy vintage shopping as I do – and an increasingly amount of others as well– get into the “West of Wicker Park” neighborhood to find the groovy, upscale, designer vintage furniture  shop An Orange Moon https://anorangemoon.com/– Celebrating its 8th year, An Orange Moon, WINNER of BEST of CHICAGO, delights in offering the very best DESIGNER vintage furniture in the Midwest. View the offerings of An Orange Moon vintage furniture & design and find out why Ty McDaniel of AOM, is called the “King of Modern” and Lynne McDaniel the Goddess of WOW!

Whether it’s for a wedding, (& even for work!), a gallery opening or any other summer event that requires more than the standard sport coat with jeans – you simply can’t go wrong with a classic seersucker suit. It screams Summer. It’s lightweight and will go with almost any shirt/tie combo – and – leave the socks at home and slip on a classic pair of penny loafers and you’re good to go for any occasion.

Suit, Tailor Byrd Collection; Shirt, Nicole Miller; Tie, Jones New York; Belt, Tommy Hilfiger; Shoes, Cole Haan; Tie Bar & Pocket Square, Vintage; Jewelry, Model’s.

If ever there is a time to wear color, its summer. Put away the navy blazer for a while and break out into some bold color. The Summer Of Love was about love – but it was also about pattern and color in fashion. And if you’re too shy to go all out color, just get a colorful sport jacket and pair it with some slim, crisp khaki trousers, an updated strip dress shirt and a splashy tie for a breezy summer look.

Sport Jacket, Tommy Hilfiger; Shirt, Smyth & Gibson; Tie, Dockers; Trousers, Theroy; Belt, Tommy Hifiger; Tie Bar, Vintage; Ring, Model’s.

This same sport jacket will give you some extra bang-for-your-buck ‘cause it’s gonna go equally well with blue jeans – or as here – with a pair of white jeans. Throw in a floral print shirt and it really is a great dressed down/up look.

Shirt, Tommy Bahama; Jeans, AG; Sneakers, Nautica; Jewelry, Model’s.

What would an easy summer weekend look be without a simple pair of shorts and tee? But it’s so easy to notch up the style component with a classic heritage Polo shirt with a contrasting tiny print dark pair of shorts.

Polo, Penguin; Shorts, French Connection; Sneakers, Nautica; Wristbands, H&M; Ring, Model’s.

Tech fabrics weren’t around in abundance in ’67 – but they are today and they have fueled a whole new everyday fashion trend – Athleisure – that is hard to argue with on a warm, humid summer day. The cool comfort it affords as it wicks moisture off your body will invigorate you to get around the day and be cool, calm and collected.

Shirt & Shorts, Under Amour; Flip Flops, Polo Athletic Association; Wristbands, H&M; Watch, Model’s.

Got a semi-formal event to go to and no idea what to wear? Keep it simple for summer. A black sport jacket is a given – but get one with some texture to keep it lighter looking – like this one here with a contrasting patterned collar that you can pop up for some vintage flair.  Rather than the usual trousers or jeans – get something in between. These have jean styling but with a light weight trouser material. Forgo the collared shirt for summer. Instead spend a little extra for a tee in a soft luxurious fabric. V neck or crew – it’s up to you – enjoy your summer!

 Sport Jacket, Suslo Couture; Tee, Theory; Jeans, Theory; Wristband, H&M; Ring, Model’s.

*Photography, Alejandra Guerrero http://www.alejandraguerrero.com/; Model, Anderson for Ford Models Chicago; Grooming, Ashley Condron; Styling, James Vincent, Assistant Stylist, Kimberly Bergmark; https://www.tradeshowoffs.com/; Shot On Location at An Orange Moon, https://anorangemoon.com/