Summer Looks To Wear Now, As Seen On Southeast Asia’s Stylish Men
From showing skin to layering with intention, here’s how the region’s most fashionable men are taking on summer in style
Cool for the summer
The heat has been relentless in Southeast Asia, thanks to the fire fits that these men have been rocking this summer.
With these guys, it’s less about reinventing the wheel than showing how something already expected can be worn—and worn well, at that. Summer will always have shorts, linen, tank tops, and the like. These questions still stand: who’s wearing these outfits well, how can you get inspired by their looks, and how will you stand out?
Let’s check out some cues from the region’s most stylish men:
Breathe easy
Pond Naravit has been fond of letting a few buttons loose for some of his shirts, as seen in his recent Versace fits. It works quite well for soft, oversized tops that don’t wrinkle, keeping the overall look relaxed instead of sloppy.
The bold prints are already a statement in itself, and combined with the half-open look, it can be balanced with plain jeans or trousers and finished with sleek footwear: leather boots to dress it up, or open-toed sandals to channel vacation vibes. Finish with your favorite pair of oversized glasses, and you’re all set.
However, if you want to keep cool while still buttoned up, check out how Meerqeen styles a knitted top. It still screams ‘vacation’ without showing too much, and rest assured that you’ll still feel the breeze on your body. It’s a look that shifts well from resort to airport in no time.
Layer responsibly
Yes, ‘summer’ and ‘layer’ are two terms that can coexist. Like Thien Minh, you can never go wrong with a simple tee and shorts combination, topped with a short-sleeved shirt and completed with sandals.
But if you want a way to shield yourself from the sun, check out how Apo Nattawin and Michael Sager still look cool with longer sleeves.
For the Thai superstar’s Dior look, he pairs the white tee with a white long-sleeved shirt and sky blue shorts, contrasted by black socks and one of the season’s most coveted shoes: the chunky and eye-catching B35 NXXT Sneaker.
Meanwhile, Michael sports a similar look, opting for an almost-monochromatic ensemble: cream-colored pants and a button-down over a white tank top. With sleeves rolled up just below the elbows, this allows you to highlight a few accessories of your choice. In the Filipino actor’s case, it’s a simple silver watch.
Depending on your preference, this fit can also accommodate a few necklaces or statement rings. Gold makes the look stand out, while silver maintains a cooler, more nonchalant vibe.
The trick is to be mindful of your fabric choices. So as long as they’re breathable, you won’t feel sweaty and sticky underneath that added layer of protection.
Guns out
But let’s get real: Southeast Asian summers are the best excuse to wear anything sleeveless anytime, anywhere.
Whether you’re simply sunbathing at home like Thailand’s Jeff Satur, or navigating Bangkok’s bustling markets like the Philippines’ Kobie Brown, the key element with these looks is confidence. So as long as you love your body and are not afraid to show more, then by all means, get those guns out.
Less fabric on top means more chances of, well, adding more everywhere—wear your favorite cap, don a cool pair of specs, sling a statement bag over your body, accessorize to your heart’s content, be liberal with the fit of your pants or shorts, and be bold with your shoe choices.
Photos courtesy Instagram/Pond Naravit, Meerqeen, Thien Minh, Apo Nattawin, Michael Sager, Jeff Satur, Kobie Brown
