Whew! Thanks for your patience while I come up for air; my wardrobe consulting has been going gang-busters! Many thanks to my clients for your trust and support!
So, here we are at Independence Day weekend. Summer is upon us with all its heat and humidity. You, like I, might be spending as much time as possible poolside. Here in the states I see a trend with poolside dressing. That would be a polo shirt (OK) and the swim trunks or a t-shirt and the cargo-pocket board shorts (less attractive to my eye…..)
Women seem to get it right, they have gauzy cover-ups, and floppy hats. The distaff take effort to look good in and out of the water. Why don’t we do the same?
Take a linen shirt, for example. Pair it with a tailored swimsuit. Make use of a Panama hat. Consider a Breton striped pullover. It doesn’t take much.
(Photo cribbed from this site. A great example of how to travel in high style.)

Totally agree with your last paragraph. That is my standard poolside/beach wear. Linen shirt, and bathing suit with shorter leg,1960’s style, ala Thunderball. Now it I could just find a terry cloth shirt.
I think I got this right when I was a young man, but I am now 59 and I am trying to figure out how a gentleman transitioning into his older years can still pull this off while being appropriately dressed and elegant at the same time.
O do not understand the trend among grown men to wear board shorts that are too baggy and below the knee. I am much more a fan of the tailored shorter boardshorts/trunks, which often get cold stares. When and why did this (baggy short cargo short trend) become fashionable or the norm?
MP, try Mr. Porter or Sunspel for the terry cloth shirt.
Todd, there’s a lot to be said for a tailored shirt and trunks… think butcher stripe shirts and solid bathing trunks.
Sean, I don’t know. I think they were the first wave of skateboarders and snowboarders… I get longer. If you’re actually on a surfboard.
Dear Chris,
You are so right about just adding a little touch for making it look more stylish!
Wishing you and yours a very Happy 4th of July!
Kindest regards,
Mariette
Sean, I concur. 7 inch inseam should be the max. 5″ is my preference. While this company caters to a younger crowd, they do sell only short shorts: http://www.chubbiesshorts.com/collections/the-swim-trunks
I also like gant and bonobos’ swim offerings.