There’s a joke among New Englanders that we endure the long, brutal winters because the summers are genuinely that good. I’ve been hearing people say that since I grew up here in the ’90s—and now, having spent much of my career traveling the world, I can report that it isn’t hyperbole. From June through August (and some would say into September), New England is at its most seductive: the hydrangeas are in bloom, the lobster rolls somehow taste better, and the golden hour light turns cedar shake homes and windswept beaches into something cinematic.
That’s why New England dominates mood boards and algorithms this time of year. This corner of America has long been the source of effortless, all-American summer style, from breezy linen shirts and time-worn boat shoes to the lightweight sweaters we keep within arm’s reach for crisp Atlantic evenings.
Shopping Mr. Porter for my New England summer wardrobe feels particularly fitting—it’s the premier source for high-quality menswear I can wear in the summers, and travel with all year round, too—and the only thing more exciting than the arrival of the season’s first beach day is the arrival of one of those gorgeous white boxes. If your summer plans involve New England, here’s what I suggest you wear for the trip.
What to pack for:
For daytime exploring
Don’t underestimate how hot and sticky New England summers can be. That being said, the sweltering, sunny weather shouldn’t deter you from exploring all the choose-your-own-adventures that New England has to offer—you just need to find the right outfit that looks the part without breaking a sweat. Personally, I plan on living in a breathable linen set and a comfortable boat shoe this season. It’s the outfit I’m wearing for long, hot days perusing the curios at the Brimfield Antique Flea Markets out in the Berkshires, and also to the Boston Public Library’s free Concerts in the Courtyard series—and then for sunset drinks on my roof deck afterward.