Men's Notebook: Dressing for the uncertainty of the British summer

Be prepared
In these climatically uncertain times one knows whether to dress for sun or rain, heatwave or Arctic breeze. So hedge your bets (above): medium weight cotton shorts (these boat print ones are by Band of Outsiders, £295) with a top and cashmere jumper (polo, £165 and sweater £475, both Massimo Alba). It's the pefect interseason ensemble. Just don't forget your pac-a-mak, swimming trunks and thermals. All from MrPorter.com

Back to Black

IC! Berlin Frames (£209) fitted with Transitions light-adaptive lenses
The light-adaptive lens specialist Transitions Optical has spent the past five years developing a lens that reacts to light conditions almost instantly. The result is Transitions Signature which is billed as an 'everyday' lens (it also produces ranges for intense sunlight and outdoor sports). I spent a day trying out a pair of hand made IC! Berlin frames (shown £209) with the Signature lenses and was impressed at how they faded from dark to clear within a couple of seconds as sunlight and cloud coverage changed, and as I moved from inside to the outdoors. They can work with any prescription and frame and block out 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays. Transitions.com

READ: Men's guide to sunglasses

Handsome hybrid

Garrett II Rothko, £105 from G-star.com
The Garret II Rothko Mix by the denim specialist G Star is a handsome hybird of a shoe: part brogue and part boat shoe. Team with a Breton stipe top, a cropped chino or pair of jeans and - whisper it - a flash of un-socked ankle. Good value at £105 from G-star.com

Acne meets Borsalino

Aldo hot by Borsalino and Acne, £230 acnestudios.com
Rakish hats on men's heads have been far more common than cloudless days over the past few summers. This season, Acne has collaborated with the Italian milliners Borsalino to produce a range of Panamas: wern at a jaunty angle and a pair of retro sunglasses to conjure all that is good about masculine style. Benigni with black trim, £190; Aldo with yellow or blue trim, £230. acnestudios.com

Six best: patch pocket tee shirts

Top row :red marl contast yolk tee £14, River Island . Pocket detail tee £70, Kenzo at Matches. Grey camo pocket tee £10, Burton Bottom row : I Am Gold tee £27, I Am Floyd . Skull print pocket front tee £175 Alexander McQueen at

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