Summer outfits are all about the transition to lighter materials and a shift to open-toed footwear. We dive into seasonal outfits paired with our favorite watches from Cartier, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and more.
Tropical getaways, patio drinks, warm evening air. Ah yes, summer is just around the corner. With warmer days ahead, there also comes the shedding of layers and a transition to lighter materials such as silk and linen. A shifting preference in footwear might also be on the horizon, facilitating a changeover from loafers to sandals as more breezy, casual looks come into play. As watch lovers, an added layer of consideration might also be which timepiece to pair with your outfit. Whether your go-to watch is a leather strap beauty like a Mini Cartier Tank Allongée, or you have a partiality for two-tone pieces such as this Patek Philippe Nautilus 37, there is a way to style watches with every personality and sartorial style. Read on to find out which character fits you best.
The Minimalist
The Minimalist is all about the capsule wardrobe and the timeless essentials. When it comes to the classics, you can’t go wrong with the quintessential white tee and blue jeans. If you’re going to wear this on rotation, make sure to invest in a high quality white T-shirt that works hard, so you don’t have to. Our Legacy’s white tee is a sublime choice because of the way that it drapes on the body and just seems to ooze effortless cool. Birkenstock’s new Kyoto silhouette is also a must-have for the summer season. Its chic, contemporary design sets it apart from other Birkenstock sandals, but you still get the utilitarian functionality of an orthopedic footbed – if that’s not a win-win situation, I don’t know what is. To round off the look, carry all of your daily essentials in the cult-classic LL Bean Boat and Tote Bag in the “Natural” colorway, constructed with thick, structured canvas for an accessory that epitomizes “form meets function.” Lastly, to complement this classic look, what better watch to pair than a timeless Mini Cartier Tank Allongée with yellow gold and a clean white dial. As is the sentiment lately, there’s no longer such thing as a dress watch, and this philosophy invariably culminates in this classic look.
The Jacob Elordi
The name of this look gives away the inspiration but even so, it would probably be responsible to provide some context. In April 2023, Jacob Elordi was captured stepping out of his car with a Bottega Veneta Andiamo handbag and the Internet was understandably set ablaze. Although the object of affection here obviously played a large part of the frenzy, fashion aficionados were particularly distraught because of the tension between seeing a typically “LA gym bro look” paired with one of the most luxurious bags on the market. The unmistakable intrecciato leather bag of the Italian fashion house swinging carelessly on the arm of the Australian actor alongside a beanie and all-white Vans sneakers was certainly (and honestly, continues to be) a sight to be seen. To underscore the unexpectedness of the entire outfit, a vintage Piaget Emperador with a white gold dial is the perfect timepiece to complement the look. With its rectangular dial and its unique, distorted numerals on the face, this look is perfect for someone that possesses impeccable taste, knows it, but is too cool to worry about adhering to typical styling norms.
The Art Lover
For those with a creative nature and perhaps who dabble in some museum-hopping on the weekends, this aesthetic is an homage to you. Various textures come into play with this look, mixing and matching various luxurious materials for a distinguished look of unimpeachable taste. For fans of LEMAIRE, you’ll probably be familiar with the brand’s hallmark dry silk textile – a signature LEMAIRE fabric that retains a truly distinguished structure when worn both statically and in movement. To complement the mercurial quality of the trousers, wear a statement top such as Simone Rocha’s oversized shirt, which features plenty of ruffles and tonal textures that add to a beautiful silhouette. Rounding off the look, keep your essentials in the TOTEME suede tote bag and replace your sneakers with these opulent LEMAIRE piped slippers in Nappa lambskin. As a final touch for all of these sumptuous but understated textures and materials, pair the look with a Santos de Cartier in stainless steel. The square case and unmistakable design adds to the overall artistry of this sartorial style, balancing exquisite taste with minimalist essentials.
The Globetrotter
For the jetsetters with a necessity for comfort while traveling in planes or the need to feel breezy while taking business calls from a tropical beach, the Globetrotter aesthetic is sure to tick all of your boxes. With a head-to-toe linen look, this attire is designed to be comfortable while looking effortlessly chic. In another sense, this is the uniform look for casual luxury that will elevate your sartorial game. Of course, the look wouldn’t be complete with some Hermès sandals (“What, these old things? I just throw these on for grocery runs.”) and an oversized carryall bag for all of your travel essentials. As the ultimate statement timepiece, this dual-tone Patek Philippe Nautilus 37 adds a pop of color to an otherwise muted color palette. For those who love balance, this pairing is the ultimate combination of pared-back luxury with a bold, eye-catching timepiece.
The Night Owl
For those who are creatures of the night and prefer to thrive when the sun is down, of course we’ve put together an all-black look. As you would expect, items from Rick Owens – the Lord of Darkness, himself – come to play as the core pieces of this aesthetic. I am, transparently, a fan of the Paris-based designer and can attest to the fact that for those who prefer minimalist styling, it’s a very good idea to invest in some Rick pieces to keep in your wardrobe. Even before the launch of his eponymous label, Owens was known for his legendary pattern-making skills and this fact is clear why when you wear his pieces – the cut of each garment is made to accentuate the human form in unconventional ways and is constructed with the most luxurious of functional materials. This look highlights lounge pants with the brand’s signature drawstrings, paired with a simple black long-sleeve tee. Another great investment piece is a Maison Margiela Tabi. With its simple, Middle Eastern-inspired design, these babouche Tabi shoes are great for elevating any look in a subtle way with a wink of if-you-know-you-know. To balance the enigma of your midnight look, there is no better watch than the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Openworked Ceramic with a stunning skeletonized dial and an all-over black body. The watch also has a Moonphase complication that is just the touch of detail that any city vampire needs on their favorite timepiece.
