With summer brings the season of socialising with weddings, the races and parties galore. British menswear brand Hackett at Bluewater has it covered thanks to its smart tailoring service and dedicated style team. With elegant formalwear and luxurious casualwear, there is an outfit to suit every modern gentleman, whatever his style.

Chris Simmons, manager of Hackett at Bluewater is on hand to share his tips and fashion inspirations on how to create a modern and effortlessly stylish look this summer.

1. The Suit

You can’t go wrong with a classic, fitted three-piece suit. For the warmer months, opt for a crisp neutral colour such as cool grey, which can be dressed up or down. Grey is a really versatile colour as it pairs easily with black or brown accessories.

Three Piece Morning Suit, £750 

Check jackets are a current fashion trend, in particular Window Paine and Pow Checks patterns, which are ideal for those who want to add some character to their outfit.

A classic morning suit is without doubt the ultimate sophisticated look for formal weddings and events such as the races.

For a more casual look, keep it light and fresh with cream or light blue chinos paired with a white or light blue shirt. Complete the look by adding either a checked linen or hopsack jacket in a neutral colour such as brown or tan.

Left: Boys Classic Chino, £60; Centre: Hackett Mayfair Loro Piana Hopsack Jacket, £550 ; Right: Green Blue Windowpane Blazer, £500

2. Tailoring

Even luxury clothes can be spoiled by a bad fit. Head to Bluewater to meet our in-store style experts, who, as part of Hackett’s tailoring service, ensure suits are always well-fitted and looking sharp.

Hackett Mayfair Large Check Suit, £945

Make sure the arms of the jacket are short enough to be able see a pop of colour from the shirtsleeve. Jackets should be taken in at the waist to give a nice body silhouette. Plus, it’s important to make sure trousers are finished to the right length; they should sit just on top of the laces.

3. Accessories

When choosing a tie, select one with a single strong base colour or a subdued pattern for an elegant look. Bright ties should be worn with a plain pocket square, preferably white – avoid polka dot or paisley. Pastel colours are also very popular at the moment and can soften a dark suit.

Hackett Mayfair Loro Piana Double Breasted Hopsack Jacket, £600

When folding a tie, make sure the knot is not oversized and be sure to have the notch underneath the knot. For a more informal look, skip the tie and just wear the pocket square.

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with colour. Brighten a plain outfit with accessories such as colourful socks and pair with an on-trend loafer or a double monk strap.

Left: Pocket Square with border, £30; Centre: Solid Socks in green, £14; Right: Solid Grenadine Tie in green, £85

Head to Hackett at Bluewater to try on stylish summer outfits, plus enjoy over 300 stores with an unrivalled mix of fashion brands offering the latest trends and buys for every occasion.