Travel Companions

The prospect of New York in late July is comparable to the idea of St. Petersburg in January - a great place but you would rather be there some other time of year. Nonetheless, the die is cast. Or, rather, the tickets are purchased and I will be on my way there this weekend.

Two items of clothing that never fail to give good service for summer travel are slip-on shoes and high twist trousers (and if I mention them frequently it is because they are so useful). Slip-ons take their wearer through airport security faster (especially if he keeps a shoe horn in his carry-on) while their smaller-than-oxfords scale pairs well with lighter summer clothing. Wear them with 12, or better yet 16 ounce (450ish gram) high twist trousers that resist wrinkling and wear cool. Perhaps surprisingly, though you might not be happy outdoors for any length of time, even 16 ounce trousers from high twist cloth are perfectly comfortable in temperature conrolled environments. They have been my go-to travel trouser since I first wore them - and if necessary I can wear the same pair three times in a week and they will look fresh with no more attention than a hanger for the night.

In the photo, Norwegian slip-on shoes and 12 ounce Brisa trousers from Lovat Mill. In between, another summer travel companion: Bresciani's gray ribbed linen socks.