As the weather where I am gets increasingly warmer, my thoughts have recently drifted off to summer – warm weather, beaches, tans and summer movies.
In my mind, not only is summer defined by things like movies, but movies define summer as well. There are so many iconic summer scenes in movies from Jaws to From Here to Eternity to National Lampoon’s Vacation, that it is clear life has begun to reflect art as we perpetually wait out the dreary, overcast winter months in anticipation of brighter and better days.
My all-time favorite movie is one that has absolutely nothing to do with summer or warmer weather, save for the last scene. Despite spending two-and-a-half hours in confinement with the prisoners at a cold, Maine prison, the last 30 seconds of The Shawshank Redemption leaves the viewer with a reunion of Andy and Red on a warm, summer day at a secluded beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. This place and time for them represented hope, a new life, a new beginning from the lives they had been forced to lead for so many years – much like summer represents for so many people every year.
Like so many famous summer movie scenes, summer fashion is also memorably iconic; it’s about swimwear, sunglasses, shorts and linen. It’s about boat shoes, polos and lightweight suits. And with all other seasons, there are certain things that are must-haves.
Using the last few seconds of that scene, and though the time-frame is 1967, I can spot quite a few summer items to own. So to segue into how this relates to style, I will make it very short and simple and use Andy and Red’s reunion to point out five summer musts for 1967, 2009, or any year. First, some reference:
Pause the video at 1:25 for a good shot of Red, and then pause the video at 1:32 for a good shot of Andy. Taking from these two snapshots and then adding one of my own, here are five summer essentials, the Shawshank edition:
The white button-up
While sanding his boat, Andy knows there is no better way to stay cool and still avoid the scorching sun than a white button-up shirt. The standard-issue summer shirt, this classic invokes thoughts of walking along the beach in a swimsuit with just one of the shirt’s middle buttons clasped as well as sitting down to an outdoor lunch wearing this shirt, jeans and loafers. Most commonly found in linen, cotton or poplin, the white button-up can be dressed up or down for most summer events.
Currently, Calvin Klein sells a well-fitting one in cotton (on sale for $33) that has just the proper slim fit in the torso and sleeves.
Shorts
When you live in a place like Zihuatanejo and have a business that involves a boat, you are going to be in shorts most of the time during summer. The trick in shorts is to find something that is comfortable in heat, but durable; shorts that fit well, but that are not too baggy or long. No matter what the shorts (swimsuit, casual, athletics), your shorts should come to just above the knee. Just no denim, please. Not in 2009.
A pair like Andy is wearing are classic: khaki colored, not too baggy and durable – perfect for cleaning the boat or taking someone out in it. For a modern, affordable pair of shorts, check out Tommy Hilfiger’s canvas Brooklyn Short. They are available in three colors, are plain and flat-front and a perfect fit.
Loafers
I have had the flip-flop debate with many people in the past, and my stance continues to be as follows: You can appropriately wear flip flops three places – the beach, the pool and at a community shower. That’s my list.
Andy would certainly have been within his rights to wear flip flops, being on the beach, but you can tell that he has put some thought into the fact that since he will be doing other things, such as climbing on a boat, he needs appropriate shoes – and not only appropriate for the activity, but for the season.
Loafers are also one of those multi-purpose items. They can be paired with shorts, jeans, khakis, or a number of other options in the summer. And don’t just think about brown when you hear loafers; blue and white have become very popular colors in recent years.
Here is a more modern, funky version of the loafer from Guess. The pattern on top provides a little unique-ness from your standard penny-version and comes in three colors.
Weekend Bag
If you are taking a short summer trip (or if you don’t own terribly much, as in Red’s case), you need a simple, no fuss bag that you can throw in the trunk and take on a weekend excursion to your favorite spots. You never want to be carrying around the large suitcases or suitbags or trunks when you will just be gone 48 hours, so take some advice from Red and learn to pack light for your travels.
As can be expected, bags will run you a bit more than your average shirts, shoes or shorts, but that should never deter you from finding value in something that is so practical.
If you are looking for your first weekend bag, check out Fossil’s new Nevada duffle bag. A perfect size for a couple of changes of clothes and a pair of shoes, you won’t need anything else for your weekend getaway.
Sunglasses
While not appearing in our scene from above, I am assuming Andy’s sunglasses are lying next to him on the boat when we see him again. He also wore a nice pair while driving his convertible to Mexico, so that can suffice for our needs as well.
Sunglasses need no more explanation as to why they are a must. The only hard thing about them is what to choose. Tortoise shell or solid? More square or more round? Aviators or wrap-arounds? There are endless choices.
For a classic, structured, summer style, give the Kenneth Cole Reaction aviators a glance. Metal frames and the double support bar mean more durability, and quite frankly, I don’t know if you can find a cooler-looking pair of sunglasses for the price. These sell for $55 online.
So as warmer weather and debating shorts makes me hope for summer and what always seems like the best time of year, Andy sums up my thoughts well. If you feel like I do, and you’ve just about had enough talk of dismal times and dark days, hope always provides some freedom:
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
