Summer in Canada is a truly marvelous time of year, when we shed our bulky coats and parkas and let our pasty skin taste the sun. It’s a time for barbeques, drinking on patios and letting the stress of the long winter months melt away. The perfect summer wardrobe reflects this change in mood, and allows you to stay cool, comfortable and,of course, stylish.

For some advice on summer essentials, the Sharp style team sought the expertise of Joseph Abboud, the design talent behind the slick new men’s line Black Brown 1826, available at The Bay. Here are six warm weather staples to keep you looking sharp through the summer months.

The Panama Hat : A longtime favourite of Hollywood honchos, Central American sugar barons and other sorts of tropical kingpins, no piece of headwear is as classically “summer” as the Panama hat. Except maybe those baseball caps that hold beer cans. But definitely get one of these instead. Biltmore Excello, $110.

Aviators: Channel your inner Maverick with a pair of aviator sunglasses. This classic style from DSquared2 comes in a variety of shapes to suit all faces. To protect your eyes, remember to invest in a pair of sunglasses that are UV coated like these. $290, available at Holt Renfrew.

The summer scarf: Add instant panache to an otherwise ordinary ensemble with a colourful lightweight scarf like this one from Etro. Wear it draped loosely around your neck atop a jacket or blazer for a look that is casual, refined and very summer. $295, available at Holt Renfrew.

The clasic polo: Another garment that scores big points in terms of versatility is the short-sleeved polo shirt. Good for a round of golf, some patio cocktails or a casual brunch, you can’t really go wrong with this collared classic. Grab a few in bright colours, or nautical stripes, to kick your wardrobe up a notch this summer. Polo $75, Nautica*.