By Christian Rose-Day

You sir; you look like a chap who is in need of some serious leisure time. A brief sojourn from the quotidian drudgery that furrows your worried brow. Sunshine is the perfect antidote for you. A few days’ worth should do the trick. Now make haste, you haven’t got a moment to lose. The car will be with you any moment to whisk you off to the station. You’ll need to gather a few bits together in a bag. And don’t be shy, now. You’ll want to leave a lasting impression with the peoples of your destination of choice. Best to throw in a few fitted garments, some coordinating colours, and a plethora of accessories, gizmos and whatsits. Think lightweight, neutrals and layers. The rest will fall into place once you step into the Sun’s warmth.

The Legs

When attempting a city break excursion, it’s best to avoid the fail safe ‘rambo’ look (heavy, khaki shorts with 28 pockets, none of which you’ll ever use). You should have been convinced by now that tailored shorts are the way to go (if you haven’t been reading up or seen the proof walking the streets, shame on you! You need to get out more often). The tailored short is Peter Crouch: a quality substitute used in times of need. If you’ve been rocking the chino or smart nautical theme recently, then the tailored shorts should be a cooler option when you hit the heat. These COS grey shorts with side tabs are a good place to start. They will set off the following ensemble nicely with a classic pair of deck shoes. Speaking of which….

The Feet

To sandal or not to sandal, that is the question. It all depends whether you’re a traditional sort of bloke or not, but for this particular essential ‘chap on hols’ look it’s best to meet half way and go sans sock + deck shoe (if it’s hot, you’ll thank me). American brand Sperry Top-Sider – apparently, the original boat shoe makers – are celebrating 75 years in the biz. The Seamate (as seen here) is one of three styles specifically designed for the anniversary collection. This white cotton canvas (and thankfully breathable) version will help to add to the element of silhouette that is running through this total outfit. GQ went goo-goo for them back in February so you really should have a pair by now.

The Head

Whether the weather is blistering or shady in your port of call, this Ted Baker Quiler Hat will not only extend to equal parts style and comfort, but also balance out the look. Plus, for the shrewd purchaser, if you happen to be flying out of Heathrow Airport on your way to holiday nirvana, wait until after you’ve checked in and buy it for only £24, thus saving yourself a handful of notes. You want a smart head, don’t you?

The Hair

It doesn’t matter what’s happening on The Face if The Hair is not corresponding. Short breaks require various looks for different times of the day, so it’s best to carry something that will hold strong, yet allow remoulding when necessary. This is where the new multipurpose Brylcreem Cream (so good they named it twice) helps. Invisible hold without a glossy or matt finish. Cricketer Kevin Pietersen is the new face of Brylcreem and he knows a thing or two about looking good all day in the sun.

The Body

Any chap worth his stylistic mettle simple must have a slogan T-shirt in the locker, and this ‘You Are Here’ number – as worn by the late John Lennon – is the kind of simplistic design you need to navigate towards. But then this is only because it needs to be mostly disguised under a jacket. Fully exposed T slogans: bad. Partially exposed T slogans: good. The kind of jacket you’ll need to make this happen should be light in colour (to contrast with the T-shirt and shorts).

Ideally, something like this white-trimmed jacket from German hot-right-now-and-aptly-named, Sopopular (who snatched up Premium’s Young Designers Award in Menswear this year). To top the top half off: always remember, accessories are not just for girls. Noose this White Stuff croupier check scarf with tassel detailing round your neck to complete the look and keep you cosy when the winds set in.

The Face

The Vitru Essential Grooming Bag is the real deal. For a start, it comes in a handy case with fastened sections for each bottle so that nothing gets thrown about in transit. Secondly, the whole blinking lot smells just like a spa weekend away. All that multi mineral complex, vitamin E and juniper fruit extract working together to make you look salubrious.

If you’re traveling by plane and only want to take a carry-on (sensible option, really) you might need to ditch the Fresh Wash – which literally sparkles with freshness – and the excellent Comfort Shave because they’re both more than 100mls. But then the shaving cream shouldn’t matter because you can shave before you leave (you’re only away for the weekend, after all). As an alternative, buy a couple of those nifty little plastic travel bottles from Boots, Superdrug etc and decant the goodness into smaller containers. The addition of Skin Salvage, Skin Scrub, and a Quick Fix tube for blemishes make it an ideal weekend chap pack.

The Smell

Diminutive in size (below Customs threshold at 75mls) but strong on potency, the minty, lemony eau de toilette Emporio Armani Diamonds Summer lasts a long time so you don’t need to carry it with you all day. For a further confidence boost, don’t forget about the breath. This retro pocket tin of sugar free After Beer mints from Simpkins is tres cool, especially as the tin has a sneaky mirror hidden in the lid. It’s always useful to be able to check the teeth situation after lunch.

The Beach

Those Lotharios intending on hitting the sand should pack the following items: Blauer’s tie-dye colour gradient shorts (sophisticated, especially with the button front pocket detail);

and, a fake tan courtesy of Celebrity Secrets Travel Sized Tanning Mousse (vitamin enriched, oil-free, alcohol-free, 100% natural ingredients, available with handy applying mitt to avoid replicating Arnie’s streaky ‘Commando’ camo look).

the lightweight Fat Punk Studios Corona Black sunglasses with sunset gradient lenses (killer graphics, minimum slippage, great UV protection, ideal for sports);

and, a fake tan courtesy of Celebrity Secrets Travel Sized Tanning Mousse (vitamin enriched, oil-free, alcohol-free, 100% natural ingredients, available with handy applying mitt to avoid replicating Arnie’s streaky ‘Commando’ camo look).

The Read

Good reading material is essential for hiding behind whenever perving on a populated beach, and whatever your standpoint on Bill Bryson may be, you can’t fault his very bloke-ish pursuit of anecdotal facts. Bryson’s latest book, At Home, is full to the roof with interesting trivia. The perfect dip-in-and-out book to occupy those few moments of the day when you’re not lounging in a piazza, admiring ancient architecture, and contemplating the sand between your toes. Also a nice little reminder what’s waiting for you when you get home.

The Bag

Of course you’ll need a bag to put all this good stuff in, so how about this large leather, chocolate brown Harrison holdall bag with striped cotton lining from White Stuff? It contains all manner of pockets and compartments for those travel goodies and gadgets. Which bring us nicely to….

The Gadget

You know how it goes: you get to the last day of your holiday and your phone runs out of juice or your iPod decides it’s had enough of turgid 90s Britpop. If only there were some way to harness the Sun’s everlasting energy and power those suckers back up again. Arise Sir Blue Powermonkey-eXplorer. The solarpanel which attaches to this little beauty does just that and can recharge a mobile up to three times, or supply 40 extra hours to your iPod. A favourite with Jenson Button, Guy Ritchie, Stephen Fry and even the British Army, the Powermonkey-eXplorer was actually designed by an ex-Royal Marine, so should come in handy when things really heat up.