Once again, the ongoing revolution in male clothing – a revolution in concept, form and content – is moved forwards in terms of contemporary aesthetics by Giorgio Armani, who rolls out the classic canon of his style with a message of constant elegance. With total self-confidence, a variety of attitudes are expressed through colour, this summer’s star performer, together with oversized graphics that are unmistakably Armani.

Indispensable as ever, shades of grey present a virtuoso display of patterns, from shirts in masculine weaves to ties that define the body or at times seem to blend into the background. A succession of stripes identifies the suits, in a game of graphics that extends down to the shoes. The holiday season and long sunny days of summer are evoked by shades of Havana brown lit up by gleams of light and the shimmer of silk on linen. Suits with a city slant appear super-light in pale, luminous colours teamed with lovely loose pieces like the shirt that recalls a small bomber jacket, or the unlined jacket in distressed treated leather.

Denim plays a vital role: lightweight and treated, it brings an unexpected dimension to casual suits, which sometimes include a waistcoat. The sky blue tones of the shirts, with micro geometric designs that range from stripes to azulejo tile patterns, emphasise the impact of plain white suits. Majorelle blue is either bright for contrast or faded for a touch of relaxed joie de vivre. For an energetic walk there are lace-up two-tone shoes with rope inserts; alternatively, look for versions in woven leather like Viennese straw, or ankle boots in ray-effect tanned leather.