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12 Last-Minute Summer Holiday Pieces For Under £100

Don't dive into that autumn/winter wardrobe just yet, friends

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The Brit abroad: a true picture of mirth. He's often red-skinned, joyous, sipping on a worryingly cheap beer on the far flung shores of southern Europe. And why not? We're a miserable old nation at heart, so you can't blame men - with our Vitamin D and general fun deficiencies - for largin' it during sparse windows of annual leave.

However, this scene, no matter how rapturous, isn't a particularly well-dressed one. Guys struggle to dress in the summer, and instead settle for flip flops last worn when Robbie Williams had a chart hit. Not a good thing. We so often blame the expense of the summer holiday itself - which, to be fair, is pretty costly - but we can still fill our suitcases without further torturing the credit card.

Here's the proof: our edit of top drawer holiday gear well below the £100 mark. 'The best holiday ever' can now be the best-dressed, too.

AllSaints

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Want a Hawaiian shirt, but don't want to look like an elderly Republican abroad? Fancy a spot of pink, but feel like you're riding in Barbie's convertible? No fear! AllSaints have just the ticket: a stylish, muted take on the tiki trend in a wearable colour to boot.

Helix Hawaiian Shirt, £85, allsaints.com

SHOP

Carhartt

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Yes, the denizens of Love Island may parade around in so-short-they're-asking-for-a-court-summons shorts. But that doesn't grant you carte blanche to do the same.

Opt instead for a classic chino short from the likes of Carhartt, with the ideal length falling somewhere below the mid thigh, but well above the knee. And no, hacked-up gym 'sweatshorts' most certainly do not count.

John Short, £39, endclothing.com

SHOP

River Island

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Designer Wayfarers: classic, yes. But also costly, and no doubt exactly the same pair as everyone else on your holiday.

So, settle for something a little different - and more affordable - from River Island. Octagonal shades stand apart from the rest of the holiday crowd, and at £14, you won't be too fussed if a round of water polo goes too far.

Rose Gold Octagon Sunglasses, £14, riverisland.com

SHOP

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Urban Outfitters

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Boardshorts are unsightly, and budgie smugglers are borderline illegal. That just leaves you with classic swimshorts, ideally some in equally classic stripes to meld a tricolour of wearable colours into one punchy summer staple. Thank you, Urban Outfitters.

90s Striped Swim Shorts, £30, urbanoutfitters.com

SHOP

Universal Works

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You're not owed anything this summer, least of all good weather. Makes sense, then, to enlist a sweater for the colder days from Universal Works. Better yet, a pastel shade lets you make the most of a summer wardrobe - even if it is chucking it down for all of July.

Loopback Cotton Jersey Sweatshirt, £80, mrporter.com

SHOP

Paul Smith

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The beach towel: a holiday essential so overlooked, men nationwide settle for an old faithful, only to roll it out, football crest and all, to the disdain of every non-Brit on the beach.

No excuses north of 25. Recruit a designer brand - much like Paul Smith - instead of your favourite provincial club, and thus paint a far cooler picture poolside.

Striped Beach Towel, £65, matchesfashion.com

SHOP

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Rains

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So you want the quality of leather, but you don't want to ruin it. And you don't want canvas, because that doesn't say quality. What are you to do, then?

Settle for Rains. This Danish label has eschewed the luxury backpackery of leather, but still exudes that very thing with a clean minimalist design and robust construction.

Pu Backpack, £75, selfridges.com

SHOP

Onia

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Polo shirts aren't all terrace tributes or five-a-side kits. Oh no. Thanks to New York label Onia, they're a far cooler alternative in versatile dove grey shades and breathable fabrics. Think more summer in the Hamptons than Sunday League.

Shaun Polo Shirt, £65, mrporter.com

SHOP

adidas

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OG is a criminally overused term. Although for adidas' most iconic pool slides, there's no better fit: these striped holiday essentials have been making holidays cooler since 1972, and still do so today. Which means you need a pair. Stat.

Adilette Slides, £29, endclothing.com

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M&S

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The granddad collar: an easy way to dress down stuffy tailoring, but by no means less smarter. To the contrary, a simple option from M&S - made in summer-friendly linen, may we add - is a stylish way to pivot from the typical suit-and-tie flex.

Pure Linen Striped Shirt, £35, marksandspencer.com

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Dickies

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Despite the (fingers crossed) searing temperatures, some dress codes just won't budge. Sound the bore klaxon with aplomb. Still, that doesn't mean you need to melt.

Wider leg trousers - a move increasingly popular as we thankfully bid adieu to skinny jeans - will provide some much needed breeze for the old proverbials, and straddle the looser side of smart-casual.

874 Charcoal Work Trousers, £45, urbanoutfitters.com

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Uniqlo

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Anime, once cast off as pure nerd territory, is now hot menswear property. It is still very nerdy. But as we come to embrace all cultural fringes, it makes sense to co-opt some simpler Japanese pop culture with Uniqlo's celebratory T-shirt range.

Jump 50th T-Shirt, £12.90, uniqlo.com

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