Summertime and the living is easy, right? Unfortunately, many men find staying stylish in the heat more of a challenge than it should be.

Cloudy skies bring out the desire to dress to impress: rainy days are great for waistcoats, blazers, and puffer vests. But when the sun comes out, so do the boardshorts, old shirts and flip-flops, as most guys ditch the idea of looking good, in favor of feeling great.

Let's take a look at our best hairstyles for Summer 2017

1: Wild & Wavy

Hair is a lot like any other physical attribute: if you’ve got it, flaunt it. Younger guys in their 20s who have taken care of their hair will most relate to the challenges of styling a messy mop, but if you do it right, it’ll be more of a blessing than a curse.

In the warmer weather, you may be tempted to cut it short to keep cool. Ask your barber to take some off the sides but leave the top untouched – that way, you’ll be free to dress it up or down as the mood suits you. And keep your face either close-shaven or with only a hint of stubble, to keep all eyes fixed on what’s on top.

After a shower and a quick wash, allow your hair to dry on its own. Apply a paste to the roots and ruffle your locks by swiping your hands through them. Want some extra volume? A little sea salt spray goes a long way, and will give you a vague, just-out-of-the-water scent – perfect for warm evenings beside the pool.

2: Cool Curls

Curls give an impression of youth – which means they’re great for anyone who wants to look a little younger. They’re also potentially irritating in summer, leaving little ringlets hanging around eyebrows. Your solution: proper care.

After a wash, rub your hair dry with a clean towel, which will help to create some volume and shape, then rake through a water-based pomade with your fingers to give it some some shine. Look after your curls and they’ll serve you well, giving you a rugged yet refined look: this is good news for those guys who spend summer between surfboards and shots of whisky.

3: The Crop

 This is a great style for any guy who either doesn’t have much hair to work with, or not much time to do it. It’s also perfect for summer, as you can jump in and out of the waves without worrying about what all that activity is doing to your look – and it frames the hard lines of your face without making you feel like it’s getting in the way.

The crop is generally favored by older guys who worry about thinning hair, as it creates an illusion of thicker hair. Ask your barber to keep the sides short, and shave a little higher than he usually would – this will keep the texture of your hair to the top of your head, allowing you to style it in dramatic directions.

Style it with a quick blow dry and a very small amount of moisturizing conditioner. To match your face and hair, you could grow out your beard to help shape your face structure and add some charisma: this looks great with a beer on the beach. 

4: Slick & Shiny

Big hair might look like a lot of work, but if you know what you are doing, it can be surprisingly low-maintenance. Between long hours in a hot office and longer evenings at parties, summer can get pretty busy, and the last thing a popular guy needs to is to spend hours primping in front of a mirror.

Stand out from the cocktail crowd with a head of hair designed to be noticed. Check with your barber that he’s taken your face shape into account when sculpting your fade: a rounder face will need a close shave, while a narrower one can benefit from a looser cut.

After you’ve given your hair a thorough blow dry, brush it up and off your face to build some volume, then apply a stabilizing wave directly to the roots to keep it in place – this will create a show-stopper effect at the hottest summer party.

5: Short Back & Sides 

Cool and classic, the short back and sides never seems to go out of style. One reason: it’s smart. Comfortable and convenient for the guy on the go who needs to be everywhere all at once, it goes without just about any outfit.

The best part: this cut requires no attention at all. You could invest in a shampoo with an SPF, to keep your scalp from becoming burnt, but the most important thing is to ensure it’s clean, and well moisturised. Summer wedding? This cut goes great with a suit.