What to Wear to a Barbecue for Men

Barbecue gatherings are a staple for people across the country during the summer months. While the average barbecue is typically a casual affair, you’ll still want to have the right clothes in your wardrobe to look great and be comfortable all evening and into the night. Let’s look at some basic tips on what to wear to a barbecue for men.

At Vintage 1946, many of our items are perfectly suited for barbecues. We aim to combine classic styles with modern comfort and performance, meaning you can use these garments not only for barbecues but plenty of other activities, as well. Shop our collection today to get ready for a memorable summer!

Casual Doesn’t Mean Sloppy

There is a misunderstanding on the part of some men that casual wear is the same as sloppy, ill-fitting clothing. That certainly doesn’t need to be the case. No, you probably won’t want to wear a tuxedo or a suit to a barbecue, but you can still select quality garments that fit well and represent your sense of style.

Taking a quick look around the Vintage 1946 site reveals some of the kinds of items that make for great barbecue wear. Our collections include comfortable and stylish shorts, short sleeve button-down shirts, basic t-shirts and more.

The Right Shorts

Perhaps the most important piece you should have available in your closet for a barbeque is an excellent pair of shorts. Sure, you might not wear shorts to every single barbeque you attend, but they will be the right choice more often than not. Here’s what to look for in the best men’s shorts for a barbecue:

• Comfort. This should be at the top of the list, because you want to be free to have a fun, relaxing evening at a barbecue. You shouldn’t feel like your clothes are holding you back. Our Stretch Twill Flat Front Shorts highlight this concept perfectly. The stretch fabric means your shorts won’t feel too restrictive, yet the design offers a classic, timeless look that will work well with many different shirts.
• Quick Drying. Barbecues are often held around the water, so you might find yourself out on a boat or even wading into a pool or lake. Shorts that will dry quickly after getting wet—like our Micrograph Sport Shorts—will allow you to continue on with the event without feeling like you need to change. Traditional cotton shorts will stay wet for a long time and leave you feeling uncomfortable, so opting for a synthetic material is a big upgrade in performance.
• Proper Inseam. One of the biggest problems with men’s shorts is improper inseam length. Wearing shorts with an inseam that is too long for your needs not only looks sloppy, but is also uncomfortable. You’ll find various inseam lengths available at Vintage 1946, including the 5.5’’ inseam on our Stretch Snappers. Prefer something a bit longer? Our traditional Snappers offer a 7’’ inseam for more leg coverage.

Once you know what to look for in a new pair of shorts, it’s pretty easy to find a pair that has all of the performance and style features that you desire—especially if you are shopping at Vintage 1946.

Keep Your Shirt Options Open

Having a good selection of shorts in your wardrobe is the foundation of barbecue wear for men. You can then pick from many different types of shirts to complete the look. You will usually want to start with a short sleeve shirt, like our Micro Pique Polo, but you could go even more casual with something like our Negative Slub Pocket Crew Neck.

Remember that a barbecue outing might last well into the night, in which case having another layer on hand is a good idea. A quarter zip pullover jacket is a nice option to have on hand, since it should be light enough to not overheat you while still providing the insulation you need. Check out our Space Dyed Micro-Fleece Quarter Zip for one great option.

Create Your Own Style

The ideas above should serve as a great starting point as you think about what you will wear to barbecues during the upcoming season. Don’t forget, however, to include your own style and create a look that is true to your personality. With such a diverse product lineup on our site, you should be able to find more than a couple of garments in our collection that help round out your wardrobe. Happy shopping!