Picnic Outfit Ideas for Men: What to Wear and How to Style It

| Picnic Blankets | Champagne Buckets | Home Throws | Umbrellas | Tote Bags | Candles | Alpaca socks |
Wondering what to wear to a picnic as a guy? Whether you're heading to a summer gathering with friends or dressing to impress on a picnic date, the right outfit can make all the difference.
Picnics are their own beast. You’ve got to bring something good to eat, bring your best conversational starts and the most important part, you’ve got to look great, especially if you are planning a picnic date.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what to wear to a picnic—based on the weather, the vibe, and the occasion. Plus, we’ll recommend a few stylish picnic accessories like British wool blankets and umbrellas to complete the look.
Quick Summary
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This guide covers stylish picnic outfit ideas for men, including what to wear on a picnic date
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Outfit suggestions are tailored for both sunny and cloudy weather
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Includes accessory tips like wool picnic blankets, British umbrellas, tote bags, and champagne buckets
What To Wear When It’s Sunny At A Picnic
Linen
It’s all about breathability. It’s incredibly important for you to make sure that you are not getting hot. Hot means sweating, sweating means clothes getting wet and wet clothes are never, ever good. Not only does linen keep you cool, they’re an incredibly versatile garment. You can wear them with jeans, loafers, trainers and chinos, the possibilities are endless!
Loafers
A good pair of loafers can be a guy's best friend for years. They are great for any occasion but we think they’re best when it’s nice and sunny outside. You can wear them with or without socks, so you can pair them with jeans, chinos or shorts. Picnics are all about looking relaxed and giving off a chill vibe and loafers do exactly that.
Shorts
Shorts are important, they’re freedom in clothing form and like the trusty loafer, give you an easy way to look relaxed and picnic-ready.
A benefit to shorts is that they also allow you to be able to play picnic games comfortably! Frisbee? Rounders? Croquet? Shorts mean you’ve left the door open to fun and games! An easy must-wear at a picnic.
Long sleeve t-shirt
A theme in this article is definitely flexibility, and all the best outfits have some form of it. That's because picnics are malleable get-togethers, they’re flexible! So dressing to match that mood is important, and a long sleeve t-shirt can be a great way to do that. Whether it’s a plain shirt, has a cool graphic print or is striped, they’re incredibly great ways to dress in a cool, breezy fashion.
What To Wear When It’s Cloudy At A Picnic
Cropped trousers
The easiest way to look stylish at a picnic is with a nice pair of cropped trousers. You can compliment them with some nice dressy socks, or you can go bare ankled for a casual, easy going look. It’s all dependent on your footwear! The great thing about cropped trousers is that they give you an open door to endless footwear options. You can wear loafers, trainers, boots or sandals. The footwear world is your oyster with cropped trousers.
Cotton t-shirt
Picnics are all about that cosy feeling of being surrounded by the people you love, and what’s cosier than cotton? A cloudy picnic can’t dampen your mood when you're in your snug cotton t-shirt. The tighter weave will keep you warmer on cloudier days, not just that but the freedom will give you the ability to throw anything over yourself like a cardigan, a button-up shirt or a jacket.
Flannel shirt
A flannel shirt can be an incredible piece in anybody’s wardrobe. No flannel is the same so you can bet that you’ll never be caught wearing the same flannel as someone else so that fear is out the window. They’re a very picnic-friendly garment, can be left open or closed depending on the weather and how you’re feeling, either way you’re going to look real cool.
Jeans
Now, what to say about jeans that hasn’t already been said? The endless amount of styles and their durability means they’re a fan favourite, but are they great for picnics? Yes! Providing that your shoes and your top match the style of jeans you’ve got on. We think that a simple straight leg pair of jeans go perfect with a flannel shirt and slip-on trainers. It’s all dependent on how you dress around your jeans, so make sure you’re not caught wearing a pair of wide-legs with your loafers!
What To Wear On A Picnic Date
Oxford shirt
The oxford shirt is a timeless garment built for every occasion. From the office to the seaside, these shirts are incredibly versatile and with the endless designs and options available, you’ll be able to express yourself however you please.
It's important to make your mark on a picnic date and a unique oxford shirt can be a great way to do that. The great thing about them is that you can have them buttoned up to keep things suave and sophisticated, or you can unbutton a couple of them and give yourself a cool, laid back vibe that your date is going to appreciate.
Chinos
Chinos are a picnic-outfit essential. They provide you with a comfortable pair of bottoms to build your outfit from. Their versatility means you can wear them in a formal manner as well as casual. It’s all about balance and chinos provide them in abundance. They come in an endless number of colours, so you can go to the picnic with a pop of colour to get noticed, or go for a relaxed tone to blend in and chill with a drink.
Slip-on trainers
Nothing says easy-living like slip-on trainers. Laces? No thank you, that’s too much work for a Saturday! These shoes paired with a nice pair of chinos are a great combination. They also give you that much-desired cool and calm look that is necessary for a picnic date’s energy to be the correct one.
Add These Stylish Accessories to Elevate Your Picnic Look
Sunglasses
It’s impossible to make an outfit bad by wearing sunglasses, it’s just not going to happen. Whether it’s sunny or not, you’re going to look incredibly suave at that picnic. The best thing about sunglasses is that you don’t need to spend a lot to get a nice pair. You can have 2 or 3 to choose from that you can mix-and-match?
Going for a round frame to compliment your linen shirt? Or maybe a square frame suits your flannel shirt? Make sure you're picnic-ready with a sleek pair of shades.
Wool Picnic Blanket
Don’t forget the backdrop to your picnic outfit. A luxurious British wool picnic blanket from our wide selection adds both comfort and timeless style. Many include waterproof backing and leather straps — ideal for carrying in style.
British Umbrella
British weather is famously unpredictable, and a high-quality umbrella is the smartest way to be prepared. Choose a bold or classic design from Heating & Plumbing London for maximum practicality and flair.
Watch
A watch is all about giving off the right feeling. A huge, shiny watch is not going to be the right idea for a picnic. A subtle, leather strap can work wonders and really round off an outfit nicely. A digital watch works in a similar way, too. It’s about making sure your watch suits your outfit. We suggest an analogue watch with an oxford shirt and some cropped trousers, and a digital watch can go well with a nice flannel shirt and jeans.
Tote Bag
Skip the plastic bag and carry your picnic items in a durable, stylish tote. Our versatile tote bags add personality and practicality to any picnic ensemble.
Champagne Bucket
Planning a date? A polished champagne bucket from Heating & Plumbing London adds a fun and luxurious touch. It’s the kind of extra detail that makes your picnic feel unforgettable.
FAQ
What should a man wear to a picnic?
Men should aim for comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that looks relaxed but put-together. For sunny days, try linen shirts, chinos or shorts, and loafers. For cooler weather, go with jeans, flannel shirts, or lightweight layers like jackets or long-sleeve tees.
What’s a good picnic outfit for a date?
A great picnic date outfit is relaxed but elevated. Try an oxford shirt with chinos and slip-on trainers. Add thoughtful details like a quality wool picnic blanket, a champagne bucket, or a smart watch to stand out.
Should men wear shorts to a picnic?
Yes — shorts are perfect for warm-weather picnics. Just make sure they’re tailored, clean, and pair well with your top and shoes.
What accessories should men wear to a picnic?
Accessories like sunglasses, watches, a stylish umbrella, a wool picnic blanket, and a practical tote bag can really elevate a picnic outfit. They add comfort, functionality, and a polished finishing touch to your overall look.
Can you wear trainers to a picnic?
Yes, trainers are a great choice for a picnic — especially slip-on styles that give a relaxed, effortless vibe. They pair well with both chinos and shorts and are perfect for walking on grass or playing picnic games.