I'll be honest, I like to look good. I take some pride in my appearance. But I'm not an over-the-top dedicated follower of fashion. Frankly, there's only so much nonsense I can take from fashion-writers at the glossy magazines. No man likes to be dictated to. Certainly not me, and certainly not by me, either. But at the same time, a little help and advice goes a long way. Here are my summer fashion ideas for the modern man.

So, what are the key looks this summer? Like most men, I'm inspired by those around me - on the pavement, not the catwalk. There's too much fun going on out there to take these things too seriously. I've taken a look around at who and what I've seen recently, and what's hot depends very much on where you take your inspiration from. Here are three key looks to try:

The New York hipster look

Much-sported in Williamsburg, the edgy strip around Bedford Avenue particularly. There's facial hair galore - the mustachioed male is everywhere. Often paired with a high-top hair-do, slicked to one side. The look is very 1950s American, or 1960s London teddy boy. The summer look combines fitted drainpipe jeans and bare ankles (rolled-up trouser legs are in) paired with plain plimsolls. Up top, it's a plain t-shirt with a twill / lumberjack-esquire long-sleeved shirt (sleeves rolled up, of course...). 

American brands going big on the preppy look include Abercrombie & Fitch and the ever-retro Penguin. British brand Superdry is also offering its own take on the New England (USA) preppy style.

The London preppy look takes the New York look and gives it a European flair

The fitted hipster look still dominates, but with brightly-coloured drainpipe jeans and plenty of French-inspired 'Breton' shirts - blue and white hooped-stripe t-shirts. Smarter occasions call for buttoned-down, top-button done up striped or check shirts. Gingham is coming in too - red and white, or blue and white check. Combat shorts are out, above-the-knee coloured chino shorts are in. Warm, bright colours are accessorised with summer scarves, thick-rimmed coloured-frame (red, blue, yellow) sunglasses to create a revived 80s look. Deck shoes (boat shoes elsewhere) are well and truly in this summer too.

For a traditional British look with East London cool, try Aubin and Wills or Fred Perry. For Scottish street style, Lyle & Scott, or Welsh country cool, Howies. 

The sophisticated European look

The suave, continental European look rarely changes from summer to summer but it does evolve over time. You're looking for a sharp Mediterranean style. So, plenty of smart, fitted shirts (collars almost mandatory) paired with relaxed chino trousers. Linen blazers provide the formal tone while down below, coloured suede loafers are a step in the right direction. Go even more relaxed with some espadrilles. The scaled-back Panama hat is effortlessly cool, regardless of whether you're on holiday or en route to the office.

For an alternative take on the sophisticated European look, try Continental brands with a slightly more edgy, urban feel. These include the Italian Energie and Dutch Scotch & Soda. Spanish label desigual pushes the boat out a bit further - they're all about bold prints and big motifs and not for the shy!

For accessories like belts, hats and summer scarves that work across a range of summer styles, and at accessible prices, try the online-only ASOS with plenty of inspiration too - they deliver worldwide.

Of course, you could do worse than enlist the help of a female friend when it comes to hitting the shops for all of this. Throw in the promise of some decent company and a cocktail for afters and you've a date, not a chore.