It’s a great time to be in the city. There’s change in the air: summer associates and analysts are just beginning to trickle into Manhattan , the weather is turning, people look somewhat happy.

This year we actually experienced a real Spring, but with the hot weather, things get ugly, very quickly. Everything smells, unsightly skin gets exposed, and worst of all — dated styles come back out to haunt us. The streets are jammed with over-distressed, over-logo’d jeans, stripeys, Crocs — you name it.

Precisely because casual wear can actually be challenging and reveal your true (nasty) colors if you aren’t too careful, I’ve prepared a guide to help you do the ’summer thing’ right.

So: whether it’s your first time on the Street, or whether you’re staging a triumphant return from B-school, here’s to a summer of new hookups and material delights! Need style help? Write to ocflc at aol dot com.

Summer Casual Essentials

• Flat front trousers: Best bet is a pair by Prada Sport. Dockers are OK … if you’re in the back-office.
• Laminated gym pass : Get the body for flat front trousers with an Equinox All-Access pass. Greenwich Ave is where the all-stars go.
• Button-down shirts: Reject Pink /Tyrwhitt. Hildich & Key is still independent. Get them on Jermyn Street in London when you are there, a much better deal than Saks here stateside.
• Loafers: Gucci still works, amazingly enough; boat shoes are a nice alternative.
• White bucks: Great deal at J.Crew and don’t worry about getting them dirty!
• Polo shirts: Lacoste does a new slim fit cut — Scoop at the horrid Shore Club stocks them. (Note: this look is not for anyone with man-breasts)
• Watch: Tag Heuer’s Plasticy Formula 1-Series, or Jelly Swatch for fun … of course Rolex Sea Dweller, GMT, or Daytona will always look great.
• All-purpose Bag: Mongrammed L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is an old standby and totally affordable.

Exciting Accessories Worth Considering

• Card Case Wallet: Goyard with your Monogram and a singular period between first and last initial. No stripes are necessary.
• A New Briefcase : Check out the $12,000 Valextra at Saks New York.
• Summery Gifts: Plastic Robots Get to Kid Robot in Soho, plastic veggies are fine too.
• Prosecco: FreshDirect stocks a nice bottle.
• Books to Be Carrying: Schweser STOP READING for fun NOW and get back to CFA studying.
• Places to Be Seen:
  Boating Turkish Coast or Greece when the internship’s over. Make sure you bring your Dior Homme sunglasses.
  Buenos Aires — meeting up with the b-school crowd.
  Felix on W. Broadway — So many pitch books, so little time, brunch might be the only time to eat out.