(Photo: Davies + Starr)

In the torpid days of summer, we move through five or six temperature zones every day (tropical subway platform, temperate subway car, tropical sidewalk, arctic office cube). Perversely, stores are starting to stock heavy, woolly fall clothes just when you’re in the mood for something new, but functional. Here, affordable, versatile outfits you can go buy on your lunch break.

FOR HIM

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The shirt is made from wrinkle-free cotton, so it doesn’t need to be ironed and won’t crumple in triple- digit heat.

The breathable, lightweight denim suit is casual enough to look good even when it’s rumpled.

(Photo: Davies + Starr)

For extra ventilation, skip the socks.

Jacket, $575, and pants, $195 at Groupe 16sur20 (267 Elizabeth St., nr. Prince St.; 212-343-0007); button-down shirt, $39.50 at Uniqlo (546 Broadway, nr. Spring St.; 917-237-8800); dress shoes, $138 at Banana Republic (626 Fifth Ave., nr. 50th St.; 212-974-2350); belt, $80 at Kenneth Cole (610 Fifth Ave., nr. 49th St.; 212-373-5800).