Spring Style Essentials
Dressing for fall and winter is easy. Layering allows for infinite experimentation and countless color and texture combinations that somehow work without thought. When Spring comes around, layers are shed and it becomes harder to put together an ensemble that’s at once classic, modern and inspiring.
Steve McQueen in one of his many Baracuta Harrington jackets.
Fear not, though. These six basics will help you create the template for a modern spring wardrobe. They keep one foot in the past and one foot in the now - it’s all about how you wear them that makes them style go-tos to this day.
Blouson: Blousons are spring jackets that are short and bloused at the waist, creating a slim silhouette with enhanced movability. These jackets are great for travel, since they’re comfortable, easy to zip and unzip and are often lightweight. Blousons come in many different styles, from Baracuta’s iconic Harrington that Steve McQueen loved, to the classic MA-1 military bomber. The latter comes a dime a dozen these days: Rag & Bone makes a version in a beautiful burgundy, and J. Crew’s navy and olive options (under their Wallace & Barnes line) are a steal for under $200. If you have a little more coin to spend, check out Valstar’s and Sid Mashburn’s suede takes on the classic blouson. They have a ‘70s cool guy vibe that make you own every room you walk into.
Desert Boots: The reemergence of desert boots is one of the surest signs of Spring. Desert boots are perfect for the guy who wants to look good off-duty (or on-duty if the office dress code is lax) and who has a traditional sensibility that transcends trends. They’re rugged yet refined and radiate an English Country House vibe. Though there are many makers of desert boots nowadays, heritage dictates that Clarks are the way to go. The English brand has made desert boots since 1950, and their dusty suede creations are worn by men young and old.
Miles Davis in a springtime scarf and white pants.
White Jeans: I’ve mentioned my love for winter whites countless times, but they look as good in Spring, too. Sunny days make people want to wear light colors again, and white, off-white and wheat-hued denim channel the season’s brightness better than a pair of dark and crisp blue denim. Plus, the disappearance of road salt means you don’t have to worry about destroying them every time you leave the house - just watch out for puddles. My go-to white jeans are Levi’s 501s from Sid Mashburn, but Japanese workwear brand Orslow makes a version worth a look as well.
The Spring Scarf: Most guys limit their neckwear to Winter scarves. This is a fool’s errand because Spring still has a bit of a breeze to it, and the right lightweight scarf, ascot or bandana adds a pop of color or pattern to otherwise understated ensembles. If you go the bandana route, their low price of entry means you can stock up on them and have a different color for each day of the week. As far as lightweight scarves and ascots go, few companies make better neckwear than Drake’s. The London-based brand sources the finest fabrics from England and beyond, and creates beautiful foulards, florals and prints that look dignified on any neck.
Striped Shirt: After winter’s plaids and flannels, stripes are back in bolder colors and wider widths. Striped shirts had their heyday on Ivy League campuses in the 1950s, and have a rugged American preppiness and hardiness. They’re an easy way to add subtle pattern to an ensemble otherwise without. Drake’s is once again a great option for these shirts, as are Schnayderman’s and Sid Mashburn. These brands make striped shirts with durable oxford cloth for a look that isn’t in style but that is style.
David Coggins - the face of Drake's - in one of their patterned scarves and a striped oxford.
Chunky Cardigan: Some Spring days are too warm for a coat but not warm enough to wear a shirt alone. Enter the chunky cardigan, which provides warmth and coziness on sub-60 degree days. The iconic chunky cardigan is the shawl cardigan, which . If it was good enough for Ernest Hemingway, it’s good enough for you. For the budget-minded folk, Club Monaco makes several excellent shawl-collared numbers for under $150. Check out their others sweaters, too; their intersection of quality and price point beats all other mall options and many mid-priced brands out there. And one can’t go wrong with Scott & Charters shawl cardigans, with their series of classic colors and textually appealing ribbing.