The philosopher Bart Simpson perfectly encapsulated the beauty of spring when he opined:
“What a day, eh, Milhouse? The sun is out, birds are singing, bees are trying to have sex with them… as is my understanding.”
At just 10 years old, Bart is obviously right about spring’s beauty, if understandably confused about reproduction.
But when he grows up, he’ll likely discover another truth about spring that’s almost as confounding as the metaphors we use for sex:
Somehow, spring is simutaneously one of the easiest seasons to dress well, and one of the easiest to overcomplicate.
For one thing, the warmer months of spring don’t force us into the easy, if repetitive, wardrobe decisions that winter does.
Whereas the depths of winter basically necessitate that you wear the same down parka and insulated boots each day, warmer weather requires you to put a bit more thought into your getup.
And while that’s true of both genders, come spring guys also face a unique challenge that women don’t have to contend with.
The spring season is defined by brighter color schemes and bolder patterns (we’re looking at you, floral prints), which are fun, but not what most of us consider to be traditionally masculine.
It’s easy to both look sharp and feel like a man’s man in the fall and winter, when you can layer down hunting jackets over chunky wool sweaters, and look like you just stepped off the Yellowstone ranch.
But it’s a little harder to generate the same kind of masculine energy when you’re wearing lightweight spring fabrics, or the kind of bright colors that would look more at home on Andrew Bernard than John Dutton.
The good news is that finding the right balance between strappingly masculine and seasonally appropriate is definitely doable (and my opinion, even easy), if you understand how to adapt the modern-classic aesthetic for the season.
While my annoyingly long thoroughly comprehensive modern-classic wardrobe post breaks down the all the pieces you need for a timeless year-round wardrobe, in this post I’ll focus on the colors, fabrics and patterns that work best when transitioning from winter to summer.
First Up:
The Core Four
My Rules for Modern-Classic Spring Style
Here’s a little secret most style bloggers don’t want you to know:
You really don’t need a separate “spring wardrobe.”
(Shhhhh — if you tell anyone I just said that, I’ll deny it.)
Most of the pieces I recommend below aren’t unique to spring, they’re modern-classic staples you can wear throughout the year: polos, button-downs, chinos, jeans, sweaters and blazers.
The spring-specific part comes from choosing lighter fabrics and colors, then combining those staples in ways that suit the weather.
Here are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind that will help you maximize spring sharpness:
1. Lighten Up Your Color Palette
I’ll break down my favorite spring colors below, but as an overarching rule, spring is the time to move beyond the darker shades that dominate your winter wardrobe.
Keep versatile neutrals like navy, gray and khaki in the mix, but bring in lighter blues, greens and other softer seasonal colors to make your outfits feel appropriate for spring.
2. Choose Fabrics That Breathe
Your wardrobe probably doesn’t consist exclusively of cashmere sweaters. If you’re like me, you probably have a mix of lighter weight stuff like merino wool, linen and stretch fabrics, along with heavier cottons and tweeds.
In spring, half the battle is just reaching for the right fabrics. Cotton, linen and other lightweight fabrics give you the same polished look as your fall and winter staples without leaving you sweating the second the sun comes out.
3. Lighter Weights Make for Better Layering
In spring, more is more. What do I mean by that? In fall winter, layering is easy: you can throw one down bomber jacket over a henley and not just look cool, but feel cozy.
But spring layering presents a different challenge, because you don’t want to warm yourself up too much.
So in addition to lightweight base layers, opt for lighter outerwear like unlined jackets and thinner sweaters.
On particularly cool mornings, you may need to layer on two or three pieces to keep yourself warm (hence, “more is more”). But when the sun comes out in the afternoon, you’ll be grateful that all you have to do is slip off the jacket and unbutton your sweater, not change your whole outfit.
4. Swap Heavy Footwear for Lighter, More Casual Shoes
I have to admit to a bit of hypocrisy here, because footwear is actually the one area where having separate spring/summer and fall/winter wardrobes kind of makes sense.
One spring I went out for patio drinks with a friend, who showed up wearing dark brown leather Chelseas with a thick rubber sole.
Were they sexy-ass boots? They were. Did he need them on a day when we were drinking outside without a cloud in the sky? Not at all.
Speaking as someone who loves a bad-ass brogue, this is hard for me to say.
But if you want to look your best come spring, put the heavy winter boots away and lean into the shoes that work particularly well this time of year: loafers, suede shoes, chukkas and clean sneakers.
Brown and tan leather or suede also tend to complement spring’s lighter colors especially well.
And speaking of spring colors…
How to Choose Spring Colors
Looking sharp in spring basically comes down to two fundamental factors:
- Choosing the right pieces to wear, and
- Wearing them in the right colors
So before we get into the spring wardrobe essentials that will help you look your best, let’s briefly look at the colors you should buy them in.
Spring is arguably the most optimistic time of year:
A period of growth and renewal in which we crawl out from under the oppression of winter and embrace the light, both literally and figuratively.
It’s not quite time for the bold color that works so well in hot summer months, so you’ll probably have to leave those neon green Bermuda shorts in the drawer for a few more months.
But it’s the perfect time to ditch dark blue and black, and start moving toward lighter shades of solid colors.
Here are the key colors that should make up most of your spring wardrobe, and the best pieces to buy in each color:
White
What to Wear in White:
- Sneakers
- Button Down Shirts
- Tees
- Henleys
- Sweaters
Light Blue
What to Wear in Light Blue:
- Button down shirts
- Polos
- Chinos
- Cardigans and V-Necks
- Jeans and chinos
Light Green
What to Wear in Light Green:
- Button down shirts
- Polos
- Chinos
- Cardigans and V-Necks
Medium Blue
What to Wear in Medium Blue:
- Sweaters
- Blazers and/or Suit Jackets
- Polos
- Chinos
Medium Green
What to Wear in Medium Green:
- Sweaters
- Polos
- Henleys
- Chinos
Beige/Khaki
What to Wear in Beige & Khaki:
- Chinos
- Casual Jacket
- Blazers
Other Colors Worth Considering
- Light Grey
- Pink
- Yellow
- Orange
Mens Spring Shoes
Around here we like to say that shoes are the secret weapon of style, because the right shoes can elevate your whole outfit, while the wrong ones can ruin an otherwise on-point look.
When winter’s frigid temperatures finally give way to warmer spring weather, stylish guys tend to ditch the chunky, heavy boots in favor of lighter weight styles that are both sleeker and more seasonally appropriate.
Everything from a stylish pair of suede chukkas to a reliable pair of leather boat shoes (one of the most iconic American footwear styles of all time) are perfect for spring, so it’s easy to find a pair that will work with your wardrobe.
Pick up any of the smart casual styles below in a classic color like tan, brown or white, and you’ll be able to go anywhere from a boardroom with a business casual dress code to a (probably still heated) patio for happy hour drinks.
Chukka Boot
Related Resource ↓
Check out our roundup of the best men’s chukka and desert boots for more models that combine sharp style and strong value.
Chelsea Boot
Cross Overs/Hybrids
White Sneakers
Driving Shoes
Boat Shoes
Penny Loafers
Mens Spring Sunglasses
Men’s fashion trends seem to come and go quicker than ever nowadays, and nowhere is that more true than in the world of eyewear.
The same shades that looked fresh last summer may already be over this spring, which is a problem, since even the most affordable sunglasses aren’t exactly cheap.
So, what’s the best way to win the trend game?
Simple: don’t play it.
While the masses scour through Tik Tok (and blow through their savings accounts) trying to keep up with the latest trends, the sharp-dressed man heeds the words of James Bond:
“Sometimes the old ways are the best.”
Instead of wasting your money on a style that might fall out of fashion within 12 months, the smarter play is to invest in the kind of classic shades that have already stood the test of time.
We put together a whole post breaking down the most classic men’s sunglass styles, but below are three of our all-time favorite frames shapes.
Aviators
Wayfarer Style
The Splurge:
Steve McQueen’s Persols
Mens Spring Jackets
Spring may be warmer than winter, but in most parts of the world there are still plenty of chilly days between the end of winter and the start of summer.
Fortunately, layering a light jacket over the rest of your outfit is not only a great way to keep warm, but an easy way to add an extra element of style to your look.
Leather Jacket
(for when it’s technically spring, but the weather’s still pretty damn cold)
Bomber Jacket
Harrington Jacket
Denim Jacket aka Jean Jacket
Varsity Jackets
Sport Coat / Blazer
Mens Spring Suits
A well-cut suit is one of the most essential items a man can have in his closet.
In fact, with the exception of very formal looks like a full peak lapel tuxedo, a nice suit might just be the sharpest, most dapper and distinguished piece of clothing most of us own.
But while suits are sharp at any time of year, spring’s in-between temperatures make suiting up a little trickier than other seasons.
Whereas the hot weather of summer necessitates unlined suits made from breathable fabrics, and winter’s cold months call for thick fabrics like wool and flannel, spring suits sit somewhere in the middle.
The Spring Suit Sweet Spot:
Medium Weight, Lighter Color
A good spring suit has enough structure and weight to withstand a strong gust of wind on a particularly cool day, but not so much that you’ll be sweating through your shirt once you move inside.
In terms of fabric, cotton is usually your best, since it’s warm enough to keep your body heat relatively contained, but breathable enough to accommodate warm temperatures.
When it comes to color, a lot of guys make the mistake of wearing the same heavy, dark suit in spring that they wore all winter.
That’s why my favorite move is to opt for lighter shades that help you stand out from the crowd.
Lighter shades of standard suit colors like gray and blue can help you distinguish yourself from other guys, but if you really want to go next level, opt for something like a medium green or salmon, which will really stand out.
Colors are Cool—But Fit is King
While choosing the right color certainly helps, the best way to look sharp in a suit is to make sure it fits like a glove.
Check out our breakdown of how a suit should fit to understand the nuances of what makes for a good fit, then find a local tailor who can tweak it to your specific size and body type.
Where to Buy Spring Suits
Suits are definitely one of the more expensive pieces of menswear, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to look sharp.
Check out our round up of the best affordable men’s suit brands to find the best places to for ballers on a budget to suit up.
Mens Spring Shirts
A lot of the same rules that apply to choosing the right spring suit also come into play when choosing a shirt.
The perfect spring shirt is made from a medium-weight fabric like cotton or merino wool, and comes in a lighter color, like any of the spring colors mentioned above.
(So if you’re sitting on a few silk Louis Vuitton statement shirts and you’re just dying to wear ‘em, stand pat until summer, when you can pair them with short shorts by the pool.)
The most classic example of a spring shirt is the Oxford Cloth Button Down, better known in menswear circles as the OCBD.
It’s been a cornerstone of preppy fashion for decades, and with good reason:
These are the type of long sleeve shirts that look good on just about every body shape.
Plus, they perfectly straddle the line between dressed-up and dressed down, making them one of the most versatile pieces in your closet.
As a senior editor at a fitness magazine, for years I would tuck in my OCBD white shirt and wear it with chinos and a light sweater for a perfect business casual outfit.
Then on weekends I’d untuck it and wear it with jeans for a more laid back, casual look.
OCBD
Other Solid Spring Options
While an OCBD is one of the key items you should have on hand come spring, you definitely don’t want it to be the only thing in your closet.
Below are a few more types of shirts that are perfect for spring’s up and down weather.
Rugby Shirts and/or Long-Sleeve Polos
Flannel Shirt
Long-Sleeve Henley Shirt
Mens Spring Pants
[image: State & Liberty]
A lot of the same rules that apply to spring shirts also apply to spring pants.
When the weather starts to warm up, leave your thick corduroy and heavy wool pants in the closet.
Instead, opt for a good pair of chinos in lighter colors like khaki, light blue or – if you want to get an early jump on summer style – even white.
Denim can still work well in spring, but keep the same principles in mind.
Come spring I like to opt for jeans that are made with a bit of spandex or elasterell, which both gives them some stretch and makes them a little lighter weight.
And again, spring is a good time to move away from the navy blues and blacks you’ve probably been wearing all winter, and try lighter shades of blue, gray and white, all of which will pair well with the shirt and shoe options listed above.
(And if you’re really feeling the warm weather vibes, don’t be afraid of showing off a little ankle by opting for some good no show socks.)
Chinos
Stretch Jeans
Mens Spring Sweaters
As a Canadian who spends much of the year swaddled in thick winter jackets, there are few things I love more than sweater weather.
I have multiple drawers stocked with just about every color, weight and type of sweater you can imagine, and one of my favorite things about spring is the fact that it gives me a chance to wear damn near all of them.
During the cooler early months you can wear chunky shawl collar cardigans in place of a lightweight jacket.
Then, as the weather starts to warm, you can transition into thinner options, like a nice cashmere cardigan or a good merino wool v-neck.
Light Sweaters
Mens Spring Hats
[image: Ahmed Syed / Unsplash]
While there are dozens of different men’s hat styles to choose from, the truth is that nowadays most of them look more like a historical costume than a hip choice for the modern man.
(I love a good straw hat as much as the next guy, but unless you’re on a beach vacation, panama hats are exceedingly difficult to pull off in real life.)
Instead, I suggest sticking with more options like a baseball caps or – for a more stylish alternative – newsboy caps, both of which will keep the sun out of your face without making you look like your one bow tie short of joining a barbershop quartet.
Baseball Caps
Newsboy Caps
Mens Spring Grooming
In winter I like to keep my hair longer and grow a gnarly beard in order to combat the frigid onslaught of snow and ice that befalls us here in Toronto.
But spring is not only a perfect time to shed a few layers of clothes — it’s also the right time to refine your hair and grooming regimen.
There are dozens of short, stylish men’s haircuts that you can choose from, and how short you decide to go is a matter of personal preference.
My own take is to scale my side part down to a sleeker taper for spring, then go all the way to a close-cropped taper fade come summer.
It’s a progression that goes kind of like this (minus the muscles, talent and millions of dollars in the bank):
But plenty of guys opt to skip the transitional phase altogether, including a few guys who ooze creative energy — Tom Ford and Kim Jones, two of the biggest names in urban fashion.
Instead of going for the in-between option come spring, they maintain a close-cropped cut pretty much year-round, which is both a safe choice, and a good way to simplify your style.
Mens Spring Outfits Inspo
A Bit of Style Inspiration to Help You Pull it Altogether
Now that we’ve covered each aspect of men’s spring style individually, let’s look at how you can pull it altogether.
What’s the best way to do that, you ask?
The same way my mom decides what wallpaper she wants in her bathroom: by using Pinterest.
Yep—I’ve put together a Pinterest board.
It’s chock full of smart spring looks that combine a lot of the principles mentioned above, and can serve as a great visual guide to the ins and outs of sharp spring style.
