When it comes to deciding what to wear in the spring, guys face a few challenges.
For one thing, spring weather doesn’t dictate our wardrobes nearly as much as winter weather does. (When there’s four inches of snow on the ground, you have to wear boots.)
This means that in the spring we actually have to exercise our own discretion and start making our own sartorial choices for the first time in what feels like forever after a few frigid months.
Secondly, unlike the fall, spring doesn’t lend itself quite as well to thick fabrics and layering, which means it can be a bit more challenging to put together a classically masculine look.
That’s where this post comes in. Below I’ve rounded up 25 men’s spring essentials, starting from your feet and working all the way up to the top of your head.
These pieces represent some of the most fundamental aspects of men’s casual spring fashion, and each of them will help you look stylish, cool and confident when the weather warms up.
As always, I’ve tried to focus on stores and brands that are easily accessible to all guys. The goal here isn’t to dress like a runway model; it’s to help you cover your bases by choosing the stylish staples that won’t break the bank.
And finally, note that some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that if you click them and end up making a purchase, I may receive a small commission.
OK, enough preamble. On to the picks!
25 Must-Have Men’s Spring Essentials
Shoes:
Banana Republic Nicklas Sneaker
Nike’s Killshot 2 sneakers have taken the menswear world by storm in recent years, but for my money they have one glaring flaw: the huge Nike swoosh!
That’s why I love the simplicity of these Killshot-esque sneakers from Banana Republic. The crepe sole and the touch of blue evoke a lot of the same design elements, but without the obnoxious branding. (They could generously be called an “homage,” though I suspect Nike would use a different word…)
I picked up a pair in the winter using a gift card I got for Christmas, and I’ve been patiently waiting to bust these bad boys out ever since. Now that the snow is gone and the sun is finally back out, I can’t wait to lace ’em up.
- Banana Republic Nicklas Sneaker – $128*
- *BR frequently runs sales, so keep your eye out for codes that can get you anywhere from 15 to 40 percent off.
adidas Originals Men’s Samba MC Lifestyle
White sneakers have become so widespread that it almost seems like a crime not to have them, which is exactly why you might want to mix things up and go for something a little different.
On his Netflix show Flaked, Will Arnett rocks a pair of navy/black sneakers instead of the traditional white, which makes his whole look seem just a little more refined. And as it turns out, I’m not the only one who thinks so, as one of Arnett’s fans noted on Twitter:
Is it weird that I’m even more attracted to @arnettwill after seeing him as Chip in Flaked? I think it has something to do with the adidas
— Sarah Lucas (@sarbearlucas) March 16, 2016
Am I saying women will like you more if you wear these shoes? I am not.
But I’m definitely saying it couldn’t hurt…
Johnston & Murphy Garner Penny Loafer
My love for J&M is well known, and these are yet another reason why. They took a little breaking in, but they’ve become my go-to warm weather shoe.
What I love about penny loafers is that they give you a lot of the comfort of boat shoes (more on which below), but add a lot more refinement to your look.
Grab a pair of no-show socks and you can wear them with shorts, pants or even a full suit (if you’re not sure what to wear to a spring wedding, look no further) from now straight through to Labor Day.
The Alternatives:
I love J&M, but they’re far from the only game in town when it comes to affordable, stylish penny loafers. Here are a few more options that definitely fit the bill in terms of style, although note that I can’t personally vouch for them in terms of comfort.
- Gordon Rush Men’s Benjamin Penny Loafer – From $97
- Aldo Men’s Almanzor Penny Loafer – $81
- 3DM Lifestyle Handcrafted Genuine Leather Penny – $120
Sperry Top-Sider Men’s A/O Boat Shoe
As classic as they are mandatory. Boat shoes evoke the easy life and conjure images of sun-kissed skin and windswept hair.
But one word of warning: boat shoes work best with shorts, or at least a light coloured pair of summer-weight pants. (Although personally if I’m wearing pants, I’d prefer to throw on a pair of the penny loafers listed above.) If you’re looking for something to wear over socks or with your jeans, see below.
- Sperry Top-Sider Men’s A/O Boat Shoe – From $45
- Note that while Sperry makes one of the most classic versions of the boat shoe, there are a ton of other great options online.
Suede Bucks
Falling somewhere between boat shoes and penny loafers on the casual-to-dressy spectrum, suede bucks can be paired perfectly with just about any casual outfit.
And since suede doesn’t hold as well as leather against snow and salt, the spring/summer window is the perfect time to break them out.
The Picks:
- G.H. Bass & Co. Men’s Proctor Oxford – From $67
- Enzo Romeo ORG01 Men Classic Plain Suede Oxfords – $30
- Mark Nason Los Angeles Men’s Bartime Oxford – From $50
Suede Double Monkstraps
For those who want to step up their suede game even further, suede double monks add a touch of sophistication.
You can wear them pretty much anywhere you would wear the suede bucks, but the slightly more unique style will make you stand out that much more.
The Picks:
- Kenneth Cole REACTION – From $47
- Stacy Adams Men’s Slocomb-Cap Toe – $68
- Xposed Mens Real Suede Double Monk Strap – $49
- Note: the style on these looks incredible, but there no reviews as yet on Amazon. Up to you to decide whether or not it’s worth the risk.
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Socks
Lightweight, Light Colors
As a Canadian who has to suffer through pretty brutal winters each year, there are few things I look forward to more than the day I can ditch my socks entirely.
But for those who prefer to keep their feet covered – or simply work in environments where going sockless isn’t an option – make sure to opt for lightweight fabrics that breathe well and won’t retain too much moisture.
The warmer months are also a good opportunity to break out of the blue-grey-green mold and have some fun with lighter colors and patterns.
TIP:
If the socks have the phrase “dress socks” in the title, they’ll probably be thin enough to do the trick.
The Picks:
No-show Socks
Want to rock the sockless look without dripping sweat into your shoes?
Pick up a pair of no-show socks to get the best of both worlds. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that athletic ankle socks will work here.
If there’s half an inch of sock and/or a Nike swish creeping up from the shoe, you’ll not only fail to look stylish, you’ll probably look stu—well, you get the idea.
The Picks:
Pants
Khakis/Chinos
Some might call this pick cliche, while others say it’s a classic. Count me squarely among the latter camp. As much as I agree with The Gos on jeans, when it comes to good chinos, it’s hard to “be better than The Gap.”
Gap’s slim fit khakis are pretty unimpeachable and come in a huge variety of colors, so you should have no trouble finding a pair that works for you.
Of course, khakis are pretty ubiquitous, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding a pair at your preferred store. Just remember that when it comes to khakis, fit is key, and you want to make sure to keep yours slim. You and your grandpa may very well own khakis in the same shade, but they had damn well better not be the same fit.
The Pick:
The Color:
In my post about what to wear in the fall I recommended picking up a good dark green pair of slacks. Sticking with green can still work for the warmer months, but I recommend adjusting the shade along with your thermostat.
The Gap pants listed above come in a shade called “ripe olive” which fortunately looks much better than it sounds. These ones on Amazon from a brand called Inflation also fit the bill.
Light Grey Jeans
Denim has got to be one of the most versatile fabrics in all of fashion. Not only can jeans be worn everywhere from the office to the pool, they also come in a ton of colors.
Not everyone is comfortable pulling a 007 and donning a pair of white jeans, but a light shade of grey can make for a pretty good substitute.
The Picks:
- Levi’s Men’s 513 Slim Straight Jean – From $30
- Kenneth Cole REACTION Men’s Grey Wash Slim Denim Pant – $35 to $45
- DU/ER duer Performance Denim – $129
Underwear
(Yes, underwear! Trust me, it matters.)
If you’re wearing the same pair of underwear in January as you are in June, then your boys must be either shivering from the cold all winter or sweating buckets come summer.
As you (hopefully) know, your choice of underwear matters – in more ways than one. In the warmer months, ditch the thick cotton boxer briefs in favour of the type of breathable and sweat-wicking performance fabrics you’d wear to the gym.
The Picks:
- Champion Elite SmartTemp (aka Moisture-Wicking) – From $15
- Lacoste Men’s 2pk Ultra Dry Sport Boxer Brief – From $25
Belts
Slim Leather Belt
Spring is a time to slim down in more ways than one. When strapping on a belt, keep its width limited to more than 1.5 inches, and save the big leather belts with the chunky buckles for the fall.
The Picks:
- Marino’s Men Genuine Leather Dress Belt – From $15
- Synthic Apparel Men’s Classic Dress Leather Belt – $20
Canvas Belts
Spring and summer also provide the perfect opportunity to ditch the leather altogether and go with a lightweight (and often, stretchy and forgiving) canvas belt, which come with a few different buckle options.
The Picks:
- Mile High Life Canvas Belt with Buckle – $17 (for pack of 3)
- Maikum Canvas Belt with Black D-ring – $8
Shirts & Sweaters
Banana Republic Long-sleeve Polo
Come summer I swear by BR’s luxe touch polo (which they’ve recently redubbed the “luxury” touch polo, in case you didn’t understand the short form), but sometimes in spring the weather isn’t quite warm enough for short sleeves.
Enter these excellent long sleeve polos, which provide a great bit of classic-meets-modern style. What I like about BR’s version is that they hug your body well, which evoke the designer (and definitely much more expensive) version Brad Pitt wore in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
The Pick:
Uniqlo Merino Wool V-Neck
There’s not much left to say about these damn-near perfect lightweight sweaters that I didn’t already cover in my Uniqlo merino wool sweater review. Throw them over a button-up shirt or wear them on their own for a stylish, perfect spring layer.
Uniqlo Merino Wool Cardigan
In addition to the v-neck pullovers, Uniqlo makes cardigans in a similar style. What I love about the cardigans is that they fit slim, meaning you look more like LeBron and less like Mr. Rogers when you pull one one.
Slim Fit Button Down Shirt
The button down shirt is a staple of a man’s wardrobe during any season, but come spring they become arguably even more essential thanks to their versatility.
During the colder early months of spring you layer it under sweaters (such as the merino options mentioned above), or wear on their own once it gets warm enough.
Either way you’ll want to opt for lighter weight options—and if you really want to step up your handsomeness, don’t forget to roll up your sleeves!
The Picks:
- Goodthreads Men’s Slim-Fit Long-Sleeve Gingham Shirt – $25
- J.Crew Slim Stretch American Pima Cotton Oxford Shirt – $70
Breton Striped Sweater
Megan Collins, better known as The Style Girlfriend, has included in these in her “what women want you to wear” series, and let’s be honest: that’s a much more ringing endorsement than anything I can say.
Pick up one of these sweaters, also called the Nautical Stripe, either in the traditional combo of navy and white. (Or opt for brighter colors if you’re feeling bold, or just want some warmer colors to help you break out of a winter funk.)
The Picks:
- La Redoute Collections Mens Organic Cotton Crew Neck Breton Stripe – $47
- Front Row Mens Long Sleeve Breton Stripe T-Shirt – From $20
- Flying Ace Men’s Crew Neck Jersey Stripe Long Sleeve T-Shirt – $18
Jackets
Harrington
Made famous by style icon Steve McQueen and a perennial classic, Harrington jackets have made a real comeback in the last few years as guys have rediscovered the benefits of dressing timelessly.
McQueen wore both a navy blue and a beige version, but personally I love the shade of green Banana Republic has come out with this year.
The Picks:
- Banana Republic Water-Resistant Harrington Jacket – $158
- Warrior Clothing Jacket With Tartan Lining – From $34
- Merc London Navy Harrington Jacket – $120
- Uniqlo Men’s Harrington Jacket – $40
Lightweight Bomber
Similar to the Harrington in style but with a smaller collar and a decidedly more military look, bomber jackets have also come on strong in the past few years.
The Picks:
- Old Navy Bomber Jacket – $60
- Urbanfind Men’s Slim Fit Lightweight Bomber Jacket – $58
- Croti Men’s Flight Jacket Bomber – $31
- Gap Color Linen Bomber – $83
Lightweight Peacoat
The peacoat is one of the most classic pieces of menswear of all time, and with good reason. Traditionally thought of as more of a heavy-weight fall or winter coat, a few brands have started making unlined, light weight versions that are perfect for spring.
The Picks:
- Tallia Men’s Vogata Light Weight Peacoat – From $48
- Nautica Men’s Modern Pea Coat – From $62
- Gap Wool Blend Peacoat – From $99
Unstructured Blazer
Unstructured blazers strip out all the padding that make suit jackets look too stuffy.
Because they have less structure in the shoulders, they give off a more casual look and feel – while still looking a hell of a lot sharper than a hoodie or sweatshirt when you throw it over a t-shirt.
The Picks:
- Flatseven Mens Fit Casual Premium Blazer – From $70
- Uniqlo Men’s Comfort Jacket – $60
- Gap Heather Grey Blazer – $128
Mac Rain Coat
Confession: there’s a part of me that would love to rock a full trench coat. Unfortunately, every time I try one on I feel less like a well dressed man and more like I’m doing some kind of Humphrey Bogart cosplay.
The mac is a perfect solution for guys in search of a rain jacket that makes them look more like a grown up, and less like someone who saw a grown up once in a movie and loves to play dress up.
The Pick:
Accessories
Sunglasses
I won’t spend too much time here since I dedicated a whole post to the seven most classic sunglass styles for men.
Take a look at that post, choose your favorite style of shades, and rock them all spring and summer.
A Stylish Umbrella
Last year I started carrying a full-length, honest-to-god umbrella, and I have to say: I’ve been converted. Not only is it longer and sturdier than foldable umbrellas (which is to say, better at blocking the rain), it also just feels good to carry.
While wearing a trench coat makes me feel like I’m in a Humphrey Bogart Halloween costume, carrying a full umbrella is a nice way to nod to classic men’s style without going full Singing in the Rain.
The Picks:
- totes Auto Open Wooden Stick Umbrella – $20
- Balios Prestige Walking Stick Umbrella – $33
- Collar and Cuffs London Windproof Extra Strong Umbrella – $35
Lightweight Computer Case
When the weather starts to warm up, a leather shoulder bag can feel cumbersome. But if you still need to get somewhere with your computer or tablet, you can always ditch the leather in favor of lighter materials like cotton and canvas.
The Picks:
- Kenneth Cole Single Gusset Canvas Computer Case – From $44
- Solo Duane 15.6 Inch Laptop Hybrid Briefcase – $27
- This one also converts to backpack.
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Awesome picks! I hadn’t even considered a long-sleeved polo but I love the idea.