Spring Fashion Guide for Men: What to Wear as the Weather Warms

Today I'd like to share with you some of my thoughts on What to Wear as the Weather Warms. Now there are going to be a lot of Spring Fashion Guides for Men over the next few months, and personally I don't think anybody should be attempting to follow trends or imitate what they see on other people’s social media. 

My process

But I would like to walk you through my process on how I transition from winter to spring attire. I want to also point you towards an article I read on fashion psychology, about the importance of looking good, and how this affects your behaviour when engaging in social circles. 

In the article the author poses the question:

Would you honestly have the courage to approach someone (in a bar) looking and feeling a million dollars if you were wearing something you didn’t feel comfortable in? Probably not.

I used to think about this kind of thing all the time. When I was single and not with Tuula, I'd often think what if I was about to bump into an old flame right now. I look like a mess because I just threw on some clothes without even looking in the mirror. Now don't get me wrong, I heard my friend interview the son of Steve McQueen Chad McQueen, and he said that he couldn't remember his father looking at himself once in the mirror before leaving the house. 

Effortless style

There is a lot to be said for having an effortless style. And many people I know are guilty of over thinking their wardrobe. But I do think that leaving the house, in an outfit that is conducive to the environment, adheres to certain dress codes, and more importantly is just well tailored, will give you a boost. If you bumped into your old flame, someone who broke your heart, wouldn't you want to look your best and tell her (subconsciously of course) 'look at what you could have won'. 

Ok let me break down my wardrobe choices for the warmer months ahead. 

Colours to think about

When it comes to colours, I always associate Spring with green shoots. So I always try and find variations on greens, light greens to be exact. It's a very versatile colour because it's neutral. Now many menswear blogs will tell you when it gets warmer, we need to do away with our heavier fabrics and opt for linen, or light cotton. Do not listen to these people. That might be the case for our American writers, but the winters and springs are interchangeable here in the UK for March and April. 

Plus, we all feel the warmth and the cold in a different way. What I try to encourage are slightly more herbaceous colours, moving away from the blacks and the browns that you might associate more with Autumn and winter. Greens, greys, some beige, some off-whites always work well. But be sure to try and promote the colours of your eyes at the same time. Every man should have this book in their library, Colour for Men by Carole Jackson. You can buy it now for little over one pound on Amazon. 

Outerwear recommendations

Moving into Spring, whilst it might still be cool, it's safe enough to move those heavy peacoats into storage. I like to introduce my leather jackets, my suede bombers and my canvas jackets to my wardrobe. Sometimes it can be annoying that these beautiful coats which cost me a fortune, really only have a limited window. They are not warm enough for 6 months of the year, and can be too hot and uncomfortable for the summer. 

My advice is to wear the expensive jackets as much as possible. Even if you're just going to the post office, or running errands. (Remember you never know who you'll bump into). In summer you will miss them. They won't see the light of day and you'll be yearning for some cool weather. 

Shoes & Sneakers 

When it gets cooler, I like to move into some sneaker wear, and put aside the Chelsea boots, the biker boots and give myself a more approachable look. I'm no longer trudging through winter leaves on the streets, and people are starting to head out again to the pubs and restaurants. They're done with dry January. They're done recouping their savings from the brunt of the Christmas splurges. They want to meet up again with friends and socialise and drink mainly. 

I've written about KHV Concept in the past. I like the idea of having less inventory in general, so wearing sneakers that are both good for the daytime, and for evening wear appeals to me. My article also explains how to best care for your trainers so it's worth a read. 

Trousers for Spring

Now whilst I'm not quite ready to get into my shorty shorts just yet, I do appreciate that wearing the thick cargo trousers or corduroy might be too extreme for the Spring. Same could be said for my linen trousers. It's too fucking cold for linen don't be fooled, we are not in the Bahamas. 

Stick to some well-tailored jeans. Make sure they are clean, they fit you and they are not hanging around your arse. It's very simple for guys. Jeans have been around for a hundred years and if you prefer smart tailoring then be my guest. There are places off Chiltern Street such as Sunspel, Grey Flannel and even now New And Lingwood that will make you some tailored trousers that will elevate your style for Spring. 

But don't just buy the jeans, don't just buy tailored trousers, ask the sales team what to wear with them. What do they recommend, and then ask the other sales guy what they recommend. What are people asking for? Ask if you buy the trousers and a jacket, can they tailor it for you for free? Most sales people will say yes as they have an in-house alteration team, and many will be happy to get the sale over the line. 

Hats

I think bald people need to man up a little. I know your bald, and it's cold, but that's no excuse to wear the same deerstalker hat for 6 months straight. Consider it your cold exposure. You don't need to go cold swimming, or like James Bond spend five minutes in the cold shower, just leave the beanie at home when you walk the dog around the block. 

Either that or just have more than one hat in your arsenal. The thick woolen hats can be shelved, and we can move on to flat caps that expose the ears, or ball caps that are high quality. For these I recommend flat caps from Lock & Co, or trilby's from Laird, or caps from Varsity Headwear 

Summary

• Green colours, for Spring. Beige and greys. Try and ditch the blacks. 

• Outerwear, chore jackets in olive green, leather jackets in sand or tan.

• Brands I'd look out for &Sons, Grey Flannel, Sunspel

• Try and brave the cold a little. Don't over layer. 

• Don't forget about fit, ask your salesman for quality advice.