20 style basics to see you into spring
We've made it to May. Time to freshen up your wardrobe for the season ahead...
Words: Kim Silverman
After an arduous season of dismal, cold days, we couldn’t be happier to see May. And, for many, it also means that we’re still in the halcyon honeymoon stretch after pay day. So, with spirits running high and days stretching longer, it only seems sensible to prepare what to wear this spring.
Spoiling yourself on things you don’t need isn’t as smart as spoiling yourself on the things you do need. From a classic pair of swim shorts, to one of the pairs of sunglasses worn by the most famous gentlemen ever, credit cards at the ready, gentlemen, for we have rounded up your new spring essentials for the season ahead.
An iconic pair of sunglasses is an essential for completing your spring outfit (think of them like the orange zest atop your Old Fashioned). So make sure you invest in the design, and not the brand – that suits both your face shape, and as many outfits as possible.
Unless you happen to be jet-setting to warmer climates or reside in LA’s all-year sunshine, spring is undoubtedly a fickle season – where chillier mornings and the odd downpour could still get the better of you. That is, unless you’re smart enough to stay layered in a suitable jacket. Be sure to choose one that either compliments your weekend style, or stays understated and office-friendly.
Whilst the humble polo shirt began life on the tennis court, Hollywood’s iconic gentlemen from Steve McQueen to Sean Connery – who wore his in Crab Key, Jamaica for Dr. No – have immortalised this timeless design. Opt for solid colours, and pair them with a lightweight pair of shorts or chinos.
Shorts, for the most part, are practical when the weather gets a little too warm for summer trousers. Though, we advise to approach a pair of shorts with caution – because on the first (of very few) warm days we’re in for, you don’t want the weather to change and leave you bearing your bare legs to the public. By all means, relax in a pair by the poolside, but that’s a completely different story.
Whilst you may think the addition of a pair of trainers to a gentleman’s wardrobe is something the millennial generation invented, you’d be very wrong. Swapping Oxfords for Chuck Taylor All Stars is a style that has been around for two centuries. Just take a look at James Dean‘s smart-casual trouser, or Steve McQueen‘s white trainers for instance. Still not convinced? Well, every gentleman should begin by investing in a pair of classic white trainers (which can be paired with cropped suit trousers or jeans).
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