This guide will help you to look your best this spring. Read on for tips and examples!
Grey skies are gone and spring is here. It’s time to put away that heavy winter coat and scarf and get out warm-weather duds.
Not happy with what you see? It might be time to overhaul your spring wardrobe.
This guide will help you understand the best colors for spring, lightweight fabrics, clothing options, fragrances, and more! To top things off I’ve included 30 outfit examples so you can find something that works for you.
Best Colors to Wear for Spring
In the past, it was a faux pas to wear colors “out of season.” These days, you can pretty much wear whatever colored clothing you want year around.
However, you can still incorporate seasonal colors into your outfits as a way to have your fashion reflect your environment.
While in winter dark colors such as black, grey, and burgundy abound, in spring opt for lighter neutrals such as off-white, olive, brown, and light grey.
Olive (light green) is the color I most associate with spring. It’s an incredibly versatile color that, in my opinion, is underutilized in the realm of menswear. Olive even works for shoes and boots!
When it comes to pairing colors, I often find it’s best to wear monochromatic clothing, meaning that if I wear something light on top I try to wear something light on the bottom.
Not only does this elongate you visually, it also looks more put together.
Best Spring Fabrics
Winter is dominated by cold-weather fabrics such as wool, corduroy, and flannel, as well as synthetics such as gore-tex and Thinsulate. However, when spring comes knocking, it’s time to break out some lighter fabrics.
Light, natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo will give you breathability and comfort. Read more about breathable fabrics here.
Men’s Spring Coats & Outerwear
While the mercury may be trending upwards, it can still get pretty cold in spring. Not only that, depending on where you live, there tends to be a lot of rain this time of year.
Here are some styles of outerwear that will help you stay warm and dry:
Topcoat
In early spring you’ll probably need to keep a few vestiges of winter. While you may no longer need a heavy wool overcoat, a light wool topcoat will do the trick to stave off the chill.
This kind of coat can be dressed down surprisingly easily — it can even be worn with jeans and
Rainjacket
The rainjacket is in its element in spring. When April showers roll in, you’re going to wish you had something waterproof (or at least significantly water-resistant).
Depending on your needs (i.e. where you live and whether or not you want to carry an umbrella), you may want to get a long jacket for extra protection. (I get by with a shorter jacket [a Harrington], myself).
It’s up to you to find the length that you prefer, but for shooter guys something that ends above the knee will look best.
For a more informal look, you can go with a classic yellow raincoat.
If you want to be able to dress this piece up, opt for one in khaki, olive, or navy.
Harrington Jacket
I’ve had my olive Harrington jacket for around five years. It’s one of my favorite pieces of outerwear because it works with almost everything, even with a tie and creased chinos.
Another reason I love the Harrington is that it’s water-resistant.
While, as I mentioned, a longer jacket would do a better job of keeping me dry, I’ve worn this jacket in some heavy downpours and it’s kept my top half from getting soaked (thanks in part to its functional lapels).
Bomber Jacket
Bomber jackets are frequently confused with Harringtons. The main differences are that a bomber has a very short standing collar and doesn’t have buttons on the pockets. Bombers also sometimes have a pocket on one of the sleeves.
Bomber jackets are a bit more casual than Harrington’s, but not by much. They’re right at home with t-shirts and jeans.
If you’re a skinnier guy, the Harrington’s funnel collar will help make your neck seem a bit thicker, while the bomber doesn’t have that advantage.
Wind Jacket
A casual wind jacket can help you to feel more comfortable on breezy spring days.
Choose solid, neutral colors for a more dressed-up look, or bold colors for a throwback 90s vibe.
Waxed Trucker Jacket
I recently discovered the waxed trucker jacket. This is a tough piece of outerwear that is kind of like a water-resistant jean jacket alternative.
If you spend a lot of time outside, I’d recommend at least trying one to see if you like it. I get a lot of use out of mine from Huckberry.
Leather Jacket
A quality leather jacket can be a fantastic addition to your outerwear collection. Look for classic styles in black or brown.
Make sure that the leather is high-quality — cheap, genuine leather jackets are going to look terrible after just a few seasons while better leathers can last decades. (My leather jacket is at least 30 years old and still going strong).
As it goes, “quality” often equates to “more expensive.” If you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend either buying a used one or saving up to buy a nice jacket new.
In my opinion, in almost every case, it’s not worth it to buy a cheap leather jacket.
Vests
Vests aren’t just for fall — they are a great spring garments as well!
Wear a vest under a jacket or on its own on warmer days.
Look for one that ends just below the belt for a perfect fit.
Men’s Spring Sweaters & Shirts
What do spring and lasagna have in common? It’s all about the layers.
Layering is a style skill that takes time to master, but one of the main rules (and remember rules can be broken) is to have the lightest-colored layers closest to your body with darker colors as you move outwards.
Another basic guideline is that outer layers should be longer than the layers underneath. Ever seen someone wear a suit underneath a short winter coat? Not a good look.
For more on layering, check out our complete guide.
Since the weather and the temperature tend to fluctuate quite a bit in spring, you can wear a wide variety of shirts and sweaters.
A chunky cardigan over a flannel shirt will keep you cozy at the beginning of the season. However, as the snow melts and flowers start to emerge, a well-fitted polo shirt may be all you need.
Men’s Spring Pants/Shorts
Due to unpredictable spring weather, it’s a good time of year to experiment with wearing different styles of pants (or even shorts).
Jeans, chinos, cords, dress pants, and chino shorts are just a few possibilities.
If you’re not sure what styles or colors of pants to try, browse our minimalist pants collection for tips and examples.
Men’s Spring Shoes & Boots
The trend continues moving down to footwear. There are many options during this transitional season.
Work and Chelsea boots are great for wet weather, while sneakers and suede chukkas are perfect for when the sun’s out and puddles have temporarily disappeared.
As things warm up and your cold-weather footwear is carefully stored, sandals, moccasins, and loafers will keep you feeling fresh. Sandals and slip-on shoes are great options to wear with shorts.
No-show socks will help you to have that sockless, off-the-clock look without stinking up your shoes.
Men’s Spring Accessories
Level up your spring outfits by adding a few accessories. Don’t go overboard though — you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a costume.
Hats
While it’s still cold outside you might need to wear a hat. A beanie in a dark, neutral color will get the job done, but consider lighter-colored beanies for spring such as light grey or light brown.
You might consider switching to a wide-brimmed hat later in the season as it’ll provide protection against sun and rain.
Umbrellas
When spring showers roll in you’re going to want to have a sturdy umbrella with you.
You can easily find a compact, travel-sized umbrella to keep in your car. Or, if you walk a lot, a longer, more substantial umbrella will probably better suit you.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are vital for keeping the sun out of your eyes while driving. They also can be a great way to level up your style.
Find frames that fit your face and your personality by trying on at least a few different pairs.
Personally, I like my aviators from Randolph, though my New Ray-Ban Wayfarers also get a lot of wear.
Other Spring Accessories
You can add other accessories as desired such as jewelry (e.g. bracelets, rings, and watches), or a less common statement piece such as a bandana.
You may also want to switch up your everyday carry to include more personalized, and perhaps more unusual, items
Spring Fragrances
Just as you begin to dress differently as seasons change, when spring arrives it’s a good idea to consider swapping out your fragrances as well.
Fall and winter scents tend to be heavier — notes of tobacco, vanilla, and musk are common.
Spring colognes, on the other hand, are generally lighter and more refreshing. This time of year, clean, citrusy, and even floral smells abound.
Don’t know much about cologne? Explore our spring cologne roundup for some great suggestions.
30 Spring Outfit Examples
To help spark your inspiration, I’ve included 30 different spring looks below:
Hopefully you found a look, or maybe a particular garment, that you can incorporate into your spring wardrobe.
FAQs
Here are answers to a common questions about spring style:
What Are the Style Trends for Spring 2023?
Relaxed-fit pants are trending, as are throwback 90s fits. However, I’d recommend that you don’t chase trends. Instead, find styles that work for you.
What Should Guys Wear in the Spring?
I wouldn’t necessarily that guys should wear any particular piece, however, men can experiment with layering while it’s still cold and play with color palates as things warm up.
I’d recommend trying out denim chore jackets, brown-toned pants, and lightweight cardigans.
Can You Wear Summer Clothes in Spring?
Sure! Why not? Clothes don’t have to be relegated to any particular season, but it makes sense to consider the temperature and weather conditions.
What Is the Best Color To Wear in Spring?
I’d argue that olive is perhaps the most versatile color for spring.
What Colors Should You Not Wear in the Spring?
You can wear whatever colors you’d like in spring.
Can You Wear Dark Colors in the Spring?
While most people probably opt for lighter colors in the spring, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear darker colors.
Wrapping It Up
As a transitional season, it can be difficult to know what to wear.
I recommend experimenting with different styles until you find a few core pieces that you love.
Expand from there slowly and deliberately to “strengthen your style chops” and to fill out your spring wardrobe. Remember that clothes aren’t really seasonal — fell free to wear whatever suits your tastes and your environment.
What are your wardrobe staples for spring? Let me know in the comment section below!
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