The Ultimate Guide to Spring Outfits for Men

The days are getting longer, the trees are getting greener, and we’re almost certain we saw a daffodil the other day.

It can all mean but one thing: spring has finally sprung.

And with this change in season comes another type of change: the modern gentleman’s wardrobe.

That’s right: it’s time to pack away those parkas and thermal socks, (we know… it’s hard to say goodbye), and instead switch up your daily wardrobe for something more lightweight, bright, and invigorating. As the natural world around us blooms, so too will your wardrobe find a new lease of life.

With that in mind, let’s throw open the windows, feel those first rays of spring sunshine on our faces, and take a whistle-stop tour through how to reinvent your wardrobe for the new season.

Part I: Spring staples

While there’s no doubt that spring’s arrival means brighter days and a little more sunshine, let’s not forget that the weather can still be quite unpredictable. That means your wardrobe choices need to reflect the… ahem… changeable nature of the weather.

Sun, rain, snow, hail… it’s all a possibility, (sometimes even on a single day), and you should aim to design a gentleman’s wardrobe which reflects that unpredictability. It’s all about being prepared — and it starts with your spring staples.

So let’s begin with the absolute basics: the foundation of any gentleman’s spring wardrobe.

We’ll get into detail on more specific looks later on, but here are the pieces you’ll want to seek out to form the basis of your wardrobe this spring:

Cardigans are back. Again. Did they ever really go away? In any case, cardigans are an excellent choice for a spring wardrobe because they strike that fine balance between cosy and lightweight.

Weather-ready footwear. Let’s face it: spring doesn’t necessarily mean sunshine. Usually, it means the opposite of whatever weather you were hoping for. Plan for unpredictability by investing in waterproof footwear to keep your trotters dry no matter what the weather decides to do.

Bring out the short sleeves. The perfect pairing with that new cardigan of yours, a short-sleeved shirt is a classic yet comfortable way to style out the spring. It’s ideal... should the sunshine decide to make a brief appearance.

Catch some shade. Sunglasses never go out of style, and, thanks to its brighter days, spring is when you’ll really start seeing some use out of yours. For 2021, round frames are still one of the most popular choices, but you could always go classic with a pair of Ray-Ban wayfarers.

Part II: Spring style tips

To really make the most of a spring wardrobe — and ensure you’re rising above the basic ranks — you’ll need some very specific style tips that are fitting for the season. And, wouldn’t you just know it? That’s exactly what we’ve got right here.

It’s time to tag in your springtime fabrics

Heavyweight fabrics are the domain of cold, snow, and ice. In springtime, it’s all about freshening up that wardrobe by tagging in some of the more lightweight fabrics that will bring a great balance of breathability without getting too chilly when the cooler nights make an appearance.

What are the best spring fabrics? Here are our picks:

Cotton
Silk
Linen
Wool (yep… seriously)

These fabrics are all light, airy, and “moisture wicking” by nature — meaning, they won’t leave you feeling too close if the sun has got its hat on.

Adjust your palette for lighter shades

It’s easy to assume that spring instantly means bright, vibrant colours that really catch the eye. But, when you really think about it, for most modern men, it’s less about brightness and more about lightness. This also means that you don’t need to steer too far away from classic neutral colours like browns and greys — just lighten the shades a little instead.

Make simple substitutions

If you’re new to building a seasonal wardrobe, the whole thing can seem a little intimidating, so here’s an insider tip: swap out what you already have for the seasonal equivalent. What does that mean? Well, take a heavyweight flannel shirt, for example: ideal for cosying up during winter, but not so much on a sunny spring day. Instead, substitute that flannel shirt for a lightweight linen number, or even a classic Oxford, and you’re making the same impact with more season-appropriate threads.

Part III: Casual Looks for Spring

Spring is all about rejuvenation, vitality, and the sense of life blooming all around you.

But it’s also about finally heading back outside after a long winter, meeting with friends (per government guidelines, naturally), and maybe whiling away a few hours in a pub beer garden (again, legislation-allowing). Heck, it can even be about taking a couple of Zoom calls from the garden rather than the kitchen table — and wouldn’t that be novel?

So let’s take a few common springtime scenarios and give you a few pointers on the ideal outfits for the modern gentleman for each one.

A Sunday morning stroll in the park is something we can all relate to, giving the modern gentleman the opportunity to don something both casual and comfortable. A pair of slim-fit chinos paired with a linen grandad shirt plus a bomber jacket (should the weather turn) will give you the versatility to enjoy Sunday morning without worrying about being dressed for the conditions.

A quick drink or two in your local pub looks set to make a welcome return in spring 2021, so it’s important to dress for the occasion. One key aspect to bear in mind here is that, while you say you’re only going to be there for the afternoon, let’s be real — it could easily become an evening affair. That’s why we’d always recommend taking along a light summer jacket or jumper, bomber, or blazer which you can easily throw over a chair until the need arises.

Working from home is still a big part of many of our lives, but that doesn’t mean you should just sit around in joggers all day — though we understand the temptation. Instead, why not mix things up this spring by introducing a cashmere sweater or casual shirt for those all-important video calls? After all, appearances do still matter — even if you’re only wearing boxer shorts on the bottom. (Just don’t forget that if the doorbell goes mid-call. Yikes.)

Part IV: Suited and booted for spring

While the sunshine and crisp weather of spring is an excellent excuse for creating some essential casual outfits, there comes a time when one must get down to business.

And if you’ve been donning sweats for the past few months, trust us, nothing feels better than finally stepping into a finely tailored suit.

In that spirit, let’s take a quick tour of the suits that are best… suited… to spring. This is all about the lightweight-yet-warm and the stylish-yet-comfortable — spring style.

The Classic 3-Piece Suit in Red Tweed

Cutting a fine silhouette is never as easy as when you’re feeling confident and, yes, even powerful wearing a classic 3-piece suit.

But if you really want to make an impression this spring, you should consider the fine tailoring and head-turning colour you can only find in red tweed. We’re a little biased, of course, but we truly believe that daring colours like this in traditional tweed set a gentleman apart when he steps into a room.

If you’re looking to make an impression that lasts, pairing the timeless 3-piece suit with a ravishing red tweed is one of our strongest recommendations this spring.

Retro Plaid Tweed 3-Piece Suit

Retro Plaid Tweed Suit

Step into any traditional British countryside pub during the spring months and you’re almost guaranteed to see one thing: tweed. It’s as British as fish and chips.

Now, here at Tweedmaker, this is our bread and butter, so we’re naturally biased, but for the aspiring gentleman, we believe a retro tweed suit is the best place to start.

If you’ve only just dipped a toe into the world of tailoring and tweed, a retro plaid 3-piece is an excellent way to pay homage to the history of the British gentleman while also maintaining a suave, stylish look even in the 21st century.

Retro Grey Wool 3 Piece Suit

Who said spring is all about bright colours? As we mentioned earlier, it’s less about bright and more about light — and here’s an excellent real-world example.

Designed with a sense of true aristocratic elegance, a grey 3-piece suit is the perfect choice for stepping out for brunch, lunch, or simply an afternoon style. Naturally lightweight, a grey tweed is best suited to more leisurely pursuits, but the inherent breathability of the fabric means that, even if things do heat up on those spring days, you’ll still stay cool, calm, and collected.

Worsted Wool Suits

Worsted Wool 3 Piece Suit Navy Blue

We simply can’t showcase our recommendations for springtime attire without mention of worsted wool. Named after the tiny Norfolk village where it was born, worsted is one of the finest wool fabrics available today. Not only that, but it’s stronger and more long-lasting than conventional wools, too.

What does all of that translate to for the modern gentleman? It’s simple: a range of suits tailored with superfine fabrics which aren’t just versatile enough for wear come rain or shine, but will also outlast many other items in your wardrobe.

A worsted wool suit is an excellent choice for a bright spring day, but that versatility means that, even if winter decides to make a guest appearance, you’ll still be comfortable and at ease, just as every gentleman should be.

Part V: Spring style icons

It goes without saying that wardrobe inspiration is evergreen, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find some well-known gents styling out spring in the spotlight.

In fact, there are plenty of them — so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite spring style icons for this year.

Idris Elba consistently ranks as one of the most fashionable men in Britain, and there’s a very good reason for that. Outside of his classic “Luther” trench coat, (which, to be fair, would be quite appropriate for spring nights), Idris has often been seen in previous spring seasons wearing lightweight woollen long-sleeved polo shirts.

Jonah Hill might be a surprising inclusion on this list, but his style really speaks for itself. Boasting an indie style, Jonah has previously been seen in spring wearing lightweight jackets, Oxford shirt, and jeans with a pair of fresh kicks.

George Clooney is another timeless fashion icon (whether you like it or not) and exemplifies one of the cornerstones of any solid spring wardrobe: the blazer. Suitable for springtime days or nights, a blazer is neither too stifling nor too lightweight — and George always makes it his own.

Jon Hamm is, of course, best known for his portrayal of 1960s advertising executive Don Draper in classic TV drama Mad Men. It’s quite fitting, then, that Jon has been seen garbed in a spring wardrobe featuring a lightweight Harrington jacket.

Bring your wardrobe to life this spring with Tweedmaker

We hope this guide to designing your spring wardrobe has been a good springboard to get you off on the right track this season — but it’s just the start. From here, it’s all up to you to make the changes that best suit you, your personality, and your personal style.

Don’t forget: whether you’re looking for a custom tweed suit or some premium accessories for the modern gentleman, you’ll find it all at Tweedmaker.

And if seasonal tips and inspiration are your thing, be sure to follow us on Instagram for a dose of modern style that’ll suit you down to the ground.

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