Introduction
Believe it or not, the recent snowstorms plaguing our shores will subside despite the promise of spring seeming more and more like an urban legend. I know I can’t be the only one dying for some warm weather, a dreamy/hazy afternoon in a beer garden and the prospect of going sockless once again. These hopes and dreams we have for the spring/summer torment me on a daily basis, but rather than fret and weep over such circumstances, perhaps we can all do a little by way of sartorial preparation. There are always the classic staples, and I spout the benefits of these endlessly: the white shirt, the leather shoes, the plain tees and the all-weather jacket – but what of the essentials for this coming season? Here at FashionBeans, we’re tackling our sub-zero woes with some wardrobe evolution, and as always, we’re sharing our top tips for spring/summer 2013 with you. When the sun finally rears its mocking but welcomed head, we can all enjoy it with the knowledge we’re looking our very best.
1. The Denim Jacket
Arguably the material of Paris fashion week, the denim jacket really is back with a vengeance once more. So long as you’re not matching the tone to any other denims in your outfit (a look so tricky to get right I’d avoid at all costs), this piece is pretty much a foolproof option. Recently, we’ve seen a shift away from the oversized late 1990s-inspired model as designers like Philip Lim and Acne opt for a more innovative approach. Experiment with a shearling hybrid or try a denim bomber ? another popular piece from show season that is saturating the high street. It may seem like an odd combination, but it works much better in practice than on paper.
Lookbook Inspiration
Current Examples
- Topman Bleach Denim Ribbed Bomber Jacket
- Topman Mid Wash Denim Harrington Jacket
- Burton Light Wash Denim Jacket
- Washed Denim Jacket
- Saint Laurent Slim-fit Denim Jacket
- Asos Denim Jacket
- Lee Smart & Slick Navy Rider Jacket
- Allsaints Keswick Denim Jacket
- Allsaints Ecru Denim Jacket
2. The Floral Piece
Any man that claims “florals are for fairies” is officially old-fashioned. Quite possibly the definitive pattern trend of spring/summer 2013, florals were everywhere as Christopher Kane took the classic English rose and emblazoned it on trousers, shirts and tees. Givenchy and Riccardo Tisci were but two fashion houses to follow suit. I understand that many would sniff at a boldly botanical button-up shirt, but there are always ways to subtly include a rather loud trend. After all, stylish inferences are usually a lot more effective than loud proclamations. Floral accents on plain shirts and jumpers are an excellent way of quietly embracing the floral trend for a finishing touch that strikes a perfect chord between masculinity and originality.
Lookbook Inspiration
Current Examples
- Topman Blue Floral Contrast Shirt
- Topman White Floral Pocket Roll T-shirt
- Penfield Grey Roseland Floral Print Pocket T-shirt
- Obey Dharma Blue Shirt
- Vivienne Westwood Anglomania For Lee Shirt Miltary Floral Twill
- Penfield Sweatshirt With Floral Print
- Worland Grey Floral Sweatshirt
- Penfield Chino Short With Floral Print
- Paul Smith – Jeans 306m Printed Shorts
3. Printed Shorts
It seems that this spring is certainly not one for the stylish wallflowers in our midst, with eye-catching prints in abundance. The quite literally dazzling displays of Prada and Saint Laurent raised many eyebrows as the thresholds of ‘acceptability’ in menswear are being pushed season after season. In fact, many did ponder if things had gone too far. Tees and shirts may be a little too brash for many, but the combination of classic British tailoring and inspired prints is perfect in shorts format. When everything else in your outfit is chic and refined, a good pair of print shorts will provide that edge and trend awareness we all aim for.
Lookbook Inspiration
Current Examples
- Native Youth Nysht9 Boat Print Shorts
- Topman Camouflage Printed Shorts
- Vans Chino Shorts Dewitt Tribal Print
- Hentsch Man Newport Printed Cotton Shorts
- Allsaints Sanshiro Shorts
- Allsaints Kohler Shorts
- Band Of Outsiders Boat-print Cotton Shorts
- Topman Grey Chino Paisley Shorts
- Ted Baker Flamgo – Embroidered Chino Shorts
4. The Pastel Blazer
Think more 1950s American Midwest than 1980s Miami Vice and you’re pretty much there. The traditional blazer in colours of pastel blue, pink, green and cream is fast becoming a stalwart of every spring/summer wardrobe. Acting as an excellent option for those who prefer a more formal personal style, the pastel blazer is a great alternative to the relatively urban-esque bomber jackets and oversized t-shirts set to dominate the industry this season. For those willing to take the plunge with the shorts suit (a contentious issue between classic style purists and their avant-garde contemporaries), the pastel blazer can always be incorporated to create a smart yet interesting look.
Lookbook Inspiration
Current Examples
- Reiss Preacher Patch Pocket Blazer Rose
- Selected Homme Percy – Suit Jacket – Green
- River Island Blazer
- Minimum Oxford Blazer
- Carin Wester Sakarias – Suit Jacket – Blue
5. Sunglasses
Sunglasses. Remember them? They may seem like a distant memory, and for those of us with enough dignity not to wear them on cloudy, miserable days (or even worse: a nightclub), we’ve forgotten that they too fall prey to spring/summer trends. We’ve finally seen a step away from the overdone, overtired wayfarers, and after seeing an ocean of cheap and nasty variations in Southeast Asia, I for one couldn’t be happier. Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana are just two labels providing a new twist on the classic aviator style with squared lenses, the removal of an under-frame and subtle inclusions of gold and chrome detailing. Opt for a caravan, keyhole or other less common frames in order to optimise your own style credentials ? and get them out at the faintest glimmer of legitimate sunshine.
Lookbook Inspiration
Current Examples
- Dior Homme Sunglasses Combination Aviator Sunglasses 143566
- Thom Browne Tb-006 Sunglasses
- Vintage Semi Clubmasters
- American Apparel Sharp Sunglass
- American Apparel Vintage Removable Clip Sunglasses
- Persol Tortoiseshell 649 Classic Sunglasses
- Linda Farrow X Kris Van Assche Kva8c7 Sunglasses
- Garrett Leight California Optical Hampton Detachable-front Acetate Glasses
- Mykita No.1 Tiago Sunglasses
Final Word
There you have our top five wardrobe staples for spring/summer 2013. It truly has been a divisive season amongst fashion followers; whilst many applaud the advances of contemporary menswear, many prefer a more classic style ? it’s up to you to pick a side. However, as always, there are plenty of ways to incorporate both depending on your own style, and that’s half the fun of creating impeccable spring/summer looks. Go ahead and find your own happy medium, and feel free to tell us where you stand with this somewhat outlandish season in the comments section below…