How To Transition Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring: 4 Simple Swaps for Men
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The transition from winter into spring illustrates the disorienting conundrum of trying to remain warm and cool at the same time.
It’s the strange time of the year when you’re equally hot and cold thanks to the changing season’s warmer days, interspersed with icy bursts of frigid wind and the occasional rain shower.
The bright sun and its inviting rays make you want to hop right into your favorite summer garb and forget about the fact that at any moment, a random cold front may be looming on the horizon.
With so many conflicting factors at play, it’s no wonder why guys have a hard time adjusting to these unfavorable conditions.
Why an All-Seasons Wardrobe Doesn't Work
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Don’t get me wrong: there are many closet staples that you can and should use continually throughout the year, regardless of the seasons.
Important key pieces like a reliable pair of jeans, cotton Oxford button-downs, and basic t-shirts are exemplary examples of season-less, enduring basics that act as year-round fixtures in most men’s closets.
If you’re just starting out with enhancing your wardrobe, arming yourself with these types of pieces is a great way to mix and match to achieve many looks for many different occasions without a boatload of pieces clogging your brain’s ability to assemble an outfit.
Sounds great, right? Well—yes and no.
Besides being easy, a “season-less capsule wardrobe” is an approachable way for the fashion neophyte to kickstart their personal style journey. Limiting yourself to only a handful of options mitigates paralyzing decision-making and ensures you look classically put together all year long.
The issue with limiting yourself to this type of wardrobe is you forgo the exciting sartorial elements warranted by each season’s unique weather pattern.
These include season-specific materials, colors, and prints that, simply put, make getting dressed fun! After all, style is a form of self-expression, right?
From a practical standpoint, wearing the same slew of shirts and pants day in and day out will lead to discomfort when the weather turns blisteringly hot or upsettingly cold.
For example, some materials are made to hold heat to insulate your body, while others are designed to remove excess heat and wick away moisture. This is why certain materials are put to use for specific seasons.
This is precisely why having a small number of seasonal items is a sure-fire way to make sure you remain comfortable and stylish year-round.
Swap Dark Denim for White Denim
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Okay. This one is controversial yet brave.
I’m not sure why, but it seems like guys have a weird aversion to white jeans—or any white pants for that matter.
I’m a longtime white denim lover who, at one point in time during my impoverished college years, wore a pair of $9 white Levi’s jeans almost exclusively for an entire year.
Why? Well, I didn’t have money for another pair of jeans, BUT I also loved how the white denim made anything I paired with them pop. Contrast, baby.
All jokes (and sad stories) aside, swapping out your dark winter denim for a pair of white jeans will instantly brighten up any outfit by imbuing a sense of lightness—just what we need when transitioning out of the cold, dark depths of winter.
Remember, white is a core neutral color. It can quite literally go with anything. White denim is a touch more elegant than its indigo counterpart and, therefore, can be easily dressed or (or down) depending on the occasion.
Turner’s Picks:
Good: Uniqlo, $49.90
Better: Naked & Famous, $136
Best: Mr. P, $235
Swap Heavy Coats for Unlined Trucker Jackets
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I have to be honest with you for a minute.
When I see a grown man wearing a full-on arctic parka in the middle of Spring, I can’t help but think, “aren’t you fucking hot?!”
To me, having a solid (or modest) selection of transitional pieces feels very adult. Anticipating the changing seasons and acting accordingly means you’re a self-aware grown-up who’s able to dress yourself depending on what Mother Nature has in store for you.
This means having a few lightweight (preferably) unlined jackets to swap in exchange for heavy winter coats.
A great trucker-style jacket is a perfect option for layering over flannels and lightweight knits.
For color, stick to neutral colors such as chocolate browns, greys, and olive greens.
For material, 100% cotton is a durable yet breathable no-brainer. If your budget allows, a suede trucker jacket will add insanely creamy, lush texture and provide lightweight warmth. Suede is thinner than your typical smooth leather, making it feel substantial while allowing air to pass through—double win.
Turner’s Picks:
Good: Taylor Stitch, $188
Better: Proper Cloth, $395
Best: Mr. P, $1,035
Swap Flannels for Bold Statement Shirts
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When you think of Spring, what comes to mind?
Longer, sunnier days—relative to Winter—freshly sprouted foliage and a renewed energy.
Translate these feelings into your wardrobe in the form of punchy, fresh patterns and bold prints.
An easy way to integrate bold patterns into your everyday look is by swapping out one neutral component of your outfit with a patterned version. A statement shirt is the easiest way to do this.
This simple method imbues some visual interest onto your outfit without looking or feeling like you’re trying too hard. The predominant neutral elements soften the impact made by the bold print or pattern you’ve chosen.
What’s the key to finding great statement shirts that won’t make you feel like you’re swimming in a box of melted crayons?
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Choose prints with muted, tonal shades of brighter colors. Instead of bright red, go for a brick red; instead of bright blue, go for a powdery blue; instead of neon green, go for a deep hunter green. Higher brightness and saturation = higher risk. It’s about making a statement without looking like you’re trying to make a statement. In short: lighter, NOT brighter. Make sense?
The same goes for the actual print itself. Go for understated abstract and floral prints for classic pool party vibes and chunky stripes when you’re feeling a touch more conservative.
Ask yourself: “Would I hang this on my wall as art?” If the answer is no, it’s a safe bet that the print isn’t sophisticated enough to wear on your body, much less hang on your wall. Next!
TL:DR: anything too on the nose—meaning it screams “ALOHA!”—isn’t what we’re going for. Understated prints that are equal parts playful and elegant are the sweet spots to look for.
Turner’s Picks:
Good: Uniqlo, $29.90
Better: Labour Union, $112.50
Best: Engineered Garments, $252
Swap Heavy Boots for Desert Boots
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Fully lined, water-resistant, ice-proof boots are great when you need utility-focused footwear to withstand a long, snow-drenched winter.
However, when days grow longer and heavy coats become less of a necessity, cumbersome winter boots aren’t going to cut it.
Cue the Chukka boot or, more specifically, the Desert boot. An embodiment of the changing seasons.
A simplistic design made from natural materials that feel like you’re walking barefoot on bouncy soil. In other words, the perfect shoe for when the weather no longer warrants heavy winter boots but hasn’t yet fully transitioned into the sweltering heat of summer.
Few footwear options can provide the same level of comfort and versatility as the Desert boot.
Seriously—what other shoe can seamlessly transition from the office to the great outdoors, all while remaining ruggedly handsome and effortlessly cool? I’ll wait.
Created by Clark’s in the 1940s, the Desert boot features a suede upper and crepe sole for a shoe that’s lightweight, comfy, and ridiculously handsome.
Although many suede chukka boots are available in a wide range of materials, I highly recommend choosing a pair with crepe soles. The bouncy comfort is unmatched, and the ivory color is a refreshing escape away from the dark shades of winter.
The classic tan-colored suede is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a starting point.
If tan isn’t your thing, there are many available options, including navy, olive, brown, black, white—the list goes on.
Pair these bad boys with white jeans and a t-shirt for a James Dean-esque look or cotton trousers for something a little more sophisticated.
The options are endless with this supremely versatile shoe.
Turner’s Picks:
Best: Clarks, $140
To Sum it Up:
Break out the white denim. Swapping your dark denim for white denim will help brighten and lighten your look without making you feel too out of your comfort zone. Remember, white denim is still denim. Even better? Contrary to popular belief, white is easy to care for. A little bleach and detergent will keep your pair looking fresh and clean all season long.
Unlined trucker jackets for the win. The transition between winter and spring can be especially challenging, thanks to drastically fluctuating temperatures. For this tumultuous time of year, an unlined canvas or suede trucker jacket is the ideal choice when you need to bridge the sartorial gap between hearty and breathable.
Break out the statement prints. No other item of clothing screams warm weather quite like a bold statement shirt. I’m not talking about the Hawaiian shirts worn by old men on vacation. The new breed of statement prints and patterns are abstract, understated, and infinitely cool.
Desert boots are a must. No other shoe can pivot from the office to the great outdoors like the tried and true Desert boot. Besides looking ruggedly handsome and timeless, these boots are incredibly comfortable and only get better with age.