Fellas, the sun is shining, the temperatures are rising, it’s finally time to replenish your closet with the freshest, flyest spring clothes for men. So if you’re looking to hit the ‘thaw’ button on your warm-weather rotation (and reacquaint yourself with the idea of getting dressed again), look no further than the below, a fully-loaded list of all the men’s spring fashion essentials you’ll need this season, cherry-picked by your friendly neighborhood GQ editors.
No matter how you play them, the spring garms here will sing together in beautiful harmony. Think of ’em like the Chick Corea Elektric Band of your wardrobe: A funky fusion of forward-thinking pieces and forever classics that, in aggregate, form an endless array of impeccable men’s spring outfits. From crisp button-downs and trippy hats to close-up-ready shades and freaky shorts, these are the 42 spring clothes for men we’ll be wearing from now through June.
The Spring Menswear Hit List
- The Crisp Button-Up: Alex Mill Mill Shirt, $165
- The Silky Tee: CDLP Heavyweight T-Shirt, $108
- The Sultry Polo: Banana Republic Giorgio Linen-Cotton Resort Polo, $100
- The Dressy Shorts: Youth Belted Shorts, $255
- The Throwback Chinos: J.Crew Giant-Fit Chino, $98
- The Go-Everywhere Loafers: Vinny’s Yardee Croc Loafer, $350
- The Air-Chilled Sandals: Nisolo Huarache Sandal, $150
- The Sun-Scoffing Shades: Warby Parker Albie Sunglasses, $145
- The Ice-Cold Bracelet: Miansai Lyra Topax Chain Bracelet, $165
- The Farmer’s Market Bag: Dragon Diffusion Woven Leather Shopper Tote, $650
- The Shower-Proof Trench: Burberry Cotton-Gabardine Trench Coat, $2890
- The Wedding-Bound Suit: Buck Mason Cadet Khaki Italian Twill Graduate Blazer, $398
- The Triple-Thread Sweater: Reiss Hampshire Wool Funnel-Neck Cardigan, $190
The Crisp Button-Up
Here’s a newsflash for you: Just because the weather finally hit 70 degrees doesn’t mean it’s T-shirt time from here on out. Come springtime, think of the button-up as are your sartorial Swiss Army Knife. A straight-ahead version like Alex Mill’s joint can anchor an an office-appropriate get-up as easily as it can a beach-ready ensemble. Oh, and n more instances than you’d think, a button-up can pull double duty as a (very) light jacket.
The Plain White Tee(s)
When the warm weather finally decides to stick around, T-shirts start to come out of hibernation in droves, emerging from their caves (sweaters) and into the fresh air. In other words: your tees are going to play a central role in your closet for the next six months, so you’d better make them good. That can mean investing in a decidedly luxe plain white T-shirt like CDLP’s airy lyocell-blended version, or opting for a straight-up freaky alternative. It doesn’t mean forgoing your roster of carefully curated band tees, though—keep those in the starting lineup.
The Sultry Polo
The best polos are inherently hot. Sure, even the most conventional of them should be heavy on the texture and designed to highlight your biceps, but the flyest of the genre skew even sexier. We’re talking lace, mesh, crochet; if it’s even slightly see-through, we want it. When the birds and the bees are working overtime, maybe your polo should follow suit…if you catch our drift.
The Throwback Chinos
Name a pair of pants more spring-ready than chinos. (Go on—we’ll wait.) In 2024, though, the key to finding the right chinos for you comes down to fit (actually, the key to pretty much everything comes down to fit). Get your legs into a pair baggy enough to let the air circulate, ideally with a rise high enough to spotlight your tucked-in tees. J.Crew’s Giant-fit chinos are a modern classic; Studio Nicholson’s are just as big but a little more design-forward. Once you’ve got your pants sorted, your shoe options are wide open.
The Swishy Shorts
As long as Patagonia keeps making its legendary Baggies, we’ll keep plugging ’em. Sure, their pleasantly swishy fabric is ultra-durable and takes to water like a fish, but they look right at home in less active situations, too. In the decades since they were introduced, Yvon Chouinard’s masterpiece has cemented itself as a bona fide everyday staple that countless brands have riffed on (and ripped off). So if you thought your options were limited to chino versions or mesh, court-ready spins, think again.
The Dressy Shorts
That said, corp-core is on the rise—and that goes for your shorts, too. (Think swanky pleated trousers lopped at the knee and you’ve got the right idea.) Dressier shorts present an easy way to look put-together while staying cool. Lean into the vibe with a crisp button-up or give ’em a thorough dressing down with a lightweight sweater—keep scrolling—and sneakers.
The Air-Chilled Sandal
Breezy sandals are a must during the spring, whether you plan on heading to the beach or not. There’s a grip of gorp-y options and plenty of typical indoor-outdoor slides, but these days we’re more about the fancy leather joints that swaggy old folks have been on for ages. Huaraches and fisherman sandals from brands like Nisolo and Hereu look ultra-luxe with billowy linen pants and a camp shirt, and can quickly tap into cool-dad-at-the-BBQ vibe with washed-out jeans.
The Unbeatable Jeans
Do we really need to explain why you should own a pair of jeans? They’re as timeless and endlessly style-able as a white tee, and look even better with wear (can’t say the same about your boxer briefs, though). But don’t limit yourself to blue jeans. The world of denim continues to expand and the options these days are crazier and more colorful than ever and what better time to bust out some ostentatious jeans than a superbloom?
The Everday Sneakers
We love a shiny new sneaker as much as any hardcore sneakerhead. But some of the coolest sneakers have walked a thousand miles and look even better for it. Now’s the time to lock in on a single pair of sneakers and cook them to a crisp. Wear them with every outfit, to every house party, punk show, and beach hang. Ideally, by the time autumn comes around, your personal project will reach its full potential and look as good as your vintage jeans.
The Face-Framing Shades
This one’s a no-brainer: It’s sunny and you need to protect your pretty eyes. But sunglasses are also one of the easiest ways to take your fits to the next level, like adding a lemon peel to a cocktail. They may not cure your hangover the next day, but they will make you look exponentially cooler than you feel.
The Funky Clog
Wearing clogs is kind of like dressing your dog in a sweater—cute but crazy. And when the weather gets warm and you let your dogs go off-leash, so to speak, a good pair of clogs will get just as much attention. Birkenstock Bostons are the preeminent funky shoe, but Plasticana’s Gardana clogs have swept through stylish circles and the backs of house of the hippest restaurants. If there was a category in between sneakers and loafers, this would fill that niche.
The Ice-Cold Accessories
If winter is for layering, spring is for jewelry. Now that you’ve shed the sweaters, scarves, and big coats, it’s prime time for your necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and—yes—anklets to come out in full force. As you continue to doff layers through June, it’s the accessories that’ll ensure you stay stylish until it gets cold again.
The Badass Boots
Spring may be warmer than winter, but it ain’t nearly as blistering as summer. Which is great news for your footwear rotation, because that means boots are still in play for the season. R.M. Williams’ Australian-made Chelseas are so good that GQ’s Avidan Grossman claims they “go with every pair of pants he has”. But to really, uh, harness your inner Fashion Guy, pair Frye’s hulking stompers with some shorts and a tank top.
The Sun-Stopping, Head-Turning Hat
Sunglasses may protect your eyes, but they won’t cover your face from the sun’s nasty rays. Whether it’s a vintage-inspired trucker that channels your inner Gosling, a crochet bucket your grandma would approve of, or a minimalist baseball cap for peak Kendall Roy cosplay, you should have a good hat in your bag at all times.
The Farmer’s Market Bag
Speaking of bags! Farmer’s markets are so back, baby, and with them come a spate of sick ways to store your produce. Is there a bigger springtime flex than a fresh baguette poking out of cool, texture-heavy tote? Okay, maybe we’re grasping at an excuse to buy a new bag, but when/if you’re rebuilding your closet from the ground up, why stop at the accessories?
The Feather-Light Jacket
Don’t pack away your outerwear just yet. Spring still demands a light jacket for those brisk evenings drinking in the view from a rooftop bar or strolling through the park. What the two below share in common is a certain old man-adjacent appeal: both the Harrington jacket and the windbreaker are favorites of the comfortably retired set, but you don’t need a pension or an AARP card to appreciate their timeless chill-busting prowess.
The Shower-Proof Trench Coat
Beware of the occasional spring shower. You could certainly keep an umbrella in your tote bag, but when trench coats exist, why would you? They’re stylish, cinematic, and look a whole lot cooler than struggling to expand your bodega parasol entering and exiting the train.
The Wedding-Bound Suit
Love is in the air—and so are RSVPs. In a few weeks from now, you can bet your presence will be requested at a handful of knot-tying ceremonies, and you’ll need a suit to wear to them. If you want to get the most out of your two-piece, opt for one that can easily be broken up and worn solo dolo. Buck Mason’s lightweight cotton option is a prime example—rock the jacket on its own with vintage jeans and loafers, take the pants for a spin with sneakers and a cardigan. Just remember to get the whole shebang pressed before you sequester yourself by the open bar.
The Triple-Threat Sweater
Hey, spring can still be chilly! So when the weather decides to reminisce about February, keep a full-zip sweater on hand. (They’re kind of like a a cardigan, track jacket, and polo all in one.) Reiss’s lightweight merino joint promises temperature-regulating powers and the ability to class up your blown-out jorts and scuzzy tees.
The Go-Everywhere Loafer
If you had to limit your shoe rotation to just one pair, we’d argue that it should be a pair of loafers. Give ‘em a good polish and a well-fitting suit and they can attend the fanciest wedding. Sans socks, a pair of short shorts, and a cardigan and you’re in instantly in a blissful state of prep-casual. With some blasted blue jeans and a ribbed tank, you’ve acquired Hot Boy status. They’re as dressy as any dress shoe, as casual as any sneaker, and somehow great at both.
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