With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of the wardrobe. This used to be primarily true for just women, but as fashion becomes a bigger part of modern lifestyle it pays for men to keep track of the latest trends.
As winter makes way for spring, just like in nature, your outfits should begin to get lighter and more colourful. The dark colours – the blacks, greys and browns – that serve so well in the winter, should be cast aside for less neutral tones in early spring and then towards pastel shades as spring approaches summer. Prints are set to be big this year – with inspiration from the Far East as well as a nostalgic trip back to the 80s set to adorn T-shirts.
As well as colour, material should be examined as the seasons change. Not only does it make sense to lose the thick layers as the temperature rises, it also shows you’re keeping up with the fashion. If you still feel cold, instead of reaching for a jumper grab a couple of thin layers to keep yourself cosy. This is great for those days with uncertain weather, when you’re not sure whether the sun will stay or go. Remember, though, that spring fashion and summer fashion are very different so don’t go straight into shorts, tank tops and sandals just yet.
With sun just as likely as rain, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for all kinds of weather. While layers prepare you for the sun, you also need protection from water – from overhead and underfoot. A compact, lightweight umbrella is useful in quick showers and a waterproof jacket is always useful – cropped macs with wide lapels are likely to be in fashion in spring 2009 – and shoes that can withstand the abuse of walking through puddles; save the canvas shoes for the dry months!
This advice goes for accessories as well as clothes – so put away your woolly hats and gloves, and make sure any scarves you wear are thin and purely decorative. Always remember, though, that scarves go out of fashion the day the clocks go forward for British Summer Time and should not be worn again until the country is back to observing Greenwich Mean Time in autumn.
Nowadays, men’s fashion is as ever-changing and as vibrant as what the female’s style has to offer. And although it may not be a traditionally macho subject to keep up to date on, you can be sure that the guys who have more to their wardrobe than their team’s latest football top will have more in common with the fashion conscious girls in society.