We’ve all heard the line that April is the cruellest month, but when it comes to getting dressed, it’s the one time of the year when things get considerably easier. Indeed, once you’ve vacuum-packed your down jackets, moth-proofed your cashmere and stowed away your heat tech, your wardrobe becomes ripe for reinvention; the time when you can stop dressing for the elements and start dressing for yourself. Want to wear more colour, play around with textures, or discover some new designers? There’s no better time than spring, so we’ve put together five outfit ideas to spark some inspiration.

To give your wardrobe a quick springtime boost, you want something smart and sophisticated that still gives you the feeling that you’re relaxed. Bottega Veneta’s cleanly cut denim jacket will do that perfectly, while the brand’s silver bag and Acne Studios’ knitted vest, while decidedly braver on the style spectrum, are a great way to add some personality to a look. These sleek trousers are Jil Sander’s signature minimalist take on cargo pants, while the shearling-lined leather loafers by JW Anderson toe the line between shoes and slippers to give an outfit an instantly laid-back vibe.

One of the best pieces of advice we can give for a spring wardrobe update is tochoose garments that look as lavish as they feel. A good suede trucker jacket such as this one from Valstar is an investment piece that can be worn for decades, and pairing it with this cotton and silk-blend shirt from Umit Benan B+ gives it some casual flair. Add linen trousers and a weekend bag, and you’re set for the season.

While you might assume that wearing more clothes is something you can give up on as the weather warms up, taking note of how to layer your clothes properly will serve you well all year-round. This matador-red jacket from BODE will be a showstopper wherever you wear it, but will look best when the rest of your outfit can keep up. Note the YMC floral-print shirt, the Marine Serre trousers cut from six different prints, as well as the patchwork bag from Baracuta x Noah – there’s a lot going on, but this is a good example of a look that feels comfortably confident. Sometimes, more really is more.

While a lilac suit might seem like overkill for a daytime look, this slouchy tailored number from Officine Générale is Parisian (read cool) enough to get away with it. Pair it with a white T-shirt, some jewellery and a pair of Converses, and you’ve got an outfit that can take you from an afternoon in the city straight through to a date at a restaurant.

If spring brings with it the urge to flee the smog of the city for grassy knolls and sun-dappled forests, that doesn’t mean you need to look like you’ve joined your local geriatric ramblers chapter. Thanks to the popularisation of Gorpcore, outdoorsy menswear has never been easier to slot into an everyday wardrobe. So while this weather-appropriate smorgasbord of Stone Island, Reigning Champ, lululemon, District Vision and more is great for hiking your way through an April shower, it’ll look great in a metropolitan setting, too.