20 Sunny Wardrobe Staples To See You Through Spring

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20 Sunny Wardrobe Staples To See You Through Spring

Words by The MR PORTER Team

7 April 2023

Ready to store your sweaters and boots? Us, too. March might see the start of spring, but April is when it really starts to grow into itself and May just keeps getting better. That’s why we’ve put together a list of items that will help you transition from frigid temps to sunny times without sacrificing style, warmth or versatility. Think suede TOM FORD bomber jackets for chilly mornings and Birkenstock clogs to help you ease into sandal weather. This curated collection of spring-y pieces will (hopefully) inspire you to shed your black and navy layers in favour of the brighter, friendlier pieces for the season.

01.

The rainbow Casablanca shirt

Nothing says spring like colour, something provided in buckets by this crocheted shirt from Casablanca. A statement piece to take you through spring and beyond, if the rainbow stripes running across the chest aren’t enough to tempt you then the granny pearls as buttons will surely seal the deal.

02.

The classic-with-a-twist TOM FORD bomber jacket

Too cold for just a T-shirt, but too warm for a coat, spring is often touted as the season when lightweight jackets come into their own. And there are few finer examples than this spectacular suede bomber jacket from TOM FORD. The salmon-pink colour – the brand calls it Rust – looks great with white jeans.

03.

The try-something-new Acne Studios bag

Is this the season that you finally invest in a small bag? Acne Studios makes the case persuasively with its spring accessories collection, which includes this diminutive shoulder bag in full-grain leather with a tie-dye effect finish. Perfectly proportioned for your phone, credit card and keys – what else does a person need? – it’s a great choice for city breaks and festivals.

04.

The Elder Statesman’s indulgent shirt

Colourful Los Angeles cashmere brand The Elder Statesman appears to be entering its Blue Period, if this tie-dyed shirt from its latest collection is anything to go by. Broad vertical stripes in tonal shades of blue surround a central strip of white; it’s all very redolent of sunny California skies. Or maybe that’s just us. English winters do strange things to the mind.

05.

The homespun Nicholas Daley belt

A middle-of-the-road brown or black leather belt is a wardrobe essential, but once those bases are covered, don’t be afraid to push the boat out in this department. Turn to London’s finest Mr Nicholas Daley, who this season gives the overlooked-middle-child of accessories the love and attention it deserves in form of a colourful jute crochet knit.

06.

The vintage-style EDWIN trucker jacket

Nothing encapsulates Americana quite like a blue jean, but the real heads know that some of the best stuff can be copped by way of Japan. Specifically, it comes by way of OG Tokyo denim brand EDWIN – consider this stone-washed, vintage-style trucker jacket to be proof.

07.

The camo KENZO sunglasses

Not to play psychic here, but were we to hazard a guess at what’s sitting in your sunglasses drawer right about now, we’d go a) your classic black D-frame, b) a Top Gun-style aviator and/or c) a touch of tortoiseshell. All worthy picks, sure , but should you be looking to play it little less, er, predictable this summer – without veering too wacky, that is – then these camouflage shades by KENZO are just the magic you’re after.

08.

The “quiet luxury” Birkenstock clogs

Love them or hate them, Birkenstock’s impossibly snug clogs aren’t going anywhere this season. In fact, just in time for the era of quiet luxury (spurred in part by the latest season of Succession), they’ve popped up in a tasteful, goes-with-everything off-white that we’re convinced will convert the non-believers.

09.

The printed Gucci shirt

We’ve already put together the ultimate guide to wearing print – all you need to do, now, is pick the piece that’ll make the statement. Don’t mind if we suggest this Kawaii shirt by Gucci, designed in collaboration with pop culture-inspired illustrator Ms Angela Nguyen.

10.

The hype-worthy Salomon sneakers

Combining sleek design and technical details, Salomon’s high-performance sneakers have been flying off our virtual shelves recently. It’s XT-6 model, originally designed to take on ultra-marathons, but now equally at home in design studios, is no exception. Complete with the brand’s signature hiking-inspired lacing system, it’s sure to see you through all the off-the-clock adventures you have coming up.

11.

The Séfr everyday jeans

Florals for spring are hardly groundbreaking nowadays. But when they come by way of faded, retro-inspired printed patches on a pair of everyday jeans – as is the case with Séfr’s – the motif may not be so obsolete. The frayed hems sit nicely over sneakers and boots alike.

12.

The Brunello Cucinelli chunky cardigan

If you, like us, live in the northern hemisphere, don’t be fooled by the first glimpse of sunshine. April weather is notoriously unpredictable, so you’ll likely need an extra layer in no time. Brunello Cucinelli’s cardigan – knitted from cotton in a thick ribbed construction – will do the trick.

13.

The bad-ass Rhude trucker cap

“If you got it,” unionist Mr Jimmy Hoffa famously said, “a truck driver brought it to you.” Of course, the industry today isn’t what it was, but the romance of the American open road lives on. And with that in mind, this orange mesh trucker cap by Rhude is worth tooting an air horn for, 10-four roger, no matter how it got to you. (Shout out to the excellent team manning MR PORTER’s fleet of delivery vans.)

14.

The fishing-for-compliments LOEWE T-shirt

The memory span of fish is very much underestimated, with certain species shown to still place things that happened weeks, even months before, as well as pick up new skills. Which, if we’re being completely honest here, some members of the MR PORTER Team struggle with. Now where were we? Oh yes, no one is going to forget you in this zingy T-shirt, which comes to you from, er… LOEWE, that’s it. (Psst, the brand’s name is embroidered across the back, should it escape you.)

15.

The recycled shell Stone Island trousers

The shell that was a fishing net in a former life. It sounds like a Buddhist parable, and we’re not entirely convinced it isn’t, but prior to being your new favourite trousers, this material languished as plastic waste. Notably marine “ghost gear”, similar to that thought to account for up to 86 per cent of the Pacific trash vortex. Regenerated as Econyl, Stone Island has spun its formidable colour wheel and settled on a rather fabulous metallic pink.

16.

The net-gain Jacquemus messenger bag

As the deep thinker and deep-lying forward Mr Eric Cantona once put it, “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.” At least what we smell here is a theme and, whether intentional or not, a lot of brands seem to have gone the extra nautical mile this season. Jacquemus also has Provençal roots, and this cheeky, inspired net messenger bag really floats our boat. Buoy, do we love it. Moor please. OK, we’ll stop now.

17.

The watermelon-hued Gallery Dept. sweatshirt

You have probably been living in sweatshirts for the past couple of months, as the winter doldrums beat on. And now, while the weather is very in-betweeny, you may be reluctant to shed layers at the first sight of sun. Which is why this Gallery Dept. sweatshirt is exactly what you need to bridge the gap. Cosy for the chilly mornings, but wrought in a friendly shade of red, plus a jaunty French embroidered motif – this top is made for spring showers and May flowers.

18.

The Cartier Eyewear updated aviators

These are not President Joe Biden’s aviators – although he’d probably look sharp in a pair. Cartier Eyewear has taken the classic shade silhouette and tweaked it ever so slightly, ever so subtly and made them somehow more luxurious than ever. What else can we say about this universally flattering sunglass shape? No matter how you wear them, these shades are almost guaranteed to make you look like the most put-together guy on the street.

19.

The groovy Wales Bonner T-shirt

Tie-dye is great all year round, but is particularly fresh for spring and summer. This indigo shirt from Wales Bonner was hand-dyed in Burkina Faso using a three-stage process, which guarantees that each piece will be completely unique. The added perk of the embroidered logo ensures that there won’t be a cooler dude on the boardwalk when the sun is shining.

20.

The luxe Loro Piana bucket hat

Packable, reversable, water and wind resistant, this bucket hat from the luxury expert Loro Piana is quite the upgrade from the hippy-popularised style of yesteryear. This piece is as perfect for sailing as it is for chowing down on a vegan burger with your bros – there’s really no wrong way, or place, to wear it.