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The Art of Spring Dressing: A Style Guide for Men

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The craftsmanship behind the iconic Burberry coats. Image featured in Burberry by Assouline. Courtesy of Burberry.

It’s been a couple weeks since Daylight Savings Time hit both sides of the Atlantic, meaning the days are getting longer, warmer, and more full of opportunities to to flex your fits without all of winter’s bulky layers. And while coats—at least the kind you check—aren’t quite forgone conclusions, it is safe to say that a new sartorial season is upon us. To help discerning guys navigate the best of dopamine dressing, we’ve put together a men’s spring style cheat-sheet that is prepared for transitional weather (April showers, anyone?), extra doses of Vitamin D (sunglasses always look better when the temperatures go above 60°F—or 15°C, depending on your nearest Assouline store), and, for the optimistic outdoorsman, dining al fresco (friends-who-run-cold need not apply). To that end, we’ve done the heavy-duty browsing for you, sourcing seasonal heroes from some of our favorite brands, many of which we just may have worked with on a book or two—or six. Whether you’re looking for transitional problem-solving pieces, ready to bear some ankle, or in the mood to embrace your brighter side (after all, exposure to UV rays can increase serotonin, which can make you happier), this wardrobe primer has you covered—but not too covered up.

The Varsity Jacket by Dior and Hylton Nel. Courtesy of Dior.

The Varsity Jacket

Even if you’re not into team sports, no athletic abilities are needed to pull off a varsity jacket. Dior’s elegant, contemporary take on this quintessential symbol of collegiate Americana is part of the French house’s capsule collection with South African ceramicist Hylton Tel. The artist’s whimsical spirit shines through on the jacket’s back, which is adorned with the words “Dior for my real friends,” a line adapted from a fictionalized Francis Bacon quote in the 1998 movie, Love Is the Devil.

The Hurley Pants by Loro Piana. Courtesy of Loro Piana.

The Transitional Pant

 It’s not quite time for all linen everything, but for those who have been missing the material, Lora Piana’s Hurley linen-blend pants pack just enough of it—20 percent to be exact—to keep you satisfied until high summer. Fused with cotton and ramie for a tactile fabric full of character, the pair features inward-facing pleats and half-elasticized waistband, all done up in a sapphire shade that’s cool to the touch—and to look at, too. 

The ALD / New York Mets Leon Overshirt. Courtesy of Aimé Leon Dore.

The Overshirt 

Not quite a top, not fully a jacket, the overshirt, a seasonal layering staple, is designed for days like these. Enter: cult NYC brand Aimé Leon Dore’s team-up with the New York Mets, particularly this bright blue number, which combines baseball aesthetic nostalgia—there’s an embroidered Mets logo at the chest and right sleeve—with the streetwear sensibility (note the oversized fit) that’s a perennial hallmark of ALD.

The Car Coat by Burberry. Courtesy of Burberry.

The Car Coat

When it comes to rain, April’s most famous refrain, leave it to Burberry to take care of business. This made-in-England car coat, done up in shower-resistant gabardine, stays true to the British brand’s classic heritage without being stodgy, thanks to creative director Daniel Lee’s subtle touches, which can be seen in the subdued signature check twill lining and detachable B buckle belt

Men's Gucci Jordaan loafer in green suede. Courtesy of Gucci.

The Suede Loafer 

Gucci’s iconic Jordaan loafer gets a spring refresh via this unexpected (in a good way) green color-way. Crafted in ultra-soft, ultra-luxurious suede, the shoe boasts a distinctive elongated toe and a decidedly sleek silhouette, plus the Italian house’s classic horsebit detail in the form of silver-toned hardware. Dress it down with blue jeans or stand-out (quietly) in a neutral suit—with no snow on the horizon, it’s right answers only. 

The Cargo Wearable Wallet by Louis Vuitton. Courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

The Wearable Wallet 

Less layers means no more padded parkas to camouflage that awkward tin of mints, jumble of keys, and oversized Pro Max. Maybe it’s time to lean into what Louis Vuitton is calling the “Cargo Wearable Wallet,” a functional and organization-friendly city bag with a removable strap (wear it cross-body or over-the-shoulder), that’s part of the new Monogram Archive collection, Men’s Creative Director Pharrell Williams reinterpretation of the Maison’s heritage designs. 

Find More Inspiration
The Classics Collection Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh (Classic Cartoon Cover)
$140 USD
The Legends Collection Burberry
$195 USD
Pre-Order
The Legends Collection Gucci: The Art of Silk
$250 USD

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