25 Spring Style Essentials Every Guy Should Own

Wonky weather, longer days, a new set of social rules: spring brings with it a bundle of change. As such, it only makes sense that it’s time to change up your style, too. Goodbye, puffer jacket. Hello, chore coat. After all, in a season so fickle, there are some rules to play by. Spring essentials are, ahem, essential.

But, like any proper list, it can be hard to remember all of the involved items, and one missed checkbox can spell disaster. That’s where we come in. InsideHook is here to offer you the comprehensive, exhaustive and otherwise concrete catalog of the spring essentials you must not go without. From singlet rings to everyday suits, every well-dressed guy should have the entirety of the contents below at their disposal. To forgo these must-haves would be to resign yourself to a sartorially stunted (and definitely damp) spring.

What exactly does the season demand? Versatile staples that can be dressed up or down — a picnic here, an office outing there — take the cake, as do transitional fabrics that breath with you and allow for protection when you need it; the likes of French terry, organic cotton and maybe even a seersucker here and there are your friends. Likewise, a light layer that can fend of inclement weather is all but mandatory for these moody months.

Chances are, you already have many of these styles, so kudos, you well-dressed fellow, you. Take this opportunity to fill the holes in your seasonal wardrobe. For the less stocked, now’s the time to blow a bag; as it turns out, most of these must-haves carry over into summer, and some are even appropriate for the darker, chillier months. Below, the 25 spring essentials every man should own.

The Basic White Tee: Flint and Tinder Heavy Weight Pocket Tee

You’ve heard it time and time again — there is no better staple than a good white tee. Flint and Tinder’s Pocket Tee is woven with 100% premium, heavyweight cotton, and it’s heavy enough to help you brave windy, chilly days, but it won’t weigh you down when the sun comes out to play.

The Anywhere and Everywhere Suit: Todd Snyder Italian Stretch Twill Madison Suit

If there’s one suit that can do it all — power meetings and wedding receptions, fancy dinners and first impressions — it’s the Madison Suit from Todd Snyder. Cut from Italian-milled chino, it’s the perfect weight for spring (and summer, and fall), and the olive drab color lends itself to an infinite variety of occasions.

The Warm-Weather Uniform: Abercrombie & Fitch Button-Up Geometric Sweater Polo

Suns out….polos out? There’s no style we’d rather rock when the weather’s fair than the sweater polo, for its endless ’70s charm and comfortable cotton weave. Abercrombie & Fitch nails the swolo in a variety of hues, like this geometrically patterned number above, and with its $55 price point, it’s a no-brainer spring essential.

The Trusted Lightweight Boot: Todd Snyder The Nomad Boot

Chukkas are a jack of all trades. They can dress down a suit, dress up some chinos, and they even play nicely with jeans. No wonder so many guys (Obama and Bourdain, to name a few) swear by them. Todd Snyder’s take — and first foray into footwear — is the perfect spring investment thanks to some supple, buttery suede and 12mm rubber soles.

The Chilled-Out Jean: Levi’s 550 Relaxed Fit Jeans

The Levi’s 550 is kind of like the 501’s laid-back cousin, with a roomy ft down through the thigh for ultimate comfort. Remember, relaxed doesn’t mean baggy. Have standards, people!

The Post-Sneaker Staple: G.H. Bass Larson Contrast Weejun

It’s official: we’re living in a post-sneaker world. Good thing, too, or you might have missed out the loafer wave (the horror!). All that matters is you’re here now — and that you cop a pair of these suave contrast Weejuns from G.H. Bass. After all, you know what they say: three colors means triple the fun.

The Oversized Button-Down: L.L. Bean Traditional Fit Organic Cotton Seersucker Shirt

life you want (see: Hamptons house husband, also, investment banker in the ’80s), not the one that you have.

The Lightweight Chore Coat: Everlane The French Terry Chore Jacket

The Everlane Chore Coat is just about perfect — not too thick, not too thin, and layerable as all get out.

The Hangout-Approved Athletic Shorts: Vuori Kore Short

InsideHook and Harry Styles approved.

The Reinvented Undershirt: 2(X)IST Essential Cotton Square Cut Tank (2-Pack)

New York label 2(X)IST has done the impossible: they’ve reinvented the cotton tank. Of course, their tagless version doesn’t stray too much from the original formula, but the notable square-cut shoulders lend both a structured and a built look to the undershirt that reads, in a word, flattering. Don’t be afraid to show some tank under a button-down, sweater polo, or even on its own — tucked in nicely to some pleated pants, of course.

The Court-Ready White Kicks: On The Roger Advantage Sneaker

If these white sneakers are good enough for Roger, they’re good enough for you!

The Wild Western Shirt: Taylor Stitch The Ledge Shirt

Biiig cowboy energy.

The Designer Shades: Tom Ford Jamieson Sunglasses

Yes, a cheap pair of sunglasses will technically work, but as we’ve explained, a good pair of designer glasses are worth every penny. Take these Tom Ford joints; polarized, timeless, and sexy as hell.

The Camp Collar Contingency: J.Crew Camp-Collar Harbor Shirt

A campcollar shirt is one of those garments that makes decisions for you. Don’t know what to wear? Camp collar. Need to dress up? Camp collar. Headed to something more casual? Camp collar. Seriously, is there anything this shirt can’t do?

The (Secretly Comfy) Dress Pants: Bonobos Stretch Weekday Warrior Dress Pants

Cushy office job not included.

The Not Not-Causal Blazer: Alex Mill The Mill Blazer

We’re not saying that Alex Mill’s Mill Blazer is not not causal, but we’re not not saying that, either. The vintage-inspired cut of sturdy cotton twill is appropriate for virtually every situation, seasonally or otherwise.

The Anti-Stink Undies: Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Brief

With temps slowly heating up, it’s more important than ever to invest in functional, comfortable and anti-swamp ass boxers. Mack Weldon ticks each of those boxers with their 18-Hour Brief.

The In-Betweener: Outerknown Blanket Shirt

Too cold for a tee, but too warm for a jacket? Has Outerknown got the thing for you. The best-selling Blanket Shirt is a perennial shacket list topper, and for good reason.

The On-Trend Off-Whites: Madewell Cotton Everywear Pants

The cream-beige-off white pant is having a moment, but that’s not what makes these Madewell bottoms a spring essential. No these make the cut due to their perfected relaxed cut, elastic waist and too good pockets.

The Office Oxfords: Allen Edmonds Boulevard Cap Toe Dress Shoe 

The pandemic may have changed things, but heritage shoemakers Allen Edmonds are produce the premier dress shoe, whether you’re tugging them on to head to the office or the coffee shop.

The Understated Accessory: Mejuri Slim Rectangular Singlet Ring

In 2022, it’s not enough to nail the outfit — you’ve got to up your accessorizing game, too. Mejuri’s understated rings are a good place to start; simple, handsome and affordable. Rings not your thing? Try a thin chain, instead.

The Coffee-Run Toss-On: lululemon French Terry Oversized Hoodie

For those chilly morning and upcoming marathons (the movie kind), we’ve come back to lulu’s French Terry Oversized Hoodie time and time again; its cashmere-soft cotton and snuggly fit are bar none.

The Kickass Leather Trucker: Buck Mason Leather Bruiser Trucker Jacket

James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause”. Tom Cruise in “Top Gun”. Hell, Brad Pitt in “Fight Club”. It just does not get more badass than a leather jacket.

The Groovy Sweater Vest: COS Regular-Fit Jacquard Knit Vest

We won’t go so far as to say that a crazy knit is a spring essential — although it’s absolutely a solid style move — but we will posit that a sweater vest is. The back-in-style layer is great for adding some texture and color to a standard oxford-chino uniform, and you win bonus points for looking like you’re grandma’s favorite.

The Must-Have Rain Jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket

The self-explanatory, somewhat obligatory spring rain jacket is an obvious inclusion for spring essentials. Less obvious is the fact that you don’t have to look like a dweeb wearing one. Take Patagonia’s Torrentshell Jacket — simple, effective and surprisingly snappy.