Those piles of parking lot snow are starting to whither. Winter clearance events for retail are coming to an end. That means new, warm-weather arrivals are starting to show up in store, and online.
Spring/Summer 2016 is looking to be not quite as adventurous as last year. There are patterns and color, but they aren’t as bold as retailers went with in 2015. There’s an overlying simplicity, with a flash or spark of unexpected styling here and there. Many brands are still betting on the very casual, more street-wear influenced side, but there are more than a few dressed up pieces worth your time too. Know that for many of these items, prices are sure to come down with sales & promos once the snow starts to melt. Now, let’s start to thaw out,
Another winner of a sportcoat from J. Crew. Italian linen and partially lined in what appears to be a lightweight cotton oxford? Should be a great blazer to pair with white jeans/chinos, a pale blue shirt, and loafers on warm days.
Old Navy has turned a bit of a corner. They’re still the cheapest of the GAP inc. brands, but they’re becoming a little less… clunky? For example, these summer-weight oxfords claim a slim fit, and that “above the clouds” greenish greyish tealish big check is spot on. Also available in a few other patterns as well as the standard white and blue. Seems like high potential basics that are always on sale with codes, and can be lumped in with other GAP inc. purchases to trip that $50 free shipping threshold.
What. Is that?? Looks like there’s major potential here, with Timex introducing a new, seemingly dead simple, leather strap option in the not too distant future. Teaser shot above showed up on their instagram/twitter feeds. UPDATE: Looks like End Clothing has a few of these new Fairfield models, but not a silver case on a brown strap? Thanks to everyone for the tips!
92% linen. 8% silk. Half-canvas. Thankfully just a butterfly lining in the back. More casual, spring/summer appropriate lower patch pockets. Terrific button stance. Full review of Spier & Mackay over here. Lots of potential with this one, even if it’s not a true “new” arrival, and sizes are getting a bit on the limited side.
Check out the green. Wearing bright green pants is kinda like wearing bright red pants, with much less classic preppy/clam bake connotations. They’re fun, they’re laid back, and you can wear em with a t-shirt if you want. These khakis come in lots of color options. Always on sale.
Huge potential. Got one on the way for an in-person, so stand by for that. Leather body, simple design, could make for a terrific entry level yet still polished looking briefcase.
It’s back, in JCF’s terrific “Thompson” fit, and just partially lined. It’s light in color and weight, and at first glance looks like any other normal spring or summer blazer. BUT… those stripes? They’re horizontal. They’re also slightly faded and very small in terms of width. So while some will see those East to West running stripes as an automatic deal breaker, they really are pretty easy to wear if you give em’ a chance.
Why are these so cheap? It’s because they’re from last year. Still decent sizes left though. And they do have a few new additions to their ribbon belt lineup, but they’re full price. They don’t slip as bad as some other ribbon belts, and are easy to dress up with a laid back summer suit, or dress way down with shorts and boat shoes.
Oh. My. Goodyear welted and Made in the UK for Charles Tyrwhitt. Hard not to like wholecuts with a subtle detail like those brogue inspired perforations. Even the soles are pretty. Sold in half sizes only.
All linen with just a half lined back. The perfect hot weather suit. Lower patch pockets help anchor it to the casual suiting realm. Natural shoulders also give it a laid-back silhouette. The kind of suit you can wear to a summer wedding and not end up in the hospital thanks to heat stroke.
Believe it or not, not everyone loves the UNIQLO button down collar polos. Really. I know. Yet most, if not all, can agree that Banana Republic’s ri-donk-ulsouly smooth “luxe touch” cotton polos are something to behold. Seriously. Hold them. The fabric is shockingly smooth for being all cotton. You’d swear there was silk or some kind of polyester blended in. Nope. All cotton. And their tipped collar & sleeve version is a perfect, slightly retro addition to their Luxe Touch polo line up. Always on sale. Size shown above is a medium on 5’10” / 190. NOTE: BR is running a buy two or more, get 30% off promotion. That would drop them to $34.65. Thanks to Jason P. for the tip!
Well… you can’t spell Cashmere without C-A-S-H. Good grief that’s pricey. But what if it goes on sale, for say… $149.99? And a 30% off code rolls along? That’s still $105 with that scenario, but… man. Could be a fun investment/splurge for a year-round sweater in a classic nautical stripe. UPDATE: Big thanks to Vladimir T. for the tip on the 50% off code and pin! Looks like the details shake down to being 50% off $150, 25% off $100, and 10% off $50.
More color with a subtle, herringbone pattern. Most of us are gonna gravitate towards that light, summery grey shade… instead of the mustard yellow. But. BUT. Don’t count out the green. Good now as well as when the weather warms up. Often on sale.
Another Stafford hit from JC Penney? Maybe? The online shots aren’t the most gorgeous looking, but could be much better in person. Maybe it’s that deep red burgundy color that’s messing with the camera. Huge thanks to Jeff H. for the style tip on these new lace ups. Should end up in the $50 – $65ish range with sales and codes, but for now, it’s at $72 with that 20% off code.
And the good news is that they’re claiming it’s lined in cotton instead of polyester, and the sleeves are lined in acetate (again, as opposed to poly). Should go on sale more often than not.
Back with more options than ever. Solids, Stripes, Prints, Contrast Placket/Collars, etc. Made in their cotton/poly “dry” blend that breathes and wicks better than smushy all cotton pique polos.
Doesn’t seem like they’ve released their excellent oxford cloth shorts just yet, but these chambray shorts could be a close 2nd favorite. $25 and not on sale yet. 10″ inseam might be a little long for some fellas, but… they’re $25.
And they’re back for pre-order. Available in either navy, olive, or the brown shown above. Leather accents. Made in California. Only thing is, since it’s Gustin, it’s all pre-order and you’ll have to be patient. Delivery is set for April or May.
Looks like a lighter version of last year’s terrific black shawl collar cardigan in cotton. A great light-in-shade layer to brighten up some dark denim, sneakers, and a t-shirt on a cool spring day.
Massimo Dutti is Zara’s more expensive brother. And like Zara, sometimes you can luck out and get shoes that are made in Portugal or Spain. So, finger’s crossed that these suede double monks might be of higher quality than you’d expect. Simple cap toe here, and the buckles don’t appear to be high shine.
2016s version of BR’s classic trench offering. It looks from the online photos that it might, might be a tad shorter this year? Maybe? Who knows. Mid thigh to above the knee is ideal. Their shots on the website make it look a little more cropped. And nice of them to make one in navy this year too.
This is NOT the dot blazer that the mainline J. Crew tried (and seemed to fail at) selling last year. The “dots” are more like a micro grid, since they’re a square weave instead of circular print. Much more subtle and less wacky-jacket-guy. More structured than their partially lined linen/cotton sportcoat. A bit crisper, but not stiff. Fully lined in acetate. Shown above is a 40R on 5’10” / 190.
Still one of the best basic getaway bags in the business. 2,244 cubic inches worth of space. So, not huge, but not dinky either. Perfect for those weekend getaways if you pack light, or, a terrific second bag if you’re the type who over packs with consistency.
Pricey, but can’t sing the praises of these things enough. They’re completely unconstructed, have a totally unlined back (and self lined front), and the loose weave wool is as cool and breezy as it gets, without the wrinkles of linen. Available in either their not-too tight, but not bulky standard fit, or their true-slim, slim fit. Really liking this pale, almost white shade of grey. Wear it with jeans and a blue OCBD now, then switch to stark white jeans or chambray trousers when it heats up.
Key word there is “jersey.” Nothing worse than a scratchy, cheap pique polo. These are more like a t-shirt than a spongy golf polo. Crazy low starting price.
Crosby? Yes indeed. They’re now making their fantastic, “Caspian Blue” cotton sportcoat in their Crosby fit. It’s still being made in the Ludlow fit, and along with the Caspian Blue, they also make the Ludlow in black as well as a “dark loden” green. But it’s that bright (but not obnoxious) blue that really wins in the warmer months. Lower patch pockets. Perfect for a warm weather wedding. Does go on sale from time to time. Also shown at the top of this post.
Pricey as hell for sneakers… but that nubuck. Damn. Sure, many of us are going to stick to our canvas sneakers, and thus, save a boatload of cash. But if these nubucks suede sneakers ever go on sale? Then they’ll be tough to resist.
Lands’ End just put up a “There’s a New Lands’ End on the Horizon” page on their website. It’s mainly focused on the women’s side, but there are a few hints at the styling of some of their men’s stuff to come. They make a point about how they can have both “roots and wings”, so, it looks like it won’t be a wholesale shift of their image. They still have a lot of “normcore” type stuff in their lineup. And having a foot in their past as well as taking a big step for the future seems like it’d make for a nasty groin strain. BUT… maybe, this could work for them?
More casual than a polo, but still has a collar. Popovers are a sorta polo/button up hybrid, and are great for warm, laid back days. Yes, American Eagle leans heavily towards the young side, but it looks like they avoided the ever-present eagle logo on these things.
They say it’s cut in their “classic” fit, but if past Stafford blazers are any indication, that classic fit isn’t overly bulky. Just… normal. Most guys will need extra tailoring. It might be lined (at least partially) in cotton oxford? Check out the shot of the Stafford interior branding tag. Looks like the lower front is at least oxford lined? NOTE: These were $99 as late as yesterday (2/21.) It is not a $200 sportcoat. So, sit tight.
Spendy, since it’s a Ludlow, but that slate blue shade is getting quite popular across the menswear world. And for good reason. It’s not a pale oxford blue that looks best at a Kentucky Derby Party, yet it’s not even close to navy. This one is made from fabric sourced here in the U.S. Just Ludlow fit for now. No Crosby.
Been mentioned a few times, but deserves another mention here. Looks like it could make for a great smart casual shoe, as well as might do great with summer suits once it heats up. Should hit around $50 – $60ish in the not too terribly distant future.
Got a tip on a new arrival worth examining in person? Send those in here.
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