Style Scenario: Early Spring Happy Hour

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. So we’ve “sprung forward” an extra hour, which means it’s lighter later, but the temps can still be unpredictable. That calls for versatile, breathable layers. We’re not quite to sun’s out guns out territory yet, but patios are starting to fill up around happy hour. Here’s one suggestion on how to look smart, but still be prepared for the shifts in the mercury.

The Sportcoat: Hugh & Crye Cotton “Seneca” Blazer in Olive – $100 w/ SENECA100 ($195). Not everyone loves the H&C fit system (it’s unique, not measured in inches or the standard Small/Medium/Large) but their goods are solid quality, and their unlined cotton blazers are now down to a hundred bucks. Yes, the sleeve buttons are functional, but this is the kind of blazer that might look best not super dialed in. Code drops their Seneca Blazer collection to a hundred bucks a pop through tomorrow, 3/23. Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of J. Crew’s ludlow cut, and are willing to go much higher on the price spectrum, then their Italian Cotton blazer in “Loden” is a great alternative. A bit more dressed up than the Seneca, but not stiff either.

The Sunglasses: Jack Spade Thompson – $66 w/ BIGEASY ($128). Decent quality tortoise-shell aviators at a rare and fair price. Code is good for an extra 25% off sale items through tomorrow, 3/23.

The Jeans: Medium Wash Denim. Yeah, jeans that aren’t quite the usual dark wash denim. Think of a favorite pair of dark wash that has faded over time. Not something super light, but in-between light wash and a deep, saturated rinse. Shown above is Old Navy’s Built-in-Flex jean. AND BE WARNED: These do suffer from”crocking.” Meaning: You might want to wash them not once, but twice before wearing, since they have a tendency to bleed their dye onto lighter surfaces. And a pair of light suede shoes is the perfect target for denim to bleed on.

The Watch: Fossil Sport 54 Cream + Grey Chrono – $135.00. That’s gotta be one of the more grown-up, better looking watches Fossil has come out with in recent memory. Full price right now via Fossil, but should hit Amazon in the not too distant future, hopefully at a discount?

The Briefcase: Jack Spade Grain Leather Davis Brief – $160.50 FINAL ($428). Full grain leather with that terrific texture. A no nonsense design that works both in more dressed up as well as dressed down workplaces. An extra 25% off with the code, but it is final sale.

The Shirt: J. Crew Factory Washed Button Down in Tattersall – $29.50. Going with a lightweight, washed poplin here instead of a heavier oxford cloth button down. Multiple, subtle shades of blue make up the gingham-like tattersall pattern. Springy without looking like you should be stuck up to your neck in fake grass inside an Easter basket.

The Belt: Jomers Made in the USA Sagamore Belt – $20.00. A perfect, casual, cotton macrame belt for the warmer seasons. Twenty bucks. Made here in the states. Hard to go wrong there.

The Shoes: H&M Made in Portugal Taupe Suede Double Monks – $62.99 w/ 3374. The good news: these are legitimate. The bad news: They’re all but sold out. And for good reason. Nice quality suede. Fit is true to size… maybe a half size large (but you can always cinch down the buckles for a more snug fit). They’re comfortable, they’re made in Portugal, and while I could be proven wrong down the road, the quality feels much, much better than a $70 shoe. If you can find your size in store? Don’t hesitate to take them off the shelf to try them on. Good now with jeans (as long as your jeans aren’t new and don’t bleed on em’) and should do great with all kinds of summer wear once it heats up. Code 3374 is good for 10% off + free shipping no min, but expires today, 3/22/16.

The Foot Funk Prevention Tool – Gold Bond Foot-powder – $ 6.10. Sure it can get a little messy if you over do it, but as long as you sprinkle, and not dump the stuff into your shoes, it should provide cooling and drying for those sockless times. More foot funk avoidance strategies can be found here.