Simplifying This Spring’s Trends: Top 10 Gents’ After 5 Essentials

2. The White Revival. White’s comeback is about more than just dress shirts and t-shirts. This Atelier Scotch lightweight merino wool sweater packs a lot of style in a simply classic sweater just by making it off-white. The weight is perfect for spring and summer evenings. To play up the white story, show some confidence by pairing it with a crisp white pair of jeans and white button up shirt. You can also wear it with simple black twill pants or jeans for that graphic contrast of the two colors that we talked about a couple of weeks ago. And of course, it’s neutral – so really, you can wear this contemporary fitting sweater with anything.

3. The Iconic Blue Suit. The resurgence of interest in the timeless blue suit doesn’t just apply to work wear. The medium blue color of this Hugo Boss suit has a spring feel that only adds to the dressy look of it. The silhouette is modern with narrower lapels and a trimmer leg on the pants, perfectly playing into the contemporary fit for a truly polished look. If you’re headed out for a dressier dinner, work function or less formal wedding, pair it with a white shirt and contrasting solid tie. And don’t forget to get it tailored – not just the hem. Most gents need at least some minor adjustments to ensure an impeccable fit, and that is the key to looking not just good, but great, in our clothes. You can bring it to your local Nordstrom or have your favorite local tailor do it, but we do urge you to do it.

4. The Graphic Prints. Graphic print shirts are always a fun look for an evening at a casual restaurant or out with friends, especially this season. Robert Graham’s Italian cotton paisley print packs a modern style punch. He always come through with amazing ways to use multiple prints – in this case, there is coordinating pattern that is also used on the back of the arms. So cool. It is a perfect shirt for your dark wash jeans. Add a black brogue shoe and you are set to go.

5. The New Look of Denim. There is a lot of extreme distressing and skinny fitting jeans out there. For the Mark Shale gent, J Brand’s timeless and more universal interpretation is just right. The dark wash cotton denim has just a little stretch to give the contemporary fit and modern, narrow leg comfort without being skinny looking. It has a light distressing in the leg with the right amount of subtle abrasion at the hips to give it a slightly worn-in look. They’re a great pair of jeans for a night out because the dark indigo works for restaurants, parties and super casual bars. You will always be dressed appropriately – and really comfortable – in these.

6. The Chic Leisure Statement. One of the spring/summer season’s enduring silhouettes is the polo shirt. While it officially originated with Rene Lacoste in 1926, you know it’s a timeless style when every brand still interprets the 2 or 3-button collared knit today. Peter Millar’s dark navy version has long sleeves and is knitted from a blend of silk, cotton and a tiny bit of cashmere, giving it a luxurious feel that steps up something sporty for a night out.  Wear it with your favorite grey or tan lightweight wool pants for a dressier event.  If the evening is more casual, push up the sleeves and wear with your medium wash jeans or twill pants.  You will always be in style, regardless of whether “casual chic” is having a moment or not.

7. The Blue Ribbon. Blue has always been a key color in a gent’s wardrobe, and that is still true this season. It’s an appealing color to the fashion world – and to everyone who wears it, actually - because it comes in so many shades. Canali has crafted this blue find from an Italian linen and cotton blend fabric. It appears solid from a distance but up close you can see the amazing detail of a very small diamond pattern throughout. This shirt looks great under a tan or dark navy linen blazer and with white, cream or tan linen pants. The fit is classic, just like the style.

8. The Sporty Inspiration. This black and white heathered cotton cardigan from Hugo Boss has an athletic feel in its contrast placket trim and raw edge seams, so don’t let the name fool ‘ya. (“Wimpey”? Why Hugo Boss, why?) This sweater is anything but wimpy, in both its quality and its versatility. It looks great with dark indigo jeans and black cotton twill pants. And while your favorite t-shirt certainly works under it, it looks really sharp over a white or blue washed oxford cloth shirt. Black oxfords will dress it up, while a cool pair of black sneakers will make it stylish and casual.

9. The Finishing Touch. To finish off the outfit, a good shoe helps make the man. And this season, his shoes’ mixed media soles create a modern look. These plain toe black oxfords from Wolverine are made in Portugal using a high quality, full grain leather upper. The sole gives them the versatility to go with jeans, khaki’s and wool dress pants, and are even dressy enough to wear with a sport coat. The perfect go-to after 5 pair of shoes.

10. The Must-Have Bag. Sometimes your after 5 event is preceded by a trip to the gym or ends with an overnighter. In either case, you need this good-looking duffle from Filson to carry your stuff. The black texture rugged vinyl is water resistant and has really cool-looking closures and straps that offer great function and even better style. The interior is seriously spacious. We love the look - and the price - of this gem of a find.