7 SPRING-TO-SUMMER STYLE HACKS

Flannel and plaid shirts may make you think you look like Kurt Cobain, but what works for mooching around rainy Seattle in the spring can feel heavier than an In Utero album cut when the summer sun hits. Instead, arm yourself with a chambray button-down or two — lighter than denim but similarly easy to pair with pants or shorts of any shade, these will help you retool your layering game for the warmer months.

Even in May, there are days when we crave the warm embrace of a parka or overcoat, but it really is time to pack away the winter coat in one of those clever vacuum bags and stuff it under the bed until November. A boxy denim jacket should see you through until midsummer, layered up when the wind bites and tied around your waist if a surprise heatwave strikes.

Jeans are a year-round go-to, but the transitional months allow for a broader-minded approach in the pant department. Work some wide-leg workpants or baggier smart pants into your rotation (perhaps in place of that heavyweight selvedge denim you’ve been rocking) — not only will the loose-fitting cut allow your legs to breathe, but the material switch-up will help ease you into the thinner chinos and shorts necessary for the high season.

With icy morning pavements a thing of the past and puddles hopefully at a minimum, May's the time to lose the leather and get some airy canvas on your feet. Classic lightweight kicks like Converse All-Stars, Nike SBs and Vans Old Skools are versatile as anything and can be worked into all but the most formal of outfits with ease. 

Seasonal shifts require a color palette switch-up, too, but that doesn’t mean you have to reach straight for the Hawaiian prints — especially not if you’re more of a monochrome kind of guy. Sure, grays will show sweat marks and all-black looks a bit out of place on a bright, sunny day, but take a lesson from Kanye West and you can ride the neutral, minimalist approach all the way to August. Simply make muted, earthy tones (tan, off-white, even dusty pink) the core of your 'fit for a subtle summery switch-up.