10 Simple Ways to Pep Your Spring Wardrobe
The seasons are slowly changing and it's time to think about putting your sunniest foot forward
Welcome to your new look The Closet newsletter. We’ve had a redesign. I hope you like it.
I’m writing this on my balcony, as the sun strokes the winter-ravaged planes of my face and I absorb the first strains of non-pill form vitamin D for at least five months. I’m smiling, reader. Smiling, and wearing an enormous cream roll neck from Extreme Cashmere because it’s still pigging freezing.
The slight uptick in meteorological conditions has, naturally, got me looking ahead to spring, and all the fresh sartorial opportunities the new season brings. Lighter fabrics, bolder colours, and a shed load more optimism.
With that in mind, here are 10 easy ways to embrace the season and inject new life into your wardrobe - starting now.
1 | Be More Keanu Reeves
I've become slightly obsessed with the ageless actor's early outfits, partly due to Nick Wakeman – the achingly tasteful founder of Studio Nicholson – who regularly showcases them on her Instagram feed.
Whether it's a biker jacket under a suit (obvs) or a slightly mismatched pair of slacks with a beige blazer, Reeves' style is both natural and deeply personal. It’s as though with every swish of a loose trousers and every turn of a vintage leather jacket sleeve, he's cracking a window into his soul.
We're currently living in a hyper-styled age where individuality, self-confidence, and - dare I say - quirk have been all but entirely overshadowed by a tyrannical taste monster which dictates we must all wear high waisted jeans, over-the-shoulder sweaters, neat little belts and oversized trench coats with an air of Olsen Twins-esque ennui. It’s dull, it’s beginning to feel repetitive, and it’s not a bit like early years Reeves.
In his heyday the actor brought a sense of personal charm and authenticity to every red carpet appearance he made - he looked elegant and considered whilst also being delightfully dishevelled. He also dressed as though he’d never seen the business end of a stylist’s lint brush, and looked all the better for it.
So let’s all be more Keanu and loosen up a bit, shall we?
2 | And track down Adrian Brody’s Trousers
I can’t stop thinking about these trousers. Truly, they pop into my brain at least twice a day. Everything about them is perfect. From the roomy - but not too roomy - cut, to their architectural structure - flattering without being dominant - and the perfect shade of midnight blue-grey.
I think they’re made from satin, but it could be pony skin, or even crushed velvet. Sigh.
Having done several trawls of the internet to try and track down a similar pair, the below are the closest I’ve found. Neither are quite right, but the wool jeans from Bottega Veneta are a thing of leg-cosetting beauty, which might just about satiate my taste for midnight blue sateen.
3 | Get a leather jacket (but maybe just go vintage)
I know - I've said it a thousand times: but now is the age of the vintage leather dad jacket.
But while I’ve been recommending new pieces here, I’ve also been on my own mission to track down the perfect vintage version to fill the gap in my wardrobe. Because as ace as Auralee’s offering is (below), dropping £2k on a brand-new one just isn’t doable right now.
One of the best vintage leather jackets I’ve come across so far is this pre-Jonathan Anderson Loewe piece (see below). Given Loewe’s heritage as a Spanish leather house, you can trust that the quality of the hide will be tip-top. Plus, it’s an XL, so it should have that perfectly oversized fit.
There are plenty of incredible vintage leather jackets out there - so if I were you, I’d start with pre-loved options before considering buying new.
4 | Make a Statement Tie your New Statement
This spring, ties are taking centre stage - from the massively oversized styles at JW Anderson (below) to the crumpled designs at Bottega Veneta, every brand showcased some form of neckwear at the menswear shows. Notably, Pharrell at Louis Vuitton featured ties in nearly a third of his looks.
When it comes to picking your new tie, it’s advisable to think of it not as a mere workaday accessory that denotes dreariness, but as a statement piece in its own right.
The best ties right now aren’t meant to blend seamlessly into your outfit; they’re designed to add a punch - a pop of colour or an unexpected pattern that demonstrates flair rather than conformity.
For me, the current standout is the leopard-print pony skin tie featured below - but there are plenty of more affordable statement ties out there. I recently picked up an excellent sludge green tweed tie from Reign Vintage that I can’t stop wearing. A bold check tie, for instance - like the one below from Anderson & Sheppard - would look fantastic when paired with a block-coloured look.
If in doubt, channel the fun of Working Girl as opposed to the agro of American Psycho, and you won’t go too far wrong.
5 | And Play With Your Collar
And if a tie isn’t your thing, fiddle around with your collar until it makes a statement of its own. Whether you let it peek out from beneath a roll neck in the style of Dunhill, or layer collars at deliberately off-kilter angles like Miu Miu, play around until you nail the look. And whatever you do, steer clear of perfect symmetry.
6 | Polish Up Your Big Boy Shoes
Yes, I'm still preoccupied by the Prada shoes below - and no, I haven't bought them. In my cerebral sartorial meanderings, I've come to appreciate that even if I'll never own these particular shoes, they’ve reminded me of the joy of wearing proper footwear that demands care and polishing, that inspire confident, deliberate strides.
In response, I spent much of last week rummaging through my wardrobe, determined to unearth all my neglected SHOE shoes - the derbies, oxfords, and loafers left to gather dust.
During my search, I rediscovered a pair of oxblood flat form Prada brogues that I’d forgotten about, a set of Mr Hare chestnut leather monk strap shoes I hadn't worn since 2008, and even a pair of Berluti lace-ups that once needed re-patinaing after a woman in stilettos accidentally trampled them at a wedding.
Since then, I've been deliberately wearing my smart shoes every day, and I can honestly say that the renewed sense of purpose they bring to my daily trips into town is something I haven't experienced in decades.
I encourage you to dig out your own smart shoes, too. Because nothing makes you walk taller than a well-crafted leather sole and a perfectly stacked heel.
7 | Bin all of Your Non Baggy Trousers
Recently, I’ve purchased several pairs of loose trousers - wide-leg raw denim jeans from A.P.C., a couple of slacks from Bottega Veneta, and a pair of fluid white trousers from Emporio Armani.
Ever since I started wearing them, something in my brain has switched, and I genuinely wonder how I ever tolerated skinny jeans; the idea of fabric clinging tightly to my legs isn’t just uncomfortable now, it feels downright repulsive.
It's not just about aesthetics - though the graceful flow of a well-tailored wide trouser is undeniable (just look at Adrian Brody in point two) - it's also about comfort. Plus, the silhouette speaks for itself: it's far easier to achieve an elegant line with wide trousers than with a pair that clings to every curve.
If you haven’t made the switch to wide trousers yet, I urge you to do so. Though be prepared, you'll never want to go back.
8 | Buy Some Boxer Shorts
Boxer-style shorts are trending - and I’m oddly into them. Brands like Coach and Miu Miu showcased the best designer takes, while the finest high-street options are available from Axel Arigato below.
It’s crucial to think carefully about how you style these underwear-inspired shorts, as pairing them with overly casual pieces will make it seem like you're actually wearing your smalls. Instead, team them with a tailored jacket and a crisp shirt to ensure your look is intentional and elevated.
9 | Your New Favourite Blazer Has a High Gorge
If you plan on investing in one everyday work jacket for spring, make it a cropped, high-gorge blazer. The best options come from Bally, Prada, and Dries Van Noten, and it's worth spending a bit of cash on one you love as you’ll wear it constantly.
The silhouette is incredibly versatile, pairing just as easily with a tonal sweater and slim white jeans as with a shirt and matching tailored trousers, and the cut is also flattering on most frames - elongating taller bodies and enhancing the shallower torsos of shorter men.
Think of the high-gorge blazer as your sartorial secret weapon this season - a suit jacket sniper!
10 | Invest your Money into Interesting Clothes From Interesting Brands
This ties back to my first point, but I’m growing weary of the cookie-cutter approach being deployed by so many fashion labels right now - especially at the top of the luxury ladder.
There’s a pervasive and palpable fear of taking risks- of creating something truly distinctive - lest it alienate the core consumer and put a dent in their already colossal profit margins. The result? A sea of safe, soulless designs that feel more like strategic commercial plays than joyful expressions of creativity.
With that in mind, this year I’m committing my hard-earned cash to some lesser (and some well ) known brands that are actually pushing boundaries. I’ve highlighted a few below and will continue to spotlight more here, because life’s too short to wear nothing but greige, double-faced cashmere anon.
If you’re enjoying The Closet, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help me continue serving you the goods. It’s the cost of a coffee or two per month, and there’s a 25 percent discount for my loyal subscribers if you click the link here.