Right now, the big fashion houses are busy previewing their Fall/Winter 2022 collections, but we know that the average guy is just starting to do his shopping for spring. And we know that for a lot of guys, fashion can be overwhelming. Clothing trends shift and evolve at the speed of light; once you’ve seemingly figured out what to wear, everyone is already on to something else. But if you know where to look, you can get practical guidance on what to wear right now. We’re happy to tell you that you’ve found it. This is our definitive guide to the best men’s spring fashion trends.
However, you won’t have to just take our word for it. We spoke with New York City designers Todd Snyder (ofthe Todd Snyder) and Jack Carlson of Rowing Blazers to offer up a professional perspective on the latest menswear fashion trends. There’s quite literally something for everyone here, from statement knits to striking loafers and even spring suits. And, to further help you out, we’ve even grabbed a couple of clothing selects to make it even easier for you to try a new look for yourself.
Dive into our picks below and know that there’s no better time to study up on the latest men’s fashion trends.
One last thing to note: think of this as the everyman’s guide to spring fashion trends for men. Because while experienced clotheshorses might roll their eyes and say “That’s solast year,” the truth is that fashion in the real world lags a couple of years behind the high fashion world. So while Carhartt and statement knits may be passéat fashion week, some men are just warming up to them now — and that’s okay.
Related Stories
The Best Vintage T-Shirts for Men
Rereading the (Shockingly Hard to Find) Preppy Handbook
1. Invest in a Sweater Vest (Yes, Sweater Vests Are Back)
Out of all the possible knits on the planet to purchase for your own wardrobe, a sweater vest is probably right at the very bottom of the list. Long considered a staple of your grandfather’s transitional weather wear, sweater vests have once again taken over runaways and become staples of fashionable young men like Tyler, the Creator. Every major brand offers some version of a knit gilet — a sleeveless jacket that’s part of traditional British country clothing — which means there are plenty of bold patterns and fun materials to experiment with.
Of all the men’s spring fashion trends were spying in 2022, this is the one we have a love-hate relationship with. The ugly fashion movement, the preppy renaissance, and the 90s fashion revival have all conspired to bring sweater vests back into fashion.
You can go in two very different directions with a sweater vest. First, lean into the preppy aesthetic and the Brooks Brothers look. Or, if you’re taking your cues from Tyler, The Creator instead, then go whacky with bright colors and unexpected prints. We recommend tossing one over a cotton tee (short-sleeve or otherwise!) or even wearing it as a tank top if you’re feeling so bold.
Pro Tip: If you’re not quite ready for a sweater vest, a cardigan offers a similar cut.
J. Crew Cable-Knit Sweater Vest
Brooks Brothers Fair Isle Wool Sweater Vest
Romwe Leopard Print Sweater Vest for Men
2. Laceless Shoes
When it comes to spring and summer footwear, take a tip from Paulie Walnuts of The Sopranos and forgo laces. Specifically, we’re talking about the best slip-on shoes for men. While loafers certainly fall into this category, Birkenstock clogs are also relevant, as are pretty much any shoe that comes with tassels.
Here’s John Legend photographed at his home (in Sperry boat shoes of his own design), courtesy of our colleagues at Footwear News.
Whether leather, suede, or even canvas, a slip-on of any kind is a clean and polished look that can elevate any look; we’re especially fond of pairing striking black loafers with lighter wash jeans and white socks. Once you get used to it, you may find that slip-ons become your go-to option when getting ready for the day.
Birkenstock Boston Clog Shoes
Florsheim Pisa Moc Toe Tassel Loafer
3. Work Wear
Heavy-duty workwear (most famous popularized by brands like Carhartt) has been popular in diehard fashion spaces for a while now. But if you’ve somehow missed out, there’s always time to catch up. This fashion trend is probably the easiest to try; all you need to do is start shopping at Carhartt. And while the photo below doesn’t scream spring style, it’s such a good encapsulation of the work wear aesthetic done right that we couldn’t resist including it.
Pretty much every single brand out there right now offers up some version of a workwear staple, like these double knee work pants from Taylor Stitch. Or, you can shop for a canvas jacket like this one from Carharrt, which is the same model Matthew McConughay popularized inInterstellar. Either way, workwear is inherently built to last, so get out there and feel free to rough it up a bit; it’s quite literally what it was made for.
Carhartt Duck Detroit Jacket
Taylor Stich Washed Chore Pants
4. Giddy Up in Your Getup
Western wear is in full swing, from a wholehearted embrace of cowboy boots to lighter wash denim and even bootcut denim. The key, as with most trends, is to take one or two elements to incorporate into your wardrobe without going overboard. However, you can easily pair boots (such as Tecovas’ “The Shane” roper boot, seen below) with a light wash set of jeans without feeling like you’ve gone to Texas.
In addition, New York City designer Todd Snyder told SPY that you can (and should!) wear denim in the spring and summer. Snyder has even made a pair of jeans just for warmer weather days. The Todd Snyder slim-fit lightweight Japanese selvedge denim “clocks in at 11 as opposed to 12.5 ounces,” he told us. “These a great way to wear well-crafted jeans in hot weather.”
Tecovas “The Shane” Suede Roper Boot
Todd Snyder Slim Fit Japanese Selvedge Jean in Canvas
5. Suit Up for Spring
Having spent such a long amount of time indoors, formal wear is making a comeback. And by that we specifically mean suiting.
“I think tailored clothing is going to come back in a big way this spring and summer,” Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson told SPY in a recent interview. “Not business suits, but tailoring for social settings. It’s more relaxed, more fun, and it truly comes from the world of sportswear.” So, yes, next time you go out to dinner or drinks with friends, consider putting on a suit. But also feel free to get loose with it; wear a cool graphic tee underneath it or even a stylish turtleneck.
Of course, you don’t have to put away your comfy athleisure and Champion sweats for good, but mixing up your spring fashion with some formal flair is long overdue. To keep pace with men’s spring fashion trends in 2022, we recommend going with light color suits, or following Carlson’s advice and opting for a suit that’s ready to party.
SuitSupply Light Grey Stripe Havana Suit
Rowing Blazers Tailored Clothing
Review: I’m Tall AF, and Rowing Blazers Tailored Clothing Fits Me Perfectly
6. Go Big or Go Home
After years of slim (or even skinny) pants and shirts, it’s now time to let your clothes breathe a bit more. Between wider cut pants (ideally, with pleats!) and slightly oversized shirts, it’s time to go big or go home. Our recommendation with a trend like this is to not do too much all at once; either go with a bigger pant and a more tailored shirt or vice versa. Either way, giving your outfit a little more dimensionality is a great way to change things up this season.
Uniqlo Wide Fit Jeans
Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Chambray Shirt
7. Join the Varsity Squad
It used to be that you had to play a sport or be in the band to get your own letterman jacket. Not the case any longer, as varsity-style jackets are back and cooler than ever. This is one of our favorite spring fashion trends for men, and it’s a versatile piece of outerwear.
In recent years, preppy clothing has enjoyed a comeback, and varsity-style jackets are the latest schoolyard clothing to make it big. Just check out this two-tone varsity jacket featured in the Robb Report March 2022 Fashion Issue. Like most of the products over at Robb Report, this particular jacket is a bit too rich for us, but it’s great fashion inspiration if you’re catching up on the best men’s spring fashion trends.
If you happen to still have your old letterman, that’s cool, but we recommend snatching one up like this natural version from Everlane and pairing it with a cozy hoodie or even alongside a crewneck sweatshirt layered over an oxford-style dress shirt and a set of jeans. You won’t travel back to the chaos of a Euphoria-style high school (thank god), but you’ll catch those carefree vibes all the same.
Everlane ReWool Varsity Bomber Jacket
H&M Satin Baseball Jacket
8. Make a Statement with a Bold Knit
Knits of all sorts — cardigans, polos, and even a chunky sweater — are back with a vengeance. We especially recommend knit polos to give your work standard staples some much-needed texture and an overall refresh. When it comes to a cardigan or crewneck, opt for bright colors, striking patterns, or even a graphic design, something that Rowing Blazers head Jack Carlson agrees with.
“And I think statement knits will continue to be more and more important,” he told SPY. My go-to move as of late is to take a bold cardigan and layer it over a sweatshirt of a similar color, but as the weather warms, you can trade that sweatshirt for a comfy men’s t-shirt. Bonus points if the knit is crafted from atypical material like mohair. Now is the time to embrace something crazy; you may surprise yourself with how much you love how it looks and the coziness it brings.
If you want to take this trend to the absolute extreme, crochet clothing is still having a moment, and so if you want your statement knits to reallymake a statement, you can check sites like Etsy for one-of-a-kind crochet accessories. This is a fashion trend we’re seeing a lot of in women’s wear and the LGBTQ community, and it’s definitely an option for more daring dudes as well.
Abercrombie and Fitch Oversized Scenic Pattern Crew Sweater
Warm and Wonderful “Diana” Sheep Sweater
9. Tanks For the Memories
The only thing missing from your knit polo is a tank top. Yeah, we’re recommending you go full Tony Soprano here, layering a ribbed tank like the Mack Weldon one below under everything from a knit to a short sleeve button down to even wearing it solo if you’d like. Some brands, like New York luxury outfit Aimé Leon Dore, are going a step further and offering up mesh tanks if you’re feeling bold enough. When it gets brutally hot in the summer, but you still want to layer an outfit to give it some dimension, reach for a tank top. You may surprise yourself with how much you like the look.
Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Rib Tank
10. Real Men Wear Pink
Despite our cheeky headline, it’s silly to think that guys might be afraid to wear pink in the year 2022. If you’re not, then you’re missing out on a truly great color. Pink is natural enough to pair alongside pretty much everything, and it will look good but colorful enough to make you stand out with your clothes. Sneakily versatile, pink is the color of the season, whether you opt for a hot pink tee or a more pastel-colored work shirt. Perhaps it’s the influence of Y2K fashion on the menswear scene, perhaps guys realized they liked the way they looked during Breast Cancer Awareness month, or perhaps it’s just a really handsome color on you, man.
Pro Tip: If you want the hottest hot pink outfits for the Spring 2022 fashion season, then head to Nike.
Outerknown Chroma Blanket Shirt
Hanes Long-Sleeve Pink T-Shirt
Nike SB Chron 2 Canvas Sneakers
The Top 10 Men’s Fashion Trends We’re Actually Excited About Right Now
