In spring, man’s fancy turns to brighter colors

LITTLE ROCK — Q. Now that spring is finally here, I’d like some new clothes to spark me out of my winter (and tax) blues. But I’m having trouble finding any of the great styles the designers always seem to have in the fall. Any ideas?

A. Your feeling that fall clothing is the most innovative is a common (and accurate) one. If you ask people in the clothing industry what’s the most important season for new clothes, no doubt, they too would respond: the fall. This may be true because the fall/winter clothing season is longer, the clothes are generally more expensive, more trend-setting and more likely to embark in new directions. Designers’ and manufacturers’ lives and livelihoods depend on after-summer changes.

But now, as warm weather draws near, clothes are no longer covered by coats; days grow longer; the sun shines and blue skies bring the promise of approaching lazy summer days. Happy thoughts of spending more time outdoors and spending the little money the IRS left you on “something new for spring” may come to mind.

This year you will find an emphasis not only on brighter colors and lighter fabrics, but on lighter-hearted clothes as well. In this era of more relaxed casual dressing, many of the dressier elements of a man’s wardrobe — the most serious suits and ties — are being put on hold until September. For now, loosen up a little.

I cannot remember a time when colorful men’s clothes were more popular than they are now. As an example, patterned shirts — the sort that in the past were known as “blazer shirts” — are worn today with suits, with dress slacks and with casual pants as well as with blazers. For the first time in a while, buttondown cotton shirts in patterns are very popular: bold twocolor and multicolor stripes, gingham checks in all sizes, and even mini-plaids in every variation. These patterns are worn open at the neck or with solid-color and club ties.

Neckties for spring are often brighter in color and fabric with more light-hearted patterns. Cotton small prints, solid linen/silk blends and pastel silks are perfect, nottoo-expensive pick-me-ups for a spring wardrobe.

Other possible elements of a great spring wardrobe to shop for now are handsome cotton sweaters (crew necks and V-necks), nonbutton-down shirts in Irish linen (designed to be worn without a tie), a new tan suit, a short safari jacket, tropical-weight wool dress pants, casual cotton chinos, a replacement for the raincoat that has seen better days — many in not just lighter fabrics but brighter colors as well. A nice solidcolor sport jacket (perhaps in a softer blue or a brighter royal blue) is a welcome alternative to the standard navy blazer.

And you might treat yourself to a fine new pair of dark brown calf loafers. Later in the spring, before the summer’s heat makes us long for the winter months we’re now sick of, you might even indulge in such fripperies as a cotton/linen scarf. For a man who likes to accessorize his look, a lightweight scarf can be a not too attentiongrabbing addition on a cool night, an easy substitute for a jacket.

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lois.fenton@prodigy.net