Spring: Casual Cuffs & Buttoned-Up

This freezing cold weather is out of control. So let's concentrate on spring. Since it's right around the corner, I thought I'd refresh you guys with some trends to keep in mind to spring. As per usual, I'm not in any way telling you to go buy ridiculously expensive designer stuff. Hit up your local thrift store and use these images as a guide for what to look for and splurge on one or two new things that are impossible to find elsewhere. Dress shoes with shorts & Suits with Shorts. It's OK to throw on a pair of oxfords or brogues with a suit and a really cool pair of shorts. Robert Geller and Calvin Klein's models pull it off with confidence.

Cuffs (up top and down low). C.P. Company and DKNY's guys show off their shoes and their forearms.

The Casual Suit. Like these images from the Rag & Bone and John Varvatos' runways, there's no need to put on a tie if you want to wear a waistcoat, jacket, and slacks or shorts. This a great way to communicate effortless and casual confidence.

Button up. If you wear a button-down shirt, please do not leave the top three or four (or five) buttons open like so many guys do. It looks seedy and 70's and Dolce & Gabbana-Gay-Hooker-vacationing-in-Miami. If you must leave a button open, just do the very top one. Optimally button-up all the way, like these images from the Robert Geller and Paul Smith, and runways.

Pleats. There's nothing you can do to stop it. Pleats are back. Whether it's one pleat or many baggy pleats - they are on almost every single menswear runway. It's OK if you avoid it, but it's also OK if you try it out. Yohji Yamamoto and Patrick Ervell are the messengers.