Spring Wardrobe: Footwear Guide Featuring Common Projects, Vans, Clarks, and More

Spring is an interesting season in a sense that it’s incredibly unpredictable. Pleasantly warm sunshine one moment can in the blink of an eye become an inclement deluge. April showers bring May flowers, right?

Given the fortuitous nature of spring weather, it’s essential to employ a line of footwear that’s not only fashionable, but functional as well. Shoes are arguably the most subjective category of apparel as it seems like no two people have the exact same taste in footwear. That being said, be sure not to treat this as an authoritative guide of what one must buy to look good this season, but rather a reference for a handful of styles at a range of price points. Let’s get to it.

White Sneakers

Let’s face it–the minimalist white sneaker craze isn’t going anywhere, and I’m not complaining one bit. Low-cut white trainers can open up a lot of different styles in your wardrobe. An attractive and unobtrusive silhouette coupled with nearly limitless versatility might make some of your other footwear jealous. Nowadays, practically every footwear brand offers a simple unadorned white sneaker, so what should one look for? Well, for starters, I’d consider the uppers–leather or canvas. For my money, I’d go with leather; it’s often easier to clean, and it tends to hold up much better than lower-end textiles. Plus, it’ll better handle that surprise rain shower. That said, canvas is a great choice for when the temperature climbs.

Boat Shoes

Arguably the most iconic warm weather American footwear, boat shoes were invented roughly 80 years ago by Paul A. Sperry (who later founded Sperry Top-Sider) for the purpose of providing grip on the wet deck of a vessel. They’ve since deviated from their original function and have established themselves as a staple component of casual and preppy wardrobes. Boat shoes look best with chino shorts or cuffed pants and are generally worn without socks, though I’d definitely recommend some no-show liners for added comfort and to eliminate foot odor. Boat shoes are typically constructed of canvas or leather, though I personally prefer the latter.

Loafers

Penny loafers (AKA Weejuns) are characterized by a low-cut, laceless silhouette constructed of leather or suede. They’re as classic as it gets when it comes to footwear (their origin can be traced back to Norwegian dairy farmers) and they’ve played a consistent role in in menswear since the 1930s. Stylistically, they’re relatively versatile, though younger guys might be hesitant to incorporate them into their wardrobes. They’re sometimes ornamented with tassels, which is a love-it-or-hate-it addition, and they’re generally offered in brown or black. My preference is for brown, which allows for more wardrobe options in terms of color–something you want to play with in the warmer months ahead.

Chukkas

Characterized by suede or leather construction, open lacing, and a frame ending at the ankle, chukka boots have a place in every man’s wardrobe. Though they can be worn with shorts, I would advise sticking to denim or chinos. Taking that into consideration, chukkas can also be worn throughout the fall with a thicker sock, so they’re great transitional shoes. One particular and popular variation of the chukka is the desert boot, which was originally worn by British officers in the Second World War. Chukkas are an excellent choice for those seeking a simple boot for both casual wear and slightly dressier occasions.

This wraps up the second installment of our spring wardrobe series. If you missed the previous post on jackets, go check it out. Feel free to drop a comment/suggestion in the comments!