10 Key Trend Pieces For Spring/Summer 2023

Spring is always greeted with enthusiasm by fashion enthusiasts. Having seen out another long, dark winter, it presents an opportunity for wardrobe renewal, with lighter fabrics, shorter sleeves and less cumbersome jackets coming to the fore.

Whereas autumn/winter dressing is all about layers, texture and big coats, warmer temperatures in spring/summer naturally restrict your styling options. So in order to spice things up and help avoid yet another shorts and T-shirt combination, here are 10 trending pieces for SS23 that should be on your radar.

Baggy Jeans

When it comes to jeans, it’s difficult to go wrong with a tapered pair that is relaxed through the thigh but narrows down towards the ankle. They’re timeless, and will look as good now as they will in a decade.

But if you’re looking to switch up your denim rotation for SS23, consider a baggy fit. Much like the wide-leg trousers currently dominating our smart-casual wardrobes, loose-fitting jeans offer unrivalled comfort and ease of wear, making them an excellent addition to any casual wardrobe.

Available in washed tones that give off a vintage feel, combine them with a simple boxy T-shirt and sneakers. You’ll struggle to go back to slim cuts ever again.

Buttoned Up

The casualisation of menswear has accelerated since the pandemic, where comfortable clothing was the order of the day.

But, as is the case with fashion, we’re starting to see the pendulum swing back the other way, with the return of sharp suits and slick shirts on the runways.

Plenty of designers have turned their hand to proper, button-up dress shirts and tailoring recently, perhaps signalling a return to form for the suit, which many claimed had died a death following the work from home revolution.

If you fancy smartening up your act this season, go for tailoring with a point of difference – think a double-breasted jacket, broad peak lapels or a slightly richer colour. You want it to feel like you’re deliberately choosing to wear tailoring again, not like you’ve been forced to by head office.

Double Denim

Double denim is a controversial look that has flitted in and out of fashion for decades, remaining a core part of the ever-popular Americana and workwear aesthetics.

It’s got its turn in the spotlight once again this season, with many designers favouring washed out, pale denim pairings for SS23. Try it for yourself with a vintage trucker jacket and a pair of Levi’s 501, the consummate five-pocket jeans that complement virtually every body type.

Stripes

Stripes are a spring/summer perennial and the pattern all men feel comfortable wearing. Designers recognise this, so the SS23 runways have been packed full of them, with everything from classic Breton stripes through to vertical multi-shade designs on offer this season.

You can’t go wrong with a short-sleeve, blue-on-white stripe tee, but the most interesting versions we’ve seen recently are on pieces you might not expect to see stripes applied to, like knitted polo shirts and short-sleeve button-ups.

Knitted Polo Shirts

Part Italian Riviera, part preppy essential, knitted polos are an excellent alternative to regular pique cotton versions, or even a T-shirt.

Lightweight and effortlessly cool, think The Talented Mr Ripley or Goodfellas with stripes, geometric shapes and piped seams the order of the day.

Knitted polo shirts are surpassingly versatile, so try yours with pleated shorts, chinos or even jeans.

Western Shirts

Western wear on the whole has proven popular with the most respected designers this spring/summer, but the piece to go for is the shirt.

A classic US icon, this type of shirt was worn by every one of your style heroes, from McQueen to Beckham. Go for a raw denim take and team it with khaki chinos, or try a stonewashed, boxy version and combine it with jeans to hit the aforementioned double denim trend with ease.

Cargo Pants

Military-style clothing is always a shoe-in for the warmer months, with lightweight cotton shirts and field jackets popular options.

Cargo pants are looking particularly in demand for SS23 though, with the classic field trousers in line to replace the carpenter pant, which has been the utility pant du jour for a number of seasons now.

When looking to add a pair of cargos to your own rotation, steer clear of olive green and instead go for navy, black or ecru – the latter are just as versatile but don’t come with the overt military connotations that can sometimes limit your outfits.

Lightweight Raincoat

Depending on where you live, chances are spring doesn’t guarantee sun and warmth. Rain is set to fall in many places, which begs the question of how you’re going to stay dry in style?

The answer is, of course, a mid-length raincoat or duster-style jacket – a lightweight, single layer designed to keep the wet at bay.

Many designers have been experimenting with longer length raincoats for SS23, with belted styles proving just as popular as more minimal, collared takes.

Tonal Sneakers

The white sneaker hasn’t been quite as popular over the last few seasons, with louder, chunkier designs filling the void.

But a new minimalist sneaker is making a compelling case for simplicity again. Your favourite kicks, from the New Balance 574 to the Nike Cortez, are being rendered in tonal shades of off-white and ecru, with the lack of colour bringing a satisfyingly retro finish to otherwise modern designs.

Tonal Tailoring

Another smarter trend for SS23 is tonal tailoring. The premise is simple: pick a colour and run with it across the entirety of a look.

For example, try combining a dark blue suit with a matching jersey shirt, or an off-white two-piece with a cream knitted polo.

This is an incredibly easy and stylish way to incorporate tailoring into your spring/summer looks, and best of all it requires very little thought when getting dressed in the morning.