Style in Motion: 9 Wardrobe Essentials You Need This Spring

Building a wardrobe isn’t always easy. So slow down. Buy one thing — one really good thing — at a time, which will last until you buy the next good thing, and you amass a personal style. If you’re adding to your wardrobe this spring, these are the pieces we’d choose.

The Bag

Louis Vuitton got its start crafting incredible made-to-order trunks. That expertise means they know how to make the perfect bag — even if that bag is a backpack. It’s fresh and modern, and the tone-on-tone navy is a solid update to the iconic LV monogram.

Louis Vuitton backpack

Silk jacket ($2,400), silk shirt ($850), cotton denim ($650), leather and nylon backpack ($2,810), and leather sneakers ($550) by Louis Vuitton

The Sweater

This wool and silk blend crewneck by Paul & Shark is soft and lightweight, an ideal combination for the warmer months. If it’s good enough for real sailors, it’s good enough for you. And, yes, it is good enough for real sailors.

ah-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-4282

Silk sweater ($540) and cotton pants ($330) by Paul & Shark.

The Leather Jacket

Berluti knows leather. (Years of crafting long-lasting shoes will do that.) This anorak is made of paper-thin cowhide, and the perforation detail adds interest while still being functional — the jacket breathes to keep you cool on sunny days.

aa-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-3604

Leather windbreaker ($5,730), cotton pants ($820), and leather shoes ($2,090) by Berluti.

The Denim

Tiger of Sweden might be known for its razor-sharp suiting, but it’s also damn good at jeans. The Scandinavian brand has married both sides of their business by creating a suit from hard-wearing denim, an unexpected, but somehow perfect, match.

ai-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-4430

Cotton-polyester blend denim jacket ($550), cotton-linen blend button down ($250), and cotton polyester blend denim shorts ($180) by Tiger of Sweden.

The Loafer

The horsebit loafer is a Gucci staple, and, up until now, we would have recommended the sturdy shoe in a heartbeat. But we’re converts to their newer style — a more relaxed shape made even more supple. Just slip them on and go.

ad-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-3810

Suede trench coat ($5,380), cotton pants ($690), and leather loafers ($650) by Gucci.

The Suit

A well-tailored suit is one of life’s great pleasures, and BOSS turns out some of the best. This grey linen number — light in both colour and weight — will actually make it enjoyable to wear when the temperature heats up (especially if you throw it on with a simple T-shirt).

af-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-3949

Linen suit ($1,795), linen t-shirt ($205), and leather sneakers ($395) by BOSS.

The Technical Jacket

Strellson outerwear is known for looking sharp while withstanding the elements. Case in point: this navy zip-up jacket in a water resistant technical fabric that’s perfect for unpredictable spring weather.

ag-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-4062

Polyester jacket ($400), linen-silk blend sweater ($160), and lyocell-cotton blend pants ($200) by Strellson.

The Blazer

Soft-shouldered, partially lined and in a fabric with a small check, this Ermenegildo Zegna workhorse will be the most comfortable and easy-to-wear blazer you’ve ever owned.

ac-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-3793

Wool jacket ($2,395, part of a suit), cotton sweater ($695), cotton pants ($475), and leather loafers ($935) by Ermenegildo Zegna.

The Trench Coat

The classic trench is waterproof and looks just as good over a suit as it does with jeans. You should have one by now. If you don’t, try this single-breasted navy version from Burberry — a welcome reprieve from the standard camel gabardine one everyone else has.

ae-CMed16-01-One-Brand-SHARP-3883

Silk-wool blend trench coat ($3,295), mohair-wool blend blazer ($2,290), cotton button down ($1,285), cotton tie ($420), mohair-wool blend pants ($1,140) patent leather shoes ($1,075) by Burberry.
Photography: Lane Dorsey
Styling: 
Alon Freeman / Judy Inc.
Grooming: Jodi Urichuk for Dior / Kevin Murphy Hair Care / Plutino Group
Photo Assistant: Haydn Frank Stern