Today's Bananas Fashion: (Mens)Spring Wear

I have a lot of interets. I mean, sure, they change every now and then; whenever I'm suddenly in a transition to a new stage in my life. But some of my interests, no matter which environment I'm in, remain the same. I will probably never lose these interests, even with time. One of these interets I'm referring to is fashion. I confess, I am one of those guys that will say yes when asked to go shopping. Maybe it's hereditary. I have a very self-conscious family who pride a lot in the exterior look. My mother loves the Louis Vuitton Monogram handbags, my dad takes longer to get dress than my mother, and my middle sister? Shall we not even go there. Suprisingly, only my bigger sister is the least vain out all of us. And as for me, let's just say I would not complain to have a bigger closet.

I'm not some fashion expert working over at GQ Magazine or anything, so be warned that this post is based solely on my personal taste and opinion, although any other constructive commentary from you is neither banned. Spring is coming, and this means that summer would just be around the corner. But before we can whip out our coolest shorts and sandals, we must go through the season of warmer breeze and unfortunately, snow slush. I've listed a few good things that I love to wear during warmer days of spring, and places where you can get them as well. Obviously, being a guy, I can only suggest things that only guys could wear since my womenswear knowledge is very limited. But hey, if you're a girl and got guy friends, brothers, or boyfriends you'd like to dress up a bit, this can be a relevant starting point!

Pants. Jeans will always be a piece of garment that can be worn anytime of the year, but if you're looking to transition into things that are lighter in material, and a bit more refreshing, you may want to try slim-fitting chinos, light cotton pants, and suit pants (that are not mandatory to match with a suit vest). Make sure they fit you right, and the bottom should not have more than one break (no break at all, is even better). If not, a cool thing I like to do is to roll the hem of the bottom up a few times just so that it shows a bit of your ankles. It's cool, it's modern, and you can show off your freshest pair of sneakers, loafers, or a pair of Sperry Top-Siders.

Shoes. Speaking of shoes, spring indicates that the boots will get the boot! But because of the still-low temperature outside, sandals and flipflops may not yet be appropriate to wear. The easy alternatives would be sneakers. I love sneakers, I do. But I've come to a phase where I'm not quite into the Nike/Addidas high tops, or Converses anymore. I actually really like the cheap very low sneakers in the likes of Vans and such. But I'm referring to the non-brand one that you find at Urban Outffitters or H&M for $20. They come in many colors and they're just so easy to wear and super light. They're not the most durable (I already own 3 pairs, 2 of them the same color :S), so I suggest to not overuse them if you want to wear them a lot more. My new fascination is the Sperry Top-Siders. They're designed for sail-boating, but you know what, they look great with the pants I've mentioned previously. Wear them without socks, you'd be the coolest looking cat around! (The three-colored suede ones are a bit more pricey, but they're bloody awsome.)

Jackets. I own a lot of jackets/coats. I can safely say that I like to keep myself warm, so I have jackets to accomodate different temperatures. But spring is the time where jackets will be the best thing on your back because the weather is so unpredictable, you never know when it will get really chilly outside. I've been seeing a lot of people on the street with leather(real and fake) jackets, and they all look pretty dashing. Owning a leather jacket myself, I find them to be both stylish and warm enough for the coming season. Windbreakers is a good bet when it comes to spring jackets. They do what they do best; break the wind. There are a lot of windbreaker jackets that are made in garbage bag-looking material, and it's fine, just make sure you don't actually look like you're wearing a garbage bag. Perhaps, try choosing a color other than black to avoid the "trash" look. Finally, a short-length trenchcoat is the best-looking jacket to wear during spring, I personally find. I don't have one, but I will definitely go on the search of a nice one that will fit into my budget. You can wear it casually or over a suit (if you happen to be at a wedding, or some other formal event), it's very versatile. If you can get your hands on one, don't hesitate. If you have a good non-recession-affected bank account, head over to your nearest Burberry boutique, it's going to be a good investment that will not be depleted over time...unlike your stocks. ;)

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Stores. I'm not the biggest discoverer of stores, I shop at really normal mainstream stores. As long as I find what I need, I'm fine. H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Simons are all good places in Montreal Downtown to get some nice, inexpensive clothing. For things a bit more out there, The Plateau Mont-Royal offers some great selection of vintage and local designer retailers, and De La Montagne street offers boutiques like Diesel and Holt Renfrew for those with black credit cards.

Now, in between the pants, the shoes and the jackets, you obviously have to wear a top, and any other accesories warranted to wear during spring. Light cotton t-shirts, round or V-neck, will do the trick, and cardigans are the new thing to wear; it's definitely not a "grandpa" look anymore. Don't forget, some cool shades and a spring scarf can heightened and complete your outfit. So here's the thing, I'm not saving the world, it's just clothes. But for guys who are still stuck in old plain Levis jeans and wornout graphic tees, maybe spring will be a good time to start swapping that stuff for some new duds. Don't be afraid to shop around. As a matter fact, do us all a favor and shop, we need the economy to get back on track!