Seasons of Change: Style and the Transition to Spring

Aleks Cvetkovic gives us a guided tour of his Spring essentials.

The earliest whiff of spring ushers in a particularly exciting, if sartorially troubling few months. The weather is at its least predictable, as is the temperature or the chance of getting caught in a chill wind ten minutes after having stepped outdoors into bright sunshine. Even so, March, April and May offer plenty of opportunity to start working some slightly fresher, lighter pieces into your winter wardrobe. Fortunately, Drakes’ new season collection has been designed with versatility in mind, and is as suited to early spring as it is to high summer, with plenty of transitional pieces to serve for the next few months.

Lightweight layering is a must right now, it’s time to lose the tweed or flannel and experiment with some new-season jackets. Drakes’ gorgeous washed cashmere blazers are things of simple beauty, but so too is this season’s linen-silk jacket, with its relaxed and cardigan-like quality, or the staple navy basketweave blazer, which with its high-twist fabrication breathes beautifully.

Similarly useful layering pieces are the house’s new over shirts. Treating yourself to either the navy or olive heavy raw linen over shirts is a nice way to start introducing some linen into your look, but it works because Drake’s has chosen to make these up in a particularly rustic, weighty linen plainweaves with plenty of body. Equally desirable is the new season cobalt blue cotton/linen work jacket - a confident over shirt with three pleated-patch pockets which reference the classic safari shirt and a fourth concealed inside the jacket’s breast for a quirky touch. At this time of year, it’ll sit over almost anything, looks great with jeans and is a clever alternative to a sports coat.

Speaking of jeans, if you’ve not already experimented with Drakes’ latest denim offering, you should - now is the perfect time of year, whilst it’s still relatively cool. The joy of the No.3 is two-fold. Firstly, because Drake’s partnered with Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, its a genuine London-made jean in top-notch selvedge denim - a rarity these days. Secondly, the No.3 offers generous, old-school cut, with a proper rise, generous leg which gently tapers below the knee and thick rolled up hems. It’s a pair of jeans with perspective, and sure-fire investment value, which will only improve as they are worn.

Equally satisfying to wear are the new season cotton-linen chinos in royal blue, khaki green and a timeless stone. Cut in fine Italian cotton-linen canvass, they’re nether too heavy nor too light for spring, wear comfortably and are cut with a high rise and gently tapered leg. Note also that they’re garment-dyed for a particularly attractive, worn and washed look and will crease gently over time for a spot of signature Drake’s ‘relaxed elegance’.

Shirting-wise, its time to introduce some new colours; out with dark earthy tones, and in with some slightly brighter, lighter choices. Drake’s has produced some gorgeous button-down shirts this season; in timeless chambray, sky blue and white Oxfords, but also in a couple of subtle Bengal stripes, forest green and powder blue, which are perfect for the transitional season and sit nicely with a textured tie and simple navy jacket.

One final word on footwear; its time to stop thinking about dark calfskin and start working in some suede. As you’d expect, Drake’s has just the selection from Alden to help you get the transition right - try the tan suede flex-sole chukka boots with your new chinos, or else indulge in a spot of mankling with rolled-up jeans and snuff suede penny loafers worn sockless - they’re unlined, which helps to keep your feet cool should the temperature unexpectedly climb.