Style Risks to Take This Spring

It's time to push some boundaries.

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

The old mantra goes, “with great risk comes great reward.” What it doesn’t say is that it can also cause ridicule, embarrassment and severe anxiety. But that’s why it’s called a “risk,” right? This couldn’t be truer for the style world, as we find that playing it safe with our everyday outfit usually keeps us sheltered from any negative feedback.

But where’s the fun in that? The stigmas surrounding what men should and shouldn’t wear have long been tested, but there is no better time to push the limits even further. There are plenty of risky maneuvers you can make whilst getting dapper in the morning for the spring days ahead. Here are a few Style Risks to Take This Spring that’ll get you started on the right foot.

Mandals

Gladiator jokes aside, man sandals, or mandals, as a part of a man's stylish repertoire lives on a dangerous plain. The exposure of a man's foot is generally passé, but brands have been making more and more stylishly acceptable versions for even the manliest of men. Skip the espadrilles or canvas sneakers and embrace the mandals.

White Denim

It used to be that you only wore white denim to Diddy's White Party, but times have changed. White denim should be the essential spring pant, but the old-fashioned stigma of white pants and looking too clean is still very much alive. It's time for men to get out of their raw denim jeans and give white denim a chance. And if you can't keep particles of your meal off your clothing, this is much more than a style risk: it's a test of strength and agility.

Textured T-Shirts

Scaled, textured, or raised embossment on a T-shirt is about as next level as it gets. It's basically what we'll be getting from a ton of brands once they figure out how to properly use a 3D printer. In the meantime, we have to depend on some of the upscale brands that focus on precision and quality to give us a style risk on an item we usually take for granted.

Technical Fashion Sneakers

"Technical fashion sneakers" is basically an oxymoron, but alas, high-end brands aren't just making sleek sneakers with no real technical features. Now we have them at least pretending that they're adding said features with the look to match. While you wouldn't wear a pair of Margiela Technical trainers to workout in, they are certainly a risky addition to a presumably stylish, non-athletic outfit.

Neoprene

Over the past few seasons the emergence of this material hasn't seen a resounding acceptance among men's style enthusiasts. Yet. Normally seen on diving suits and laptop sleeves, a good neoprene jacket or crewneck will add a billowy dimension to your outfit that many probably won't be ready for. Skip the cotton and take this fabric risk.

Extreme Floral

Floral has seen its shine over the past couple of years as collection on top of collection featured the vivacious print on anything from button down shirts to jackets to trousers. Many have taken the safe approach with colorful prints that aren’t too overwhelming. Well, it’s time to forget all that noise and go all out with the print this spring with “extreme” floral that’s bigger, bolder and riskier. The louder the print, the bigger the risk, obviously. Also, flowers are pretty and it’s okay for your clothes to be pretty, guys.

Flat Wide-Brimmed Hats

Let’s be real: fedoras are out, but flat wide-brimmed hats are surging. The great thing about these hats is they look incredible with both formal and semi-casual gear. So when you need some headwear and a baseball cap just won't cut it, take that leap with one of these to stand out from the juveniles style around you.

Loose-Knit Tops

The gauge of a top is determined by how tightly or loosely knit it is. Obviously, most men's tops are very tightly knit, leaving little to be seen from the layer underneath, but a loose-knit top allows for people to get a glimpse of your layering through the weave and not just poking out from the bottom. Consider it the knit version of mesh. Not for the stylishly weak-hearted.

Parka with Shorts

Seems like quite a misnomer to classify wearing a parka with shorts as a “style risk,” but people are constantly debating whether jackets or long-sleeves in general, should be worn with the spring and summertime staple. If it’s warm enough to wear shorts, why do you need long sleeves? Well, because it looks cool, especially with a long fishtail parka that extends close to the hem of your shorts. The longer jacket length gives off great dimension to an otherwise boring spring outfit sans jacket. And it’ll keep you warm on a brisk day or night.

Chelsea and Jodhpur Boots

Shoes with no laces are taking over. Is it because people are becoming increasingly lazy? Possibly, but the lack of laces on the classic Chelsea and Jodhpur boots add the sleekness of slip-on sneakers to a more formal look. The zip sides or elastic of a Chelsea boots versus the ankle straps of Jodhpurs is all-preferential, but both choices will certainly be a different approach to the style of boots you normally see in the spring.