While winter layering will always be my first choice, spring in Charlotte is my second-favorite season for getting dressed. The cool mornings and mild afternoons present a unique challenge for layering lightweight materials.
Spring is a great time to add a third layer. Something about it instantly refines an outfit. This is reflected in two of the next three looks featured here.
My go-to is a sports coat. For spring, it’s all about material and construction. I prefer a lighter wool blend, or if it is a knit sweater, cashmere of the thinnest form available. Unlined sports coats are far more breathable and comfortable to wear. As a photographer on the move, I rely on garments that offer flexibility and freedom.
No spring wardrobe is complete without linen and seersucker. When it comes to linen, yes, you will have wrinkles; the trick is not to care. Iron the garment before going out, and then forget about it. Wear the wrinkles like a badge of honor and lean into the art of sprezzatura, or not caring in a cool way. For seersucker, there is an entire world of pieces that aren’t the standard blue-and-white stripe. Heck, my own wedding suit I wore last year was a muted brown seersucker, and I loved it. It might be thought of as a more preppy material, but it doesn’t have to be.
For summer trends, I’m leaning back into looser-fitting pieces, like wider-cut trouser legs and jackets that are still tailored but have a little more room in the arms. While my wardrobe leans heavily on grey and navy, this season invites a shift toward earth tones and refined neutrals—think tan and muted greens. A lot of brands will be leaning into that trend.
The following pages present a curated edit of ensembles sourced from three of Charlotte’s most respected menswear destinations—Taylor Richards & Conger, OMJ, and Tabor. These are small, independent businesses where I have shopped for years.
As Creative Director for Windsor Jewelers, I’ve included some of my favorite timepieces for each ensemble. Consider this an invitation to enjoy the art of dressing well this spring.
Follow Noah’s styling tips @noahwilliamstyle.