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The Heddels Guide To Spring Essentials

With spring on the horizon, we're giving the H+ community our guide to the essential springtime garments and accessories.

James Smith

In many parts of the world, spring is a yo-yo season. It teases us with tame glimpses of the summer days to come, then brings us back to reality with April showers. In essence, spring offers more sun and clear skies but it still suffers from the hangover from winter, leading to sporadic showers and colder spells.

These inconsistencies in weather must be met with a well-prepared spring wardrobe, full of pieces that you can rely on year after year for as long as possible. So, just like we did with our Winter Essentials Guide, we’ve put together our list of essential pieces of clothing and accessories that will improve your springtime frolics.

Shell Jacket

A decent shell jacket will protect you from those pesky April showers. Lightweight and cool to the touch, a decent shell can allow your skin to breathe whilst repelling water and moisture. They’re also super easy to work into an outfit – pairing well with most pants, shorts, and joggers – and typically have a nice selection of pockets for your daily bits and pieces.

Whilst the term ‘shell’ can be applied to any sort of water-resistant outer layer, the term is typically used to reference lightweight waterproof jackets made from fully waterproof fabrics like Gore-Tex, Pertex, and DWR-coated ripstop. Due to their use of these lightweight, synthetic performance fabrics, most shells are also easily packable, so you can stuff them into your day bag ready to break out if a shower hits.

Whilst Patagonia‘s Torrentshell isn’t the most advanced shell jacket out there, if you want an affordable and reliable option that looks great whilst offering a ton of functionality, it’s arguably one of the best options.

I’ve owned one of these and can attest that it’s highly water-resistant, easy to style, and long-lasting. At just $179, you’re not getting the big names of Gore-Tex or Pertex, here, but you are getting Patagonia’s H?No® Performance Standard. H?No® isn’t a specific fabric, it’s a lab-testing process Patagonia uses on garments they intend to market as water-proof. The Torrentshell is made from 3-layer H?No® Waterproof Shell fabric, which has a 100% recycled nylon ripstop face treated with a DWR water-repellant coating.

In terms of styling, it’s a simple ‘techwear‘ look with adjustable hood and cuffs, zip-though fastening, and Patagonia’s iconic branding on the chest. Comfort features are included in the form of a micro-fleece lined neck and zip vents at the armpits for ventilation on those warm, drizzly days, and the whole jacket self-stuffs into the left handwarmer pocket with a carabiner clip-in loop.

And to touch on the aforementioned affordability, it should be noted that Patagonia offers repairs on most of their products. This means that if you spring a leak or tear your Torrentshell, they will send you out some repair patches or repair it for you.

Available for $179 from Huckberry.

HAVEN Rove Packable Jacket, 3L GORE-TEX Windstopper, available at HAVEN for $488

For something further up the ladder and without any blatant branding, HAVEN‘s Rove Packable Jacket is our pick. Crafted in Canada in much smaller numbers than options from big names in the industry, HAVEN’s Rove Jacket is built from triple-layer GORE-TEX Windstopper, a lightweight yet robust fabric that keeps rain and gusts at bay.

Silhouette-wise, this piece is shorter and boxier, more reminiscent of 90s outerwear than something off the rack at REI. This kind of fit is a good idea if you wear jeans or pants with a higher rise, or indeed wider bottoms that you don’t want to contrast with a slim-fitting jacket.

So while something like this is more expensive than a mall brand, it’s not mass produced (an important factor considering jackets of this ilk are basically 100% plastic), has a more interesting silhouette, and the GORE-TEX name to ensure the highest performance in battling the elements.

/ In Partnership with Meermin /

Meermin’s Shell Cordovan Loafer is Always in Stock

Shell Cordovans are expensive, right? Like, $1k expensive? Well, usually, but Meermin is looking to change the heritage-quality footwear market with a direct-to-consumer model that cuts out unnecessary expenses to keep their footwear “radically affordable”. It seems to working, too, with the brand’s 501040 Shell Cordovan Loafer available all year round for just $310.

Meermin has offered up this loafer on a limited pre-order basis a few times, but the demand has been so great they’ve made it an evergreen option in their lineup of welted footwear. Made from an exclusive Burgundy Heritage Shell Cordovan, it’s easy to see why folks have been snapping up these classic Penny Loafers. Meermin has built them on their relaxed-fitting SWAY last, which results in a Loafer with a roomier toe box and shorter vamp, true to a range of original examples from the golden era of Ivy League fashion.

Each pair is handmade in Mallorca, using Goodyear welt construction for easy resoling. Steel shanks and natural cork filler provide solid support and stability for daily wear, while horsehide lining and leather insoles, welts, and heel stacks ensure you’ll develop a gorgeous patina inside and out.

Timeless style & heritage quality – all without spending too many pennies. Available at Meermin for $310.

A Decent Ball Cap or Hat

Give your head a break from that increasingly itchy winter beanie and embrace the beginning of cap season, baby. Of course, a cap’s primary purpose is to keep the sun out of your eyes and shade your face, something which we all hope will be needed in spring. But if spring showers are on your mind. consider looking at a water-resistant or waxed cotton cap that you can crack out in rainfall if you’re caught short without a hooded jacket.

Our Heddels Quint Cap 2 (left) will serve you well throughout spring as it’s made of waxed cotton, but if you prefer a slightly more modern ball cap silhouette, the DSPTCH Stretch Nylon 6 Panel (right) will be equally successful due to its DWR water-repellent finish.

The Heddels Quint Cap II is available at the Heddels Shop for $82 and the DSPTCH Stretch Nylon 6 Panel is available from DSPTCH for $38.

The Real McCoy’s Army Denim Hat, available for $125 at Lost & Found.

If baseball/paneled caps aren’t your thing, there are other options like bucket hats, boonies, or fedoras/straw hats. These will all help to keep the sun out of your eyes, and whilst not typically water-resistant, they will keep any rain out of your hair/face. The above hat from Anatomica will reward you for getting caught in showers with some nice denim fades.

American Trench Denim Cord Bucket Hat, available for $55 from American Trench.

Shirt Selection

Shirting is a core part of the wardrobe in any season, but having a selection of button-downs geared for spring will make outfit building a breeze. The great thing about spring is you can still get away with flannels or even lightweight woolen shirts on those cooler days, but start to work in more warm-weather options like popovers, chambrays, and even open-collar shirts.

Big Yank “03 1942 Model Original” Chambray Shirt Indigo, available for $270 from Clutch Cafe.

Chambray shirts are year-round garments but they’re so essential for springtime. They can be layered up or worn solo, all while looking completely classic and aging beautifully. Big Yank, the once-defunct Chicago workwear label, has been rekindled by the Japanese brand group, 35 Summers. They’ve painstakingly reproduced the best shirting from the Big Yank archives using proprietary, period-correct fabrics, top-class Japanese construction, and reproduction labels.

If you prefer to buy American-made products or have a lower budget, Brave Star Selvage has a formidable chambray for just $138. It’s made in the USA from a 7.5 oz. Japanese selvedge chambray and comes fitted with contrasting corozo catseye buttons, dual patch pockets, and selvedge gussets.

Brave Star Selvage Iron Horse Selvage Chambray Work Shirt, available for $138 from Brave Star Selvage.

There will be many milder days where you can simply wear an open chambray over a tee and not have to think about much else, there may be days where something heavier like a flannel or denim shirt will be more appropriate.

This might be very on-brand for us, but in the spirit of consuming less and using more, you can’t really go wrong with a denim shirt for the spring, hence the inclusion of the Cone 101 Work Shirt by American maker, Gustin. At 13.5 oz., this mid-weight Cone Mills denim is the ideal weight for cooler spring days and summer nights, and it’s sewn up into a classic work shirt pattern in available in both slim and classic fits. Gustin runs a campaign model to reduce overproduction, which also means that you can pick one of these up for just $119, which is half of what some brands charge for a comparable product.

Gustin Cone 101 Work Shirt, available for $119 from GUSTIN.

Flannel shirts are another example of year-round garments that are essential for the spring, so if denim shirts aren’t your thing (what’s wrong with you?) or you want something softer, make sure you have some light to mid-weight flannel shirts in your arsenal. Hit your local vintage store or pick up something elevated from the likes of Sugar Cane, 3sixteen, Freenote Cloth, Wythe, or Gitman Bros. Vintage.

Wythe Washed Flannel Workshirt, available for $189 from Blue Beach Denim.

3sixteen Crosscut Flannel Tobacco, available for $240 from Brooklyn Clothing.

Mid-Weight Pants

You don’t usually want to be rocking heavyweight raw denim as it warms up, but it’s also a bit too early to draw for the linen pants. So, you’re going to want something mid-weight that can match up with a more robust shirt or lightweight jacket, whilst not making you uncomfortable on those warmer days. There are almost too many to mention out there, but fatigues and chinos are great heritage-centric alternative options to lightweight denim.

Imogene + Willie Oliver Military Trouser, available for $195 from STAG.

Fatigues, in particular, are one of the most versatile and comfortable pants you can wear. Slotting effortlessly in the mid-weight pant category, the military roots of the fatigue pant means they pair effortlessly with other workwear stalwarts — like denim shirts and jackets —but look equally stylish with a hoody and sneakers. They’re also usually made from olive ripstop, HBT, or sateen, all of which offer the potential for patina.

If you’re committed to the raw cause, ideally stay at 14 oz. or below for springtime, or go for a low-tension denim that will let a bit more breeze through its weave.

Hiroshi Kato The Barrel Straight 12.5 oz. Natural Slub Indigo Selvedge, available for $248 from Hiroshi Kato.

Loafers

The warmer side of spring marks the beginning of loafer season. Whether you go penny, tassel, or horsebit, loafers provide classic style in a comfortable slip-on style that goes with pretty much everything.

Once you get bitten by the loafer bug, you won’t take them off from spring through summer. And while you can pick up loafers from pretty much anywhere as with all leather footwear, it’s best to reach for something welted and well-made that will last. If you want to top-drawer loafers with heritage DNA, look at Alden, Viberg, Crockett & Jones, or other storied shoemakers. For something with similar styling cues at a lower price, look to makers like Meermin and Grant Stone who produce affordable, high-quality welted footwear in China.

Alden Tassel Loafer Snuff Suede 3403, available for $628 from Lost & Found.

Meermin 101484 loafer, available for $195 from Meermin.

Sneakers

New Balance M990NB3, available from Lost & Found for $182.

The colder months are all about boots and welted leather footwear, which certainly still serve well in the springtime. But, as things warm up, it’s wise to start to look at your sneaker selection again. Brighter, sunnier atmospheres often mean more days out and potentially more walking (maybe even a foray into a little thing called exercising?), so a well-built, long-lasting sneaker with some decent foot support should be considered.

The above New Balance 990V3s are a clear choice for those looking for a high-quality sneaker that offers arch support and cushion. They’re made in the USA and feature a suede and mesh upper that offers toughness and a level of breathability. Whilst most sneakers, including these ones, are perishable and largely unrepairable, American-made sneakers like these will last you a good few years and the Made in USA New Balance line has a pretty good rep in terms of quality.

Converse 70s Chuck Taylor Hi, available for $72 from Lost & Found.

Like me, if you’re just looking to kick it and don’t care what your chiropodist says, a pair of pumps will be a shoo-in for any spring fit. Think Converse 70s, PF Flyers, or a pair of high-quality Japanese productions like Moonstar or PRAS.

Moonstar Gym Classic, available for $157 from Redcast Heritage.

High-Quality Tees

Whitesville 2-pack Tees, available for $102 at DeeCee Style.

These are another year-round requirement, but the need for high-quality tees will also be compounded by warming climes. You can get away with wearing old undershirts throughout fall/winter as you’re wearing a sweat or knit over them every day, but when taking the layering down a notch — either flashing or perhaps just wearing a tee — it pays to have high-quality options that you’re going to want to use as much as possible.

Longsleeve tees are an unsung hero of the spring wardrobe. Lighter than a sweatshirt but still offering full arm protection, they’re warmer than a short-sleeved tee and more suitable for changing temperatures.

Heddels Teamster Tee Longsleeve, $31 from the Heddels Shop.

Fullcount & Co. Flat Seam Heavy Weight Henley Long T-Shirt – Ecru, available for $134 from Blue in Green.

Full Zip Sweats

Sweats don’t go out the window in the March Equinox, but as things start to get milder it pays to have sweats that can open up and let a bit of breeze in. The last thing you want is to leave the house in the same heavyweight hoody you were relying on through winter and realize it’s too hot, wishing you could unzip it.

With this in mind, it’s wise to integrate some zip-though sweats into your wardrobe. There are loads to choose from but for 2 high-quality options we’ve gone for the Zip Crew Neck from Lady White Co. and the Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Zip Hoodie. Lady White is known for its high-quality sportswear and sweatshirts make up a large part of their offering, so we trust that the Zip Crew Neck will be an absolute banger in terms of style and longevity.

Lady White Co Zip Crew Neck, available for $275 from Lost & Found.

Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Zip Hoodie, available for $118 from Reigning Champ.

Reigning Champ has recently moved a chunk of its production to Vietnam but the brand still seems to be putting out some of the Made in Canada goods that built its reputation. We’re yet to speak to Reigning Champ or hear more about this development for their business, but it makes sense to invest in some of their esteemed Canadian-made stuff while it’s still widely available.

Sunscreen

Lucky Bastard Organic & Reefsafe Sunscreen products, available at Manready Mercantile from $18.

It doesn’t have to be baking hot for the sun to do damage to your skin. In fact, some dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen all year to reduce or even prevent damage from UV radiation. Whilst that may be up for debate, it can’t be denied that spring is the perfect time to get into a good routine of protecting your skin from the sun.

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