menswear spring summer 2015 key pieces

abc. 123. Buy this buy that. It’s all so exhausting. And financially crippling. You need to boil down the ‘must-haves’ that get thrown around online and in the glossies.

The new year weather in Tampa has followed a pleasant rhythm of cool, rainy, sunny, crisp, and downright frigid. But it does feel springlike, what with the flowers coming in and occasional downpour. I even caught a whiff of summer humidity yesterday.

For such a period of time, up until it feels like a Crock-Pot outside, some trends and/or investments to consider:

• the lux baseball cap
• a wallet-on-a-chain
• playful sneakers
• pops of color

Don’t take my spring list for gospel. Discover your own statement items. Though trends are trendy and intrinsically wasteful, these are some I like, and the pieces can be worn season after season.

A luxurious baseball cap

Blame in on my crutch of simplicity, but a baseball hat, with its blue collar beginnings, comes in handy when my hair is a mess or I’m avoiding heavy sunlight. Mostly the former.

For years I’ve relied on a set of Nike exercise caps that can be easily mixed with more cozy, casual looks for daytime activities. But, I also wear them to exercise. You can only ask so much of a $30 cap before it begins to pill, peel, or unravel.

Prada Nylon Baseball cap in black, $320 at Saks Fifth Avenue

I preordered this style a month ago. Hoping it fits the…bill…

Prada nylon was my first true designer love. It was exotic and durable, and didn’t scream a brand name (though the enamel logo triangle became ubiquitous and has been widely copied by counterfeiters and lesser brands).

Hermès Jump cap in cashmere, $600 at Hermès

Naturally I had to explore the other options for haute headwear. Hermès started in function vs. form, so it is no surprise the brand offers very luxurious options for even the most utilitarian of items.

Gents textured wool-cashmere-rabbit blend cap in gray, $75 at Nordstrom

A more approachable price point for a similar look—that of warmth and soft texture. Best suited for chilly, blustery days.

Alexander Wang satin baseball cap, in blue or black, $125 at Alexander Wang

Satin is nylon’s daintier cousin. It is more snag-prone, but has a much finer weave and refined texture. Alexander Wang produced this cap in the US, unlike the majority of his clothing line.

A wallet-on-a-chain

Go all 1990s grunge by adding a chain to your pocketbook. It’s got a practical advantage too: lesser likelihood of losing your wallet.

Saint Laurent Black leather bifold vertical wallet on a silver chain, $595 at SSENSE

Supple and sumptuous…two adjectives not usually applied to a chain. I bet it smells great too.

Alexander McQueen Silver ribcage-embossed billfold wallet on a chain, $570 at Farfetch

The ribcage motif was a mystery to me until I saw it in person, ran my fingers over the embossed ridges. Very macabre, very punk. This wallet is also available in bright blue, yellow, and red, at various online stores.

J.W. Hulme Moto snap wallet in black, $145 at East Dane

Finally, something affordable!

J.W. Hulme is no fringe brand (it’s sold at places like Barney’s). This snap wallet looks sturdy and is probably truer to the origins of the chain wallet than more expensive examples.

Balenciaga Arena Classic Traveller Chain Wallet, $435 at Barney’s

Balenciaga has always exhibited elements of biker and punk, at least since the brand was relaunched in the recent past. Photos hardly do justice to the lovely lambskin shown here and used on many of Balenciaga’s small leather goods.

Playful sneakers

As sport and fashion have danced ever more intimately, designers are dabbling in sneaker design, and brands like Nike and Adidas are actively brokering collaborations with the likes of Stella McCartney and Rick Owens. See recent post here.

And why not? Why should sneakers be dull, blocky, and monochromatic?

Converse Auckland Racer Camo Sneakers, $168 at Forzieri

From afar, the camouflage print looks like bubbles in bright, primary hues, set against serious dark olive drab.

Nike Roshe Run Floral Print Sneakers, $80 at Scoop NYC

Nike produces endless variations of its sneaker models. The Roshe is one of my favorite because it is comfortable, simple, and relatively inexpensive. I love the black behind the tropical flowers on this pair.

Y-3 Qasa Low II Trainers, $365 at Matches Fashion

Obscure design goes without saying at Y-3, the brainchild of Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas. This season, there are straps, rounded chunky soles, and splashes of contrast. The rust orange on this trainer is very fresh.

Dolce & Gabbana Open Sneakers, $495 at Dolce & Gabbana

“Wait. What?!” -me, when I saw this photo. I love the principles of an open-sided sandal applied to a sneaker, and the colors are spunky. Still hard to digest 500 bucks for a ‘running shoe’.

A pop of color

Epperson Mountaineering Climb Pack, $195 at END

Sure it’s a little granola. But fashion is all about tapping influences, nodding to niches. I’m sure it is quite useful while backpacking across Nepal, but this satchel is chic for city dwellers too. Great colors, curious tribal pattern strap. More interesting than Patagonia.

Dsquared2 Slim Garment-Dyed Jeans, $455 at Zappos Couture also in pink at Luisaviaroma

Yellow signifies energy and joy. I smiled wide when I saw these. Enough said.

Cotton Bermuda Shorts from Burberry Brit, in Orange and White, $175 at Stylebop

My orange-and-blue friends from the University of Florida could appreciate these pumpkin patch shorts. Variations of navy, gray, and khaki are tired. Try something different.

Christian Roth Optical Eric’s Own Frames in Fluo Green with Black Temples, $380 at Christian Roth

I tried these on in Miami in October. Attractive shape, exciting color. Translucent frame softens the fluorescence, and black temples bring it back down to everyday wearability.

If you don’t see something that speaks to you here, check my Pinterest board for Spring Summer 2015.

These are merely suggestions from my own fashion filter. Do you see any emerging trends that resonate? Leave a comment below!