For this Gear Lab, we left Huckberry HQ in Austin, TX and trekked to our warehouse offices in Columbus, Ohio. The occasion for a little sojourn: to meet with Dominique Jones AKA Dapper Dom, a men's fashion stylist and curator, whose keen insights are the root of a flourishing TikTok Channel fertile with takes on everything from current trends to larger perspectives on men's fashion. We wanted to bring his fecund insights to bear on our spring assortment and give us his tips on how to elevate our spring looks and find the essential pieces to carry us through the season.
Dominique says, 'Spring is a transitional season. It's time to put up the sweaters and the heavy coats and bring out the linen pants and the lighter textures; find the thing things that make us feel light and comfortable."
When building his spring fits, Dom is looking for light knits, neutral tones, something with a little more pop of color. Now that the days are getting longer, it's time to bring out the shorts and it's time to bring out the linen, the camp collars and let a few buttons down."
We couldn't agree more. Let's jump into all of Dapper Dom's picks for the spring.
Lightweight Button Downs
First is lightweight short sleeve buttons downs. Dom says he wears them as an outer layer or a base layer; you can dress it up or keep it super casual." Dom usually likes to go a little bolder with his.
Linen, lightweight, lavender
Honoring traditional dyeing techniques and supporting handloom weaving communities, Kardo expertly executes timeless menswear silhouettes to bring Indian craftsmanship to a new generation. The fabric for the Ronen Lavender Short Sleeve Shirt was hand-woven using an ancient technique where geometric patterns are inlaid into the fabric by tie-dying yarns in the warp.
Life-of-the-party statement piece
Cut from unique fabrics, sewn with care, and finished to keep you cool in warm weather, Gitman Vintage shirts bridge the gap between classy and casual with ease. Made from a jacquard weave that highlights the bold colors and carefully crafted composition, this Summer Ready Jacquard Shirt is a SSBD that seamlessly fits in at any occasion.
Straight Snappin'
Inspired by classic Chamois shirts and featuring subtle western details, the Wythe Tencel Pearl Snapshirt is handsome, soft, and versatile like the best vintage-shop find of the year. Constructed from moisture-wicking and breathable Tencel, this snapshirt keeps you comfortable in warm weather no matter what you’re up to.
Chukka Boots
A divisive silhouette. Either a love 'em, or hate 'em. Dom feels like they're a proper boot for the shoulder season. We tend to agree.
Cool enough for grandpa, cool enough for Wu-Tang
Classic moccasin construction, distinctive silhouette, durable materials that stand the test of time. Those were Clarks' guiding principles when they launched the Wallabee back in the ‘60s and they haven’t strayed from them since. Made to be highly versatile, you can dress these up with a casual buttondown and chinos for the office or pair them with jeans and a t-shirt on the weekend—this iconic shoe can complete nearly any look.
Mocassin meets hiking boot
Landing somewhere between a shoe and a boot, the Tokyo DB Chukka is another one of Yuketen’s challenging handsewn moccasins, and they execute it beautifully. Using premium oiled Horween Chromepak leather, Yuketen’s proprietary last, and decades of leathercraft experience, each boot is handmade in their Maine workshop and built to last a lifetime.
Lightweight Pants
Put away the sweatpants and the heavier denim and step into some lightweight linen.
Goldilocks Zone of thigh room - not too wide, not too thin, just right.
These Pleated Cotton Linen Chinos from Wythe are inspired by the uniform pants worn by soldiers in the Army during WWII, which eventually spread to civilian fashion and became the classic chino pants we know and love. Made from a breathable and comfortable cotton and linen blend, these pants only look better the more you wear them.
Classic Coastal Style
The Maker's Stretch Work Pant takes utility-inspired design and gives it the laidback Wellen treatment. Inspired by the work pants worn by board shapers on the coast, these cozy pants are just the ticket when you want to look put together without sacrificing any comfort. Throw them on when working in the shed or pair them with a casual jacket for a truly timeless look.
Classic T-Shirts
This might seem kind of obvious, " Dom says, "but I think a T-shirt is an underrated staple in most of our wardrobes. You can pair it with jeans or your favorite pair of pants." With the right t-shirt, you can't go wrong.
Lightweight linen that can be endlessly elevated
Most folks know linen as a summertime staple, but the team at Alex Crane know there’s much more than meets the eye. They’ll tell you how linen is temperature-regulating, stain- and odor-resistant, stronger than cotton, and gets softer and softer over time. The linen they use comes from sustainable flax farms in France using zero fertilizers and just rainwater for irrigation. Washed with biodegradable softeners, each t-shirt is summer-ready and about as good for the Earth as you can ask for. With its natural airy feel, the Sun Linen T-Shirt is great for sun-soaked vacations and summer adventures around town.
Color variety for days
The 45 RPM record changed music forever. It gave rise to a new class of creators and freethinking rebels, delivering one well-crafted hit at a time. Forty Five is rooted in this same spirit, homing in on the one thing they do best—classic, well-made t-shirts built to be worn time and time again. Cut and pressed in Los Angeles’s Fashion District, their designs were workshopped over years to achieve the perfection of well-worn vintage t-shirts from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Supima Crew T-Shirt is as classic as it gets—familiar in look, but with a level of craftsmanship and thoughtfulness that allows you to wear it on its own with your favorite jeans. Hands down, these are some of the best men's t-shirts out there.
Lightweight Jackets
Essential spring pieces that bring versatility and style to any wardrobe.
Everyday elevated workwear
Whether you’re traversing the concrete jungle or on the hunt for a quality IPA, the Baptista Safari Linen Chore Coat is up for the expedition. This lightweight coat straddles the worlds of workwear and streetwear for a light-yet-sturdy construction with unexpectedly cavernous pockets to carry all your EDC. Straight cut and embellished with oversized corozo buttons, the Safari Worker Chore Coat is La Paz’ adventurous take on everyday casual wear.
Stay tuned for Part Two coming soon!
See you out there.
