Spring shopping advice from the homies
Spring shopping advice from the homies
Featuring Somsack Sikhounmuong, co-founder and Creative Director of Alex Mill
Spring and summer blurred together this year. If you got a proper spring, we’re all jealous. And for better or worse, it's time to dust off those Harrington jackets and get the GORE-TEX anoraks out of the storage bins.
As we bare our pale thighs to the world once again, we decided to tap into the well of knowledge of some industry insiders this year to learn about what they're excited to bring back this season, plus new items on their radar.
And since we’re getting this out in June, pretend it’s more of a spring-summer combo piece, because they’re blurred together anyway.
Somsack Sikhounmuong, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Alex Mill and editor of somstack
What's your go-to item that gets you excited for spring/summer?
My go-to item always for spring is a great shirt. I love walking out of the house in the morning and heading to work with a shirt and no jacket. I've been sizing up a size in my shirts lately and never press my shirts.
I like them a little roomy, and never stiff or ironed. I love it when the placket ripples a bit and when the collar doesn't sit stiff against my neck like this blue and white striped Alex Mill one, but my favorite shirt is a khaki vintage shirt I found at Front General Store 10 years ago.
The wash is great, but the color is what really makes this shirt great. More people should own khaki shirts; I find them to be as easy as blue or white but less expected, and they make every outfit cooler.
Any new pieces catching your eye for the season?
Springtime is cotton sweater time! Cotton sweaters are the sweatshirts of sweaters for me—they're easy, can be worn year-round, and are not precious.
I was recently (and continue to be!) served an ad on Instagram for a red sweater from The Row. I checked it out but found and got a red one from babaà instead. It's a great dark red chunky cotton with a roomier fit. I'm excited to wear it now with my chinos, but I will wear it with some baggy khaki shorts or denim cutoffs by June.
Describe your favorite warmer weather look
If I could dress like I was on vacation 365 days a year, I would. I think it's because I'm Thai, ha!
My favorite looks will always involve shorts. Shorts with a T-shirt is an obvious choice, but something about shorts with a button-down does it for me.
Maybe it's the dressy with casual or the serious with the fun. I love a rumpled button-down with a short and sneakers, or if it isn't a stripe, it's a rumpled Madras shirt. This one is my fav from 45Rpm, a neutral color base in light cotton. I keep it unbuttoned at the top and one at the bottom, worn with my linen pull-on shorts and my linen navy blazer.
What's your footwear rotation look like for warmer weather?
Every shoe in my footwear rotation for spring has to be comfortable, meaning I'm in sneakers 80% of the time. I love my new Reeboks — the terry lining is super old-school and soft. My New Balance are a nice dressier option in sneaker form, but the Nike Humaras are my latest favs.
I remember them from when I was in college in the late 90's and have regretted not getting them ever since. When they re-released earlier this year, I had to have them. They are crazy light, have strong tread on the sole, and have a strange techy upper that I love.
My other two footwear options are the Birkenstock Arizona's. I take them to the beach and pool with me, and they're my sturdier, more grown-up option for a flip-flop. The other option is my new Bally moccasins.
I remember seeing the Bally runway show last year and making a note to check them out when they came out. Their slightly tapered toe and flatter toe box are what I love about these guys, in addition to the subtle rubber sole, which is both dressy and casual at the same time. I love a dressy moccasin or casual lace-up.
Are there any must-have jackets you recommend for spring?
I'm a huge fan of jackets. I recently went to my storage facility and got a strong pit in my stomach when I saw all the jackets there. I have a problem, and it's called 'jackets'.
I can't get enough of them, especially spring ones. My current favorite is this Polo Ralph Lauren one I got at Chickees Vintage in Williamsburg. It's a lightweight cotton jacket made from a shirting weight tattersall. It is lightweight, has an easy zip front, and is better rumpled — the three ways I want to dress in spring.
A close second is my 45Rpm zip army jacket (I love that it's a cream color and not the typical olive), and the linen Alex Mill blazer is good, too, as it's unstructured and easy. I love that it spiffs up any outfit without making me feel or look overdressed.
Any do’s and don't’s?
Don't:
There should be an ease to spring dressing.
Don't complicate things! For me, an overwrought morning makes for an overthought outfit. There have never been fewer rules for dressing than today, so don't stress. When in doubt, a great washed shirt with vintage jeans is a sure bet.
Do:
Accessorize and have fun! With less need to layer in the warmer temperatures, there are fewer layering options, so a great accessory is a must!
A well-made belt. I have one from Maximum Henry. It's sturdy, handcrafted, and made of beautiful materials. Mine has already started to wear nicely, and I've only had it for three weeks.
A baseball hat. In late March, I traded my cashmere beanie for a baseball cap, and now I always wear one.
Croakies Suiters. I got my first one five years ago in Bangkok and have worn it with my sunglasses every spring and summer. I love the colors, but I especially like not having to fuss with putting my glasses away every time I'm indoors.
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