Clothing brands are dropping some very serious pieces for the warmer weather! It doesn’t even seem like Spring is right around the corner, with all the cold, inclement weather we have these days. DC is covered in snow and NYC is freezing so it’s about time for me to take a vacation very soon. But first, I’ll need to acquire a few things for my wardrobe. My first stop is going to have to be J.Crew. They have new pieces in store and online for men, women and children. The linen herringbone blazer, gingham shorts, and Persol sunglasses are must haves for my next vacation. There are a few women’s items I’m a bit jealous of, though. I really wish they made the white denim jacket and golden McCallister boots for men. The boys even got stuff that made me wanna be a kid again. That “greatness” sweatshirt is classic, as is the cashmere shawl collar cardigan for girls. Ok my J.Crew rant is over. Rugby’s Spring collection is a bit more colorful and preppy than that of J.Crew. There is a lot of red, white, and blue incorporated, like this fleece baseball jacket. A.P.C. took a more subtle approach and kept it very classic. The highlight of their collection for me is the shoes. These blue desert boots are sick! I think I’ll be ready for the next 3 Spring seasons after my next shopping excursion. How bout you?

But is also one of the most fashionable days of the year. Yes, I’m referring to New Years Eve (NYE). This is the last night that you can do the exact opposite of all your New Years resolutions and actually get away with it. I personally don’t believe that waiting for the year to end is what should prompt change but that’s neither here nor there. The fact is, NYE is less than a week away and wherever you go that night, looking good will be a high priority. So I’ve decided to put together two looks, male and female, that might just help you out when you’re scrambling through the mall this week trying to figure out what you’re wearing. For both guys and girls, black has been a very instrumental color in this year’s fashion trends. A lot of  great accessories, outerwear, and shoes have come out in “All Black Everything” and they still are so take advantage of that when shopping for an outfit. I personally think that gentleman should incorporate color in their NYE looks, but make sure it’s less than your female counterpart. Be the reserved cool guy and let your lady get the shine with her colorful fit with splashes of black while you do the opposite. The guy should have on the black eye wear like these new leather (yes..leather) Super glasses and dark jacket or sweater. The Rugby Tartan Blazer would be good as a splash of color if everything else is black or very dark. Or this John Varvatos shawl collar cardigan would look good with a plain white button down and black tie but offset all the monotony with these colorful Ralph Lauren corduroy jeans. Boots are the move these days so I’d go with these A.P.C. derby ankle boots. That sole is amazing. Now for the ladies…NYE is the night of unconventional…So don’t fall into the cliche of huge coat, small dress, and high heels. Show out and push the limits a little. This sickening Stella McCartney cardigan is a great way to start. You can still wear the small dress but do it different than the rest so you wont blend in. Under the cardigan try something that will add contrast like this Jay Godfrey one shoulder dress which can be worn with these cool Rugby sequin leggings or the colorful slim cords to add even more pop to the fit. Skip the heels because it’s gonna be a long night… Try these smooth Christian Louboutin patent leather shoes. You’re the best dressed and your feet aren’t killing you 3 songs into the party. A lot of these items are pricey but this is just a blueprint. Replicate expensive looks through inexpensive brands or go vintage! See you at the party!!! I’ll be late for that…

A nice hat is essential on those days you don’t feel like really grooming yourself or if it just really compliments your outfit. Make sure you have a decent selection ranging from fitted caps to fedoras. Driving caps are my personal favorites because they can be dressed up or down and they come in so many patterns. Check out J.Crew, Urban Outfitters, and Major DC for some smooth Spring headgear.

Cool glasses are not a fad. They have been around forever and are not going anywhere folks. People seem to underestimate the effect a good pair of frames can have on their outfit, whether it be shades to block the rays or just clear lenses for style. Brands like Dita, Super, and Ralph Lauren are continuously releasing stylish eye wear so open your eyes and find some!! For a more vintage look and a large selection, check out Fabulous Fanny’s of NYC.

A layering piece is a must for the cooler days of Spring when you can’t get away with just wearing a tee shirt. Crew neck sweatshirts and varsity jackets will be in constant rotation for my wardrobe this season. There is so much you can do with them and a key to successful shopping is versatility. Brooklyn Circus, King Stampede, A.P.C. and other brands have managed to produce either cool crew necks, varsity jackets or both in to their Spring 2009 line for men.

Chino’s and broken in light colored denim is the way to go to stand out and be comfortable this Spring. Hard denim is usually what I wear for a large portion of the year. But the Spring weather calls for something lighter and softer. . Visit J.Crew or Rugby for a great selection of chinos and denim.

Classic footwear is the way to go on a sunny Spring day guys. This brings me to another one of my tips for successful shopping. Buy things that have been around long enough to never go out of style, or at least something you love enough to keep forever. That’s what I try to keep in mind when searching for footwear. Adidas Rod Lavers, Converse Jack Purcell’s, and Puma Clyde’s are perfect examples of classic sneakers. They can be worn with pretty much anything and they still look good when they are worn in!

One last thing gentlemen: don’t forget your bag. Where are you going to put your jacket when it’s too warm to wear, or your laptop so you can update your blog on the go, or your camera when you’re done shooting? Get yourself a bag with a bunch of compartments but make sure it’s not too bulky. You don’t want to look like you’re on a camping trip. Check out Manhattan Portage, Incase, and The North Face for some fly, functional bags.