Principia - The Fundamentals of Spring Summer 2024

Presenting the fundamentals of menswear in a fresh light. Throughout this guide, we’re exploring the foundational pieces of a well-rounded Spring-Summer 2024 wardrobe through the colours, fabrics, and overall themes we’re seeing from brand to brand, and ultimately helping you navigate the fundamentals of menswear for this upcoming season.

The Overarching Themes of Spring Summer 2024

To be frank - the themes of the season range from one end of the spectrum to the other. On one hand, brands like Brunello Cucinelli, Polo Ralph Lauren, RRL, and Purple Label are embracing Americana fashion playing on elements from the likes of ranchers, mechanics and rugged mountaineers as well as gaining inspiration from the American East Coast. You’ll notice western shirts with pearl snap buttons, sport shirts with a variety of prints, stripes, polos and white linen pants to name a few of the Americana-inspired looks. On the other hand, brands like ZEGNA, Boglioli and Stone Island are implementing more sleek and minimalistic aesthetics with tonal ensembles and elevated basics.

Notable looks:

Linen - the Fabric of the Season, but Supercharged

Whether it’s the Oasi Lino from ZEGNA or the linen blends from Ralph Lauren Purple Label, linen is everywhere and in everything. While the material has always been a popular choice in the warmer months due to its breathability, we’re seeing it on a much larger scale. Brands are creating more linen blends to optimize performance and overall wearability. While linen can be a tough mental block to get around for some, it really is the pick of the season and if we’re being honest, for good reason. Not only is it breathable, but it’s lightweight, great for travel and overall an easy-wear.

Notable Items:

A Transition in Tailored Looks

Gone are the days of reaching for a sneaker to pair with your suit. As we go into Spring Summer 2024 you’ll notice a couple of bigger changes to tailored looks: people reaching for a classic loafer or a laced dress shoe to pair with their suits over the sneaker that has been a dominant choice in the past and a more structured build to tailored wear throughout Spring Summer 2024 goods. Both trends lend to an elevated approach to tailored pieces overall.

Notable items:

Knitwear is No Longer Just an Underpinning

In previous seasons knitwear has been talked about as a great styling tool and an essential underpinning; this season, however, knitwear is the statement piece. There has been a shift from basic fine knits to more textured and interesting knitwear. From lightweight cashmere to ribbed linen-silk blends, we’re seeing outfits built around sweaters instead of sweaters simply being an accomplice in creating a great look. This season - the more texture, the better.

Notable items:

The Good Kind of Blues + Other Pops of Colour

While each brand has its own colour story consisting of pinks, greens, neutrals and so on; one colour you’ll see across the board is shades of blue. Not only is blue easy to style, but it also provides an approachable way for neutral lovers to introduce pops of colour into their wardrobe. A popular styling approach we’re seeing this season is mixing vibrant hues with more neutral tones. This creates a balanced yet eye-catching look, with the brighter colours serving as statement pieces against a backdrop of subdued shades. For example, pairing a vivid blue crew neck with black denim or layering a bold plum overshirt with a white tee paired with white chinos allows for a sophisticated yet energetic aesthetic. All in all, if you’ve been hesitant to incorporate more colour into your wardrobe, this season is the perfect opportunity to start experimenting with subtle pops of colour.

Notable items:

Tonal Looks: A Monochromatic Approach

If there is only one trend you incorporate into your wardrobe this season - let it be this one. Not only is there something undeniably and effortlessly cool about dressing head to toe in the same colour, but it’s also such an easy look to put together. The tonal and monochromatic trends this season revolve around incorporating variations of a single colour or closely related colours within a single outfit. Layering various shades and tones adds dimension and visual interest to your looks without the need for contrasting colours. Whether you decide to go all black or white or take a more colourful approach, this trend embodies a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, emphasizing simplicity and unity in your overall look.

Notable items:

Ball Caps: From Laid-Back Streetwear to Elevated Casual Attire

Ball caps continue to be a versatile and stylish accessory choice going into Spring Summer 2024. Designers are incorporating ball caps into their collections in innovative ways, showcasing a range of materials, designs, and embellishments to suit various tastes and occasions. One prevalent trend is the resurgence of classic and retro-inspired ball caps, featuring vintage logos, distressed finishes, and adjustable straps for a worn-in, lived-in aesthetic. These caps add a touch of nostalgia to contemporary looks and pair effortlessly with casual attire such as T-shirts, denim jackets, and sneakers, making them a staple for streetwear enthusiasts. Additionally, brands are exploring elevated iterations of the ball cap, incorporating luxe materials such as suede, leather, and silk making it a strong addition to more upscale or fashion-forward looks.

Notable items:

New + Notable Brands

At The Helm, our mission is to curate a collection of unique brands that have a story to tell. Brands that value craftsmanship, quality and overall, well-made items. While we’re selective of the brands we carry, we’re always looking for brands that are making waves in the industry, have a story to tell, and could provide our customers value. Two brands we’re proud to introduce to our lineup this season are Richard J Brown and Manto.

The Highlights

Textured knits and elevated ball caps, dependable linens and lightweight cashmere, bold colours and muted tonal looks, your wardrobe basics and statement pieces - this year’s Spring Summer 2024 Collection is designed to be fundamental to your wardrobe. Explore more of our favourites from the categories below and find your way to the fundamentals of SS24 fashion.