Our spring favourites for him come down to three easy wins this season: a breathable linen shirt, a lighter suede boot, and Ringers Western workwear built for warmer days on the land. Here's what we're reaching for in-store and why, with everything shoppable as you go.
We get this question a lot in store once September rolls around: "what do I actually wear now it's warming up, but it's not quite summer yet?" It's the trickiest stretch of the Australian wardrobe calendar. Too warm for winter knitwear, too early to live in shorts and thongs. Our answer, built from three generations of dressing regional Australia, is to lighten the fabric before you lighten the outfit.
What should you wear this spring in Australia?
The short answer is layers you can shed by lunchtime. Spring mornings still carry a chill in most of regional NSW, but afternoons warm up fast, so the fabric matters more than the number of pieces you're wearing. Swap heavy cotton for linen, swap a leather Craftsman for a suede lace-up, and keep the workwear breathable if you're still out on the land most days. Here's exactly what we're reaching for, and where to get it.
Why is a linen shirt our top spring pick?
A linen shirt is the single easiest win in a spring wardrobe, because it does the work of both a smart shirt and a cool one. The looser weave lets air move through the fabric instead of trapping heat against your skin, which is exactly what you want on a warm afternoon that started cold.
R.M.WILLIAMS
Newman Linen Shirt, Ink
100% French linen | Double-button cuffs | $189
A refined take on warm-weather shirting, with the distinctive texture and relaxed character that makes linen ideal for year-round Australian dressing. Pairs effortlessly with chinos and boots for smart-casual occasions.
Shop the Newman Linen Shirt →
GANT
Regular Fit Cotton Linen Shirt, Sky Blue
Linen-cotton blend | Button-down collar | $199.95
Keeps the breathability of linen but adds a little extra structure, with a box pleat back for room to move and a chest pocket finished in GANT's signature Shield embroidery.
Shop the GANT Linen Shirt →Ink and sky blue both work equally well against jeans or chinos, so pick whichever sits closer to your existing wardrobe. Browse the full range in our men's linen shirts collection.
What's the best Ringers Western gear for spring on the land?
If you're still out working through spring, Ringers Western is where we send most customers, because it's built for the exact conditions the season throws up: cool mornings, warm afternoons and a lot of sun in between. A work shirt that's too heavy for spring gets left in the cupboard by October, which is exactly the gap Ringers Western is designed to fill.
RINGERS WESTERN
King River Work Shirt, Beige
155gsm 100% cotton | UPF 50+ | $59.95
Loose-fitting and lightweight with a full-button front, double breast pockets and built-in sun protection. Pre-shrunk, so it stays true to size wash after wash.
Shop the King River Work Shirt →
RINGERS WESTERN
Sterling Straw Hat, Natural
Palm straw | Cotton sweatband | $159.95
Finely woven palm straw that's lightweight and breathable, so it stays comfortable through a full day outdoors as the UV climbs well before the temperature does.
Shop the Sterling Straw Hat →We stock the full Ringers Western range in-store across Bathurst, Wagga and our other locations, so if sizing is on your mind, it's worth trying a shirt on before you buy.
What jeans and boots pair best with spring layers?
Denim doesn't need to change much for spring, it's the weight of everything you pair it with that does the work. Light wash denim, a suede lace-up boot and a linen or cotton shirt is the easiest three-piece combination we sell all spring.
RINGERS WESTERN
Burke Tapered Slim Leg Jeans, Light Blue
Mid-rise fit | Tapered from the knee | $129.95
A mid-rise fit that sits comfortably around the midsection, with a tapered leg from the knee down. Light enough in wash to sit well with linen or a lighter shirt.
Shop the Burke Jeans →
R.M.WILLIAMS
Kingscliff Boot, Suede Dark Brown
Suede upper | Rubber dimple sole | $599
A lace-up boot in soft, resilient suede, dressier than a work boot but far less formal than a polished Craftsman. Reads lighter than leather without giving up the fit.
Shop the Kingscliff Boot →Not sure whether a suede boot or a leather Craftsman suits your spring better? Our R.M.Williams boot size guide is worth a read before you order, and our guide to which R.M.Williams boot is right for you covers the full range if the Kingscliff isn't quite the fit.
How do you care for linen and suede through spring?
Both fabrics reward a bit of care, and neither is high maintenance once you know the basics. Wash linen cold on a gentle cycle, skip the tumble dryer, and iron while slightly damp for a crisp finish, it gets softer with every wash rather than wearing out. Brush suede with a suede brush rather than a cloth, keep it away from direct heat, and treat with a suede protector before the first wear if you'll be out in the weather. If either gets wet, let it dry naturally away from direct sun or heaters, then reshape by hand. If you're new to suede care, our team can talk you through it in-store, or have a look at our boot care guide by leather type.
Shop the spring edit
All six pieces above, sorted by category if you'd rather browse the full range than shop one at a time.
Not sure which spring pairing is right for you? Drop into one of our stores for hands-on, in-store expertise, or give us a call, and we'll sort it out with you.