The spring equinox in March may have technically marked the beginning of spring, but April is the month when real spring action starts, when you can actually feel the change in the air. But the key word here is starts, especially for cooler locations such as here in NYC where you'll still need to hang on to your winter coat for a little while longer. So if you're somewhere up in the northern latitudes, read up:
A few times between now and Memorial Day, you'll come across these days - days so perfectly warm, balmy, vibrantly aglow with sunshine that you mistaken it for the dead of summer. When those days beckon, especially on weekends, please, I beg you, resist the urge to break out in the finery of your shorts, tank top and flip-flops (and for that matter, "mandals"). Here in the city, there's nothing more unsightly than prematurely exposed upper arms, legs, and (gasp!) feet - especially if your skin tone borders on the radioactive, or your skin's gone dry and scaly from baking in heating units all winter long.
Just as he would engage his lover, a man of true style dresses appropriately for each season, and knows how to relate properly to its changes, its temperament. He responds - not reacts - to the natural world with sensibility, intelligence and respect, and practices civilized restraint over instant gratification of his brute senses.
Fellas, I know it's hard to contain the excitement of a chance to break out of your heavy winter duds that you've been buried in for months, but trust me, in 5 months' time, you'll be dreaming of piling back on layers upon layers of wool, fleece, and hopefully some cashmere. So don't jump the gun. Maintain your composure. Be kind to others and stay covered up. Patience, they say, is a virtue.
And of course I won't leave you hanging at that. Check in next time for my tips on how to ease into the warmer days - and nights - ahead.
