Nic Screws

Saving rather than spending your tax refund would be the practical approach. But we're fashion editors here — not Jim Cramer — so we're not about to be shelling out tips on mutual funds. Unless, of course, you count an investment of another kind: Your new spring wardrobe. So, for The Style Blog's latest update in an ongoing series , we headed to a favorite spot of ours (and probably yours), J.Crew, to pick out some excellent loot that will have you looking like a new man this fiscal year. This, fellow tax payers, is Chain Store Cheat Sheet, spending that extra dime (wisely) edition.

What to Grab for Spring

2 Broken-in tees, $40

1 Sun-faded solid oxford shirt, $69.50

1 Slim Thomas Mason button-down, $135

1 Pair of slim-straight resin crinkle selvedge jeans, $145

1 Broken-in pocket polo, $39.50

1 Pair of Vans for J.Crew canvas authentic sneakers, $50

1 Corded cotton sport coat in Ludlow fit, $188

1 St. James nautical long-sleeve tee, $85/>

2 Stanton 9" Garment-Dyed shorts, $59.50 each

TOTAL: $871

How to Navigate a J.Crew

• Wallace & Barnes is their newish in-house label made of vintage workwear-inspired staples. A must get: The ringer tee, $42.

• Ludlow is J.Crew's staple modern fit tailoring — slim, notch lapel and slightly shorter. Comes in cotton, Italian wool, cashmere, linen, and even sold as separates.

• Aldridge is their more classic suiting — wider lapel and a regular, straight trouser.

• Bowery — as in pants and shorts — is code for wear-to-work. Or come summer: wedding season.

• The 484 Slim-Fit pant is their slimmest option. The Essex fit is streamlined but classic.

• The 7" solid board short (not really a board short, but a trunk) is the perfect all-summer, all-occasion beach short. For a riskier cut: the 5" Portofino.

• Shorts are broken-up into 6 categories: Club, Stanton, Beach, Broken-in chinos, Essential and Utility. If looking for a worn-in, classic fit, go with the Stanton. The club fit is a low rise, narrower fit. The essential fit allows for more room around the thighs, and comes in 4 lengths (our pick: the 7").

• Most shirt options come in classic and slim; in fact, J.Crew devotes an entire section to the slim shirts, both in-store and online.

• The accessories selection now includes sunglasses, watch straps, iPad cases, wallets, bracelets, suspenders shoelaces and a flask.

• J.Crew is the only store in the US selling Canada's Homespun knitwear — a line of henleys and tees so deliberately basic that they can be worn as undershirts or easily become your new go-to classic tee.

• The broken-in jersey tee is quite possibly the best (fitting and feeling) tee. Ever. Buy many. Also available in tall.

• Come fall: Treat yourself to a crewneck cashmere sweater. Great quality for the price.

Take Note of These Collaborations...

Thomas Mason: The cotton shirting specialist offers off-duty pinstripes to formal tuxedo shirts — all with their signature made-to-measure feel.

Barbour: Classic British jacket are given the preppy treatment.

Alden: A regular of Shoe Porn, and our pick for an affordable, quality blucher.

New Balance: The iconic 1400 comes in nearly a dozen never-seen-before colors.

Mougin & Piquard: Watch-hunting? Ask for the Grande Seconde.

Saint James: The French brand responsible for the official nautical stripe of summer.

Saturdays: Snag some of the "Ennis" trunks from this now-famous NYC surf shop.

And Don't Forget: PF Flyers, Vans, Lee, Timex, Nike, Tretorn, SeaVees, Baracuta, Woolrich John Rich & Bros, Belstaff, Corgi, The Hill-Side, and more greatest hits.

PLUS: Our 2013 Update on Why Everyone Wears J. Crew

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