For summer fashion, men usually flock to what’s safest: Abercrombie & Fitch khaki cargo shorts with a Lacoste pique polo and flip-flops (vomit). Or lately, the new super-staple trend of plaid baggy shorts with the same polo, of course.

I’m not suggesting going away from your comfort zone; just try and be more open-minded this spring. To help, here are a few suggestions.

The straw hat seems to be coming back this spring for men — but it’s not made out of straw. Make sure you get one where the brim is shorter and curled tight. One in dark blue or black adds a casual look and feel to any summer or spring outfit. Something to stay away from this season: the cotton skullcap. Not only can it get hot and sweaty, but for someone who’s trying to stay fashion forward, it’s too simple and stylishly stagnant.

The classic boating sunglasses have returned with a fashionable vengeance. Popularized by Kanye West, Matt Damon and Mao Zedong’s latest wife, these “Clubmaster” sunglasses are sleek and attention-grabbing and can easily fit any face. The fun part is that you can mix and match the metallics with the lenses: brass holding blue, silver clasping purple — the possibilities are endless. Hurray for sunshine!

A light and comfortable coat to wear through the warmer seasons is the classic Americana baseball jacket. I know what you’re probably thinking: run to your closet and whip out your bright purple Huskies jacket. Please don’t. Yes, spring is a time of bright colors, but not clashing. If you have one with patriotic colors, like shades of blue and white, use it, but make sure to wear it with neutrals.

For the suit this season, the “out-of-bed” look has been roaming the runways. Untucked shirts, unmatched blazers with pants and unfinished three-pieces. The European suit — tapered pants and tightly cut jackets — seems to be going out the window for springtime. Loosey-goosey is the name of this game. Casual is king, and nothing says casual like a craftily tailored khaki suit with a white linen dress shirt — casual and sexy. For the jacket, a deep-V neckline is the new look for the suit. This adds a slimmer and equally informal look.

A simple, effective style this spring is the clam-digger pant. These effortless pants can be worn throughout the year and easily accessorized. Probably the safest route to go for these pantaloons is khaki, however denim is just as useful.

One shade sweeping the runways this season is pink, in its various delicious forms. Designers toyed with the color for this season in what would presumably be clashing outfits. However, different light and pastel hues mesh considerably well together, like tea-rose-colored linen pants combined with a casual cherry-blossom button-up. You can take that two ways: a button-up in a cherry blossom hue, or cherry blossoms on a button-up. It is spring, after all; floral is in.

In an age when men are worrying about their appearance as much as women are, there should be room for fashionable consideration of other styles for males.

Reach columnist Ben Schock at opinion@dailyuw.com.