Upcoming spring fashion trend for men is shifting but ever so slightly; style of the past is returning in a modernized manner and bright items are in.

Details magazine editors gave their picks for men’s fashion in spring 2012.

Justin Berkowitz, market editor, said men should be wearing DKNY’s “slick urban clothing.” Items, such as thin, dark blue leather jackets and gray suits will standout.

Also, Steven Alan’s line of simple-patterned flannels, cut-off-board shorts, and fedoras is “easy clothing,” Berkowitz said. Brightly colored Nautica board shorts is also fashionable for the early summer look.

N. Hollywood’s classic, fifties look—dark jeans, trim polos, and Coke-bottle glasses is favorable, according to Berkowtiz.

Details magazine’s senior style editor, Eugene Tong, is favoring culture-influenced items—Carlos Campos’ Guatemalan belts and also Navajo-patterned tops.

Meanwhile, the casual brand “Freshjive” is aiming for west-coast style for their spring collection solely based on four themes: city noir, immigrant, less than zero and RMK.

The city noir theme is film-noir-inspired and comprised of “shades of grays and blacks, highlights of red, cynical and depressing graphic ideas, straight angles, and no signs of humanity, compassion or nature,” according to wearethemarket.com.

The “Freshjive” immigrant-style is subtle with olive green shorts and an earth-toned tank or light jacket.

The less than zero look is reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis’s classic novel—a southern Calif., beach-boy look—bright-colored flannel tops and high-folded pants with no-lace tennis shoes.

The RMK look reflects the 1950s era—black and gray, form-fitting flannel tops and jackets and skinny, charcoal pants.

Nordstrom sales associate, Joe Strakis, said “trimmed off” items—ties, slimmer trim fitting shirts, skinny jeans and “blue-like colors” are coming back this season.

Strakis also added matching small-patterned items is an upcoming trend.

“When men wear a tie and a dress shirt with a small-checkered pattern, up close, you are able to see an intricate pattern between the two items,” Strakis said.

Strakis said current popular items are flashier accessories: designer belts and wallets, elaborate ties and bowties, elaborate socks—casual and dress—such as Odd Socks by Paul Smith.

“Anything with flair, more fresh and modern is getting off our shelves quicker,” Strakis said. “Surprisingly, items like jewelry—necklaces, tie and money clips are being purchased by men.”

Elaborate knit-neckties, “Howlin’” by Morrison,” are a “flashier” accessory which adds maturity to an outfit. The Scottish brand is known for “out-there patterns, playful colors, and fine uses of Scottish wool,” according to Complex magazine.

The Corsillo Brother’s “the Hill-Side” also offers accessories with flair; it is an array of patterned ties, handkerchiefs and pocket squares.

Even the old-boat-shoes “Sperry” will offer more than their traditional brown-leather tone this upcoming season. Buyers will have the option to purchase the casual shoe in neon red-green and blue-red combinations, according to Details magazine.

Strakis also gave his thoughts on what men should avoid buying this spring.

“Avoid mixing similar dark colors—dark brown with black and navy,” Strakis said. “And get rid of the bulky items.”

Strakis said he likes the direction where men’s fashion is heading.

“I like it since I am a slimmer individual to begin with,” Strakis said. “It’s definitely a nice change from traditional dress to modern.”

He said the most popular items sold at Nordstrom are suits—Hugo Boss and John Barbados, shirts and accessories—Burberry, Calvin Klein, and fragrance—Chanel.

However, Strakis said the recent change in men’s fashion has been stagnant.

“Nothing too drastic has changed,” Strakis said. “It’s been a gradual change this year.”

Jordan can be reached at [email protected]