This season, the in-style man’s wardrobe will consist of four classic essentials: shorts, button-downs, polo shirts and T-shirts. And ready or not, designers have chosen plaid as the print of choice this go around.

“Plaid is huge, as well as madras print,” said Toni Kordek, general manager for the Market Place Square Old Navy, describing Old Navy’s madras print-plaid shorts.

The Stones River Mall’s Aeropostale management team, too, have noted that when it comes to shorts, plaid has “resurfaced.”

Store Manager Valarie Webb and Assistant Manager Emily Hodges said basic cargo shorts and board shorts, with flowery designs are also trendy this season.

“Our men’s (spring) line is doing better than ever,” Webb said.

“Shorts, shorts, shorts!” are in, agreed Daniel Oyiliagu of L & B clothing in the Shoppes of South Rutherford.

“I guess they want to show those calves,” Oyiliagu remarked.

Meanwhile, the local L&B staff predicted designer Ed Hardy’s colorfully and intricately designed denim shorts will likely be a big-seller, in addition to plaid button-downs.

Old Navy also has plaid button-downs for spring, but the clean, white linen button-down shirt is the featured piece in its Palm Beach-themed line.

For those who need a bit more color, Kordek said that Old Navy’s printed poplin button-down shirts, which have tiny, detailed designs, are popular.

Express is promoting its new laundered button-down shirt as “spring’s perfect shirt?cool, clean and casual for wherever the season takes you.”

Polo shirts, however, remain a classic wardrobe staple. And at Old Navy, Kordek said the biggest change in this spring’s line of polo shirts is the printed polo, which is a popular choice in addition to the brightly colored polo, the argyle polo and the striped polo.

Men should be careful about holding on to last year’s wardrobe investments, however.

David Darnell of the Stones River Mall Buckle said that last season’s “T-shirts with edgy designs like skulls, crosses and glitter will hit a peak” this spring.

Darnell said that V-neck T-shirts are a popular alternative.

To get the most out of old shirts, Kemol Taylor of thefashionreport.com has suggested, “Clean out your attic.”

Fashion columnist Benjamin LeHay of the Bowdoin Orient said, “Designers are turning toward more vibrant colors and patterns for a more refreshing look.

“Thankfully,” LeHay reported, “risks were taken: high-waist pants, a skinnier silhouette and shorts paired with blazers.”