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Spring is a season that I look forward to with great anticipation because of all the changes that come along with it. Hockey season gives way to baseball, the winter snows and biting wind chill give way to fresh rains and warm breezes, and heavy sweaters and overcoats give way to much lighter apparel. In fact, I look forward to the time every year when I can finally put away my wool jackets and break out my windbreakers.

I have a rather large collection of windbreakers because there are so many different styles available. It's not that much of a stretch to say that I have a windbreaker for nearly every occasion that I might encounter. Since windbreakers vary greatly in both thickness and weight, I know that I can always find one that's just perfect for the kind of weather conditions I'm likely to face in the spring and summer. Let's take a look at some of the more popular styles.

My favorite windbreaker style is the classic pullover model. These windbreakers usually have a half-zip front that you can open or close depending on just how inclement the weather is. I have also seen pullovers with Velcro closures, and these are quite convenient too because of the ease and speed with which you can fasten and unfasten them. Most pullover windbreakers also have a hood with drawstrings, as well as a large pouch-style pocket in the front. A hood on a windbreaker is a must in my opinion because if the wind really starts picking up or if it starts raining, you'll be glad that you have the hood available. A pocket is also a necessity. I don't know about you, but in the summer, I almost always wear shorts that don't have large pockets, so I need an alternative place to put my keys, sunglasses, and cell phone.

Another popular style of windbreaker is one that has a full zipper in the front. This makes the windbreaker look just like any other jacket, except for the fact that it is so lightweight. Windbreakers with full-zip fronts are pretty much the same as pullover models. That is to say, they often come with hoods and pockets, and are water-resistant to a certain degree. But with a zip-front windbreaker, you're obviously not going to have one big pouch pocket across the front of the jacket. Instead, you'll likely have two slit pockets on the sides. I always make sure that I buy windbreakers with zippers or other fasteners on the pockets otherwise my stuff might fall out as I'm pulling the jacket over my head.

Recently, the old-school style of windbreakers with snap-button closures have been making a comeback, so I see these everywhere too. Personally, I am not a fan of this style. If you're going to have all those buttons up and down the front side, then you might as well go all out and wear a regular jacket rather than a windbreaker. It's my personal opinion that buttons don't belong on windbreakers, so you'll never catch me wearing this particular style.

A fourth common windbreaker style that you can purchase is a convertible one that folds up into a small rectangle when not in use. This kind of windbreaker is very handy if you live in an area where the weather can change in an instant. Even though the weather is pretty steady here in Chicago, I still like to keep a folding windbreaker in the glove compartment of my car and in one of my desk drawers at work. This way, I am sure to have at least a bit of protection from the elements if the weather suddenly changes when I'm already out of doors. And of course, these foldable windbreakers are excellent items to take on camping trips or when traveling.

Being able to choose from all these different styles of windbreakers isn't the only reason that I like them. I also like them because I can get them in a variety of colors with a variety of logos on them. I am a big sports fan, so the first thing I look for when it's time for a new windbreaker is one that has the logo of a team that I like. This makes the windbreaker an awesome accessory for going out to Cubs games at Wrigley Field or Northwestern football games in Evanston (at least in August and September). Bringing a windbreaker to a sporting event is a good idea in case it starts raining while I'm out there or if the game runs longer than expected. We all know that a baseball or football game that starts out at 3:00 in the warm afternoon sun might not end until 7:00 or 8:00 when it is significantly cooler.

In addition to team windbreakers, I have seen ones bearing company logos, Greek letters from sororities and fraternities, school names and mascots, vacation destinations (such as Las Vegas or Disney World), and just about anything else you can think of. Basically, if you have seen a t-shirt with a certain logo or character on it, then chances are you would be able to find a windbreaker with the same image on it.

So as the weather continues to get warmer, make sure you are prepared for it by purchasing a couple of new windbreakers. These handy items are affordable, convenient, and useful. You never know when you're going to wish you had just one more layer of clothing on, so keep a windbreaker around for those times!