Although fashion trends may change as times change, the traits of a well-dressed guy often endure. Of course, not all men have the necessary elements in their wardrobe.
Your wardrobe can be in desperate need of a few items that might make it genuinely ageless, from a well-fitted suit to the ideal polo. Spending money on those necessary possessions ensures that you are appropriately attired for almost any event.
Wardrobe Essentials for Men
Not sure about where to begin? Even if you don’t enjoy shopping, these 10 items serve as the ideal foundation for a stylish, manly wardrobe. You can easily add new colors, patterns, and designs to the mix as trends and seasons dictate if you invest in well-made initial items.
What would you say if we told you that a versatile wardrobe could be created using only 10 pieces?
These 10 pieces can be used to make up an outfit for a wedding, a laid-back night out at the bar, a job interview, or even a first date.
Don’t believe us?
The problem is that most men buy too much apparel and collect it. Men’s clothing is all about quality over quantity, and we’re going to show you how it can be done with just 10 pieces in today’s article.
Consider the top 10 wardrobe essentials.
In addition to highlighting the idea that design doesn’t have to be expensive, we hope this article motivates you to begin assembling a wardrobe with versatile, classic pieces.
The 10 Item Wardrobe
These are the top 10 wardrobe staples, 10 pieces that work with everything and are accessible to everyone. We’ll create various styles with these ten pieces for various events to demonstrate their versatility to you.
You’ll have to be a little forgiving with us in this situation. We have limited the accessories to a bare minimum and have not included socks or undergarments. Try reading the article on Men’s Flair about modern capsule wardrobes if you want a more thorough explanation of the concept.
With that out of the way, here are the 10 things, their uses, and proper outfit.
Here are the 10 items that you should have in your wardrobe:
The Navy Suit
The traditional navy suit is the first item to purchase. The Navy suit is incredibly ageless and adaptable.
No matter what your everyday style entails, every guy should own a good suit, as we’ve discussed in great detail in the past. Why? The timing is always right to don a suit, especially in these WFH days.
Consider the suit’s fit as well as the fabric and quality, as with all the advice in this article. A wool navy suit with two buttons and peak lapels will have more wardrobe options than a linen double-breasted navy pinstripe suit. Although we don’t think the latter is a wise investment, versatility is all about keeping things straightforward.
Don’t like the navy? You can try Charcoal if you want.
The Blue Dress Shirt
Choosing a more formal dress shirt will make it simple for you to dress up for particular occasions. Pale blue is a very flexible color that gives the clean white shirt a more relaxed vibe.
The shirt will be easy to wear both with and without a tie if it is cutaway in color, and choosing lightweight cotton will make it appropriate year-round.
Again, the fit is crucial, just like the suit, so don’t be hesitant to use a tailor to customize your buy or choose made-to-measure or bespoke items. In this case, we are buying less but better.
The White Button-Down Shirt
The white button-down shirt is another classic wardrobe staple. This is ideal for any man’s capsule wardrobe because it fills the gap between formal and casual.
Choose an Oxford shirt instead because it is much more casual and is simple to dress up or down. Long sleeves are also advised because they are more adaptable and can be worn all year round (simply roll the sleeves up if it’s hot).
On a night out, what should you wear with your jeans? Grab your button-down shirt. Trying to choose a shirt to wear under a sweater? Grab your button-down shirt. Do you need anything to go with your suit?
Every man should own this basic item, and practically all contemporary menswear brands and retailers carry them in stock. You’ll be wearing this frequently, so pay attention to quality, fit, and comfort.
Denim Jeans
The next item is a pair of stylish dark denim jeans.
We can frequently overwear a pair of jeans because they are adaptable. You may dress them up or down if you choose dark denim over a lighter wash.
Consider your jeans a pair of suit pants, paying close attention to how they fit and are made. It’s a big error to choose cheap denim and ignore factors like length, fit around the waist, and taper.
These days, getting them adjusted to fit is simple. A local tailor will do this for very little money if a brand or merchant does not include an alteration service with every purchase.
Selvage denim is always a fantastic choice, and keep in mind that it doesn’t require as much washing as formal pants.
White T-Shirt
A white T-shirt is a next thing. Nothing is more timeless or versatile than a white T-shirt, but how it looks greatly depends on how well it fits.
No one styled the white t-shirt as well as James Dean did; even with a basic pair of trousers, he still managed to look effortlessly cool.
Because T-shirts are conventional, the problem is that we frequently choose the least expensive alternative. However, if the quality is compromised, after a few washes, it either shrinks, the fabric begins to wear, or the color starts to fade.
In order to get more wear and longevity out of the white t-shirt, aim for mid to heavy weight cotton.
White Sneakers
White sneakers are the most adaptable type of footwear. Before you pass any judgment, let me clarify that we’re not referring to a pair of fragile plimsolls or a pair of running shoes; rather, we’re referring to a traditional pair of plain white leather sneakers.
Choosing a tennis shoe with adaptability, like the Adidas Stan Smiths, will enable you to pair them with all the items already listed in this post.
However, the important thing you should pay attention to is minimalism. A leather pair will lend elegance to a very casual item. You’ll get more use out of them if you keep the detailing to a minimal.
Navy Knitted Tie
This is the only accessory we include in the 10-item wardrobe, which is controversial. However, depending on your daily style, it might not be something you frequently use.
Due to the fact that many contemporary office positions no longer require ties to be worn, wearing a tie is less common than it once was. In light of this, the Navy Knitted Tie fills the gap between a tie that looks businesslike and one that can be worn with more laid-back clothing, like the White Button Down Shirt shown above.
Along with perfecting that dimple, pay attention to the smaller things, such as the knot you employ (a simple four in hand is usually a winner) and the length of the tie.
Brown Double Monk Strap Shoes
We chose some twin monk straps for the more formal side of things.
Another timeless shoe that can be worn with a suit or to spruce up a pair of jeans is the double monk. Now that you know there are other options besides the double monk strap, you can go outside the box a little and choose something you think would look well on you.
You have the option of a Brogue, Chelsea Boot, Oxford or Derby, or even a Loafer.
Along with your selection of leather, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the structure. The most versatile color choices are tan or dark brown (chocolate), and don’t be scared to spend a little more on quality.
If you spend carefully, shoes are an item that will last for many years.
Stone Chinos
Stone chinos are not the least, though. Again, these might be navy, grey, or even black, but we wanted to give this wardrobe some lighter tones.
These would undoubtedly aid in dressing down a lot of the formal attire. These are nonetheless really sophisticated and stylish.
Make sure they’re not too long or too short and fit well around the waist and leg. If you want a more laid-back look, roll them up and even go with a looser fit.
A Sweater
You can choose any color you like, but try to keep it subtle. We chose a camel sweater for this piece, but you may also wear grey, stone, navy, and even lighter colors.
In terms of fabric, merino wool is the obvious pick, while cashmere will provide a more snug and comfortable fit.
How to Wear Them
We’ll now demonstrate a variety of looks using the ten things stated above. We’ll also discuss the setting and occasion for which the look might work best.
The purpose is to demonstrate how versatile your wardrobe can be with less clothing.
Formal Outfit
Simple as can be: suit, shirt, and tie. A navy suit can be paired with a formal blue shirt, and a navy knit tie added as an accessory. Done.
The twin monk straps come last. You might choose a brogue or a Derby accent. Any well-made formal shoe will do in this situation.
It is possible to layer with a sweater on a cold day.
Casual Outfit
We move to the opposite end of the range for our casual attire. Once more, keep it simple with a white T-shirt, dark denim jeans, and white sneakers.
Now picture this with a baggy pair of trousers, a baggy t-shirt, and some seriously worn-out, dirty white sneakers. It won’t appear as stylish as if it were a plain white t-shirt, a pair of well-made dark denim trousers, and a pair of white sneakers.
That is your go-to casual attire. It’s classic and masculine and will look well on any male.
Smart Casual Alternative
This outfit sits between formal and informal. The white t-shirt is still being worn, but the jeans have been replaced with stone chinos, and dress shoes have been added.
This allows us to put a blazer over the top if we want to make the outfit a bit more formal, but you could just as easily opt for a t-shirt (tucked in), chinos, and dressier shoes.
Use white sneakers to dress it down if you want to err on the other side of the spectrum.
Business Casual Outfit
For our business-casual outfit, we separate the suit and pair the stone chinos with the blazer (a style known as “separates”). The sweater adds a great tactile aspect, and the blue shirt ups the level of elegance.
Depending on the situation, you can now decide how formal you want to be with this outfit by wearing your shoes or a pair of double-brown monks.
Simple, fashionable, and expert. What more could one ask for?
Final Words
Even while some of the pieces in your basic wardrobe might be expensive, they’re worth buying for several reasons. These well-made essentials will last you a lifetime. The proper details can also serve as the foundation for trendier outfits, allowing you to continue with your basic clothing while still accessorizing on a budget.
Of course, having the confidence that you always have the appropriate attire for a situation or occasion may be a feeling worth its weight in wool. Investing in the proper foundation wardrobe can ensure that you constantly seem polished and suitable.
FAQ
What is the Perfect Size for a Wardrobe?
The minimum size requirement is seven feet by ten feet. A single side closet occupies 24 inches of depth and has a clearance of 36 inches. It is approximately four to five feet deep. Two 24-inch storage spaces can be placed on either side of a double-sided closet.
What is the Importance of Wardrobe Planning?
It helps you choose clothing, accessories, and shoes that suit any situation, way of life, requirements, and preferences. Making a plan for your wardrobe gives you additional options and aids in determining your personal style. You don’t need to take additional time looking, buying, and bringing something back.
How Long Should You Keep Clothes?
For the clothes in your closet, decide when they will expire. It’s probably time to donate clothing if you live in a four-season area and haven’t worn it in a year. And if you reside in a region with only one or two seasons, you should probably get rid of anything you haven’t worn in the last six months.