Many guys will relate to a situation when the closet is full of clothes, but it’s still impossible to find the right shirt for work or trousers for dinner out.
That’s because your closet is (most likely) filled with every single item you’ve ever purchased since college, or you have an untamed shopping habit.
In any case, the mess is not doing you any favors, and it’s time to deal with it. But knowing what to keep, what to toss and what to get in order to have a well-rounded wardrobe can be stress-inducing.
Take a deep breath; we’ve got you covered.
Here are the wardrobe basics for men.
What you need to know
First of all, it’s time to understand that you need fewer things than you think.
When you have your bases covered with quality, timeless, classic pieces, you’ll be able to create an outfit for any occasion. A bonus – you will able to forget the stressful shopping trips and save a ton of money.
The key to creating such a wardrobe is planning and doing your research, so all your clothes work well together.
At first, it might seem challenging to spend more than 5 minutes choosing the right jacket or sweater, but long term, you’ll come to appreciate the ease of dressing up every day (and you’ll look amazing).
Pants
Let’s talk pants for a moment. Whatever you do in life and no matter your style you always need a few quality trousers.
Here’s a list of trousers every guy should have in his closet. Adjust the quantities accordingly to your lifestyle.
- Chinos
- Denim pants
- Wool trousers
- Linen pants
- Shorts
These five will cover you for all seasons and occasions. Chinos and wool trousers work well for smart-casual situations, and linen, denim and shorts are perfect for laid back days.
When shopping for pants, make sure they are of the right fit, high-quality fabric, and a classic cut. Nobody needs a “trendy” item that will last a few months only.
Blazers
The next step is taking care of your blazers and suits. If your closet is full of stiff, boring blazers from a decade or more ago, it’s time to donate or toss them.
You want something smart, modern and that works with your dress shirts, polos, trousers etc. The color will depend on your preferences, but we recommend opting for something neutral yet interesting, like shades of navy, maroon, olive or grey.
Suits
Let’s move to suits. Here’s what every guy should have:
- Business suit
- Dinner suit
- Summer suit
- Party suit
- Casual suit
Like with the blazers, go for something other than black in at least summer, party and casual suit departments. Always opt for a well-tailored look and only high-quality fabrics.
Your best choices are cashmere, wool, cotton and linen. If you want something quirky, you can go for velvet or silk. Forget polyester and other cheap materials if you don’t want to look like an insurance salesman from the 80s.
Shirts
If there’s one piece of clothing a guy can’t have too many of – it’s shirts. The super-versatile piece works for any occasion and with basically anything.
Every guy should have these shirts:
- Casual button-down
- Oxford dress shirt
- Flannel shirt
- Chambray
- Linen shirt
- Cuban collar short sleeve shirt
Make sure your shirts fit you well and come in colors that will work well with everything, such as white, navy, beige, blue etc.
T-Shirts & Polo Shirts
Another men’s wardrobe essential is a T-shirt. You want a high-quality t-shirt in different colours like the black v necks from Fresh Clean Tees. Shop the latest collection of black v neck tees from them here.
You can also wear a t-shirt under your blazer or cardigan and feel comfortable. Always opt for cotton and avoid synthetic fabrics.
And for less casual occasions, have at least a couple of polo shirts in your closet. They come in a variety of colours and work well for summer business meetings, office and garden willytail parties.
