Let’s face it, guys and shopping are not quite fond of one another.
More often than not men have a tendency to buy random things they like and they don’t think about essentials they really need in order to build a sustainable wardrobe.
Let’s say you want to buy leather shoes. Would you be willing to spend 200$ on a nice pair of shoes that you couldn’t pair with anything other than the suit?
No, right?
You want all the pieces to complement each other.
When building a wardrobe it’s essential to start with the basics and then work your way up to more advanced pieces and outfits.
I will share with you what I think are 15 wardrobe essentials that will get you covered for most occasions but remember, these pieces will not build your entire wardrobe. They will be a pretty good starting point and the core around which you can build an amazing wardrobe in the future.
1. Casual shoes
The very first item among wardrobe essentials is (at least) a pair of casual shoes.
Classic, casual shoes that you’re going to be reaching for on every casual occasion.
Since you’re probably going to wear them almost every day, having more than just one pair is advisable.
Depending on your, age, lifestyle and personal taste you can go for just plain, simple sneakers, or the other way around, you can go for suede leather shoes.
It all comes down to your personal preference. It doesn’t really matter whether you go for one or the other (or both) is totally up to you.
2. Leather dress shoes
If you really want to look like a modern gentleman, you absolutely need at least a pair of dress shoes. Whichever style you prefer, it doesn’t really matter. Buy a pair of quality leather dress shoes.
They are essential as they are going to be the centerpiece of many great outfits.
My personal advice would be to go for penny loafers, just because I think they are the perfect balance between a formal and a casual leather shoe. They can be worn with both formal and business casual outfits.
I just love them, its no secret, but, if loafers are not your cup of tea, by all means, go for some other dress shoe style.
Remember, you’re building your personal wardrobe.
Follow these guidelines and add a sprinkle of your personal taste.
3. Chelsea boots
I truly believe that every man should have (AT LEAST) a pair of boots.
A nice pair of boots just adds a lot of character to every outfit. They give you presence and make you look bolder than a guy that wears regular leather shoes.
Chelsea boots are my favorite. Leather Chelsea boots are one of the most beautiful shoes for men. But of course, you can go with some other nice pair of boots. Whether they’re going to be leather or suede, it’s up to you.
Just keep in mind that boots are like whiskey. Drinking whiskey makes you both feel and look like a real man. Great leather boots do the same thing.
They put hair on your chest.
A good pair of pants is going to be the base for building many great outfits.
Quality pants that fit you properly are a must have piece of clothing in every man’s wardrobe.
4. Jeans
A good high-quality pair of jeans is the single most important piece of clothing you will ever own because almost everything from your closet can be paired with them.
When choosing jeans, choose ones that are not washed out, no holes or marks of any kind. Just solid color jeans, black or blue, both are great options and are very versatile.
Also, keep in mind that you don’t want your jeans to be baggy, and please, for the love of god, avoid jeans that look like leggings.
There’s nothing wrong with skinny jeans, I actually prefer them to be on the skinnier side. But please avoid pants that make you look like a sausage.
You want them to follow the silhouette of your body and you want to have enough room for your legs to breathe, the rest is up to you, just avoid baggy and extra skinny jeans. Every other simple pair of jeans that looks nice on you is a good option.
5. Chinos
The second must-have pair of pants.
They are going to be your slightly dressier option than regular jeans.
Choose ones that fit you properly, a good rule of thumb is when you put them on, you should be able to slide one or two fingers in your waistline. The perfect fit would be one that doesn’t require a belt, but, hey, don’t worry. This is very difficult to find, especially in stores.
We all come in different shapes and sizes, and the store bought perfect fit is almost impossible to find for the vast majority of men, so as long as you have a nice No 15 from this list, no need to worry.
Two of the most common colors for chinos are navy blue and light brown, or beige. Both options are great, although I prefer beige, you can’t really go wrong with either color.
Pick your preferred color and start rocking them. And, of course, if you want to know what goes great with a stunning pair of chinos, just keep reading.
6. Plain T-SHIRT
A plain t-shirt is probably the most basic piece on everybody’s wardrobe essentials list.
It’s perfect for every casual occasion. It goes great with jeans, with sneakers, it’s great for layering. It’s just so simple to wear. Plus, they’re so cheap. You can find amazing plain t-shirts for as low as 10-15$.
I believe that you really need one black and one white t-shirt.
If you weigh a little bit more than you’d care to admit, go for only a black t-shirt, because white can make you look bigger, and black can actually make you look skinnier.
7. Polo shirt
One of my personal favorites. Polo shirts are amazing. I love wearing them.
A good polo shirt goes great with both jeans and chinos. They go great with sneakers and boots, and even with dress shoes(If they’re not too shiny).
You get the point.
With one polo shirt, you get more than a few outfits, which is perfect, especially if you’ve just started building your wardrobe.
When buying polo shirts, pay attention to the collar. If it’s flimsy and if it looks like it’s going to twirl, or if it won’t stay up as it should, avoid it.
Invest a couple of tens of dollars more. You won’t regret it.
A good quality polo shirt is going to elevate your casual outfits into the stratosphere.
8. Oxford shirt
Fashioned to fit seamlessly between casual and formal occasions, the classic Oxford shirt is a staple piece on every modern man’s wardrobe essentials list.
They are tailored to be tighter than dress shirts, so they look perfect both tucked in or not.
Oxford shirts are so versatile. You can wear them to a bar when you’re hanging out with your friends. Throw on a blazer and you can wear it even when you go to a wedding or on a hot date.
Paired with jeans or chinos, they’re a great pick for casual settings. Roll up the sleeves and put on some accessories, and there you go. An amazing casual outfit.
If you are about to buy your first oxford shirt, start simple. A nice white one is perfect and very versatile. Your next option should be a light blue one.
Once you have those two, you’re allowed to go crazy and pick any other color or pattern you like.
9. Blazer
A must-have for every man who wants to dress sharp.
The blazer is a piece that is a business casual must have.
Perfect with leather shoes, boots, jeans, chinos, blazers, you name it.
10. Leather jacket
If you want to really rock that bad boy look, you absolutely need a leather jacket.
A high-quality leather jacket is versatile, durable, and very, very stylish.
Pair it with an amazing pair of Chelsea boots and watch your panty-dropping potential skyrocket.
It goes great with sneakers, jeans, and t-shirts. It can also look very nice with dressier outfits, with oxford shirts and ties.
It’s just so cool that the more I think about it the more I want to buy two more of them.
11. Pea coat
If you live anywhere where temperatures drop below 32°F you need something to keep you warm.
If you need it, why not go for the most stylish and elegant option out there.
A pea coat is just that. The best piece of clothing to keep you warm and make you look like a MILLION DOLLARS.
If paired with a nice scarf and a pair of leather gloves, well, let’s just say “bingo”
12. Nice watch
A watch is a must-have accessory for every modern man.
Wearing a watch separates men from boys. It also sends a message to people that you value and respect your time.
By wearing a watch you’re fine-tuning your outfit, and by accessorizing you’re slowly elevating it into a new dimension.
Something simple like a black leather strap or a metal strap watch is a perfect option for almost every outfit.
No need to spend thousands of dollars on a luxury timepiece, for a couple of hundreds of dollars you can buy a pretty amazing watch.
13. Signature fragrance
The single most important accessory you could possibly ever own.
Why is that? Because everyone reacts positively to people who smell amazing.
Pick the one you like, spray it a few times, and start dazzling people.
Another great thing about fragrances is when you know you smell good you’ll instantly have more confidence.
14. Sunglasses
A pair of sunglasses is another accessory on the wardrobe essentials list that every man should get his hands on.
Pick the ones right for your face shape. Not much about it.
Try until you find perfect ones for you and wear them.
15. Nice belt
A leather belt is a pretty important accessory. It should match your shoes both in color and finish. And it should be made of nice, high-quality leather, you don’t want your belt to look old and worn out(low-quality ones will start to look like that very soon).
Invest some money, and it will last you a very long time.
How you present yourself to the world is how the world perceives you. When people meet you for the first time, in the first 5 – 10 seconds they make all kinds of judgments about you.
The first impression is usually the one they stick to.
Invest in these essentials and start improving your wardrobe today.
Having a killer wardrobe is guaranteed to be the first line of defense against bad first impressions.
Make sure you use it.
