12 Items a Man Should Have in a Basic Wardrobe (B)

Are you or do you know one of those people who either don’t have much in their wardrobe, or they have enough pieces, but never “something to wear”, or who have a lot of clothes, but, again, “nothing to wear”? That’s pretty much how a lot of people handle their clothes. And, let’s be honest: your wardrobe ends up like this because you always need “something” and then the budget goes on that, and other items are ignored. You’ve seen it, we’ve seen it, been there, done that!

This is why today we want to make a list of things you should consider having, as we think they go a long way and are helpful It’s obvious that most of us can’t buy couture and expensive clothes, or buy new things as often as we would like to. This is why it’s better to invest in better but fewer clothes than buying often bad clothes. There are a few items that, if you have them, in our opinion, you can’t go wrong in any situation. Having a well-equipped closet will spare you a lot of time trying to create outfits from dispersed items and will make you feel confident that you always have something to wear. You only need 12 items to have a perfect basic wardrobe!

 

Unlike other fashion writers, we don’t tell you what exact piece to have, we give you a general direction which you work the way you can and want.

 

We created this list having a few characteristics in mind that a wardrobe should have:

The characteristics are:

a) Your clothes need to be as versatile as possible: if you don’t have many items, it’s best you have pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down.

b) Your clothes need to be all-occasion appropriate meaning you need to have clothes for both casual and formal occasions. Some pieces can easily go from casual to formal. We will teach you how.

c) Third, your clothes need to be diverse. Having diverse clothing will help you transition from warm to cold, from outside to inside, and so on.

 

So, here are the pieces we think you shouldn’t miss when you are building a wardrobe.

1. A dark suit. Having a dark suit is probably the most important thing a man has to have. Of course, we are not saying you shouldn’t have a light-colored one or a very colorful one (or many), but if you are on a budget or just don’t have the time and mood to get different suits, a dark one (navy blue, grey, black) will do the job. A suit that fits well (if it doesn’t, get one in a larger size and have it tailored), can go from a job interview to a work day, and if accessorized with a bow tie, pocket square or elegant tie, it becomes a formal suit. It’s that easy!

2. Now that you have a suit, get the right shoes. Black shoes go with pretty much anything, so having a pair of shoes that are not too dressy and not too casual will help you a lot, as you can look well in both a casual and a formal setting. To learn which shoes are more formal and which are less, read “The Different Types Of Men’s Dress Shoes“.

3. A white/grey/light blue shirt. If you have a suit in one of the colors we mentioned, you will need to pair it with a shirt. Neutral shirts and suits can be mixed in any combination and you won’t go wrong.

4. A pair of jeans. Most people are big fans of jeans, so we figured you are too. Go for a darker wash pair, as they look better. Jeans will last very long, so investing in a more expensive piece is definitely a good investment for your wardrobe.

5. Socks. Because it’s rare to have a life where you can go sockless all day long.

6. Underwear, because going commando is not always fun. To learn more about choosing underwear, read our “Guide To Buying Men’s Underwear“.

7. A vest or two. Vests are an amazing piece. First of all, wearing a vest over a t-shirst or shirt will create visual interest, due to the “layering phenomenon”. Second, a vest is the best way to transition from summer to winter. You can wear the same shirt, but in winter you can add a vest, while in summer you can roll your sleeves up.

8. At least two ties. We say you should have two ties because one should be kept for formal surroundings and the other one for work and everyday living. Of course, we encourage you to wear fancy ties and colorful clothes all day, but just in case you can’t or don’t want to, this is what we suggest. Read how to choose the perfect tie for you from our “Complete Guide To Choosing Ties“.

9. A fancy accessory. Whether it’s a bow tie, a colorful pocket square, a tie bar, a pair of cufflinks or anything else, you should have something that will make a statement about who you are. These items come in so many versions, that it’s hard not to find something that speaks about you, whether it’s through color, pattern, text, fabric, print, etc. Write the thing you are looking for in our site’s search box, click search and you will sure find some inspiration.

10. T-shirts. T-shirts can go from elegant to sporty and it’s up to you which one you have to have. A t-shirt can be worn as such, or it can be used as an undershirt. Because it’s so functional and versatile, it sure makes the list. You can get a polo shirt or an AC shirt (which you can buy here), it’s up to you!

11. Casual pants should also be on your list, as you can’t wear the suit’s pants every day. Also, you need to have at least one pair of exchange pants accessible. A pair of chinos is always welcome!

12. A sweater is a great way to close the list. Whether you wear it on your back in the early fall or cover yourself in it in the winter, keeping warm is one of the main functions clothes have, so we can’t leave you without a sweater.

 

Of course, these are just the basic pieces of a wardrobe, but they are versatile, can be mixed in many combinations, are not too on one side or the other and make a great base upon you can keep building. You can have a lighter closed or a more stacked one, it’s up to you!

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. Let us know what your essentials are! What do you like to wear? Leave your comments below!