Imagine waking up for a big presentation and realizing you have absolutely nothing to wear. Building a solid clothing foundation saves you from that annoying morning panic. Let us look at the ten basic pieces every guy needs in his closet so he is always ready for any occasion.
A Well Fitted Suit and Slacks
It is your ultimate armor for weddings or fancy dinners where you really need to look your best. You should keep at least one solid charcoal or navy suit ready for those emergency situations that always seem to pop up. Grab an extra pair of identical worsted wool slacks just in case the first pair gets ruined.
A Solid Colored Necktie
While suits can look exactly the same a simple tie lets you stand out and brings attention right to your face. Keep two classic ties in rotation with muted colors like dark blue so you do not look distracting. They give you that powerful business look without trying too hard.
A Sports Jacket or Blazer
These jackets make your shoulders and chest look stronger and give you a taller and more masculine vibe. Stick to versatile colors like blue or gray depending on the pants you normally wear around town. Blazers are popular in places like San Francisco so it helps to know what guys wear in your city.
A Few Classic Dress Shirts
Every guy needs three simple dress shirts in whites or light blue to keep things easy. A regular business collar works for most people but guys with round faces should find longer collars to balance their proportions. Be careful with spread collars if you have an extra chin because they can make your face look wider.
Some Simple Casual Shirts
You should have around three casual tops like basic polo shirts or oxford shirts for relaxed weekend outings. It is smart to start with neutral colors so they easily match almost all the pants and jackets you own. If you feel adventurous you can grab a check pattern but bright colors are way harder to style.
A Pair of Perfect Fitting Jeans
Real style goes way beyond office clothes and a dark pair of denim jeans is totally crucial for everyday life. You need at least one dark pair that fits your lower body perfectly without looking saggy. You can easily find great options for all sizes at places like Levis or spend more on a custom pair.
A Classic Dress Watch
We all have smartphones in our pockets but a watch is really a cool way to show some class. It acts like a highlight to your personal style and makes you look like those busy guys on television. Plus it gives you a great excuse to be a gentleman if someone asks you for the time.
A Proper Dress Belt
Your outfit almost never feels totally complete without a belt even if you wear your shirt untucked. A smart move is to buy interchangeable belts and buckles so you can quickly switch things up to match your shoes. Dress belts are fine to wear with casual clothes but make sure the buckle is not weirdly huge.
A Nice Pair of Dress Shoes
People actually pay a lot of attention to your feet so every good suit needs some sharp shoes. Closed lacing styles like Oxfords and Balmorals are the absolute best choices and you will usually find them in black or brown. Dark brown shoes look incredibly good with a navy suit but it comes down to personal preference.
A Sturdy Pair of Dress Boots
Every guy definitely needs good boots with rubber soles to give you traction when walking through annoying puddles. Pick black or brown boots in a cool style like wingtips or cap toes so you stay looking sharp. Remember to be selective about when you wear them because they are not meant for hot summer beach days.
About the Author
