Of course not. You have a variety of tools…each one for a different purpose. Your wardrobe should be the same way. Just like the expression "the right tool for the right job," the modern man's wardrobe should include "the right outfit for the right occasion."
You should never be in a situation where you have absolutely nothing to wear. Here is a list of the 13 items that every man should include in his wardrobe.
Jeans. Never out of style, jeans can be blue or black, faded or like new. Have a minimum of two pairs of jeans so you always have a clean pair when the other is in the wash.
T-shirts. T-shirts go great with jeans and shorts…never with any pants that are dressier. They are best for casual warm days or for play. Be sure to have several. If you want a more conservative look, choose the classic white T-shirt or even include a couple of solid color T-shirts in your wardrobe. If you want a more casual, edgy, and rebellious look, try a couple of T-shirts that have funny slogans, transfers, or images.
Polo shirts. Have two or three of polo shirts in simple solid colors. These are great for casual occasions and often border on business casual. Polo shirts are great to wear with jeans or Docker style pants.
Jeans. Never out of style, jeans can be blue or black, faded or like new. Have a minimum of two pairs of jeans so you always have a clean pair when the other is in the wash.
T-shirts. T-shirts go great with jeans and shorts…never with any pants that are dressier. They are best for casual warm days or for play. Be sure to have several. If you want a more conservative look, choose the classic white T-shirt or even include a couple of solid color T-shirts in your wardrobe. If you want a more casual, edgy, and rebellious look, try a couple of T-shirts that have funny slogans, transfers, or images.
Polo shirts. Have two or three of polo shirts in simple solid colors. These are great for casual occasions and often border on business casual. Polo shirts are great to wear with jeans or Docker style pants.
Look at your closet like you would your tool box.
Docker style pants. Good for casual business and also for lounging. These fill in the gap between jeans and dress slacks. Have a minimum of two pair. One should be navy blue and the other should be an earth tone like tan, olive, or brown.
Dress slacks. Two pair minimum and one must be black. Black dress slacks will go with any color shirt and any color jacket. The other pair can be gray or navy blue.
Sport coat or blazer. Great for semi formal occasions. If you only have one, it should be solid navy blue. This color works good with your black or gray slacks. Also works well with earth tone docker style pants.
Dress shirt. Button down dress shirt in long sleeves. Stay away from short sleeve dress shirts unless you sell used cars or work in the appliance department. If it is hot, you can roll up your sleeves and this looks much better than the short sleeve look. You should have a minimum of 3 plain white dress shirts because these will go with any color pants, jacket, or tie. It doesn't hurt to have a couple solid color dress shirts, but if your budget is tight, make sure you always have white.
Suit. One suit minimum is a must have item in any man's wardrobe. This is a versatile piece of clothing that can be worn for business affairs, fancy dates, funerals, weddings, etc. If you only have one, it should be black, gray, or navy blue. Make sure it fits you properly. Spend a few dollars and have it tailored. Don't cut corners on this one. Professional dry clean only!
Ties. You can never have too many ties…but you should have at least three or four. One of them should be solid black. Your other ties can be patterned but make sure you have at least one where the main color is red. Red goes with almost any color suit, slacks, or jacket. Blue is also good. For professional and stylish look, go with a great designer tie. Click here to learn about different necktie knots, necktie etiquette, and how to care for your necktie.
Sweater. Good to have if you live where the temperature gets cool. A pull over is nice to have or even a button down sweater or sweater vest. Big baggy sweaters will make you look puffy and large. If your sweater fits close, you can wear it under your sport coat for a sharp cool weather look. Have at least one of these.
Belts and shoes. Shoes are one item in your wardrobe where you should never go cheap. Cheap shoes wear out quickly and you end up spending much more in the long run. I'm going to assume you have at least one pair of casual beat around shoes or sneakers. Those are fine with jeans but never with dress slacks or suits. For those occasions, you should have at least two pair of dress shoes…one black and one brown. Likewise, make sure that you have two belts…black and brown, too. Make sure your belt color and your shoe color match. If you are strapped for cash, you can purchase a good belt that is brown on one side, black on the other, with a reversible buckle. That's like getting two belts for the price of one.
Socks. Plenty of white socks for wear with jeans and shorts…never with your dress slacks, suit, or even docker style pants. With those types of pants, you should always were socks that match your pants color as close as possible. With shorts, you can wear any color socks...but trust me when I say that white is your best bet.
Underwear. I leave this up to you. As many as you want, any color you want, as long as they are comfortable and you have enough to get you from one laundry day to the next.
Dress slacks. Two pair minimum and one must be black. Black dress slacks will go with any color shirt and any color jacket. The other pair can be gray or navy blue.
Sport coat or blazer. Great for semi formal occasions. If you only have one, it should be solid navy blue. This color works good with your black or gray slacks. Also works well with earth tone docker style pants.
Dress shirt. Button down dress shirt in long sleeves. Stay away from short sleeve dress shirts unless you sell used cars or work in the appliance department. If it is hot, you can roll up your sleeves and this looks much better than the short sleeve look. You should have a minimum of 3 plain white dress shirts because these will go with any color pants, jacket, or tie. It doesn't hurt to have a couple solid color dress shirts, but if your budget is tight, make sure you always have white.
Suit. One suit minimum is a must have item in any man's wardrobe. This is a versatile piece of clothing that can be worn for business affairs, fancy dates, funerals, weddings, etc. If you only have one, it should be black, gray, or navy blue. Make sure it fits you properly. Spend a few dollars and have it tailored. Don't cut corners on this one. Professional dry clean only!
Ties. You can never have too many ties…but you should have at least three or four. One of them should be solid black. Your other ties can be patterned but make sure you have at least one where the main color is red. Red goes with almost any color suit, slacks, or jacket. Blue is also good. For professional and stylish look, go with a great designer tie. Click here to learn about different necktie knots, necktie etiquette, and how to care for your necktie.
Sweater. Good to have if you live where the temperature gets cool. A pull over is nice to have or even a button down sweater or sweater vest. Big baggy sweaters will make you look puffy and large. If your sweater fits close, you can wear it under your sport coat for a sharp cool weather look. Have at least one of these.
Belts and shoes. Shoes are one item in your wardrobe where you should never go cheap. Cheap shoes wear out quickly and you end up spending much more in the long run. I'm going to assume you have at least one pair of casual beat around shoes or sneakers. Those are fine with jeans but never with dress slacks or suits. For those occasions, you should have at least two pair of dress shoes…one black and one brown. Likewise, make sure that you have two belts…black and brown, too. Make sure your belt color and your shoe color match. If you are strapped for cash, you can purchase a good belt that is brown on one side, black on the other, with a reversible buckle. That's like getting two belts for the price of one.
Socks. Plenty of white socks for wear with jeans and shorts…never with your dress slacks, suit, or even docker style pants. With those types of pants, you should always were socks that match your pants color as close as possible. With shorts, you can wear any color socks...but trust me when I say that white is your best bet.
Underwear. I leave this up to you. As many as you want, any color you want, as long as they are comfortable and you have enough to get you from one laundry day to the next.
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