12 Fashion Essentials Every Man Needs
Dressing well is one of the easiest — and most fun — ways to elevate your appearance. But of course, in order to dress well, you’ll need to have quality clothing in your wardrobe. Some people are able to look their best even when they’re wearing any old items, but that’s not the reality for most of us. To dress well, you’ll need to invest in items that are well-designed, well-made, and which instantly make any outfit look better.
In this post, we’re going to run through some fashion essentials that every man should have in their wardrobe. Stock your wardrobe with these items, and you’ll always have something to wear.
Jeans
Did you know that jeans were originally designed for miners to wear back in the 1870s? It wasn’t until the 1950s that they became fashionable. Today, they’re about as essential as a clothing item can be. That’s because they’re highly versatile, highly durable and resistant, and you can wear them for all manner of occasions.
We’d recommend investing in at least two pairs of quality jeans: one dark, one light blue. Remember that the important word in that sentence is quality; you’ll pay a little more to get the best jeans, but it’ll be worth it — you’ll be wearing them for many years to come!
Casual Sweaters
T-shirt weather may be our favorite, but there’s really only a few months — if that — when we can confidently step outside in t-shirts and shorts. For the majority of the year, you’ll be wearing a trusty sweater. That item will be with you during the winter, fall, and spring, functioning as another layer to keep the chill away, or as an essential part of your outfit aesthetic when the weather heats up a little.
You can buy a couple of basic sweaters for not much money, but we’d recommend spending a little more to get your hands on a quality sweater made from comfortable, durable materials. Look for merino wool or cashmere sweaters if style is your priority, though you can also check out cotton sweaters if you’re looking for an item that’s both comfortable and casual.
Classic Jacket
You’ll wear your jacket every day for a big chunk of the year, so it’s worth taking the time to ensure you get the one that’s right for your needs. In fact, we’d argue that it’s probably worth having two or three quality jackets that you’re always happy to wear. A light, slightly athletic jacket will be useful for the shoulder seasons, while you can also look at adding a more stylish jacket to your collection. What that looks like will depend on your individual style. It could be a leather police jacket, trench coat, or bomber jacket, all of which will keep you warm and help you to create a head-turning look. A good jacket will be with you for many years, so take the time to find the right one!
Wristwatch
In all likelihood, you probably don’t need a wristwatch. Unless you’re one of the 2% of the population who don’t own a cellphone, you’ll be able to tell the time simply by taking your phone out of your pocket.
But there’s a reason why people still choose to wear a wristwatch even though they don’t need one to tell the time, and that’s that they look good. Wearing a watch makes a subtle but powerful statement, and it also becomes one of those keepsakes that you’ll have with you for many years to come. Indeed, it might be the only permanent part of your outfit, something that you wear every single day, to every single occasion — that alone should give you the motivation you need to splurge the cash a little to get your hands on a watch that you genuinely love.
A Smart Dress Shirt
Weddings, birthday parties, formal work dinners, special date nights with your partner — these are special occasions, and if you’re going to do them justice, then you’ll need to look the part. It’s a good idea to invest in a smart dress shirt that you can wear any time that you need to make an impression.
A good dress shirt can also be worn with casual clothing, too. Pair it with the quality pair of jeans that we recommended you buy above plus some stylish boots, and you’ll have a look that makes you feel like a million dollars.
Top-Quality Suit
Your opportunities to wear a suit will be even fewer than your opportunities to wear a smart dress shirt. But when you do have the chance to wear one, you’ll be happy if you’ve invested in a quality, tailored suit.
You’ll have to splurge a little to get your hands on a tailored suit, but it’ll be worth it. The suit will last for some 10 - 15 years, which means you can get more than a decade of looking incredible just by taking the time to go for a fitting.
If you wear a suit for work purposes, then you can probably get away with getting a suit that’s slightly less stylish. Suits that are worn every day last for around 5 years — but hey, if it helps you to get ahead in your career, then it’ll be a worthy investment.
A Wallet
A wallet is a bit like a wristwatch. You don’t necessarily need one, especially if you usually pay using your smartphone. But we’d argue that it’s a timeless classic that every man should own. You can get a quality, minimalist wallet without breaking the bank, and it’ll become one of those things that you have with you for many years to come.
If you already own a wallet, then take a critical look at it. Does it add or detract from your outfit? Many men carry wallets that are beaten up and well past their best, and those wallets can make even the best-dressed person look a little scruffy.
White T-Shirts
It’s somewhat surprising that the white t-shirt is a wardrobe staple — after all, they’re about as plain as an item of clothing can be. So why have they become such a necessity? Because they look fantastic. A well-made, crisp white t-shirt can work with just about every outfit, offering a casual yet refined look that can be hard to achieve with other clothing items.
You can break the bank buying a white t-shirt if you want, but you don’t need to. If you can commit to spending $100 on three excellent white t-shirts, then that’ll be enough. And if you think that you won’t wear them, then think again; they go with everything, so you’ll probably find that you end up wearing them much more frequently than you thought.
Summer Hat
Even men who normally dress fantastically well can become a little undone during the summer months. The hot weather isn’t with us all that long, so many people simply try to ride out the season as best they can with whatever old items they have to hand.
If you live in a cold environment and only experience peak summer when you’re on vacation, then you may be able to get away with not buying a great summer hat. But if the sun shines consistently where you live, then it’s a worthy investment. A good summer hat will elevate your style and keep you safe from the sun. Look at visiting a hat store — they’ll help you get one that perfectly fits your head.
Light Scarf
As with the summer hat, you probably won’t need to wear a scarf all that frequently unless you live in a snowy environment. But no matter where you live, there’ll be at least a few weeks of the year when you need to wear one.
A scarf isn’t just a functional asset; it will also influence your outfit, so pick wisely! It’s also an opportunity to add a little color, which can be a convenient way to brighten up your look during the colder months of the year.
Winter Boots
Quality winter boots will cost a little extra than standard winter boots, but they’ll be worth it. You’ll wear your boots every day for months when the weather is chilly, and standard boots will begin to fall apart pretty quickly. Quality boots, on the other hand, will last for years — and they’ll add to your style, too. There are a bunch of different types of boots, such as Chelsea boots, brogue boots, and motorcycle boots. Pay a visit to a shoe store and see which type suits your personal style.
A Belt That’s Made to Last
Belts are a bit like wallets; people end up wearing ones that should have long been put in the trash. Your belt may not always be a visible part of your outfit, but it is on display from time to time. Plus, it influences how you feel about your outfit — you’ll feel more confident if you know that every inch of your outfit is on point. Wearing an old belt is like wearing socks with holes in them; don’t do it! Invest in a good brown and black belt, and they’ll be with you for years.
