Ashley and Dorian are back to discuss the essential menswear items that will keep your style on point in the new year (and decade!) and beyond. Whether you’re reworking your entire closet or just filling the gaps in your wardrobe, make sure you at least have these foundational items so you can build up from there.

 

 

Dress shoes

Ideally, you want to have at least a black pair if you own a charcoal suit and a dark brown pair if you own a navy suit or blazer. They can also be paired with jeans or wool trousers for a more elevated, casual look.

Favorites: Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy, Beckett & Simonon, Aldo, Prada and Ferragamo.

 

The Essential Suit

Need we say more?

 

White dress shirt

We’ve talked about dress shirts until we’re blue in the face. Just grab some already!

Oxford Button Down Dress Shirts

Grab some in white and blue.

Dark wash jeans

If you’ve been a reader of the site for more than a few months, chances are you’ve already grabbed these, but just have to re-iterate once again!

 

White T-Shirt

These are standards for a reason – they look amazing on every guys, provided you nail the fit. Pick up some in navy, grey, and black to round out your closet.
Favorites: Buck Mason, H&M

Crewneck Sweater

Whether it’s wool, cashmere, or cotton, a crewneck sweater in a solid color, like black or charcoal, will always make every outfit look better. Bonus points if you wear a tighter white t-shirt underneath that pops out of the collar and possibly the bottom, for a little extra polish.
Favorites: H&M

Casual brown & black belts

You’ll wear these more than any other belts so get some high-quality ones.

Favorites: Black, Brown

A Casual jacket

That can obviously be a few types of jackets. Namely a: sport coat, bomber, Harrington (zipper front), or trucker (button-front). If you carry a bit of weight in your stomach, then go with bomber or sport coat/blazer. The other jackets will accentuate your midsection too much.

 

Low top sneakers

White is best and looks sharpest, but if you don’t think you can pull off the color (yet), then feel free to grab a black or gray pair.

I prefer to start with leather because its more durable and easier to keep clean than suede, canavs or other fabrics. Once you’ve got a white leather pair, then definitely get other colors and materials as you build out from there.

Favorites: White, Gray, Black

 

Watch

In an ideal world, you’d have a sport watch (metal bracelet) as well as a more “dressy” watch with a leather strap.