Key Staples Every Modern Professional Man Needs in His Closet
Whether you're on a complete wardrobe overhaul mission or simply looking to incorporate a few key pieces, timeless garments serve as the cornerstone of a flexible and functional wardrobe.
Let's delve deeper into the key staple pieces needed to start crafting a versatile and successful personal style.
The Staple Suit
A gray notch lapel suit is the crème de la crème of men's suiting, making it a definite must have for any man’s wardrobe.
It’s versatile, highly transitional and works perfectly for any type of special event (wedding, funeral, business meeting etc…). Whether you find yourself in a suit daily or not, you’ll want to have this one ready for your special occasions. A medium gray or charcoal suit is a timeless choice that’ll compliment any man's individual style, regardless of body type. It has a that classic appeal, making it a definite staple.
Upgrade your look by making sure to correctly coordinate your tie and pocket square for added style.
White Dress Shirt
Putting your best foot forward is the key to great style and the right type of dress shirt is sure to help you do that.
A dress shirt is the perfect staple being that it will easily transition you from day to night. Wear it be with a blazer for your next business meeting or with a classic bomber jacket for the perfect after hours look. Just remember to pay close attention to the way it fits; that is going to be the top priority when it comes to choosing the right dress shirt.
Leather Dress Shoes
Grab yourself a nice pair of lace-up dress shoes that you can wear for a variety of occasions. A black pair will go perfectly with your gray suit, but if you’d prefer a navy suit, which is just as versatile, go for dark brown dress shoes instead.
The best thing about a dress shoe is that you’ll never be limited to only wearing them with suits. Team them with a crewneck sweater, a collared shirt and a crisp pair of solid colored jeans for the perfect business-casual look.
Dark Wash Jeans
A pair of dark-colored jeans are an absolute must-have. They’re such a classic staple that’ll instantly take your look to that next level. A lot of men tend to gravitate toward faded, light colored, baggy or tight fitting jeans which ends up downgrading their outfit. A clean, well-fitting, sharp pair of denim will serve you well so be sure to at the very least, own one.
Solid Colored White T- Shirt
A simple white t shirt is a classic, and for damn good reason – they’re such a simple way to complete a casual look, but you’ll need to get the right fit down pact. Wear them with your dark wash jeans and a fresh pair of leather sneakers and you’ve got yourself a stylish, yet wearable look for everyday. Be sure to grab a few in white, black, navy and gray to keep your wardrobe nice and balanced.
Crewneck Sweater
A cotton, cotton blend or cashmere fabric crewneck sweater in neutral color like ivory, black, charcoal or navy is a great way to add an air of class to your outfit. It provides such a handsome appeal and instantly adds a little touch of sophistication. Layer it over your well-fitting white t-shirt for a simple styling trick that will enhance your outfit and give it that polished finish.
Casual Jacket
There quite a few staple jackets you can choose from such as a sportcoat, harrington, or trucker jacket. But I have to say, a bomber jacket will always be top billing. It works superb on every body type and can easily be dressed up or down depending on the the occassion.
Low Profile Sneaker
White is such a clean and sharp color for a sneaker, but if you need to ease your way into wearing such a (bright) shoe, as many men think when they first slip into them, consider trying out a navy or gray pair first.
Be sure to go with a leather version as these will lend themselves more practical (easier to keep clean) compared to a canvas style. Remember, you can always expand your collection with different textures as your style develops.
Dress + Sport Watch
The right watch is an accessory every self-respecting man needs in his wardrobe. Accessories are a surefire way to inject stylish flair into your outfit and wearing a finely crafted watch that compliments the man you are today, is the perfect way to do that.
Get yourself a sport watch (metal-band) and a dress watch (leather band). Sport watches (chrono, diving, pilot etc…) are to be worn with business casual or casual outfits, and that’s it. Reserve your leather strap watches to be worn with your suits only.
Casual Belt - Brown & Black
A black and brown single prong, silver buckle belt will work-in seamlessly with your staple wardrobe, helping to take your ensembles to that next level. At some point you’ll want a dress belt, for your dressier outfits, but a casual belt will be your go-to more often than not, so get this one first. You may think all belts are equal but that’s definitely not the case. Know that a casual belt will usually have a matte or textured finish and will be slightly wider than a dress belt.
Use this valuable information for continued success so you can attract investment from others just as you invest in yourself.
I've provided a comprehensive list of actionable steps that men can take to elevate themselves and become the greatest version they can be — be sure to explore more posts to gain deeper insights.
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Brandi is a wardrobe consultant and stylist helping leading men feel more confident in their style. She provides carefully-curated style offerings, dedicated to relieving all your style struggles, so you stay looking and feeling your absolute best.
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