You don’t have to have a closet that’s almost bursting with options to dress well. Many men don’t want to put a lot of effort into the way they look, but they still want to look and feel good whenever they’re out and about. And when a special event comes around, they definitely want to feel like they look their best.
Fortunately, you can do all of this even with a minimalist wardrobe. With a few essentials, you can put together outfits for any occasion. It doesn’t take much to put together a smart look when you’re going out on a date or find something more casual for a day with friends.
Whether you’re building your own basic wardrobe or shopping for someone else, don’t forget these top closet essentials.
Shoes for Any Occasion
Some guys might have rows and rows of shoes, especially those who are big fans of sneakers. But others don’t really feel the need to have more than two or three pairs. Luckily, that might be all that you need for pretty much any setting. Once you have a few versatile pairs, you can match them to most outfits. You’ll want to start with at least one casual pair and one pair of dress shoes. Your casual shoes can work for any casual outfit, and even work for some more dressed-up looks too. When it comes to dress shoes, consider one pair of shoes and a pair of dress boots too.
Casual and Formal Shirts
Obviously, you need a selection of shirts that you can mix and match with different outfits. But you don’t really need that many to make sure you have the essentials. Consider separating them into collared shirts and uncollared shirts. Your collared shirts can include formal options, as well as some slightly more casual choices. While not essential, a shirt with French cuffs will allow you to wear cufflinks if you choose to. Uncollared shirts are typically a lot more casual, and might include T-shirts, henleys, and similar styles. With these shirts, you’ll always have an appropriate option for any occasion.
A Well-Fitted Suit
If you don’t already have a suit (one that fits you), it’s the one thing you need to get into your closet to make you a fully qualified adult. It might not get an airing all that often, especially if you don’t work in a formal setting, but it’s essential to have a good suit when you really need one. There are lots of different styles of mens suits to choose from, with both more formal and casual options on offer. You probably want something in between, which can be dressed up or down depending on where you’re wearing it. If it’s suitable for everything from meetings to weddings, it will be well worth your money. Make sure you get it tailored to fit you.
Versatile Pants
As well as a range of shirts, you should also have a choice of pants. A good pair of suit pants can be worn separately from the jacket, so that’s one pair that will work for a range of requirements. As well as formal pants, something more smart-casual like some chinos or even darker jeans can serve you well. Your casual pants options might include jeans or something for lounging in, like joggers. You can also have a decent supply of shorts from Terraces Menswear or similar online shops if you like them. However, consider something a little more tailored so they can work for both casual outfits and when you need to dress up slightly more. Put simply, you need to ensure that your wardrobe is versatile with a range of pants. This will allow you to be prepared for any occasion with style and ease.
Jackets and Coats
You don’t necessarily need to have a lot of jackets and coats. Coats are pretty simple. Many men have just one, although it’s a good idea to have one that’s smart and tailored and another that’s more built for the outdoors. As for jackets, your suit jacket will definitely come in handy. On top of that, sports jackets or blazers can also be a core part of your closet. You probably only need about two jackets to check off the essentials.
Signature Accessories
No outfit is really complete without some accessories. You probably don’t want to go overboard, but a few signature accessories can make a big difference. Some of the accessories you might want to have include a watch (one formal and one casual, if you want to push the boat out), sunglasses, a couple of ties, cufflinks, and some belts. Choose accessories that will easily match with different outfits to get the most from them.
Just a few essentials are all any man needs in his closet to put together an outfit for all occasions.