The 5 wardrobe essentials every man should own
We’re not saying these are the only clothes you need, but these pieces will definitely help solve every wardrobe-based dilemma. Yes, we’re that confident
Just a few years ago the ‘capsule’ wardrobe was something to aspire to above all else. It was a time when tech gurus aimed to maximise their efficiency, Tesla driving and powerpoint presentation-delivering abilities by wearing identical looks every day. The burden of choice took up valuable brain capacity, was the argument. So, Steve Jobs wore the same roll-neck, stonewashed jeans and New Balance sneakers for years, while Mark Zuckerberg owned a hundred of the same plain grey T-shirt. Magazines published a million articles about the simple elegance of a French wardrobe and how to build the perfect capsule collection. Minimalism was the de facto aesthetic movement.
Luckily, things have moved on a bit. Getting dressed doesn’t have to be a bore or something to be hacked, solved or conquered. That’s not to say, though, that having a few key pillars – a core group of essential items of clothing – isn’t a good idea. With that in mind, here are some go-to classics that can be worn together or built on as part of any outfit. Not the only clothes, but five essential items that every man should have in his wardrobe.
A Cashmere Jumper
Not to sound like a grand old dame living alone in an austere Wiltshire pile, but there really is nothing quite like cashmere. And it’s better to have one great jumper than five okay ones. A cashmere crew-neck in a muted colour will become a trusted, premium-wool friend for many years to come. Great worn loose with chinos and trainers, under a suit jacket on a chilly day and even with shorts and penny loafers (more on those in a bit) for summer evenings alfresco, it’s a little touch of luxury that goes with everything. And you’ll never own anything else that feels quite this luxuriously soft.
Penny loafers
Ah, the shoe of the moment and for good reason. They might not solve the issue of cold fusion, but penny loafers can do pretty much everything else. Wear them with chinos, jeans, shorts (yes, shorts!) or a suit. They’re not quite a super formal Oxford or Derby, but they are a clear step above a casual trainer. Rather than a high-shine patent and thin leather sole, they have a bit of rubber in the tread for comfort and an immediately supple Burlington leather upper that’s just the right shade of matte (and will wear and patina beautifully the more steps you take in them). One word of advice, though: please put on socks if you’re wearing these with trousers. Please.
A White T-shirt
James Dean smouldering in black and white. Marlon Brando smouldering in black and white. Paul Newman… smouldering in black and white. What do these men have in common? Except for the smouldering and the black and white. That’s right, they all favoured, and looked great in, the clean and classic white tee. It’s almost revolutionary in its simplicity. Just take a walk around and count how many dodgy-fitting graphic tees and Henleys are out there (lots), then see how many well-fitting white T-shirts there are (much fewer). The simple, plain white T-shirt with a crew-neck and a neat, straight fit has been an icon for more than a hundred years and will, it’s relatively safe to say, be one for a hundred more.
Wear-with-anything trousers
Somewhere between a chino and a more classic, tailored shape, a pair of versatile cotton or wool trousers with a neat taper and a hint of a crop will never steer you wrong. A seemingly simple thing are trousers, but it’s amazing how difficult it is to find a pair that fits just so and can go with a blazer, for when you’re feeling smart, or without a blazer, for when you want to feel like a chilled-out, laid-back guy. These, by Ted Baker, have just the cut, with a smooth matte finish and a bit of elastic for post-lunch comfort.
An Italian-inspired unstructured blazer
A contemporary suit shouldn’t be stiff or uncomfortable; it should be fun to wear. Something that the Italians have long championed, but which has taken a bit longer to arrive on these shores, the right unstructured blazer can be a secret smart (not-too-smart-but-just-the-right-amount-of-smart) weapon in your wardrobe. A two-button style with patch pockets, which give it a bit of a work-wear feel, the fact there’s no padding on the shoulder or canvassing on the body of this blazer means you can wear it with a T-shirt, Oxford or cashmere jumper and matching or broken-up trousers. If you’re not a suit guy but want to wear a suit sometimes, this is, unequivocally, the suit jacket for you.
