How to Build a Wardrobe for Men: 10 Clothing Essentials

When I moved into my first apartment in college, it dawned on me how little stuff I owned. I liked entertaining, and I wanted to make sure when friends came over, the place felt comfortable and like a fun place to hang out. Part of this was stocking up the home bar.

I consulted the internet about what types of liquor and mixers to stock up on to create a well-rounded home setup. Aside from the more obscure cocktail, you can make most basic drinks with minimal ingredients.

Clothing is much the same way. I’ve talked to thousands of guys about their style challenges over the last decade, and many tell me, "I just don’t know where to start." So today, we’ll go over how to build a simple wardrobe from scratch with ten items.

When you work with me, we get clothing based on your style, sizing, location, industry, coloring, etc.

This is more of a starter pack that applies to everyone. The goal is versatility. If we only have ten items, we have to make it all count. I've included a variety of brands for different price points, but never at the sacrifice of quality.

The Plain White Tee

The most versatile piece on the planet and can be worn year-round. This really shines as the base for layering pieces. You can throw a nice jacket over this, and you’re done.

Uniqlo and Sunspel make some of my favorites but don’t worry about this too much. It’s a cotton tee.

The Suede Jacket
Speaking of cool jackets, a good suede can age with you over time. Black will be your most pairable option, but a brown or blue works great for something a bit bolder. I’d be looking at Reiss, All Saints, or Todd Snyder. Anywhere that has good leather will do. Make sure it’s tighter when you first get it - suede stretches like mad.

The Dark Jean
Most people by now have realized how versatile a darker pair of jeans is. The goal is to get something with minimal fading and distressing so you can dress it up a bit.

I like Nudie, Paige, AG, Rag and Bone, and 3Sixteen for something more classic. The goal is trim, not tight. When in doubt, a well-tailored pair of Levi’s 501s stands the test of time and looks good on most guys.

The White Leather Sneaker
In almost every photo that guys show me as examples of what they want to look like, the guy is wearing a pair of white leather sneakers. These are getting almost too popular because they’re a cheat code - you can pair them with everything. Black and brown colors work, too, as long as it’s leather.

Koio, Morjas, or Common Projects make great leather sneakers.

The Black Chelsea Boot
You can dress up and wear this with a full suit, or dress down and wear it with nicer jeans. So it doubles as a dress shoe and a casual boot. Black is a neutral that will pair with everything.

Thursday, Morjas, To Boot NY, YSL, and Christian Louboutin are good contenders.

The Mid Blue or Mid Brown Quarter-Zip Jumper/Sweater
I like the quarter-zip because, unlike the crewneck sweater, things look a lot better underneath it. You can throw a collared shirt or just a tee under it, and the quarter-zip helps to expose that a bit.

Charles Tyrwhitt, Sunspel, Reiss, and John Smedly are stores I’d look to for this.

The White Oxford Cloth Shirt
A great button-down collar shirt that you can wear underneath the above or on its own. You can wear these tucked or untucked, depending on the occasion. It looks right at home untucked with shorts as it does underneath a casual sport coat.

I’d be shopping J.Crew, Todd Snyder, Sid Mashburn, or Eton.

The Gray or Navy Sportcoat
Get something casual enough you can wear with a nicer tee and jeans but formal enough to wear to a wedding or work event with a pair of dress trousers.

Spier and Mckay, Pini Parma, Sid Mashburn, Suit Supply, and Canali would be some places I’d check out.

The Darker Gray Wool Dress Trousers
A needed pair of pants that you can wear with just a nicer sweater or polo, or dress up with the above sportcoat. The gray will ensure that anything you put on top will pair well with it. You can tuck in your oxford or wear the quarter-zip and sportcoat above this pair.

I’d be looking at the same manufacturers above.

The Khaki Chino Shorts
Cotton shorts. Flat front. Ideally not longer than 7" inseam, but this depends on your height a bit—a great item for the warmer weather.

J. Crew, Todd Snyder, or Bonobos for your shopping list. This is a pretty simple item, so no need to spend a ton.

The Polo
Pick any color you’d like to have a little fun. From a formality perspective, a polo is between a tee and a casual button-down collared shirt. One old-timer menswear friend of mine calls them "The gentleman’s t-shirt." They’re great in the summer, and you can wear jackets over them.

Sunspel again here, first and foremost. They made the one James Bond wore in Casino Royal. Polo RL, Paul James, Sid Mashburn, and every other store on earth make them, so as long as it fits you well, great.


Hope that helps.

x Patrick

P.S But if you want to develop your own unique wardrobe with the right colors, fits, and sizes, all based on your style and your budget, check this out.