Ten Must-Have Wardrobe Items

The great thing about the male wardrobe and putting together men’s outfits is that it can be broken down to the bare necessities and still keep you looking stylish. As long as the fits and the colors of your clothes are spot on, you can keep your closet relatively simple and always look great. It's one of the best parts of being a man.

When I’m doing men’s styling, I like to keep things simple. The way I do it is when one item goes in, another usually comes out. If I haven't worn an article in over a year, it's getting donated, no matter what I spent on it. It serves me no good taking up room and throwing off the organization of my closet.

When you are developing your closet, things get tricky. You want to give yourself the most options and versatility as possible while not cluttering things.

If you know that everything piece of clothing you own has a color that works for you and a fit that flatters you, you'll have no problem getting dressed. You can essentially blindfold yourself and put together an outfit. That’s my goal when working with my clients.

To help you shape up your wardrobe, I've outlined a few staple pieces that every man should own at a bare minimum. Keep in mind these suggestions are merely guidelines for the average man. The clothing that you own is going to be largely dependent on your lifestyle. Let's dive in and make sure your closet is working for you. Here's the shortlist for those of you who don't like to read:

Men’s Capsule Wardrobe List:

- 2-4 pairs of jeans

- 1-2 darker suit

- 2 great jackets (jean, leather, suede, etc.)

- 2 pairs of dress trousers pants

- 2 Button-up shirts (solid white and solid blue)

-1-2 Untucked button downs

- 1 pair of deep brown oxfords

- 2 knit sweaters (1 v-neck, 1 crewneck)

- 2 packs of flattering underwear (seriously)

- 5 T-shirts, both v-neck and crew neck

- 2 great watches, one casual, one dressier

2 - 4 Pairs of Men’s Jeans 

Two to three should be darker, and one should be a lighter wash. Dark jeans can be dressed up or down very easily and slim down your legs, making you appear leaner. Then it can be worn with everything from a T-shirt to a suit. This is why I like jeans so much for guys: versatility. The lighter wash can be worn for more casual occasions.

1-2 Darker Suits

You need a suit. People get married, people die, and sometimes you need to impress. You need to be prepared for these occasions as a grown man. Having one (well-tailored) suit you know works well for you alleviates the stress of last-minute shopping when the time comes.

Go for charcoal gray, seconded by navy. Both are versatile and can be worn on ma different occasions. They both can be styled for different seasons as well.

Check out Macy's suit separates like Bar III or Calvin Klein. Another good option is Suit Supply, but it's going to be a tad pricier. Just make sure whatever purchase gets tailored to fit you perfectly.

A Couple Cool Men’s Jackets

Grab a cool leather, jean, or suede jacket. Something that adds a little flash to an otherwise basic outfit. My favorite combination to throw this on top of is a T-shirt and jeans or flat-front chinos. Speaking of...

Two Pairs “Dress Trousers”

Get two different colors, preferably darker. Gray's work great. Perfect with a pair of loafers, oxfords, or dressier boots.

1-2 Solid Button-Ups

The purest piece of clothing a man can own. A great white or plain light blue shirt provides a beautiful blank canvas that you can create upon. It'll make you feel clean just by putting it on. Again, make sure it's tailored or that it fits you perfectly off the rack. 

One Pair of Oxfords

Black or very dark brown to go with your corresponding belt. Spend the money on a well-constructed pair. They'll last you years if you take care of them.

Two Knit Sweaters

You can choose either a crew neck or V-neck, but I'm partial to the V. You can wear these by themselves or pull them over a great button-down. I would add some color here. Try some deep reds, navy's, greens, stripes, whatever. 

Flattering Underwear

Guys never pay attention the what they're wearing underneath the clothing. Having some great underwear saves you embarrassment when it comes time to take off the clothes, and it makes you feel pretty damn sexy.

Buy two 3-packs of the brands you like in varying colors. It makes life easier. 

Five T-shirts

Mostly crewnecks. Make sure you hit the staple colors for men: black, white, charcoal gray, and navy. You can do so much with T-shirts, and if they fit you well, they can enhance your physique. I think one of the coolest things a man can wear is a black V-neck T-shirt. This probably comes from my days as a bartender where that was the standard uniform for most guys.

Two Great Watches

You need one to dress up and one to dress down. Sport and business. Work and play. Go for stainless steel, silicone, or nylon band for a more casual look. Opt for a leather band when you want to dress things up. 

You can find great watches that come in a kit with a few interchangeable bands if you want to save some dough. 

Most men's goal should be to put together a foundational wardrobe where everything in your closet pairs well together, looks good on you, and you're happy to wear. If that's not the case, there's work to be done. 

I've put together the online session for guys like you who want straight-to-the-point answers to what they should be wearing. In these sessions, I personally workshop your appearance with you from head to toe. If you want that level of personalized advice, then explore more here.