The Basics
• 14 pairs of socks: 10 dark and 4 light. Tweaked number.
• 10 pairs of underwear, boxers or boxer-briefs. Added boxer-briefs.
• 1 suit, dark. Suggested color: Charcoal.
• 1 blazer, blue or otherwise. Examples: Blue Cashmere ($400); Tweed ($300) Added.
• 6 dress shirts. Added one to mix up rotation.
• 6 ties. Added one to mix up rotation.
• 2 pair of dress slacks, one dark (black?) and one light (tan). Tweaked colors.
• 2 pair of jeans, one dark, one light.
• 1 pair of casual pants.
• 1 reversible belt or 2 belts, black and brown, with a simple buckle.
• 6 t-shirts, V-neck. Tweaked number; Added style.
• 2 pair of dress of shoes, black and brown.
• 1 pair of sneakers.
The Fall Accessories
• 1 light jacket.
• 1 sweater.
• 1 scarf.
• 1 long coat.
Q. Why are your examples so expensive?
A. Optimally, now that we’ve just about got the numbers and styles down, I’d like to add three examples to each category: from beguilingly high, to expensive, to affordable. (I’d call those two blazers both “expensive,” while any blazer under $100 “affordable.”
Q. Are the numbers and styles set in stone?
A. For now. I think we’ve got a nice, comprehensive set of clothes that will get most guys through work with a fair amount of after-hours and weekend attire. Since it’s nearly impossible for someone to own no clothing at all, we can also presume some throwaways like old t-shirts and casual shirts.
Q. What can we add now?
A. Examples of classic, yet fashionable options in each category, even down to options for t-shirts and socks. Once we have decent examples for everything, we can split The Wardrobe into three shopping guides aimed at a scaled set of budgets.
Q. Since this list is clearly aimed at someone who dresses up for work, should we rename it something like “The Business Wardrobe?” Or should every man, no matter his style, have this basic foundation?
A. Gosh, good question. You tell me.
Check your sock math.
Bloops. Fixed. Thanks!
Suggestion for the V-Necks. Pretty much every company makes them now but they definitely have to be of the tagless variety. I can’t believe it took this long for those to be invented but I can’t live without my tagless t shirts.
Suggestion: Scents. People remember you better with a memorable, and preferrably not funky, scent. Now, while AXE may be all the rage among the 15-20 crowd who can’t afford something better than Drakkar Noir, it shouldn’t be your office cologne of choice, nor should it be your grandfathers Old Spice that you inherited. What I’m saying here is, if you want to round out a nice wardrobe, don’t forget to smell as good as you look. Very few things scream cheap like stinking the place up with Aqua Velva.
Question, we have dress slacks, casual pants, and jeans. I use the same (reversible) belt for my slacks and pants, but I have a different belt I use with jeans. To me, a belt that works good with dress pants doesn’t look right with jeans.
Good list.
And I agree with a rename.
Your goal on the future of the list is a good path as well.
Links to products and examples will go a long way. Perhaps the final list should include a downloadable pdf (with pictures) that can be printed and taken along. While a lot of things can be bought online, clothes shouldn’t be among them unless you are *certain* of your size.
I don’t know that you need to go with three classes of value / prices though – as I give it more thought. I would go only the bottom or middle. People who look at the total price and go; “I can afford more than that!”, well, they can buy better or more. But when you are trying to figure out how much of your budget to set aside for clothes, the minimal value is very valuable. heh.
Am I committing some sort of sin by wearing round collar t-shirts instead of v-neck? I don’t like v-neck because i don’t like chest hair and skin poking out from the unbuttoned top button of my shirts. Is it ok if I sometimes wear it with a complementary color of t-shirt?
Also if I could make a suggestion, having another pair or at least a back-up pair of light tan dress slacks or khakis. I sometimes have a hard time keeping them clean for 2-3 days of the week. I could just be a filthy slob though.
Ok, stupid question: when you say “casual pants,” what kind of casual are we talking about? Like cords?
Also, does anyone recommend a certain brand of v-neck t-shirts? I think I bought Hanes last time and I was pretty disappointed.
I think polo shirts should be added. For casual Fridays, bumming around, ect.
Only old men wear v-neck t-shirts
Great site. First timer here.
I agree with a rename. I’m in the entertainment industry, and my daily dress is jeans and a t-shirt. If I have a meeting, I’ll wear a button down, untucked, with jeans. But that said, we have a number of dressy events throughout the year and I recently picked up a great suit and a jacket.
I got a navy blazer from the Gap for about $60. The thing I like best about it is that the buttons aren’t gold like a lot of blazers out there.
I got a great Ralph Lauren suit from Marshalls. I’m not a big fan of this place, but it’s close to my house so I always end up there for a last minute date shirt or something. Anyway, they had this great charcoal suit, perfect fit, for about $140. Marshalls is also great for getting socks, both dressy and sporty, boxers, undershirts, and shoes sometimes. Oh, and I once, and only once found my cologne there. Doubt that’ll happen again cause it’s ususally $65 in stores, but I got lucky!