The Basics

• 14 pairs of socks: 10 dark and 4 light.
• 10 pairs of underwear, boxers or boxer-briefs.
• 1 suit, dark. Suggested color: Charcoal.
• 1 blazer, blue or otherwise. Examples: Blue Cashmere ($400)
• 6 dress shirts.
• 6 ties.
• 2 pair of dress slacks, one dark (black) and one light (tan).
• 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.
• 2 pair of dress of shoes, black and brown.
• 1 pair of sneakers, all white or bright colors, chunky.

The Spring Accessories

• 1 light jacket.
• 1 hoodie, bright color or patterned. Example: Bape. (But not the horrid ones.)
• 1 pair all-purpose cargo shorts.
• 1 pair flip-flops. (Provided your feet aren’t grody.)

I’m flailing a bit on the accessories for spring. Color tends to define spring (although I think restricting pastels and bright colors to spring and summer is a fool’s game), so much of what ends up being “springy” are just new shirts. The Wardrobe is a work-ever-in-progress, so I encourage you to make your own suggestions for spring accessories.

The Wardrobe FAQ after the jump.

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.