Where do we start?

At the beginning, a lot of people would reply.

I agree but do we even know where the beginning is?

I did not mean to be too philosophical but how do we create a list of items that we should have in our wardrobe that is going to produce a consistent result over and over again.

A wardrobe that we steadily rely on, no matter what.

If you prefer to see the video, we have just uploaded it to our youtube channel:

http://mensfinest.tv

The aim of this post is to address that. Create an evergreen list of items (with links) that will keep us going and stylish forever…or at least for another two years.

Many lists like that have been created, but my list hopefully addresses all the shortcoming of the other lists and tackles all the doubts that men have when they are buying their own clothes or whether their better half is buying it for them.

I have a vision that this list could be taken everywhere and every time when a decision about a purchasing something have been made.

Let’s get into it.

Let’s start from the bottom.

Shoes.

Brown/Black Leather Dress Shoes

Ideal something that is 100% leather and is not made in China.

Aim for shoes made in Europe or USA.

Aim for shoes that have actually stitching through their sole.

Aim for shoes that smell like leather.

Aim to spend £80 - £130.

https://www.zalando.co.uk/brett-sons-lace-ups-natur-nut-gold-bs312a02h-b11.html

https://www.zalando.co.uk/peralston-slip-ons-cognac-pz412ca0f-o11.html

https://www.zalando.co.uk/brett-sons-slip-ons-natur-cherry-bs312a023-g11.html

https://www.undandy.com/en/31-by-caleb/

https://www.undandy.com/en/48-by-oliver-oxford-wholecut/

https://www.chatham.co.uk/sale/mens-footwear

http://www.ctshirts.com/uk/mens-shoes/business/

https://www.crownhillshoes.com/men

http://www.shoepassion.co.uk/sale-men.html

http://www.belsire.com/en/made-in-italy-mens-shoes.html

White Sneakers

Ideal you want to aim for plain white sneakers, something that doesn’t necessary scream who is the manufacturer of those white sneakers. I would personally have two pairs, in case one gets a bit grey and I need another pair of white sneakers as a bit of a backup.

They need to be comfortable.

https://www.zalando.co.uk/adidas-originals-stan-smith-trainers-white-ad112b0gg-a13.html

https://www.zalando.co.uk/veja-esplar-trainers-extra-white-vj212b00l-a11.html

http://www.boohoo.com/pu-plimsolls/MZZ79727.html

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-lace-up-trainers-in-white/prd/5714333

http://www.asos.com/superdry/superdry-low-profile-sleek-plimsolls/prd/7698894

http://www.asos.com/vans/vans-old-skool-trainers-in-white-vd3hw00/prd/4805725

Other Shoes – Loafers/Chelsea

Ideally, you would want another pair of other shoes, mocks, loafers, and boat shoes, Chelsea shoes, which would complete your wardrobe essentials. Could be a different colour, different material, but I would think that a budget of £60-£90 is enough for that.

https://www.zalando.co.uk/g-h-bass-co-larson-reverso-smart-slip-ons-gh112c00a-k11.html

http://www.asos.com/base-london/base-london-ferdinand-suede-chelsea-boots/prd/7236086

http://www.soletrader.co.uk/superdry-brad-brogue-chelsea-boots/bradchbn/

https://www.zalando.co.uk/brett-sons-volturno-slip-ons-bs312c00m-o11.html

Socks

There are mainly two types of socks I would deem essential - Tall and colourful and no-show socks.

Tall and colourful.

There is plenty of shops selling colourful socks that are slightly longer than average sock length. It is worth looking at those as men generally tend to have hairy legs, and believe me no one wants to see your hairy legs.

http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/product/index.jsp?productId=89358031

http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/product/index.jsp?productId=89357991

https://www.happysocks.com/uk/dressed-big-dot-structure-sock-17.html

https://www.happysocks.com/uk/dressed-diamond-sock.html

https://mensfinest.co.uk/collections/all-products/colourful-socks

No-show socks

Ideal for summer time, to your white sneakers, loafers, or even double monks straps.

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_066010205360_-1

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-invisible-socks-in-black-5-pack/prd/7899546

Jeans/Chinos/Trousers

Next up from shoes and socks are trousers. Different kind and different types we need here. Jeans, chinos and some solid wool trousers. Each pair should be no more than £50-£90

Jeans

Ideally, we would want some solid dark wash jeans that fit well. What do I mean by saying that they fit well? They should break on the shoe, should be slim fit (not skinny) and they should be of good quality jeans. If you want to take the guesswork out of the quality bit, buy something that is a good brand. Price up to £90.

http://www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/levi/p/045112312

http://www.debenhams.com/men/jeans/slim-fit?sid=-min_price

Chinos

They are the most versatile of them all. Buy 2-3 pairs of different colours. Blue, Yellow, White, Tan, Brown, Navy. Buy them all if you can. One rule here is that they need to fit you well. Ideally, you must be looking for a Slim fit. You can buy them online, but it is much easier to pop over to the store, as there is ample of them. Next, H&M, Zara, Debenhams, etc. all of them have got it.

http://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-men-category-trousers/designfeature-chino-fit-slimfit#1_0

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/men/shop-by-product/trousers/chinos.html

Wool trousers

Wool trousers that are just an addition to your wardrobe could be used from your suit or you could purchase them separately. You should not spend more than £40 - £50 on trousers. Unless they are made to you, £50 should be enough.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/trousers/tailored/basic-linen-trousers-c551504p4229036.html

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/trousers/tailored/melange-knit-suit-trousers-c551504p4437632.html

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/trousers/tailored/technical-suit-trousers-c551504p4344020.html

http://eu.suitsupply.com/en_GB/trousers/light-brown-trousers/B913.html

Sportswear

You have to start paying attention to the most minute of things. Going to the gym doesn’t release you from an obligation to look stylish. You have to pay attention what you are wearing and how it shows your body. There is one brand I have been suing for a while and they are great.

https://uk.gymshark.com/collections/bottoms/mens

https://uk.gymshark.com/collections/outlet/mens

Shirts

This is a big one since there is plenty of types of shirts we need to look at. There dress shirts, casual shirts, and solid colour shirts. Shirt varies tremendously between manufacturers. You can spend as little as £20 and as much as £300. Let's look at some options where you would not spend more than £50 per shirt.

Dress Shirt

You should have lots of dress shirt. I say at least one for every day of the week. So at least 7. Two major colours – White and Blue. You could include Pink in that if you are brave enough. I would, so let’s call it three different colours.

Ahh, and by the way, you should only buy slim fit. If you buy anything else it most likely hangs on you, they are but in a way to give you maximum space, and they will even if you buy slim fit.

http://www.thomaspink.com/Weston-Plain-Slim-Fit-Button-Cuff-Shirt/Shirts/thomas-pink/fcp-product/99932835

http://www.thomaspink.com/Weston-Plain-Slim-Fit-Button-Cuff-Shirt/Shirts/thomas-pink/fcp-product/99932834

http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Non-Iron-Pink-Twill-Button-Cuff-Slim-Fit-Shirt/53813,en_GB,pd.html

http://www.ctshirts.com/uk/extra-slim-fit-cutaway-collar-non-iron-herringbone-light-pink-shirt/FON0678LPK.html

Casual Shirt

Casual shirts are also an essential part of your wardrobe as they fill in the gaps between t-shirt scenario and dress shirt option. What do you when your printed t-shirt would be not enough and your button down shirt is too much…you go the casual shirt way.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/shirts/view-all/mandarin-collar-shirt-c719520p4726005.html

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/shirts/view-all/shirt-with-detail-c719520p4264558.html

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-regular-fit-denim-western-shirt-in-black-overdye/prd/7851268

T-Shirt

Solid

Don’t spend too much on the t-shirt, because chances are you are going to wash it on the wrong settings and with the wrong colours anyhow, so you are likely to damage it. V-Neck t-shirt because I am mainly talking about them should be disposable. It is one of those items, same as socks, and underwear that you should buy often and have got plenty of.

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0451541002.html#Black

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0375306002.html#White

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/join-life/v-neck-t-shirt-c816005p4081965.html

Polo

There are lots of companies making Polo t-shirts. Different quality, different price point. I particularly like:

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0443860004.html

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0468345003.html#Black

https://www.zalando.co.uk/boss-green-paddy-modern-fit-polo-shirt-bg122p00j-n11.html

Sweater (Jumper), Cardigan

Sweater (Jumper)

I like when a cardigan or sweater fit you like a glove, so I highly recommend buying nice fitting sweaters, slim fit in solid colours. There are few shops that have got a good selection.

http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Burnham-Navy-Merino-Cardigan/57525,en_GB,pd.html

http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Noland-Navy-Merino-Long-Sleeve-Polo/53581,en_GB,pd.html

http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Malloy-Dark-Green-Merino-V-Neck-Jumper/57532,en_GB,pd.html

Cardigan

Cardigans are a just different type of sweaters. Usually, the only difference is that cardigans have buttons, or generally can be opened. But the same rule applies here, where they need to be slim and be of a decent quality.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/sweaters-and-cardigans/cardigans/open-jacket-c578501p4675020.html

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/man/sweaters-and-cardigans/cardigans/knit-cardigan-c578501p4118013.html

Suit

Single Breasted Navy

There is only one place I would purchase any of my single-breasted suit from – SuitSupply. The quality to price ratio puts all the other high street brands to shame. They have probably one of the easiest methods to return your suit as well. Awesome, simply awesome!

http://eu.suitsupply.com/en_GB/suits/havana-blue-plain/P3554.html

http://eu.suitsupply.com/en_GB/suits/lazio-navy-plain/P5164.html

Double Breasted another colour

This section should have been really called SuitSupply suits, not just Suits because for my second suit I’d choose also one from suit supply…for now. Until I have got my own suit line and take over the double-breasted section of this guide.

http://eu.suitsupply.com/en_GB/suits/jort-grey-birds-eye/P4068.html

http://eu.suitsupply.com/en_GB/suits/soho-grey-stripe/P5115.html

Belts

Leather/Casual

I discovered a company recently that made the buckle and the holes that you make in your belt obsolete. That company name is Anson Belt and since my discovery, I have not been wearing any other Belt.

https://ansonbelt.com/products/box-set

Bags

Leather bag

I have purchased some leather bags in recent years from various of companies but it looks as if I am always coming back to classic styles and shapes. I recommend spending a bit more on your bag. It is going to last you forever.

https://www.fossil.com/uk/en/products/defender-messenger-sku-mbg9037200c.html

http://www.leathersatchel.com/products/styles/work-bags/premium-double-pocket-15-inch-satchel/

https://www.cambridgesatchel.com/en-gb/view-all-mens/the-15-inch-classic-batchel-in-leather/BAT151165BBH10101.html?cgid=all-mens

Other material travel bag

When I travel I need something that is handy, I can pack a lot of stuff in and it is going to look stylish. Gone the days where I would travel with some horrific looking two wheel canvas fit-in-the-cabin wheelie bin.

http://www.asos.com/fred-perry/fred-perry-checked-barrel-bag-with-cordura/prd/7648106

http://www.asos.com/matt-nat/matt-nat-macha-holdall/prd/7719295

http://www.jackwills.com/chesterton-holdall-100012057003.html

Coats

Trench coats

There is only one brand that truly represents the Britishness of Trench Coat and that is Burberry. Their Coats are ranging from £500 to £1500 and are awesome. Very timeless and classic.

But I f you can’t afford or don’t want to spend that much on a coat, what is the alternative:

https://www.zalando.co.uk/kiomi-trenchcoat-beige-k4422na06-b11.html

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-shower-resistant-longline-trench-coat-with-belt-in-stone/prd/7153339

http://www.hugoboss.com/uk/trench-coat-with-elasticated-sleeve-cuffs-'matigo'/4029043204219.html

Jacket

We have got two very strong candidates here. Denim Jacket and any sort of Bomber jacket. First one is definitely on point and on trend now, with Denim being back big time. Denim on Denim is all of a sudden a thing. However, Bomber jacket could be of different colours and it can give another dimension to your outfit. It could range from Greens to Browns to Tan colours.

https://www.abercrombie.co.uk/shop/uk/p/denim-jacket-9080719_01

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_280010785260

http://www.jackwills.com/rame-cotton-bomber-100011819001.html

https://www.mrporter.com/en-gb/mens/jcrew/ma-1-shell-bomber-jacket/839030

Accessories

Watch

Watches are the exciting part of dressing up. It is the finishing touch that makes all the difference. It is the details that make you stand out. Invest in watches – lots of them. They don’t have to be original and don’t have to cost thousands of pounds. I have got more than 10 watches.

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-daniel-wellington-cambridge-40mm-watch-dw00100003-p99962261.html

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/watches/under/1000?filterGender=Gents&orderby=PriceLowToHigh

http://www.mcarthurglen.com/uk/cheshire-oaks-designer-outlet/en/stores/watch-station/

Bow ties

Bow ties should be fun. Use them wisely, cause if you wear them every day, you may actually like it and people will start noticing you and you will get compliments. The compliments are going to stop as soon as you stop wearing them. Have some self-tie and some pre-tie depends on how you feel. Have at least 5.

https://mensfinest.co.uk/collections/all-products/bow-tie

Pocket Squares

Many People think that pocket squares are just additional, accessory that you can live without. Not True! You should know by now that should never leave home without a pocket square. Never. Have at least 10-15 different kinds.

https://mensfinest.co.uk/collections/all-products/best-pocket-square

Hats

It is not only to protect yourself from the UV from our Sun but also to look stylish in the process. Hats and any other head covering pieces of clothing, like caps, scarves etc. have to become part of how we plan and organise our wardrobe and outfit.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Mens-Panama-Hats/52365/bn_780846

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-straw-fedora-hat-in-beige/prd/7133896

That concludes that list. Essential items that have been tried and tested. I probably at this stage own 90%-95% of it. My wardrobe is nearly complete, but it never is. Nor it should be.

Try to go through that list, one item by one item and see how many items you have got and how many of them you still need.