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Introduction
One of the most popular topics on our forum is the new fashion follower asking for advice on the reinvention of their wardrobe. The demographic of these types of posts is pretty wide, but the question is always the same: where do I start?
Luckily for these budding fashionistos, the FashionBeans community is very responsive, friendly and, to my mind, helpful. Either through direct suggestions or referrals to various articles, assistance is always on hand.
Aside from the forums, we’ve got Matt Allinson’s fantastic ‘Basics’ series, covering almost every aspect of men’s style you could think of. We have also produced guides on reinvention, top trends, how to wear… pretty much everything.
Yet after a quick browse through the archives, I realised that we didn’t have a simple round up of the wardrobe basics – something that identified the kind of pieces that would help build your new, stylish wardrobe.
Now, I don’t agree with the principle of ‘essentials’. Nothing is ever essential, apart from air, water and food, so none of the below will ever be referred to as essential – they are simply things that could help you on your way. I understand that a list of this kind is subjective, but what I have tried to do is base it on a general, gathered knowledge and the in-house style that FashionBeans advocates daily.
The pieces below are generally appropriate for all ages and tastes; they that aren’t flashy or trendy, but rock solid, versatile basics. Enjoy…
The Oxford Cloth Button-Down Shirt (OCBD)
If FashionBeans had a club strip, this would most definitely be it. A firm favourite across the board, it is one of the first pieces I would ever suggest to anyone.
Straddling the divide between formal and casual perfectly, these shirts are a worthwhile addition to any modern wardrobe and you will definitely get a lot of use out of them.
Dress shirts can often be too smart – particularly when you’re just starting out – so these are the perfect solution. Buy a couple of them in white and blue and wear them with everything.
Great/popular brands for the OCBD include Uniqlo, Gap, ASOS, Reiss, H.E. By Mango and AllSaints. Being a preppy wardrobe staple, look to American brands like Ralph Lauren, Gant Rugger and J.Crew for premium versions.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- River Island Oxford Shirt In Emerald Green
- Farah Vintage Brewer Oxford Shirt In Grey
- Polo Ralph Lauren Plain Oxford Slim Fit Shirt
- He By Mango Slim-fit Oxford Shirt
- Uniqlo Men Oxford Long Sleeve Shirt B
- Topman Clean Grey Oxford Long Sleeve Shirt
- Nn.07 Derek Cotton Oxford Shirt
- J.crew Button-down Collar Cotton Oxford Shirt
- Reiss Astley Button Down Oxford Shirt Blue
Desert Boots
Arguably the perfect beginner’s shoe, they make the transition from trainer to something more grown up effortless. Smart without being formal, the desert boot works with everything, from jeans to shorts to suits – it’s all about how you dress it up.
They are super comfortable and, if you opt for iconic Clarks Originals (which I suggest you do), long lasting.
A pair in light sand or stone suede will complement every piece in your existing wardrobe, but you could also consider brown leather if you are looking for something a bit more hard wearing and seasonally-appropriate.
I will always suggest Clarks first, simply because they are the best – they are the creators of the desert boot silhouette, after all – and £79 isn’t unreasonable for the quality and style kudos that comes as standard.
Cheaper alternatives can be sourced at ASOS, River Island or Office, whilst brands such as Tod’s No_Code, Red Wing, Kurt Geiger and Aldo produce some seriously desirable styles at a higher price point.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- Clarks Originals Leather Desert Boots
- Aldo Brault
- Desert Boot Sand
- Topman Nevada Binding Desert Boots
- Ben Sherman Clegg Suede Desert Boots
- Tods No_code Crepe-sole Suede Desert Boots
- Burns Kg Kurt Geiger
- Asos Desert Boots In Suede
- He By Mango Suede Desert Boots
Slim-Fit Indigo Denim
Completely classic and timeless, slim-fitting indigo jeans are one of the most versatile pieces you’ll ever own.
They are really easy dress to up or down, with the slimmer cut ensuring sharper lines and a better shape. Indigo denim works with almost any look you can think of and will never fall out of fashion, so it’s worth investing good money in selvedge, which is of a higher quality and is almost guaranteed to last longer.
If you are on a budget then I have always found H&M denim to stand up pretty well, but specialist alternatives include A.P.C., Nudie, Levi’s, Edwin, Acne and Diesel, whilst AllSaints have also had some good reviews on our forum.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- Allsaints Megaru Cigarette Jeans
- Asos Skinny Jean In Indigo
- Edwin Black Label Red Listed Jeans
- Reiss Bath Selvedge Denim Jeans Lilac
- Uniqlo Men Slim Fit Straight Denim Jeans A
- He By Mango Slim-fit Dark Bob Jeans
- Levis Jeans 511 Slim Fit Rain Shower
- Nudie Jeans Grim Tim Slim-fit Organic Dry Denim Jeans
- A.p.c. Petit New Standard Slim-fit Dry Selvedge Jeans
Basic Knitwear
Basic knitwear will be an essential component of your layering this season, and you’ll be wearing it a lot.
A couple of crew neck, mid-weight wool or cotton jumpers in grey, navy or oatmeal are a great place to start. These staple colours allow you to play around with bolder shades within the rest of your ensemble and the mid-weight ensures that they sit on the casual side of the spectrum, which is much more suitable when you’re just starting out.
Look for good natural fibre content; brands to check out include H&M, Marks & Spencer, UNIQLO and Reiss.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- Selected Fisherman Jumper
- Allsaints Hexen Crew Jumper
- Asos Lambswool Rich Jumper
- Topman Navy Cable Jumper
- Reiss Chestnut Tuck Stitch Jumper Grey
- Blue Harbour Extrafine Pure Lambswool Twisted Cable Knit Jumper
- He By Mango Flecked Wool-blend Sweater
- Uniqlo Men Lambswool Blend Crew Neck Sweaternep
- A.p.c. Wool And Cashmere-blend Sweater
The Shawl Collar Cardigan
One of Matt Allinson’s favourite pieces, the shawl collar cardigan is an extension of your basic knitwear, working as a second or even third layer in your outfits.
The structured nature of the knit can really help to dress up your overall aesthetic and they look great with basic shirts – try pairing with your OCBD, jeans and desert boots.
Look for one in navy or grey as cream or oatmeal can often be a little bit too bold when applied to such a substantial piece. See basic knitwear section above for recommended brands.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- Asos Textured Cardigan
- Polo Ralph Lauren Cardigan In Chunky Knit Shawl Neck
- He By Mango Cable-knit Wool Cardigan
- Shawl Neck Cardigan
- Reiss Wayfield Textured Shawl Cardi Navy
- Topman Grey Shawl Collar Cardigan
- He By Mango Shawl Collar Cotton Cardigan
- J.crew Shawl-collar Lambswool Cardigan
- Grey Shawl Collar Cardigan
Plain Tees
It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of men that don’t own a decent selection of plain tees. These are a throw on piece that you don’t need to think about and they elevate any look instantly, just by being unfussy and classic.
Buy multiples in white, navy, grey and black and you’ll be set for a while. My personal brands of choice would be GAP or American Apparel – it’s worth spending a bit more on your tees to avoid shrinkage and warping.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- American Apparel T-shirt
- Allsaints Tonic Crew T-shirt
- American Apparel Power Washed Tee
- The New Crewneck T
- Reiss Dayton Short Sleeve Basic V-neck T-shirt Navy
- River Island Grey Marl Crew Neck T-shirt
Sweatshirts
Sweaters have seen a real resurgence in popularity over the last year or so, coming to the fore due to the sportswear trend that we’re now experiencing in full force.
These are a bit of an outside choice when it comes to forming a solid wardrobe base, especially when you have already curated a selection of basic knitwear, but for truly casual layering there is nothing better.
Layer over your OCBD or use it as the bottom layer of your outfit under a chunky cardigan or denim jacket. Uniqlo, H&M and Topman all stock a wide selection of sweaters in some great colours and prints, whilst premium brands like Carhartt, Norse Projects, J Crew, Our Legacy and A.P.C. offer high quality versions that are the epitome of sports luxe.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- Norse Projects Men’s Vorm Sweatshirt
- Allsaints Sprint Crew Sweater
- Carhartt Crew Sweatshirt Chase Classic
- Topman Grey Marl Mini Cable Quilted Sweatshirt
- Uniqlo Men Sweat Long Sleeve Shirt C
- He By Mango Ribbed Panel Wool-blend Sweater
- Reiss Roche Crew Neck Sweater Grey Melange
- Our Legacy Reversible Cotton-blend Sweatshirt
- Levis Vintage Clothing 1950s Cotton-jersey Crew Neck Sweatshirt
Check Shirts
The check shirt is the casual alternative to the OCBD. In thicker flannel or brushed cotton, these are a considered choice for winter and make great layering pieces – whether under a jumper or over a tee.
Look for larger checks to keep things more casual but in terms of palette, it really is up to you. Uniqlo, H&M, AllSaints or almost any high street store will offer a good selection of check shirts.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- Levis Shirt Barstow Flannel Check
- Allsaints Burrows Shirt
- Shore Leave Flannel Check Shirt
- Uniqlo Men Flannel Checked Long Sleeve Shirt E
- Uniqlo Men Flannel Checked Long Sleeve Shirt I
- He By Mango Slim-fit Twill Check Shirt
- Topman Navy Herringbone Tartan Long Sleeve Shirt
- Gant Rugger Plaid Button-down Collar Cotton Oxford Shirt
- River Island Cream Wesc Check Flannel Shirt
Final Word
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive – it could go on indefinitely depending on who was writing it – but I have tried to keep it concise and relevant to our readership. The FashionBeans image and ethos is what makes this site so popular, and that is reflected in the advice we give, which is designed to be suitable for the everyday male.
I’d like to believe that the above list is a collection of versatile, wardrobe basics that anyone and everyone could wear with confidence. These timeless pieces will all work together in terms of colour and style, offering a fantastic base to build from.
But now it’s time for you to have your say, so let me know your thoughts in the comments section below…
Will
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More great denim brands that are made domestically (though I live in the US): Hudson, Seven for all Mankind, and J Brand.
Great article, made me realise I need some new shirts and a few crew neck jumpers too. Can’t agree more with the desert boots, so versatile and so comfortable to wear.
Why crew necks ? Why not v necks ? Jumper wise
Crew necks are my personal choice, but aside from that, I find that they are much easier to wear casually than V necks and they are much easier to come by in heavier weights (as suggested here), fine knit examples are good, but I’m thinking more of slightly heavier, chunkier jumpers.
It was my understanding that V-neck sweaters are considered a little more formal and crew neck is more versatile. I think.
I do agree to the “mentions”..but its quite strange when we guys forget to add “handkerchiefs” , “socks” & “underwear’s” as wardrobe-basics..which on the contrary have become more fashionable, quality-best and comfortable over a period of time..
Yes, forget the jeans and knitwear, you should really consider a handkerchief first. Come on, man, wardrobe basics??
Thanks for the article. Thought I’d throw another staple brand into the mix – J. Lindeberg – their jeans fit superbly as do their polos. The knitwear is also great. Understated cool.
Naked & Famous is my favourite denim brand. They’re manufactured in Canada, made from high quality Japanese denim, and are very affordable. ($135-$220)
They also have hands down the most creative and crazy styles, such as glow in the dark, scratch and sniff, rainbow fade, thrermochromic, and countless other rare fabrics from all over the world. They also make quality basics if you’re not into that. Highly recommended.
Fantastic. Specific, down to earth and accessible. More of these please.
I love plain tshirts, especially in washed colors.
My secret: Uniqlo jeans has the best value for money. The dark denim is great.
I cannot find that Banana Republic Shawl Cardigan in the bottom middle pic. Does anyone know where to find it?
I think you did an article of a similar topic a couple years back that really helped me. when i first started really getting into fashion i was a bit erratic, buying a lot of things that were difficult to wear and didn’t come together well, but a lot of that did do some good in finding my style through making some mistakes. But later on when l started to think about investment pieces and the wardrobe as a whole thats when things started to work. So thanks for that. I’ve now reached a point of a semi-ruthless streamlining.
Anyway, these are pretty spot on, apart from the shawl collar cardigan.. really a wardrobe essential? Though I am bias in that the sight of them makes me a little ill, not something that works for me.
Hello Gents,My name is Jeron and Im new to the forum and mens fashion. I was an avid sneaker collector, so most of my fashion came from more of an urban perspective, but now I want to venture out towards the other end of the spectrum. Im a little on the stockier side so I have been afraid of some the styles I see although Ive always admired the look. Im about 5 8 and 215lbs, so you can imagine my dilemma. Do you guys have any recommendations for a guy my size? For example I love the way the designer jean/pant look with the desert boot, but Im afraid of the “skinny” look and fit because I prefer room in the thigh. I really dont have too many of the “basics” in my closet (If I have any at all) so I hope you guys can help! Thanks for reading and I hope to learn a lot from everyone here.
Hi Jeron, I understand your dilemma with size I’m not the same build but work in retail and styling and come across a lot of guys with a similar build to you. For jeans and chinos instead of trying to fit into skinny jeans which can be uncomfortable and unflattering consider trying a tapered fit they give more room on the thigh and get narrow towards the ankle so you can still wear them with desert boots. Levis do a tapered fit and so do Paul Smith Jeans but its become a popular fit so shop around. In regards to basics use simple pieces that you can mix and match as you build your wardrobe plain colours. If you want to add bolder colours to make outfits more interesting do so in accessories such as ties, pockets squares, socks, and scarfs. This will add a interest to your outfit without making such an expensive commitment. Good Luck !!
ps. a good chance to build your wardrobe after xmas during the sales invest in boots, blazers, coats but shop around before hand to make sure you really like pieces and are not just buying because its in the sale.
Great roundup Will. Any idea where I might be able to pick up that faded blue pocket sweatshirt from the Burton A/W 13 collection you feature in the gallery for Sweatshirts? It’s not on the Burton site and can’t find anywhere else online.
Thanks.
@JYoung you should be looking for jeans that are “tapered”- that is, they are slimmer from the knee down so they don’t get that baggy look, but there is more room in the thighs and seat area. As I happens, naked and famous has a great for called “weird guy” and unbranded has their UB201 fit. As far as other jeans/chinos, look for slim rather than skinny fit if they have both.
@ Aaron I really appreciate the response. I just realized that I bought a khaki colored Desert Boot from Banana Republic last year that I have not worn yet. I got them before I knew how fashionable they were bc I just liked the boot. Will the indigo denim from Unbranded go well with this color boot? Thanks
@JYoung Yup, that’s a perfect combo. I would suggest looking at the measurements on the unbranded site, or for naked and famous they have the measurements on a site called blueowlworkshop. Or better yet try them on if they sell them near you. Raw denim can stretch an entire size after a couple weeks, best to wear a belt to help prevent this
@ Aaron awesome to hear. Now I just need to find a top to complete the look. Is there another thread to post in as I don’t want to clutter this post.
I bought a pair of APC New Standards 8 years ago. I still wear them regularly. They still look amazing. High quality. One of my best clothing purchases ever. I recommend spending a little bit more on a pair and buying them. Once you do, you won’t need to buy another pair of jeans for years. Just don’t wear them every day like the jeans addicts and it’ll last you a long time.
Great article. It would be great if you could include something for older men. All of your images are of Super fit young guys but older guys have to be very careful in case they are trying to look too young or showy.
Does anybody knows how to combine a baby blue kaki?
What should I wear that with…? What type of shirt and shoes
Brown shoes and a classic button down Oxford shirt in white.
This is a great article and a starter for 10. The fit is everything and the sample lookbook is inspirational. Cuts from brands will differ so try them out first before buying and you will find that a handful of brands will give the range of seasonal styles that best suit your style, dress sense and age group.
I like every thing witch you have shown .super fit.
Does anyone know where i can get some desert boots like the ones in the first picture being worn by the Mango HE model?
Thanks in advance!
I’ve seen desert boots heavily endorsed on this site and you do here again. But I’m worried about wearing them in the rain/damp. Will it ruin them? Even in a fairly mild year like this one there’s still been a decent amount of the wet stuff. I’d love to get a pair, but don’t want to if I’m going to have to leave them at home every other day because of the threat of rain. Any alternatives or solutions?
This is the biggest problem with suede but you can buy clarks desert boots in leather as well as suede, solving the pesky issue of wet weather. Another alternative is to buy a pair of leather chukka boots; similar style but made in leather and therefore, slightly more winter appropriate.
As an owner of men’s salon, I really enjoyed reading all the trends. I can then dispense what is helpful in dressing guys and just striking up conversation.
Thanks.
Hi there! Am a fairly new reader having discovered the site around about a year ago and love these fashion guide articles especially the basic ones as I feel that they are the most essential for the every day gent! Keep them coming please!! And as to Michaels post above, I do believe you can get leather desert boots and still have them looking great so shop around, as well as investing in some protective sprays that could protect them if it isn’t lashing down?
On the topic of desert boots, I got a pair of suede Clarks Originals in their online sale at the end of the summer, but I’ve barely worn them. They’re an indigo-verging-on-purple colour, and don’t get me wrong, they look awesome, but they’re loud and I never really know what to wear with them. No matter what I wear, they just look like they don’t belong as part of the look. Do I embrace their loudness and go monochrome with them as a stand out piece? I just want to be able to wear them more, any tips will be much appreciated!
I notice in many of the photographs the models are wearing jeans/chinos/trousers with the bottoms rolled up. Didn’t we go through this phase back in the 80’s?
This has been incredibly helpful. I literally went out to buy a few button down shirts, a few pair of dark slim cut jeans and a decent pair of new Derbies plus a few plain tees too. Thanks a lot!
Hi guys!
I’v been unfortunate enough to have just found this site. As in, I wish I had found it long before now.
It’s been great reading and I must say I’v surprised myself how much my wardrobe adheres to your suggestions. I basically have everything that is suggested as a basic essential. So am very pleased that they are classed as fashion, as I thought basics, which I love could be looked at as drab by others.
I buy clothes from many different places, as they catch my eye and as long as they are quality (buy cheap, buy twice is my moto). But I find GAP, basically has everything you need in the basics range, except the footwear. It’s reasonable and always seems to have some form of offer on. Buy one item, get one half price, 15% discount offers etc, etc.
So if you are not one for spending hours drifting around shop after shop, but want the majority of what you read above. Then GAP is a great start I feel.
I find a “V” neck fine knit with any style collar shirt or “Tee” can give a really good classic, smart/casual look to any bloke. That’s my only disagreement from this article. But it is of course, personal choice and hey! individuality matters too?