Anything worth building needs to start with a stable foundation. It doesn't matter if you are building a house or a relationship. The foundation needs to be strong so as to support the weight of anything that is built on top of it.
Building a guy’s wardrobe works the same way. It consists of the basic items that are needed to to create a fully functional wardrobe that prepares a guy for just about any occasion that he may come across. Once the basics are there, all a guy has to do is buy pieces instead of full ensembles to grow his collection.
A dark suit:
A suit is a dress jacket with matching pants. Generally they are cut from the same cloth to insure a perfect match. The color you need first is either Charcoal or Navy. With either of these colors a guy can dress appropriately for most events that require formal attire. Generally they are worn with a tie, but you can dress a suit down by wearing a dress shirt without the tie or a casual button front shirt.
Blazer:
A blazer is a dress coat in a solid color, not designed to be worn with matching slacks, but slacks that coordinate. Generally, you should seek out a black or navy blazer. If the dark suit you’ve purchased is charcoal, then either color is fine but if your suit is navy, find a black blazer to give you more versatility. To dress the blazer up, wear it with a shirt and tie. To dress it down, lose the tie. To wear it casually, lose the slacks and pair it with dark denim and a collared shirt. The idea is that it is used for less formal occasions that still require a jacket such as calling hours or a rehearsal dinner. Business casual or dress casual is what you will see listed on the invitation. Only pair it with jeans if the invitation says casual dress.
Tan slacks or charcoal slacks:
These slacks are to go with the blazer that you purchased. Remember, the goal for the slacks is to coordinate with the blazer, so do not purchase slacks in the same color as your blazer. Ideally, try to find a pair of slacks that would also work with your sold suit jacket. This would give you additional options, with a single purchase.
Jeans:
Purchase a pair of dark washed denim. These would work well with your blazer, in a casual situation to give you a relaxed, yet smart look. One of my favorite looks is a pair of dark denim, sweater layered over a collared shirt, and a blazer, with a scarf. It helps me avoid having to wear a bulky coat of chilly days.
Dress shirts:
When starting out, remember that you are building a foundation. So when it comes to shirts, the most basic options are the best choices. A white shirt and a blue shirt works best. You can have some leeway with the style of the shirt; there are several collar choices, and countless fabrics. My recommendation would be either a point collar or a medium spread collar. One hundred percent cotton because it will breathe better and be cooler and non-iron, so that you can use the dryer to remove the wrinkles. There is some debate on the value of non-iron dress shirts. Keep in mind, this article is designed for the beginner. If you have a good laundry service or are handy with an iron and a can of starch, by all means skip the non iron, but stick with cotton. It wear better, breathe better and last longer.
Shoes:
When starting out, you need your dress shoes to be versatile. You also want your shoes to last. That is why you should always own at least two pairs of dress shoes. One pair should be black and the other should be brown or cordovan. Cordovan can be worn with nearly any color slacks and black works with your black and grey tone slacks only. Whenever possible, try not to wear the same pair of shoes more than two days in a row and use shoe trees to remove the moisture and odor in between wearings.
Belts:
You must wear a suit with a belt or suspenders, but never both. Your belt should match your shoes. So if you have purchased a pair of black and a pair of brown shoes, you will need a belt in each color . If purchasing reversible, avoid belts that have been glued. They have a tendency to split over time. As for suspenders, there is a bit more freedom of expression. They just have to match or coordinate with the suit, shirt or shoes and be appropriate for the occasion. The more serious the event, the more serious your suspenders should be.
Follow this guide and you will have a great foundation when building your wardrobe.
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