11 ESSENTIALS OF PERFECT CASUAL WARDROBE FOR MAN

How do you create the perfect casual capsule wardrobe for men? There are 11 essentials that every Effortless Gentleman needs in his wardrobe. These are the essential ingredients for your wardrobe. It’s like baking a chocolate bar. The basic ingredients of a chocolate cake are flour, water and oil. Eggs, sugar, salt and cocoa powder are all part of the recipe. Like a cake without the right ingredients, your sharp and stylish wardrobe would not be complete without them.

This capsule wardrobe is, in simple terms, the backbone of all your closet. These 11 essentials are versatile and can be worn in almost any situation. They also easily match with many other garments that you might already own or plan to buy. These clothes will not lose their utility year after year, as some trends do.

Although the capsule wardrobe’s 11 items won’t be your only item, they will be the mainstays and most frequently worn. These casual staples will allow you to create a well-rounded wardrobe.

You can certainly explore other styles, trends, or variations of these pieces, but these are the best for achieving a sharp, stylish, casual look.

11 CLOTHING ITEMS THAT YOU NEED

If you are still trying to build your wardrobe, grab one of these pieces.

• DARK, UNWASHED DENIM

Dark wash denim is a top pick if you have been following fashion for a while. Since 2009 we have been wearing and recommending dark-blue jeans. This is still our most worn pair out of all the denim in my closet.

The recommendation is that the fit has not changed. A slim fit is still a good choice, but your jeans shouldn’t be too tight to hug your legs or show your silhouette. A “tailored fit” is where the denim follows your leg shape, while still allowing your calves and thighs to breathe. The taper at the ankle ends at your shoe’s top (a.k.a. no break).

• THE BRITISH KHAKI CHINOS

Chinos are our second favorite pair of pants and they’re an Effortless Gent staple. Particularly, we love the British Khaki shade. It is darker and has a warmer hue that the standard khaki.

You thought you couldn’t pull off pleats. You might be wrong. These pants are not the same as pleated pants from days past. These pants are subtle and stylish. They can be worn with a casual Alex Mill shirt. Let’s just say…

To be honest, standard khaki-colored chinos will work just fine. What is more, how do they fit? You can also use the same denim suggestion as the one above. The fit is tailored, tapered with no break.

• THE MEDIUM GREY T-SHIRT

A classic crewneck T shirt in medium grey is universally complementing. It can be worn by almost any man. Sometimes, white tees feel too casual or revealing. Black tees can look too dark or wash out. Medium grey is suitable for all skin types and can be worn with any other color.

• THE CHAMBRAY BUTTON-UP SHIRT

You’ll see us most days in a chambray button up shirt. This shirt is our most worn. It can be worn all year round and is super versatile. Chambray is softer and lighter than denim due to a different weaving process. It looks great regardless of how you wear it. A chambray is a great choice if you have only one collared shirt in your casual capsule wardrobe.

• THE NAVY HOPSACK OR THE TWILL SPORT COAT

Although you might not use it often, this garment is essential and will be a valuable addition to your wardrobe. A classic single-breasted jacket with two buttons and one button, in a deep navy shade, is a good choice.

The traditional suiting fitting rules still apply. Shoulder seams should touch your shoulder bone at the top, jacket length should reach your butt and so on. Although shoulder padding is an option, we prefer a more relaxed and soft style.

The most versatile fabric is hopsack or twill. It can be worn with dress jeans, mismatched wool trousers, or even dark denim. You can use all-season wool, or a wool/linen/cotton blend. The wool would be slightly more formal than the blended or twill cloth.

• THE MEDIUM GREY ALL-SEASON WOOL SUIT

You only have one suit. Make it a classic single-breasted version in a medium gray all-season wool. This makes it super versatile and can be worn all year. A grey wool suit doesn’t have be boring, even if you think it is. If done well, the other components, such as the dress shirt, tie and shoes, can add an extra dimension to your overall look.

You may not wear your grey suit very often, similar to the navy sport jacket, but you will be prepared for any occasion that calls for a suit.

• THE QUILTED ZIP EST

This is a midlayer that you will find yourself using more often than you thought. A nice, quilted vest with all the right details can be worn with business casual or smart casual outfits as well as with casual casual outfits.

A quilted vest in navy or black would be a good choice. Black can be paired with many other colors, however.

• THE CREWNECK SWEATER

You can get a lot of wear out of a crewneck sweater if you choose the right style. A medium-weight cashmere / merino wool blend is our preference. It has a little more weight and can be worn with jeans. This will be your mid-layer in the colder months and your outermost layer during the warmer months.

The most versatile colors would be those in the grey family. There may be some pattern or texture in the knit, that is okay. The sweater should not be too tight. Remember that you will be wearing a shirt underneath your sweater. It should be slim and not too big.

• FIELD JACKET

Field jacket is the most worn piece of outerwear in the wardrobe. It is rugged enough to go with any pair of pants, shirt or shoe. The jacket features a stylish corduroy collar with a quilted liner detail. It is made in durable, weatherproof Sylkoll cotton.

Field jackets are usually made of rugged cotton canvas fabric. They have a stand-up collar and two chest pockets. There are also two hip pockets. A color in army green would be the best choice, as field jackets are military-inspired. But, black, charcoal, and navy also work.

• DARK BROWN LONG WIN BROGUE

There are many types of leather dress shoes. For this extremely-edited list, we recommend just one pair of leather dress shoes: the dark brown long wings brogue. This can be worn with a grey wool suit or with dark denim and chinos. This item shines with both formal and casual outfits and can be worn in either one. This dark brown leather color can be used for formal occasions such as weddings and work meetings.

This unique brogue features a long wing design. The “wing” runs along both sides of your shoe. It’s not as common as the standard wing tips.

• THE CLASSIC WHITE LEATHER SNEAKERS

In a Lean Wardrobe, a standard tennis shoe or court-style shoe will always work. This shoe is a classic silhouette and shape with minimal design elements and a plain toe. It will never go out-of-fashion. That’s my main recommendation.

The classic white leather sneaker is timeless and universally loved. This shoe won’t be away 50 years from now. These will look great with all the menswear items we have listed. These should not be overlooked. You should invest in a high-quality pair, such as these Koios. They will last longer and look better.

That’s all! This is our list of 11 essential menswear items for a simple gent’s capsule wardrobe. These 11 essentials will be a great addition to any man’s wardrobe (assuming you are looking for a sharp, smart style). They will make your man’s closet more functional. These items will be a great investment. Even those pieces of clothing that are rarely worn (like your grey wool suit), it’s a great thing to have.