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Last Updated on November 15, 2023 by Steal the Style
Regardless of your style tribe, certain core garments form the foundation of any modern capsule wardrobe. Highly versatile and immune to fashion’s shifting tides, these pieces will see you through 99% of occasions.
A fresh pair of slim-fit cotton pants is a workhorse every man should own. Dress them up or down, and pair them with a classic crewneck sweater.
1. Blue Jeans
A versatile blue pair of jeans will suit just about spring fashion, such as Adam Kimmel men’s spring fashion or for any occasion. Team them with a casual polo shirt and sneakers for the daytime, or dress them in a smart navy blazer for date night.
The fit is key for blue denim — look for a slim cut that will flatter all body shapes. And be sure to buy them long enough so they sit about an inch above the soles of your shoes.
Only a little can’t be worn with a navy cotton twill shirt. Whether you wear it open over a T-shirt with shorts and leather sandals for a breezy summer outfit or buttoned up under a crew neck jumper with chinos and penny loafers at the weekend, this is one wardrobe staple immune to fashion’s ever-changing tides.
2. Chinos
A good pair of chinos will save you from wearing a dress shirt daily. Team them with a cotton mix crew neck at the weekend or even a smart blazer in colder weather, and you will be set to impress for your next event.
Slim or skinny chinos are an ideal trouser option for smart-casual occasions, slotting neatly in the middle of laidback denim and smart suit trousers on the fashion spectrum. They are also perfect for semi-formal events as they are dressier than jeans but more casual than formal trousers so that they won’t clash with a sport coat or blazer.
3. Overshirt
A sartorial workwear classic, the overshirt dated back to African safari shirts and British soldiers in the 19th century. Now it’s an essential wardrobe piece every stylish man should own.
They’re the perfect hybrid garment, bridging the gap between shirt and jacket. They feature the collars, front closure (buttons or zipper) and barrel cuffs of shirts, built from thicker and warmer materials than jackets.
Look for one in a soft, natural fabric such as linen or hopsack. Size up one notch from your regular shirt to get the oversized right fit, which will be ideal for layering. Add a pair of dark denim jeans and white leather sneakers to finish the outfit.
4. Beanie
A beanie – a skull cap, knitted cap, slouchy beanie or stocking cap – hugs the head to keep you warm. It’s a key winter accessory that works with casual or smart outfits, particularly when teamed with a woolen coat.
Ribbed styles and bobble hats work well on rounder faces, while longer, chunkier designs with cuffed finishes are ideal for those with narrow or long features. Avoid anything too directional or novelty, though.
A beanie also works well with a patterned t-shirt or a hoodie, especially if made from soft, fleece fabric. You can also pair it with a smarter coat, for example, a navy or charcoal suit. Please don’t wear it with a polo shirt or hoodie with a corporate logo on the front.
5. Cardigan
While it may seem like a fuddy-duddy staple, the cardigan is the essential wardrobe piece every stylish man should own. It can be slipped over your work shirt for a business casual look or worn under a suit to create an elegant but relaxed style.
When shopping for a new cardigan, stick with slim-fitting styles and avoid any with more than two buttons. Larger buttons read more feminine and are more difficult to clean. Choose leather, horn or wood buttons to give your knitwear a more sophisticated and classic finish.
Originally cemented as preppy iconography, this knitted essential also lent its woolen claws to mod culture. Pair it with button-down and slim-fit jeans to channel the ultimate mod silhouette.