The phrase "basic wardrobe" has become almost ubiquitous when discussing men’s style. Examples of the perfect wardrobe staples and long-term investments are many, but guides on how to build a complete basic wardrobe are all the rarer.
Text: John Carrington
Photo: Evelina Lind
Published
2021-08-06
Building a basic wardrobe is a long-term project that requires a certain amount of planning, often developing gradually over several years. For this reason, it should contain items that can form part of a wide range of outfits and that won’t quickly feel or look outdated. Our Wardrobe Basics series highlights some of the most timeless items and explains why we think they deserve a place in your wardrobe. In this article however, we take a step back from the specifics, and focus instead on which types of clothing we think you should invest in to build a complete basic wardrobe.
Below, we present our own Definitive Shopping List for building a complete basic wardrobe.
Shirts
Since shirts are one of the items you wear most often, it is particularly important to choose models that can easily be paired with a large number of other garments. Choose solid colours and a mixture of casual and more formal fabrics.
| What You Will Need | Amount | √ |
| White Oxford shirt | 1 | |
| Blue Oxford shirt | 1 | |
| Blue denim shirt | 1 | |
| White dress shirt | 2 | |
| Blue dress shirt | 1 | |
| Blue and white striped shirt | 1 | |
| Blue and white checked shirt | 1 | |
| White tuxedo shirt | 1 | |
Jumpers
Just a few different jumpers can offer an almost endless amount of variation. Wear them "as is", with a shirt, or under a blazer.
| What You Will Need | Amount | √ |
| Grey sweater | 1 | |
| Blue sweater | 1 | |
| Green sweater | 1 | |
| Polo shirt | 1 | |
| Grey or blue sweatshirt | 1 | |
| Cardigan | 1 | |
| Cable knit jumper | 1 | |
Trousers
When choosing trousers for your basic wardrobe, remember to pick simple, classic colours.
| What You Will Need | Amount | √ |
| Grey flannel trousers | 1 | |
| Khaki chinos | 1 | |
| Navy chinos | 1 | |
| Raw denim, unwashed jeans | 1 | |
| Washed jeans | 1 | |
| Khaki chino shorts | 1 | |
Dresswear
Timeless designs and colours are the best option when choosing suits and blazers for your basic wardrobe. Unpatterned or very discreetly patterned woollen fabrics are usually best in the long-term.
| What you will need | Amount | √ |
| Navy suit | 1 st | |
| Grey suit | 1 st | |
| Black suit | 1 st | |
| Navy blazer | 1 st | |
| Tuxedo | 1 st | |
Outerwear
Outerwear should keep you warm all year round, which is why we have suggested a combination of thinner and thicker models as well as an insulating complement in the form of a down gilet that can be worn as an extra layer or on its own.
| What you will need | Amount | √ |
| Waxed Jacket | 1 | |
| Leather or suede jacket | 1 | |
| Overcoat | 1 | |
| Parka | 1 | |
| Down gilet | 1 | |
Footwear
Nothing says as much about a man as his shoes. The best approach is to invest in high quality shoes from the start as, with the right care, they can be a loyal companion for many years to come.
| What You Will Need | Amount | √ |
| Black Oxford shoes | 1 pair | |
| Brown Derby shoes | 1 pair | |
| Brown brogues | 1 pair | |
| Winter boots | 1 pair | |
| Black patent leather shoes | 1 pair | |
| White sneakers | 1 pair | |
| Shoe trees | 6 par | |
Accessories
Accessories can make a considerable difference to your look. We recommend investing in accessories that match the rest of your wardrobe. Matching a leather belt with your gloves and shoes, for example, creates a particularly harmonious look.
| What You Will Need | Amount | √ |
| Belts, matched with shoes | 3 | |
| Gloves | 2 pairs | |
| Woolen hat | 1 | |
| Warm scarf | 1 | |
| Dress scarf | 1 | |
| Neckties | 5 | |
| White pocket square (tux) | 1 | |
| Other pocket squares | 3 | |
| Cufflinks | 1 pair | |
Underwear
Your underwear may not be on display so often, but it can still make a huge difference to how you feel. We recommend experimenting with different fabrics to find the feel and fit you like best. Whether Pima cotton t-shirts or warm wool socks, we all have our personal favourites.
| What You Will Need | Amount | √ |
| Ankle socks | 3 pairs | |
| Knee-length dress socks | 2 pairs | |
| Regular socks | 15 pairs | |
| Boxers | 20 pairs | |
| Long johns | 1 pair | |
| Pyjamas | 1 | |
| White undershirts | 7 | |
We hope that you find this list to be a useful template in the building of a basic wardrobe that meets your individual needs.
