Ever stood in front of your closet, full of clothes, and still felt like you had nothing appropriate to wear?
Sure, you have a lot of clothes in your closet, from a collection of graphic tees to casual plaid button-down shirts. But let me ask you something: how many of the pieces you own are timeless, versatile, and suitable for almost all occasions?
Though trends come and go, certain pieces remain classic – and these are the clothing items you should invest in. They are high-quality, flexible, and appropriate, making you look well-dressed at all times. From the perfect white shirt to men’s tailored suits, here are 13 pieces of clothing every stylish man can’t live without.
1. White dress shirt
What’s the one piece of clothing that looks effortlessly stylish on anyone? Yes, a classic crisp white, slim-fit dress shirt. Also known as an Oxford shirt, this wardrobe staple can be worn for a variety of occasions, from work to a party to church.
Look for a stark, cool-toned (not warm-toned) white shirt. Make sure it fits snugly at the neck, but not too tightly. Lastly, stick to a classic Oxford that does not have any chest pockets.
2. Pale blue dress shirt
If you could only have one colored dress shirt in your lifetime, let it be light blue. This essential workday item is versatile – you can wear it on its own or pair it with a gray, beige, or navy blazer. If you want something durable, opt for rugged fabrics like Oxford, poplin, and twill weave.
3. Chambray shirt
Want a classic blue collared shirt, but you don’t want to look so formal and clean? Chambray is here to save the day. Chambray fabric is a more rugged and casual take on your timeless blue dress shirt. It can also be paired effortlessly with everything else in the closet, from deep denim pants to khaki shorts.
4. The perfect white shirt
We can all agree that the classic white tee is the most versatile piece of clothing you can have. Top it off with a formal blazer and you’re fit for a work meeting. Layer it with a leather or denim jacket and boots, and you’ll have stylish streetwear clothing.
Fit is key. Next to paying a little extra for a high-quality shirt, make sure it hugs your body, not acts as a second skin.
Another trick when picking t-shirts: determine your face shape when choosing the neckline of your t-shirt. If you have a round face, v-neck shirts are the most flattering. If you have a longer face, feel free to rock a crew neck style.
5. Polo shirt
If you want something more casual than a formal dress shirt but a little bit more structured than an average tee, then go for a nice polo shirt. It has a collar and it’s short-sleeved, making it a power combo of the two opposite styles.
When in doubt, go for polo shirts in solid colors. As for patterns and logos, make sure they’re subtle and understated, like minimalist logos, fine stripes, and small, clean lines in the collar and sleeves.
6. Casual crew neck jumper
A good casual jumper is another stylish and adaptable item you can wear with pretty much everything. It acts as a great layer in winter and a statement piece in summer. Look for solid classic hues, like navy, dark red, army green, mustard, gray, black, brown, and beige.
7. Sweatpants
Sweatpants used to send the “I don’t care about my look, so do you” message – well, not anymore. When used strategically and paired with quality streetwear clothing, these lazy bottoms can be a stylish, go-to weekend look.
8. Dark denim jeans
It’s a no-brainer: denim jeans never go out of style. Go for a sturdy pair of straight-cut, dark blue jeans, which go literally with anything.
9. Light-colored chinos
Give your denim jeans some rest by wearing chinos, which come in a shade of sand, khaki, or stone. Every gent should own at least one pair of light-colored pants that are both office-appropriate and ideal for casual affairs. You can wear them with a classic tee, sweater, or jacket.
When picking the best jacket, make sure it fits the arms and shoulders. As for the length of the sleeves, make sure it falls to your wrist bone and it’s longer than the base of your thumb.
10. Jean jacket
A rugged denim jacket is more than just a symbol of rebellion – this versatile topper is a wardrobe staple. It can be worn over a sweatshirt or simple tee, and with a pair of jeans in a different shade.
11. Bomber jacket
A bomber jacket is one of the most versatile types of outerwear that’ll surely take your streetwear clothing game to the next level. Invest in a simple, clean-cut jacket in a versatile shade, like black, army green, navy, and brown.
12. Navy blazer
Punch up your wardrobe with a classic navy blazer. It’s an all-round piece – you can pair it with a dress shirt and lighter pants for a polished business casual attire or toss it over a white t-shirt and wear it with jeans for a dinner date.
13. A tailored suit in black and gray
You don’t need to work in a corporate setting to own a suit – all gents need at least one suit that’s perfectly tailored to their build. If you need to wear one for the rest of your life, stick with black or gray, as these two colors are versatile. Investing in men’s tailored suits ensures you’ll always have the right outfit for weddings, funerals, cocktail parties, or any formal event.
When the occasion calls for it – formal date, weddings, funerals, or a cocktail party – you know you’re ready.
Building a timeless wardrobe isn’t about following every trend—it’s about owning pieces that never go out of style.Â
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Chokman, a go-to destination for tailored suits in Sydney—offering stylish, custom-fitted pieces for both men and women. She loves sharing fashion insights, styling advice, and tips to help people look sharp and feel their best in a great suit.
