10 Things all Men should own
and own forever…
Let’s get real… Men unfortunately have been dealt a rather lackluster hand when it comes to exciting fashion trends. But, to me the silver lining is that we can easily create the basis of a wardrobe on a collection of certain items. Below in the Couture Carousel (copyright it NOW) are ten examples of each of those items. You don’t have to find the exact make and model here, but together they all create a sartorially sorted, and more importantly, timeless collection of essentials.
from left: Original White Tee xkarla.com, l’homme slim jean in niagra frame-store.com, achilles low leather sneaker common projects.com, midwest slim jean jacket by APC barneys.com, classic aviator voctoriabeckham.com, slim fit twill button down calvinklein.com, hedi suede chelsea boot ysl.com, classic shrunken biker by john elliott sense.com, corcovado fedora by nick bouquet barneys.com, classic large lapel tuxedo brioni.com
The White Tee - This is my number one essential. Whether it is layered under a sweater, hidden under a dress shirt, or simply worn with your favorite vintage Levi’s, this staple is the glue that holds everything together.
The Slim Jean - Jeans come in many shapes and shades, however I have found that this medium blue, slimmer fit, with minimal whispering (the small striations around your upper thigh dear… YAY! you learned something today!) don’t compete with the ticking clock of trends. also, elastic is your friend. Search for a pair with either .5% or 1% elastic. this allows your jeans to grow with you for comfort, but not stretch out so bad that you quickly develop the dreaded diaper butt.
The White Sneaker - Here is where you pivot on convention. If you have a solid (and clean) white sneaker, it can often times act as a dress shoe option. Pair it with your suit and lose that neck tie to appear well groomed, but not stuffy and out of touch. This is a source of conflicting thought however; for me, I love a white sneaker and loath a black one (they make my feet appear hella small), but some people love the darker hue on their feet. Either way here are the key words: Leather, Low Top, Solid Colorway. ** also, when they do get scuffed and dirt riddled, a trusty magic eraser can make em look brand spankin new again.
The Jean Jacket - I believe in third pieces so much I would vote for them in a primary election. They make you feel elevated and more importantly, finished with your ensemble building. Third pieces are mainly coats, jackets, parkas, those kind of cool outerwear that doesn’t necessarily have to be removed once inside. I also STAN a Canadian Tuxedo like its nobodies business. It feels dapper, always well fitted, and not to mention you get to pretend you’re from Canada… haiiii Justin Trudeau!!
The Aviator - There are many shapes for sunglasses in the world, but to me the most iconic is always going to be the aviator. I blame 70’s Robert Redford. And although some guys can only shop in the mens sections, women’s sunglasses oft times are larger in size (for those of us with larger heads) and don’t read as women’s.
The White Shirt - See the white tee section, and replace t-shirt with the word Shirt, and this is all explained. But if you’re eyes are too lazy to pull a casual stroll up the page, these are classic shirting options that will last a lifetime. Twill cotton feels more relaxed and less Wolf of Wall Street if you catch my vibe. perfect with jeans or a great olive chino, they are the easiest to take from day to night.
The Camel Boot - So again, here we are dealing with something that covers a multitude of needs. Camel is the perfect color as it pairs sharply back to black, white, navy (our holy trinity of color stories) and as it ages and wears, the suede becomes more your own.
The Leather Jacket - aaaaaaaaand, we’re back with another third piece!! Nothing makes you look 300 times cooler than you actually are like a biker jacket. wear it snug to the body (as I would bet my mom’s hard earned money it will stretch up 2 inches) and wear it everyday. Basically its your new second skin. I’m now flashing scenes from Silence of the Lambs and I need a hug.
The Fedora - I admit here and now that I am a hat freak. They elevate any look, and always make you feel like you are cooler than you might actually be… have we caught onto my self deprecating nature yet? Because, its real and its deep, and it aint going anywhere.
The Tuxedo - Now, although the one pictured is a classic black, your formal suit can be navy, deep charcoal grey, and the tuxedo stripe is neither required nor denied. The trick with dress suits & tuxedos always comes down to fit. Tailoring is key, and I strongly recommend that you never wear it off the rack. Men’s shops worth their salt always have a great tailor on site to help you figure out just the right tweaks to perfect your dandy duds.
