The wardrobe essentials every man should own

While there are few hard and fast rules left in men’s fashion – you don’t need to match your belt to your shoes, socks are non-essential, even with trousers and no one has uttered the phrase ‘never brown in town’ since 1985 – there are some items that remain indispensable. Some would argue that it takes at least 50 vital ingredients to complete a wardrobe, and there are no doubt seasonal differences to be pontificated over, but there are a few basics that no man should be without, whatever the weather. So what we have compiled here are the magnificent seven, the absolute essentials which laugh in the face of fashion fads and will serve your needs for the rest of your life.

The Oxford shirt is characterised by a button down collar and basketweave fabric and is casual enough to be worn on its own with jeans, yet still perfectly capable of scrubbing up with a tie and slim-cut suit. You can also choose from a massive array of colours and cuts, from a classic long-sleeved white or chambray to a striped or check short-sleeve. It’s the very definition of a wear-anywhere all-rounder.

Whether you're a purveyor of patterns or new to the game, there are few pieces more timeless than the Breton-inspired striped tee. No matter what colour you pick, the density of the stripes you choose or whether you opt to wear it dressed up or down, you can be safe in the knowledge that you're wearing a truly timeless piece of menswear.

Another classic that can stroll easily into any situation, the Derby shoe is smart enough to sit comfortably with a suit, but just as easily goes with a pair of jeans or chinos. If you’re looking for something that you can easily wear to a wedding, but want to have the multi-purpose use of a sartorial Swiss Army knife, then these are the shoes to go for.

The time has come to break out of your loungewear for good. Whether you're returning to the office soon or not, it pays to start getting used to wearing something a little more… presentable. The classic chino is a consistently important piece of menswear and for good reason – few things are as versatile, wearable and comfortable as the classic chino.

By clean, we don’t mean free from dirt. You’re not a teenager lobbing your filthy sneaks under the bed every night. In this case clean means a crisp, white colourway – a blank canvas for a multitude of outfits to sit smartly upon. You name it, they will work with it, from simple shorts and a T-shirt to a dressed-down suit for a casual wedding. Just make sure to invest in some trainer protection to keep them dazzling as the season changes.

As the weather turns, you’ll naturally start to think about layering up for the colder season ahead. And while outerwear trends come and go, there’s something about the classic tailored overcoat that gets our attention year after year. Invest in the best of the best and this piece will last you for years – giving you a slick silhouette and timeless outfit in one fell swoop. 

Worn with an Oxford shirt, blazer and Derby shoes, these will complete the classic smart-casual uniform. Careful with cut though, boot cut jeans with all the above veers dangerously close to ‘Clarkson’, but with a slim or straight fit you have a jean that can be worn happily with anything on this list. Substitute in a white T-shirt, trainers and sunglasses and you have the perfect outfit for a late summer beer garden.

Like Superman doing a quick change in a phone box, one of these will instantly elevate an outfit in times of emergency. Available in a vast array of fabrics and colours and in single or double breasted options you are bound to find something you will feel comfortable in that you will work in countless situations, from a date night to family do. Likewise the chore jacket, the country cousin to the street smart blazer can help you upgrade something casual while still committing to that ‘artisan taking a break from the lathe’ look.

That calculator watch that’s been going strong since 1990 doesn’t add the sense of gravitas you’re aiming for when it pops out of a cuff during a crucial moment in the company briefing. Nor does an actual smartwatch necessarily cut it for a wedding photo (after all, what is a smartwatch but the natural evolution of the wrist calculator?). No, it’s time to invest in something that looks good with everything, a timeless (no pun intended) analogue watch that properly confirms your status as a fully-functioning adult.

Like everything on this list, quality and sustainability is what you’re aiming for when it comes to the sunglasses you pick. Something that you will wear year after year which will never go out of style – and will still come in useful for winter sun. Look for the classic brands and a style that suits your face shape and you will never have to buy another pair again.