A MINIMALIST WARDROBE FOR MEN

“The ability to build a minimalist wardrobe will pay off for years to come.”
A minimalist wardrobe with interchangeable items will allow every man to create a multitude of looks with a few foundational pieces. I will show you how to build a minimalist wardrobe from scratch that saves you time and money.
It’s a cold evening and you’re heading out to dinner all dressed up but have no sports jacket to finish off the look, instead you suffer the cold or grab an old jacket not fit for purpose….Killing the Look.

You have a business meeting, you have the perfect suit, shirt and tie but the shoes are old and dated…. Destroying the whole vibe.

The weekend is here and you are pulling out the same old hoodies and t-shirts you wore 20years ago in college!!! 

“THINK BEING WELL DRESSED IS ABOUT TIME?….NO. IT’S ABOUT HAVING THE RIGHT CLOTHES FOR YOUR NEEDS.”

TIME FOR AN UPGRADE AND HERE’S HOW…..

THE FOUNDATIONS OF A MINIMALIST WARDROBE FOR MEN

VERSATILITY

Given that a minimal wardrobe is based on a range of interchangeable basic items, a minimal wardrobe, by definition, is lean, and hence each item should be multifunctional.  For example, a blazer that looks great with dark denim jeans and chinos or with a shirt or t-shirt will serve you well.

NEUTRAL COLOURS

A highly versatile, minimal wardrobe requires items of neutral colour and pattern in order for them to be interchangeable such as navy, blue, white, grey, black and camel.

LIFESTYLE

Consideration of your lifestyle and your needs is paramount when selecting/buying for your minimal wardrobe for it to be workable.

QUALITY, THE SECRET SAUCE

Given that you are seeking to build a minimal wardrobe with interchangeable items, quality is important, as you will be wearing items regularly with multiple outfits that need to be well constructed for durability and longevity. And secondly, well made items are more flattering and desirable so you enjoy wearing them!!

UNDERWEAR & SOCKS

While hidden clothing is often ignored, these essential items are necessary to both feeling good and keeping the rest of your outfit in sync. Opting for higher quality cottons in basic, neutral colours such as greys, blacks and navy’s will do the trick.
If you are looking to make an impression with your sock game, a few pairs of coloured socks will add instant life to your ensembles. Moreover, coloured socks can be worn with a range of outfits, whether it’s with dark denim, chinos or even a suit!!!

CASUAL  ESSENTIALS

DENIM JEANS

A staple in every gentleman’s wardrobe, denim is your true wardrobe workhorse, versatile enough to be worn for casual activities to dinner with friends or date night, to even business casual dress code on a Friday.
As with every item of clothing, fit is critical. Slim or straight fits suit most shapes. Just a couple of pairs of jeans will work in virtually any situation. Dark Denim can be worn with a blazer and a shirt, or if you are looking to dress down and still look put together, with a t-shirt.

CHINOS

Chinos are a great alternative to jeans, while significantly upping your style game. Ideal colours are cream, camel and navy.
While colour is important, fit is key to pulling off chinos. Fitted chinos will help elongate and streamline your aesthetic and work perfectly with light blues, pale pinks and purple shirts for effortless styling.

T-SHIRTS

One important consideration with t-shirts is to avoid large graphic one’s. These t-shirts are for a younger demographic. Instead, opt for plain colours.
If you are looking for something more masculine, opt for a V-neck t-shirt with dark denim or chinos! These can be especially flattering if you are in good shape. If you would like a more streamlined slimming look, pair your t-shirt and jeans/ chinos with an unstructured blazer.

POLOS

Polo T-shirts (collar with 3 buttons) are the ultimate workhorse in your clothing wardrobe, polos will help dress down a blazer or dress up a pair of jeans.

CHAMBRAYS

The ultimate casual shirt, chambrays are a great way to inject colour and texture into your wardrobe.

SWEATERS

The perfect mid layer staple, two sweaters, one that is of a lighter weight for cooler weather, that is not overbearing, and one heavier for winter.
I recommend choosing a neutral grey sweater and two coloured ones that will work well with almost any ensemble.

OUTDOOR JACKET

CASUAL SHOES

Runners NOT trainers are ideal for dark denim, and boaters in navy or tan with a white sole are great with chinos.

FORMAL ESSENTIALS

NAVY SUIT

The navy suit is a great starting point when buying for your formal attire. A navy suit will match easily with shirts and ties that makes for effortless styling.

CHARCOAL GREY SUIT

The charcoal grey suit is the perfect foundational suit for your wardrobe, given its neutral tones and subsequent versatility. Your charcoal grey suit can be worn to a multitude of occasions, including formal events and work . For business, the charcoal grey suit exhibits trust and authority, two critical elements to coming across in a professional manner!!!
SHIRTS
For shirts, I suggest going with white and paler coloured shirts, such as a light blue. While this is technically not a neutral colour, a light blue coloured shirt will pair with virtually any suit and tie combination – particularly your navy suit

NAVY AND GREY TROUSERS

A pair of navy and grey trousers, if a suit is not required, will pair perfectly with a shirt at the office, or with a shirt and a blazer for business meetings.

SPORTS JACKET

The Sports Jacket, as opposed to a blazer, is your least structured, most casual outer piece. The sports jacket to me is king of your wardrobe for versatility. It is more relaxed than a suit or a navy blazer. The important element of these jackets is to have some colour and pattern, without it being overtly bold or restrictive. Hence, more muted patterns such as a subtle plaid, check or plain could work incredibly well.
A Sports Jacket can be used to dress up any pair of pants that are NOT the same fabric and colour as the jacket! Whether you are looking to dress up a pair of dark denim jeans or chinos a sports jacket will invariably do the trick!

ACCESSORIES

TIES

A carefully chosen tie allows you to make an immediate impression, irrespective of the occasion you are dressing up for.

SOLID NAVY TIE

A solid navy tie will ensure that you look dashing in that navy suit, whether you are dressing for a wedding, or an interview! Alternatively, a navy tie can be used to dress up some of your other wardrobe staples, such as a soft denim shirt or a pair of your chinos.

STRIPED TIE

The Striped Tie, alternatively known as the collegiate tie, is a quintessential gentleman’s staple, that will serve you well irrespective of occasion – whether you are dressing up for daily work, an interview, an evening out with friends or date night, this ivy league, preppy inspired tie will have you looking the part. Good too if you’re a Rossie!!!

CUFFLINKS

If you are dressing for a more formal occasion, such as a presentation, important business meeting or wedding reception, few items will have you standing out like a well curated pair of cufflinks. Blue stoned cufflinks will work with your navy suit and any of your wardrobe staple shirts, be it white, blue, grey or pink.

FORMAL SHOES

Your formal wardrobe’s workhorse, the black oxford cap toe is on the more formal end of the shoe spectrum, and will dazzle with your traditional black, charcoal grey or navy suits!
Whether you are dressing for daily work, an important presentation, or your next wedding reception, your black oxford cap toes will have you looking the part!

BROWN BROGUES

The brown brogues are less formal and can be worn with a range of suits, including lighter grey, blue, navy and brown suits. They are therefore ideally suited to your wardrobe, as they are highly versatile. They can be used to dress up less formal attire, such as chinos and a sports jacket, or dress down more formal ensembles (with the exception of black suits!).

If you would love help to create a minimalist wardrobe of clothes then avail of  MENSWEAR PERSONAL SHOPPING now by clicking the link below.

Maria x