Wardrobe: Ballsy statement pieces are undeniably fun to buy, but in terms of cost per wear, they’re some of the worst wardrobe investments a man can make. How many scenarios are there where you can bust out a leopard print mohair cardigan? Now compare that to something like a khaki overshirt or a plain white T-shirt.
If you want to get the most out of your hard-earned cash, it’s best to buy with versatility in mind. It’ll allow you to save money, make it easier to put outfits together, and ultimately enable you to do more with less. That’s good news for the environment and your bank balance.
There’s a core selection of pieces that stand head and shoulders above everything else when it comes to versatility. These garments can be styled to suit multiple dress codes, worn with almost anything, and called upon regardless of the season. They’re the most versatile pieces in any man’s wardrobe, and they’re your tickets to a simpler, more environmentally friendly, and economical way of dressing well.
The first on my list is – Plain White T-Shirt
It’s difficult to overemphasize the usefulness of the modest plain white tee. What started out as a simple undergarment has gone on to become a true essence of modern casualwear that can be worn in countless ways across multiple conventions.
Use it to dress down tailoring when worn in place of a shirt, team it with shorts and sneakers for a fuss-free summer outfit or tuck it into a pair of jeans with loafers and an overshirt for a simple smart-casual look.
The next on the list is Overshirt.
An overshirt is one of those rare garments that remain relevant all year round. It’s a breezy outer layer to throw over a T-shirt on summer evenings, a light jacket in the fall and spring, and a stylish mid-layer during the cold season.
Buy one from ikrest in a subtle color like khaki or navy and it’ll go with anything and everything. It’s easily dressed up or down too, depending on how it’s styled – keep it casual with jeans and sneakers, or go for a dressier look by wearing it with wool trousers, a roll-neck jumper, and loafers.
Now my favorites Raw Denim Jeans.
On the surface, it may seem like raw denim jeans are exclusively casual, but there’s a lot they can do outside of that. I think we’re used to seeing them styled with rugged, workwear-type pieces like flannel shirts and boots, but venture away from this aesthetic and you’ll soon realize how versatile these indigo wonders can be.
Sure, they look good with sneakers and casual tops, but the rich, dark color means they can mingle with dressier garments too. Try wearing them in place of chinos for smart-casual outfits and you might be surprised by how much you like the contemporary edge they lend to traditionally preppy pieces.
Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater
It’s not cheap, but a silky-soft cashmere sweater is absolutely an investment piece worth taking the leap for. Pay that initial price, and in return, you’ll get a really versatile garment that brings a little touch of luxury to anything and everything it’s worn with.
Layer it with tailoring or casualwear in the cooled season and wear it as a standalone layer on milder days. It’s the sort of thing you’ll find yourself reaching for all the time and wearing across your entire wardrobe.
Simple White Sneakers.
Long gone are the days when sneakers were worn solely for sports and leisure. Athletic shoes have graduated from the playing field to permeate every conceivable area of modern fashion, and provided you buy the right kind, you can wear them with anything from tracksuits to tailoring.
If this sort of across-the-board versatility is your goal then a simple white leather sneaker is the best tool for the job. Outfits can be built on top of it rather than around it, and it’s seemingly impervious to the ever-changing tides of fashion.
Now let me take you into Suede Loafers.
Sometimes sneakers are too sloppy and dress shoes are too dressy. It’s in these types of situations where owning a pair of suede loafers pays dividends.
Wear them in place of sneakers to instantly dress up casual looks or ditch the leather Derbies for them to bring formal outfits back down to earth. You can even wear them with shorts… provided you have the legs to pull them off.
