8 Closet Classics for Men

I love helping my clients because oftentimes, they have no idea what they are missing in their wardrobe and have no idea where to begin fixing it. That’s where a stylist comes in handy! While a majority of my clients are women, 30% of my clients are men and in some ways, dressing my male clients is a breeze. Men’s clothing doesn’t have nearly as many options in terms of style but that also makes closet classics even more critical for the male wardrobe. When my male-identifying clients have these fundamentals, they can get dressed more easily and appear more put-together. 

White Sneakers

Yes, I also put White Sneakers in my 8 Closet Classics for Women blog post - but that’s only because these really are the best universal pair of shoes! I have recommended a pair of White Sneakers to nearly all of my male clients because they look great with jeans, chinos and even a suit. I work with many people with careers in Silicon Valley tech and most of them don’t want to be too dressy (ie: wear slacks + loafers). Therefore, I find that the White sneaker is the perfect, casual-but-good-looking shoe for the office, happy hours and even business meetings. Check out my client favorites which are tried and true!

NICE PAIR OF JEANS

While this should go without saying, every person needs a nice, dark washed, well-fitting pair of jeans in their closet. It’s amazing how many of my male-identifying clients lack this basic staple. There are great jean brands out there but not all fits are created equal. The perfect jean has a taper, hits right at the top of the shoe, and is in a true indigo wash. There are infinite washes and styles of jeans, but when it comes to the closet staple, keep it classic, BLUE and well-fitting. 

Pro Tip: there are great brands starting to sell shorter length jeans! This is a great option for our low maintenance clients who don’t want to take them to a tailor - Banana Republic, Bonobos, J.Crew and Levi’s all make shorter inseams.

WHITE OXFORD

As previously mentioned, many of my clients don’t like to dress too formally for work but I think this closet staple bridges the gap and has a place in every man’s closet. Named after the fabric used to make them, the White Oxford shirt comes in some variations - with stretch, one-pocket, untucked and more. I love sourcing these for my clients because they can pair well with dress pants (like slacks) or look just as well with jeans.

My favorite White Oxford is from Untuckit where the shirt is, you guessed it, cut for untucking! 

Confused? Untucked button-downs are cut shorter in length so they hit right above the hip when untucked. A regular shirt will hang too long most of the time.

BOMBER JACKET

Jacket styles for men don’t come in a wide array like they do for women - which is helpful in some ways and boring in others. While I LOVE a leather jacket for a woman, it definitely has a different look and connotation when on a man. I seldom find men interested in a leather moto jacket (as much as I love them). So alas, I source my male clients something much more attainable, user-friendly and casual - the Bomber Jacket!

A bomber is defined by it’s short-in-length cut, ribbed waistband and cuffs, and flat (non-hooded) neck. While they come in leather and a variety of materials, I appreciate a synthetic fabric which is lower maintenance and often waterproof. 

They look great with almost any outfit because they are simple, oftentimes fitted, and don’t go out of style. The perfect bomber (in my opinion) comes from Banana Republic. 

LUXE SWEATER

A sweater is an underrated, but very useful closet staple. With fall on the horizon, this is a great item for layering and adding dimension to your outfit. When it comes to sweaters, there are so many options but when shopping for a client, I look for a few key things: I prefer a cashmere or wool-blend fabric, I prefer a pullover vs. cardigan, and I like a crew neck instead of a v-neck. Additionally, I like to keep color neutral so that it will pair with everything - think Grey, Black or Navy.

They look especially slick when worn over a long-sleeve button down. Just be careful when you wash them - these shrink like crazy!

SHORT SLEEVE BUTTON-DOWN

My husband is a no-frills, t-shirt and jeans kind of guy so when it comes to dressing him, I go VERY simple. I discovered quickly that the easiest way to make him appear more put-together, was swapping out the t-shirt for a short-sleeve button-down. These have a way of making jeans and sneakers look more put-together and are easy to throw on for the low-maintenance customer. 

Short sleeve button-downs come in a variety of fabrics, colors and prints which also add excitement and interest to an outfit. Check out some of my current favorites. 

CHELSEA or CHUKKA BOOTS

Like my female clients, my male clients often struggle in the shoe department. I don’t believe men need a ton of shoes in their closet to be stylish, but a healthy variety can make an outfit more dynamic and sleek. Come in the short Boot. I know I’m cheating by naming two here, but they largely serve the same purpose. So what’s the difference?

Chukka = Short at the ankle, flat in the heel, made of suede or leather, with 3 hole shoe laces on the lip. Preferred because they are easier to get on with the laces. 

Chelsea = Slightly taller at the ankle, flat in the heel (sometimes a small heel), made of suede or leather, no laces or lip. Preferred because they look a little more sleek and dressy. 

Boots are such a classic staple for men and the perfect shoe for fall and winter. Men don’t necessarily need both but should select one of these boots based on their lifestyle. A more casual, active person might appreciate the laid-back look of the Chukka. A more fashion-conscious client who dresses up might select the Chelsea. 

Here are some Chukkas and Chelseas I would recommend. 

OVERCOAT

Finally, the last closet staple every man needs is a nice, luxe, overcoat. An overcoat is a thick, wool, jacket and can vary in length and cuts. Going for a simple, Black, Navy or Camel-color is best because a neutral color will work well over every suit or outfit. It really is amazing how this investment item can make a man feel elevated - I’ve loved watching my clients get into their first overcoat. 

It may not get a lot of daily use but if you invest, it will last you years, if not decades. Our favorite overcoats come from SuitSupply.