What are the building blocks that make one a true gentleman? They are fantastic manners, a sophisticated persona, ethical values, education, and a perfect sense of dressing!
Even if you ace the rest of the qualities, it is a fact that not everyone can pull off the classy gentleman look just like that. It needs well-chosen clothing essentials and a personal style that is intrinsic to a refined man.
“Know first who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” – Epictetus
Having a closet like that of a gentleman doesn’t mean you need to stock up several types of outfits that you see on the brand catalogs. As cliché as it sounds, you need to focus on quality over quantity. A few high-class items, when chosen smartly, are enough to give you several outfits to provide you with a dapper look.
Fashion is a part of an attitude that the man has. It has to be elegant yet versatile enough. Below, we have compiled a list of the following head to toe elements that every man should have in his wardrobe. We have kept in mind the minimalist approach, and simultaneously tried to cover all aspects of men’s fashion:
1. COLLARED SHIRTS
Every man needs to have some elegant collared shirts in both formal and casual styles. For office wear and special occasions, get some solid colored dress shirts in either striped, chequered, or plain designs. Make sure to select a durable fabric, and comfortable as well, as wearing an uncomfortable shirt in long office hours will be torturous.
Casual collared shirts are available in various designs, usually having color contrasting collars and pockets. They can occasionally have roll-tab sleeves and button-down collars as well. A couple of these in classic designs would give you a carefree yet polished style.
“Men with style are great because they have a sense of self.” – Lexa Doig
2. NON-COLLARED SHIRTS
Your t-shirts and full sleeve Henley’s are your style statement for the laid back times. When buying for your casual collection, avoid going for graphic designs as they kill the polished look. Instead, go for subtle hues and plain styles. A plain white tee is a must-have in your closet.
Nothing says gentleman’s casual grace than the very masculine Henley’s. These full sleeve shirts, with a front placket of buttons, give a highly polished look.
3. FORMAL PANTS
Build your formal pants collection with pieces that look fit for work and other formal events. Your formal bottoms should be comfortable and flexible so they can sustain the effects of commute.
Be versatile when it comes to choosing colors. Ideally, you should keep in mind the color of your formal shirts while buying pants. However, the neutral shades of black, grey, and blue go well with most of the other colors.
4. CASUAL PANTS
The first thing you should have in your wardrobe to cater to your everyday clothing needs are two nice comfortable pair of jeans. Get yourself a light and a darker shade of denim. You may think jeans are appropriate to wear almost anywhere. But, there are still limitations like an interview or important work presentation if you are a thorough gentleman.
Other than jeans, you should own a casual chino, a sweatpants’, and a couple of shorts as well.
5. JACKETS
One of the most voguish elements of a man’s wardrobe is his jackets. To nail the refined look to perfection, get a cool sports jacket in a dark tone. It would turn heads for sure when you pair them up with your jeans. For semi-casual occasions, a black blazer will give you an irresistible aura. Buy a trendy motorcycle jacket for a sleek style while riding a bike.
6. SUITS
Everyone knows, the choice of a man’s suit tells all about his level of grace. You would rarely spot a true gentleman wearing a neon suit with bold stripes (shudders!). A great choice will be to own an elegant suit in either earthy tones or go for a no-fail black.
7. COATS
You should have at least three kinds of coats that will serve the purpose of shielding you stylishly in wet and cold times. Get a puffer jacket for winters, a suede coat in a decent shade for the onset of spring, and an outdoor raincoat for the rainy days.
Fun fact: do you know? The waterproof rain jacket was invented by a chemist!
8. INNER WEAR
Never compromise on comfort by buying cheap quality inner-wear. You cannot pull off a graceful look unless you are comfortable from “inside.” Buy a comfortable set of socks, two good quality cotton vests, boxers, and some mens pouch underwear to make you feel snug all day.
9. FOOTWEAR
Fun fact: It wasn’t until 1818 that the right shoe was invented. Before that, there was no such concept as the right shoe or left shoe!
Thanks for the better times that we live in, you can now put your best foot forward. Opt for a chic yet durable pair of formal shoes that will reflect your gentleman’s side on formal occasions. For the casual needs, a good, comfortable pair of sneakers that fit well will get you going.
Our suggestion would be not to compromise on shoe quality ever for the sake of saving some bucks.
10. ACCESSORIES
- BELTS:
A superior quality, genuine leather belt would hold things for you.
- TIES:
In the words of Oscar Wilde, “A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life.” Buy some stylish ties to give you that elegant, dignified demeanor.
- SUNGLASSES:
Sunglasses not only protect your eyes from the sun rays, but they also help you give a great style statement, so make sure you own a nice pair for yourself.
- POCKET SQUARES:
A pocketful of silk is all you need to ace that refined persona.
- WATCHES:
Gift yourself the best looking watch, which will elevate your style as no other accessory can do.
Parting thoughts
You can include these essentials in your collection and exquisitely style yourself. Even while being minimalistic and comfortable, you can still radiate the elegance and poise that a gentleman usually has.
About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
