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Men can be the definition of unpredictable when it comes to looking good. The quiet guy at the back of your Chemistry 101 class that nobody notices could suddenly walk into the room and set it on fire simply by changing a few articles of clothing. On the other hand, you might feel your affection die a slow and painful death when your crush shows up wearing socks and crocs.
Men may not have the luxury of show-stopping outfits in the way that women do. But that is still no excuse for not looking your best. This blog lists down 10 of the hottest wardrobe essentials every guy must own to slay.
10 Wardrobe Essential Items for Men
When we think of men dressing up, we’re usually imagining sharply cut and tailored Italian suits, expensive bespoke silk ties or cravats, and the shiniest pair of brogues in the world.
There is no denying how a bespoke suit can make even the sloppiest of men cut a sharp and memorable figure. But you can make the same impression with a few everyday items of made in USA men’s clothing as you do with a thousand-dollar finely tailored suit.
While things like your body shape and your height may have an impact on your overall appeal, the following 10 items should be part of every dapper man’s wardrobe:
- Badass Leather Jacket
- Basic Black Tee
- American Eagle Belt
- Fresh and Trendy Sneakers
- Hip Ribbed Beanie
- Retro Denim Jacket
- Funky Socks
- Ripped Skinny Jeans
- Outdoorsy Flannel Shirts
- Comfortably Sexy Everyday Pants
Don’t believe us? Read on to see for yourself.
Badass Leather Jacket
There are few things in the male wardrobe that can make as dramatic a statement as a classic leather jacket. Preferably a black or dark brown jacket, paired with a solid-color basic tee shirt and sensible footwear can turn you from an unremarkable nice guy into a real bad boy. There’s just something so earthy and raw about leather jackets, slipping one on immediately adds to your confidence and appeal.
You don’t necessarily have to buy animal products if you’re more about sustainable fashion. A faux leather jacket can often look just as good as, if not better than, the real deal. With tons of styles and colors to choose from, all you have to do is find the right balance between form and function. Your jacket shouldn’t just look good, it should also do a good job of keeping you warm. Otherwise, you may have to layer up and that’s often going to make you look bulky.
Basic Black Tee
In a world of graphic tees inspired by everything from retro synthase color palettes to modern vivid prints, you can never go wrong with a basic black tee. There are several good reasons for this. A flat black tee can do a fairly good job of concealing some of that extra padding you may have acquired around the belly.
Provided the sleeves are of the right length, they can accentuate your upper arms, making you look much fitter. That’s not to mention that black is just the coolest color by far, so you’ll have to go out of your way to create a fashion disaster with a basic black tee.
American Eagle Belt
If you’re investing in a better wardrobe, you should also look into getting a more masculine and attention-grabbing belt buckle. You’ll be surprised just how much the right belt buckle can accentuate the rest of your wardrobe.
American Eagle makes some of the best belts you can find in the world, often with bold masculine buckles that could add to the look you’re going for. If at all possible, try buying two belts. A black one and a brown one should work best in most cases. This gives you more variety to match with your outfit.
Fresh and Trendy Sneakers
Kicks are a bigger fashion statement than ever. The shoes you wear say a lot about you, or at least that’s what people think. While there is a large number of shoe types for men, the best fashion statement in current times is a classy pair of sneakers.
Yes, many of them don’t come cheap. But a slick pair of Air Jordan 1s or a cool pair of Vans is one of the best fashion investments you can make. Classic sneakers can often appreciate in value as time goes on, so you could potentially sell them off for good money when you feel you’re too old to wear hip sneakers.
Hip Ribbed Beanie
For a simple woolen cap, the ribbed beanie has no right to the transformational impact it has on a guy’s overall look. Beanies are a rough-and-ready fashion accessory that makes you appear laid-back, at ease, and even rugged, depending on how much facial hair you’re sporting.
A beanie is a perfect accessory for a casual night out on the town or a day at the car meet. It’s usually best to get a darker colored beanie, such as navy blue or black. But lighter ones work just as well depending on your outfit for the day.
Retro Denim Jacket
Denim never seems to go out of style. The denim jackets that were so very popular in the 1980s and the 1990s are coming back in a huge way with a 21st Century twist. Denim jackets scream that you’re a chill, laid-back person, and make you look extremely good with the barest effort.
Depending on the type of jacket you get, you can play around with graphic ones, simple ones, and even more adventurous ripped ones. Some stores even specialize in adding personalized graphics to your average denim jacket. For a simple piece of clothing that hasn’t changed much in 4 decades, it never ceases to amaze how good a denim jacket still looks today.
Funky Socks
Sensible socks are a thing of the past. They belong in a nursing home with the rest of the boomers who made them popular. In the 21st Century, your socks aren’t an afterthought that nobody’s going to see.
Thanks to ankle-height pants, people have the opportunity to make a distinct fashion statement with their choice of socks. In our modern age of fashion, the funkier your socks are, the better they look. Even if you’re arriving for a high-powered business meeting, a pair of bright yellow socks with Bojack Horseman printed on them are not out of place.
Ripped Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans are a good article of clothing to own, and no, they are not just for women. Baggy jeans are officially dead. Men deserve to show off the lower half of their bodies as well. If you’ve been working hard on leg day, you can be sure a pair of skinny jeans will accentuate those muscles. A pair of tastefully ripped jeans can make you appear rugged and tough, while at the same time looking exceptionally well.
Outdoorsy Flannel Shirts
What is it with flannel shirts? Do they conjure up images of bearded lumberjacks, manly aftershave, and strong shoulders? We aren’t sure. But we are sure that they look good on nearly every man. Flannel shirts usually have a simple checkered pattern on them that hasn’t changed for decades.
But very few clothes can make you look collegiate and outdoorsy at the same time. A blue, red, or even green flannel shirt is something you can never go wrong with.
Comfortably Sexy Everyday Pants
Sure, ripped skinny jeans are hot. But you can’t wear them everywhere. Many places like upscale restaurants, workplaces, and outdoor jobs require a specific dress code or uniform. That means wearing your favorite ripped skinnies is out of the question.
Lucky for you, a pair of comfortable khaki pants are a good choice for virtually any dress code. They look extremely well without making you look unprofessional or underdressed. At the same time, they are very functional and comfortable, letting you look good and feel good at the same time.