5 Unusual Staple Items of Clothing: Every Man Needs

It's better to have cheap clothes that fit, than expensive ones that don't. 

Over the years I've fallen in love with clothes that I bought because I wanted them so desperately. Regardless if the jacket length was too long, or I was being offered it for free. (Yes I'm lucky, I get given free clothes, but it doesn't always work out for the best). I'm not a strapping 6'2 guy that can pick clothes off the rack with regular ease. Most casual clothes I have can be a bit over-sized and that's fine. I gravitate towards that louche style these days. However, when it comes to smart wear, it's imperative for me to wear clothes that flatters my frame and follows the lines of my body. 

I recommend everyone develops a good relationship with their tailors, alterations tailors and dry cleaners. They guys are the knights of your sartorial round table. Bring them coffee when you see them. Not every garment can be made or affected to fit your shape, but a fitted garment that suits your proportions can go so much further in making you the most presentable man in the room. 

Your clothes aren't museum pieces.

They will get damaged, stained, torn, muddied. Preserve them best you can, but don't get emotionally involved with clothes. I remember a friend arriving in the UK for a film premiere and he had his Tuxedo air shipped separately. It was a TOM FORD dinner suit no less and it got lost in the post and he had to wear an emergency M&S tux instead. To my amazement he was totally cool about it. I said I would have ripped the postal company to shreds. He wasn't elated of course, but he simply reminded me, 'they're just clothes.' So try your best and give your clothes a great life by caring for them, but ensure you get to have your life enriched by wearing them. 

Your style is not your identity.

I heard the expression you should never be your beliefs. As in don't make your ideas become your identity. You're allowed to change your mind, you're entitled to like something you shouldn't. I take that approach into my own personal style these days. You should never have a hill to die on when it comes to clothes. Why hate on a certain look when you might enjoy wearing that look yourself on those blue moon days. 

Make the effort - it goes a long way.

I remember David Gandy telling me he never judges other people’s style. This is something I cannot no matter how much I try. I'm constantly profiling and looking at how other people dress. Yes, I've managed to not think so negatively on other people's style that I'm not personally aligned with, but I still judge. I judge you if you turn up to my house two days running for a BBQ wearing the same Under Armour shirt you worked out in that day. (That has happened, and I will always think poorly on the persons character for being so slack). 

It's not about being a dandy, it's not about wearing a suit to the pub. It's about wearing the right clothes to the right place. If ever you're in doubt, smart casual never offended anybody. 

What would you say are the 5 staples that every man needs in his wardrobe?  

One Blue Blazer

The blue blazer is the most versatile garment that you can own. It can be dressed up with a club tie and shirt, or down with an open shirt and ecru trousers. You should look to the likes of the great Roger Moore both in his tenure as James Bond and in his personal life how he wore a Blue Blazer is the exemplar and fashion plate that we should all adhere to. 

One Tailored pair of Grey Linen Trousers

Jeans are too hot for the summers in the UK now, as well as my recent trips abroad. A grey pair of linen trousers, preferably with a light check or subtle fleck pattern to it, can be paired with almost any polo (other than grey) and will also transition evenly into the cooler months.

One Sports Jacket

In the same theme as the blue blazer, a casual sports jacket that can be worn to less formal events or dinners will still heighten your appearance. Preferably one you could tailor with many pockets that will be good travel. 

One Bespoke Dress Shirt 

It might be difficult to just get one as many shirtmaker’s require at least 5 for a minimum run of bespoke shirts. But I want men to get back into shirts. Especially as I see so many wear suits with t-shirts underneath. I'm fine with that generally, I have been doing that more and more. But going back to the respect thing, having a dress shirt for a wedding, or an important black tie event, is paramount for me. You can also have some fun with the dress shirt if it comes bespoke. Perhaps some fancy frills and box pleats, or an unusual cuff such as cocktail cuffs. Putting your own inflection on a dress shirt makes it special. 

One Cashmere Sweater or ZIP-through cardigan

I was flirting with adding a leather jacket, a jean jacket or a cashmere overcoat. But I think I've gotten more miles out of a quality cashmere sweater that I can pull over a shirt and smarten up my look for the cooler months. Cashmere is an investment piece, so it should last so long as you don't wash it and treat it with cedar balls to discourage the moths from eating it. 

For general rules I wear a V-Neck sweater and have the shirt collars out, and a crew neck sweater and keep the collars in.