Mens Back to Basic Wardrobe
Back to Basics for Men
Whether you are a fashion follower or someone who is seeking to reinvent their wardrobe, every man should have the basics of fashion for survival.
Yet many  believe that the principle of âessentialâ should be left out in a fashion context afterall apart from air, sleep and water nothing is essential. Right?
Wrong - Below are not only essentials for your wardrobe but items that will help you on your way to achieving more of a styled look.
Our list is generally appropriate for all ages and tastes, they are not flashy and they are not trendy but rock solid, versatile basics.
Plain Tees
This may sound like a no brainer, but you would be surprised the amount of men that donât own a reasonable selection of tees (aka T-Shirts). Tees are a throw on piece that you donât need to think about and they enrich any look instantly, just by being unfussy and timeless.
We suggest you buy multiples of the basic white, grey, black and navy. Our personal choice of brand would be Gap and American Apparel. Itâs worth investing a bit extra on tees so they donât shrink or distort over time â definitely âquality over quantityâ. Not to mention the fact that tees can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and other items worn with them.
Oxford Cloth Button Down Shirt
A definite favourite among our stylists is the Oxford Cloth Button Down shirt or abbreviated as OCBD shirt.
This piece of clothing skips along the divide of formal and casual just perfectly. The OCBD shirts are without doubt a valuable addition to any modern wardrobe and you will certainly get a lot of use out of them.
Buy a couple of them in white and blue as they pretty much go with anything. Popular brands for OCBD shirts are; Gap, ASOS, Uniqlo, Reiss and Allsaints. But if you opt for more premium OCBD shirts we suggest looking at American Brands such as: Ralph Lauren, J.Crew and Gant Rugger. Â Â
Slim-Fit Indigo Denim
Completely timeless and classic, the indigo slim-fitted jeans will be one of the most versatile item of clothing that youâll ever own.
They are really easy to dress up or down, most brands offer a choice of cuts so it is entirely up to you and your body shape how âslimâ you decide to go. Choosing the right cut of jeans will ensure sharper lines and a better shape. Indigo denim works with almost any style you can think of and it is doubtful it will go out of fashion anytime soon. So itâs worth spending a bit extra for higher quality, which is guaranteed to last longer.
If youâre more on a budget we have always found that H&M denim performs pretty well. But denim specialist such as Leviâs, Diesel, A.P.C, Nudie and Acne wonât let you down.
 Desert Boots
Perhaps the most perfect beginnerâs shoes, they make the transition from the youthful trainers to something more grown-up and effortless. Desert boots are smart without being formal; they work with everything from jeans to shorts. Itâs all about how you dress them.
They are unbelievably comfortable and if you decide to go for the iconic Clarkâs Originals itâs an investment worthwhile for the long run.
We suggest getting a pair in stone suede or light sand as they will complement almost every piece in your existing wardrobe. However if youâre looking for something more hardwearing or season-appropriate you can always opt for the brown leather desert boots.
Clarks would be our first brand of suggestion, simply because they are the creators of the desert boot. ÂŁ79 isnât unreasonable as you would be getting quality and style that comes standard like every other Clarks Originals.
For a cheaper alternative, desert boots can be found at River Island, ASOS and office. Whereas brands like Kurt Geiger, Todâs No_Code, Aldo and Red Wing produces some seriously sought-after styles at a higher premium.
Basic Knitwear
Basic knitwear is more of an essential component during the autumn and winter season for layering in the colder weather.
A couple of mid-weight wool, cotton jumpers or crew necks in navy, grey or oatmeal would be the perfect starting point for your wardrobe. These primary colours will give you the freedom to play around with bolder shades within the rest of your ensemble and the mid weight ensures that they rest on the more subtle side of the spectrum which is more desirable when youâre just starting out.
We suggest keeping an eye out for good natural fibre content at brands such as; Uniqlo, Marks and Spencer, Reiss and H&M.
Shaw Collar Cardigans
The Shaw Collar Cardigans is an extension to your basic knitwear and can be worn as your second or even third layer to your outfits.
The structured character of the cardigan can really help to dress up your overall aesthetic. We suggest try pairing with your OCBD, jeans and desert boots.
See basic knitwear section above for our recommendation.
Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts have made a real revival in popularity over the past year or so. Especially accompanying the sportswear (baseball jersey) trend, that has come into full force.
However you may be thinking this choice of clothing is a surplus after forming a solid wardrobe base, particularly when you have already accumulated a selection of basic knitwear. Nevertheless for truly casual layering there is nothing better than a sweatshirt.
We suggest layering your sweatshirt over your OCBD shirt or even an under layer to a chunky cardigan or denim jacket to your sweatshirt the bottom layer. Topman, Uniqlo and H&M all stock a variety of plain or printed sweatshirt, whilst premium brands such as Norse Projects, A.P.C and Carhartt offer higher quality version of longer âlasting sweatshirts.
Check Shirts
A more casual alternative the oxford cloth button down shirt is the check shirt. These are a considered choice during the winter season, whether itâs under a jumper or over a t-shirt.
We suggest looking for the larger checks for the more casual look. However in terms of colour palette itâs really up to your own preferences. Almost all high street stores such as Topman, Uniqlo, Allsaints, H&M and more will offer a vast selection of check shirts.
Conclusion
We like to believe the list above is a collection of multipurpose wardrobe basics that everyone can wear with confidence and enjoy - from someone who wants a new wardrobe to a fashionista. These classic pieces will work together offering a fantastic base from which to build.
If you would like help with your new wardrobe makeover or any other styling services please give us a call on 0208 667 9519 or email [email protected] or follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeGroup1
For more information on the services we offer, please check out: www.bestyleduk.com









