How to Build Your Wardrobe Part I

Total outfits by Tod's

5 Wardrobe Building Guidelines for Men

Master interchangeability – The secret of the best dressed men is that they wear clothing that neither draws attention nor strikes observers as flamboyant; they are simply well put together.  The good news is this can be achieved with very few sets of clothes, and if selected carefully a man with only two suits, four dress shirts, four ties, and two pairs of shoes has 64 different combinations at his disposal (2x4x4x2=64 ).  The key here is making sure your clothing is interchangeable; a core of classic colored suits and dress shirts complimented with time tested tie patterns will yield a higher return on investment than any trendy garment that only matches one other item in your wardrobe.

Make sure your clothing fits – The clothing in your wardrobe should fit your body as it is today not as you wish it to be two months from now.  If it’s too tight, look to have it let out.  If it’s too large, learn to how to select a tailor and have alterations made.

Select classic colors, patterns, and styles – There are colors that compliment your complexion; discover what they are and use them to your advantage.  Look for patterns that existed when your father bought his clothing – chances are they’ll still be around when your son borrows your ties. Always select timeless style in your high dollar items and avoid trends like the plague.

Avoid cheap, instead seek value – Purchase quality; you’ll often pay more but in the end it will save you money.  How does that work?  Simply put, you’ll wear the clothing more often, feel better when you wear it, and it will last longer.  Those $35 dress shoes that you hate wearing because they look cheap and are uncomfortable are wasted sitting in your closet; those $350 Allen Edmonds that you wear every chance you can and receive compliments on every time you wear them become a great investment when you find yourself having worn them 100 times in the last year.

Give yourself time – Building a wardrobe can take a decade; the time frame is important as it not only gives you time to select items that are priced in accordance with your budget, but it gives you the time to develop and refine your style.  No matter how much you read and plan, a man’s style evolves over years as he perfects his personal presentation to the world.