Closet Case: The New Essentials


by Duane Wells, Associated Press

No matter the season or latest fad, there are certain stylish building blocks upon which every fashionable wardrobe is built. These items may evolve over time in nuanced ways, but their essence remains the same. That is why these fundamental wardrobe pieces are called essentials.

In no particular order, here’s a look a the new essentials for 2008:

The White Shirt
There is just about no item more necessary to the wardrobe of a well-dressed man than a perfectly tailored white cotton dress shirt. From day to evening, paired with shorts or jeans, a crisp white shirt delivers a classic, versatile look every time.

Best Resources: Club Monaco, Brooks Brothers, John Varvatos, Polo, Prada
The Perfect Jeans

It’s all about casual chic these days and nothing says that better than jeans that showcase your assets best. The mistake most people make is thinking that the every trend suits them. But here’s the rub – when it comes to jeans, it’s not about the label or the cost, it’s all about the fit. Forget the brand of the moment jeans and go for the ones with the cut that really sells your body. In these jeans, you will find your own personal wardrobe staple.

Best resources: Calvin Klein, Levi, True Religion, Diesel, H&M, Rag & Bone

The Boot
My grandmother always said, “A man ain’t dressed unless he’s dressed from his head to his toes.” And she couldn’t have been more right.

Over the years, boots have come in and out of fashion, but this is one of those times when they are undoubtedly in. Ideally worn with everything from trousers to jeans, a pair of boots in a neutral tone complete almost any look with the exception of formal wear.

Best resources: Mark Nasson, Kenneth Cole, Ferragamoa, Steve Madden

The Perfect Tee
T-shirts never go out of fashion. Wear one under a v-neck sweater or blazer, alone with jeans, paired with a funky patterned scarf or casually in conjunction with a pair of cargo shorts…it really doesn’t matter. Every stylish man’s closet should include a range of high quality cotton t-shirts in a variety of colors to complement life’s most memorable casual moments.

Best resources: James Perse, Hanes, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, The Gap

The Slim Black Pant
The utility of a pair of good black pants in a man’s wardrobe is endless. Like so many other essentials they are versatile and work in just about every setting. Enough said.

Best resources: Paul Smith, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kenneth Cole, Prada,

The Polo
Interchangeable and sometimes in conjunction with t-shirts, polos are yet another essential casual wardrobe choice. And again it’s not about the logo but the fabrication and fit, which should be not too loose, but not too short and not too long, but not so short as to bare one’s midriff either.

Best resources: Lacoste, Polo, H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch

The Sportscoat
In terms of apparel, sportscoats are transcendent. On its own a great blazer can elevate an entire look. Even jeans and a t-shirt can take on more significance when worn with a beautifully tailored sportscoat Similarly for evening, the cut of an elegant sportscoat can be the very thing that separates one from another in a sea of the same on a big night out.

Best resources: Ozwald Boateng, John Varvatos, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Ermenegildo Zegna

And there you have the building blocks of a stylish wardrobe. What you do with them now is up to you.

©365Gay.com 2008