They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this isn’t the reality we live in. “First impressions are everything”, whether that’s a good thing or not the truth it holds in our social reality cannot be denied. And what screams first impression louder than the clothes we wear? Clothes are the first thing people notice about you before you even open your mouth. Our clothes are our personal touch, an individual form of self expression which is fashion in the north shell. Moreover, fashion is ever-evolving in tandem with our cultural influences (festivities), our environment (seasons) and our way of life.
For the most part, I’d say my fashion style can be portrayed as harmoniously elegant in simplicity i.e. minimalistic. Below are 19 wardrobe essentials I can’t see myself living without. I consider them as classics that can find a place comfortably in anyone’s wardrobe. With no further ado, here we go:
1. Chelsea boots
These shoes are so timeless they transcend all seasons, you can choose to unsheathe them in winter or summer. Chelsea boots are the perfect cross-over between class and comfort. Their slim design, hard bottoms and sleek easy pop-in attribute makes them an exquisite piece. You can wear them with a suit or jean trousers with zero fashion risk. Chelsea boots had become my sidekicks since the first pair I got.
2. Black Jeans
Blue jeans were the culture and now black jeans is the new movement. Thus, besides the fact of it being sturdy old jeans, it exciting quality is that it’s black! And you know the old adage “once you go black you’ll never go back”. It’s a solid piece of material, versatile and it being black makes it easy to style with anything while being unpopularly unique.
3. Three-Quarters
A little back story here. Growing up, fashion was the least of my priorities. I didn’t care about what I wear and was never the type to spend more than 2 seconds in the closet deciding on what to wear for the day. And for the most part, my mom did all the clothes shopping. But the only thing I chose for myself were 3-quarters. There’s just something about the level of comfort and causality that they ooze off. They are great for just chilling at home, and if you want to go somewhere you can just head out on some causal fit.
4. Slides
I mean the name just says it all, “just slide in”. There’s nothing special about them which is ironically the special thing about them. You can go out in them, wear them in the house, heck shower in them and they’ll be alright. Slides are a vibe and they make my essentials’ list.
5. Long sleeve Crew-cut
By now you have gotten a sense of my style. I like to be mellow and just laid-back. Which is exactly what a good long sleeve crew-cut ooze off. The cotton material sits nicely on your skin, the long sleeve and the refreshing open neck orifice gives it elegance. And what’s more, it’s just like any T-shirt but with a bigger range for making sicker combos.
6. Suede Loafers
This got to be the most luxurious and pleasant texture to have on any piece of clothing. Suede is that X-factor attribute that can upgrade any pice of clothing from a 10 to a ๐ฏ. So when we’re talk about loafers and talking about suede loafers in particular, you know we’ve got the magic recipe. They simply need no persuasion; their look, feel and utility speak for themselves. I got a set of black suede loafers in my closet. If I’m going anywhere classy, they are never a bad option.
7. Hoodies
This got to be my most favorite essential as a piece of apparel. Hoodies have a special place in my heart. It’s not just the fact that you can wear them in different dynamics, but the fact that based on the material, size and features of the hoodie it can be a unique piece for said dynamic; be it sleeveless, sporty for training, furry texture for cozy vibes, zip or zipless hoodies for layering and so much more.
I look at a hoodie more like an accessory. The number of usable scenarios and possible combos are unlimited. Looking forward, I am most likely going have more hoodies than any single piece of clothing.
8. Bomber Jackets
This is one of the few apparels that I have more variety of when it comes to tops. I got different ones for different occasions. Bombers are the perfect balance between a full-on top and something light. Especially if you live in a place where the weather reclines towards subzero temperatures, having a bomber jacket is essential. More over it’s very easy to layer with. You can just throw it on top a T, or a hoodie or both.
9. Leather Jacket
Another classic โจ. This definitely belongs in everyone’s closet. A good quality leather jacket ain’t only dynamical but it can easily withstand the test of time while evolving with you. I think it might be the only apparel that actually looks better with age.
Be it under the rain or the hot mid-day sun, I can’t think of a sturdier material for a jacket or a coat besides leather. And if you take care of it, it might even outlive you (talk about legacy).
10. A Beige Coat
It’s one thing when a jacket comes in neutrals and it’s another when it comes in beige, I just can’t explain it. The color is not neutral but it has all the splendor neutral tones wield. It’s great for the fall season and any formal setting. And when you throw it on a turtleneck, it literally morphs you into a proper character from a James bond movie. It has that classy vibe to it while looking chill at the same time.
11. Black Boots
I appreciate a good set of sturdy boots especially for someone who lives in subzero temperatures. The weather is cold for more than half of the year. You can find yourself wearing boots every single day from fall to spring. And having boots of a neutral color- black just makes it seamless to wear and blend with everything. (After all, white winter shoes are everything but practical).
12. Chinos
This brings back memories from my boarding school days, when we dress up in a white long sleeve shirt with a blue tie and freshly ironed black chinos accompanied with polished black leather shoes. Everyone looked like a man on a mission.
Chinos are definitely a classy piece. They are sleek, fresh, and super light & comfy. You don’t even have to wear a dress shirt, you can just throw on a T on some casual mood. I enjoy how simple and light they are, contrary to say jeans. I have more than a couple of them in the closet, always on the ready.
13. Turtleneck
A good turtleneck holds on to you like a body armor. They are my favorite pieces to wear when I’m going for a function or going out on a classy vibe. Turtlenecks make the best combos with toppings: be it a coat, my suede bomber jacket or just underneath a plaid long-sleeve flannel. Sometimes I would wear it underneath a hoodie even, when it’s a bit chilly outside. I hardly wear just a turtleneck, they are the perfect complement for other peices.
14. White Ts
This is also something I picked up from life at boarding school. It was the only versatility we had between wearing the school uniform and compound wear. But as ironic as it sounds, a white T shirt is what made you stand out in those days. There were the only piece of apparel that wasn’t considered mofty. Thus, naturally we got very efficient at styling them. Which is what white Ts are for, you can blend them with any piece you wish and the result are bound to be harmonious.
15. Dress shirts
Growing up we use to call them packing shirts. I never really knew why but now looking back I think it’s because of the way we ironed them. You ironed them the way you might fold a carton pack. By the way, you need to always iron them before wearing. Moreover, it saves you space to just fold and pack them neatly.
Dress shirts have just that fresh aura about them, they make you you look organized and taken care of. And by themselves they don’t scream “corporate” as they would with a suit or coat.
16. Sock Sneakers
To not beat around the bush, the main and sole reason why I love sock sneakers it’s how easy they are to wear. You just slide in just like you would slide in a pair of socks and you’re ready in an instant. That aside, socks sneakers usually come in a rigid and thick platform which is elegantly juxtaposed with a light material for the cover. The way these shoes are accented make them a class of their own with a broad option to be creative. The only season they are not ideal for are cold winters, due to their cove which is made of a light material not ideal for cold temperatures. They give off this nonchalant street vibe. Even if you feel this doesn’t fit your usual style I beckon you to try them.
17. Polo-shirt
I think what makes them standout from normal Ts is that sporty look that the collar gives them and the way the sleeve endings hold on to you.(Coincidently, I do enjoy horse riding too) . So this gives them that esteem that varsity jackets give off without feeling like uniform. They make a great combo with chino pants, which is what I usually match them with.
18. Sweat Pants
Of course, you would ask me why if finish without mentioning them. Obviously no need to say much here. They are perfect for just chilling in the house or going out on a mellow drip outside. Sweatpants are my default workout pants (except for leg days). [by the way, do sweat pants look best in grey? Answer in the comment section below.
19. Cargo Jeans
Talk about heavy duty. If you’re talking about practicality, you don’t need to be worried about running out of pockets here. Cargoes bring a different energy from sweat pants. They are more free and loose at the top and them tighter from the calves down – gripping at the tips. I prefer when they come in beige or army green .
And there you have it, My 19 classic essentials from the wardrope. Don’t forget to like and comment down below, share your thoughts, and share some of your own clothing essentials.