Here at TBF, we're always talking about what pieces every woman should have in their closets (for more on that, see this post on The Perfect Ten: http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/the_perfect_ten_how_to_create_a_functional_closet2/), but what about the guys? What pieces do you think all men should have in their closets?

My father, father in law, son and husband all go with the all important dark well tailored suit and tie and conservative white shirt with good quality shoes and belt.

I'd top that off with a good trench coat for covering up in bad weather so it doesn't look like you could only afford the suit, you have to shiver or wear your work parka overtop.

Why that suit?

Funerals, weddings and the all important job interview.

Even if it gets no other "air time" it's an important part of a mans closet.

All the other stuff depends on a man's own taste and lifestyle but most men will need that job interview outfit.

Most men also don't wish to show disrespect at formal moments in other people's lives such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and bar/bat mitzvahs. Even grad ceremonies although those are a bit more casual around here.

The suit is the most important, but I would argue that every guy also needs at least one Hawaiian shirt.

Okay, I'll bite -- what exactly is your argument that every guy needs one Hawaiian shirt?

metalhead... oh no to the hawaiian shirt :(

But a good navy or black suit would serve a guy well. As well as a pair of black dress shoes. I can't tell you how much it physically hurts me to see a man with a nice suit on a pair of scuffy brown rockports... I feel ill just thinking about it..

Also a good belt. The baggy look is cute whenyou're 14.. but at 23 it's time to pull your pants up.

Angela - 06 August 2008 12:05 PM

Okay, I'll bite -- what exactly is your argument that every guy needs one Hawaiian shirt?

What else would a guy wear when he's drinking margaritas on a hot summer day?

Seriously, though, any guy who doesn't own at least some kind of brightly patterned button-down shirt (Hawaiian or otherwise) must take himself too seriously. This isn't the 50s!

The Budget Fashionista - 07 August 2008 11:47 AM

Also a good belt. The baggy look is cute when you're 14.. but at 23 it's time to pull your pants up.

Ditto. Belts are mandatory.

Men should have at least one shirt and pants that allow them to relax and feel good. But they should also have a well-fitted dark suit, white shirt, and black shoes. Black, navy, and charcoal are the best for the suit. And by the way, I always vote for the single-breasted suit jacket because it makes everyone appear slimmer in the torso.

Every guy needs...a good book about how to dress. The owner of a local clothing store wrote one; he also comes out to talk to groups of people who are retiring from the military about how to dress...what constitutes "business casual," what to wear if you are interviewing with a very conservative law firm; the fact that pleated pants need cuffs; etc.

My husband and son both have Hawaiian shirts. My husband wore his to a neighbor's annual margarita party (and as part of a Halloween costume). My son has worn his to one of his jobs (it was Hawaiian Day), parties, etc.

new member here, i came over from the SJS site but i wanted to chime in.

a black suit is something that every guy should have. you can wear it to any formal event, meeting, interview, business casual, etc. its the equivalent to the woman's little black dress.

nay on the hawaiian shirt.

Angela - 05 August 2008 12:55 PM

Here at TBF, we're always talking about what pieces every woman should have in their closets (for more on that, see this post on The Perfect Ten: http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/the_perfect_ten_how_to_create_a_functional_closet2/), but what about the guys? What pieces do you think all men should have in their closets?

A good suit (as has been mentioned) and a good tie.
A sport jacket in a neutral color that can be worn with slacks or jeans.
Jeans that actually fit.
Dockers or khaki pants
A polo shirt
A short sleeve buttoned shirt.
A longsleeve button shirt or sweater that doesn't require a tie.
A nice pair of slacks in grey, blue, or black.
A good coat to wear over his suit.
A decent pair of shorts that are wearable to company picnics
A brown belt and decent pair of brown shoes.
A black belt and nice pair of black shoes.
A pair of sandals to go with the shorts
A classic hat
A nice pair of leather gloves
And it never hurt to shop the after-season sales and get a nice non-costumey tux for those formal occasions. For the larger guys (like my husband) a silk vest is a better choice than a cumberbund.

annaraven - 24 August 2008 05:14 AM

And it never hurt to shop the after-season sales and get a nice non-costumey tux for those formal occasions. For the larger guys (like my husband) a silk vest is a better choice than a cumberbund.

I think a tux may be mandatory in some circles, but in mine, it isn't. My husband and I have never been invited to any affair that required a tuxedo. In Orthodox Jewish circles, even black-tie affairs do not call for tuxedos unless the man is actually in the wedding party. My husband wears his dark suit with a white shirt and blue tie to fancy events, and he looks great. He and his father rented their tuxedos for our wedding, and that worked well.

By the way, I won't say that a man should have a tuxedo, but if he doesn't, he should have the address and phone number of a good tuxedo rental service. One of my pet peeves is when fashion magazines and fashion gurus put down the idea of tuxedo rentals. A good tuxedo rental service will make sure that their formalwear is clean and shows no signs of wear. This is a great option for men who won't be wearing a tuxedo more than once or twice in 10 years.