WHAT'S UR DRESS SENSE?

Day after day I find myself standing in front of my closet wondering what to wear. Usually it is women who have this problem, but you will occasionally find a guy who is particular enough to care about what he puts on his body. Those are the guys who do not need to read this. They have perused Details magazine enough to have ready every article there is on “wardrobe essentials”. For those of you who prefer to go to your closet in the morning, grab the first thing you see, and run out the door while buttoning your shirt and with a bagel in your mouth, this article will make sure that what you grab from your closet is perfect.Every guy should have a few classics in his possession. Perfect for every occasion, they will ensure you are always looking your best.

1) A Charcoal Grey Suit - This is a staple in a gentleman’s wardrobe, and a must-have for every professional. A charcoal grey, almost black suit is adaptable to almost every imaginable situation. Job interviews, funerals, weddings, and cocktail parties. The charcoal suit can be worn to all of these. And since it is not black or a lighter color, it is almost indiscernible that you are re-wearing the same piece. A good quality charcoal suite is definitely worth every penny of the investment.

2) A Trench Coat - Burberry has brought the trench coat back into the mainstream for men, although it should have never left. A trench coat is a wonderful adornment for a chilly fall day or rainy day. They come in multiple lengths: short, mid length (bellow the buttock), and calf length. I would recommend the mid length. And if you want a distinguishing look, do not use the belt of the jacket as it was intended. Rather, double it over as if you were tying it. That will give it a great casual look perfect for any day of the week.

3) A White, Long Sleeved Oxford - The oxford cloth shirt is a great accessory to any suit. It was be worn with or without a tie and comes in a variety of styles. A white oxford shirt is great in that you can purchase the most inexpensive available, iron and starch it, and it looks like a million bucks. This does not have to be a huge investment piece.

4) A Striped, Long Sleeved Button up Shirt - The reason every guy must have this is because he needs a back-up, secondary long sleeved button up. This shirt can go casual or dressy. Again, it can be paired with the charcoal suit and can be work with or without a tie. The fabric of this shirt is of lighter weight and does not need to be starched, only ironed. It can also be paired with khakis or your favorite jeans and be worn to a Sunday Brunch or a night on the town.

5) A Short Sleeved Button up Shirt - A short sleeved button up shirt is necessary for its uber casualness. There are many times when a long sleeved shirt seems like too much, yet a tee shirt simply won’t due. This is when you wear the short sleeved button up. Please, please, please do not try to wear this under your suit coat and pretend that it is long sleeved. No one can pull that off. Everyone will wonder what happened to your cuffs.

6) Aviator sunglasses - There is something about aviator sunglasses that makes a man feel like a man. They have been around for quite a while, but made popular in the 80’s because of the movie Top Gun. Now they grace the runway of every designer known to man. The reason every guy should own a pair of aviator sunglasses is that they look great on everyone. Shapes and sized will vary slightly between brands, but I guarantee that you will be able to find a pair that suits your face and makes you feel masculine.

7) Black Dress Shoes - Another unequivocal staple of the gentleman’s wardrobe is the black dress shoe. They come in a myriad of designs, so take your pick. For a dressier look, select a polished loafer with tassels or a lace up variety. For a more casual look, choose a slip on in a relaxed leather or a lace up with a less pointy toe. Either way you go you cannot go wrong with a black shoe. As a rule of thumb I would warn against distressed leather black shoes. This is not an alternative to the above mentioned for a “classic” wardrobe. If you already have a pair of black shoes that fit the classic description, feel free to indulge yourself with the distressed look.

8) Great Fitting Blue Jeans - I don’t know a man who does not have at least one pair of blue jeans in his closet. For a great fitting jean, and at the sake of sounding like a Fergie song, I would recommend Diesel, 7, or True Religion. Be sure that the jeans are without holes or tears. To assess the length, stand wearing your black shoes, feet together, back straight. The jeans should break at the top of the shoes. That means that it not only touches the top of the shoes but goes a bit further. If the jeans are longer than needed, but fit great in the waist, take them to a tailor and have them hemmed. A good tailor can hem a pair of jeans for only $10.

9) A Pima Cotton V-Neck Tee Shirt - Every once in a while an occasion requires one to wear a tee shirt, other than lying around watching television. When this occasion does come along the v-neck pima cotton tee shirt will come in handy. However, do not confuse this piece of your wardrobe with your smelly, stained undershirts that you wear under dress shirts. Those shirts are stained and smelly for a reason. And this one will soon follow suit if treated the same way. Be sure to preserve this shirt for occasions calling for something more casual than the short sleeved button up so it is always fresh and ready to go. Seriously - do not wear it to the gym.

10) Flat-front Khaki Pants - Last bust not least, the flat-front khaki pant. Where do I begin?? “Khakis” as they are so often called, are the mainstay of male culture. Who does not already have a great pair of Gap or Banana Republic khaki pants that have been worn to perfection? I have three. I had to mention this, not thinking you didn’t already have them, but just to wrap up this article. After all, they are one of the 10 essentials and cannot be left out.

These are the 10 classic pieces. If you already have all 10 of these pieces in your wardrobe, congratulations.

Chuks Kholyns is a Top Nigerian fashion designer based here in Lagos.
For more information about him, Please visit his website HERE.