By Milda Urbonaite
The new year is always an excellent opportunity to shed some clutter and get our lives in order (at least a little!).
It’s been known for years that messy homes and overstuffed wardrobes can contribute to stress and anxiety. Hey, there’s no time like the present to clear our closets and minds!
One of the popular methods to organize clothing is creating a carefully curated minimalist wardrobe. It eliminates the daily worry of what to wear, has everything you need and love, and is good for your mental health too!
Here’s how to create a minimalist wardrobe for men.
What is it?
A minimalist men’s wardrobe is a clothing collection with everything a man needs and not more. These are the classic, timeless pieces that work for any occasion at any time. It’s the secret for longevity – these items look good now and will still look good in a few years.
It’s sometimes called a capsule wardrobe, and it focuses on simple, versatile, cohesive, and high-quality clothes.
In the beginning, you might need some time to get adjusted to a different way of shopping because – the clothes need to work well with each other, so you’ll need to actually think about every single purchase. Forget spontaneous impulse buys! You’ll need to also pay more attention to their quality. But hey, on the bright side – no more following trends!
Colors
First of all, you’ll need to decide on your base colors and stick to them when picking out any new pieces. It doesn’t mean that you need to toss your old clothes. It’s actually best to see which colors dominate now and build on that.
According to Theessentialman.com, classic men’s fashion neutral colors that never go out of style are black, grey, white, olive, navy, brown, beige, and khaki.
Pick 3-4 as your primary colors, and you’ll be able to mix and match any pieces. Neutral colors are also great for any added “pop” – a bright scarf, tie, accessories, or summer hat.
Elements of a minimalist wardrobe
Shirts & Polo shirts
Undoubtedly every man needs a few shirts. You can dress them up with a blazer, wear them under a suit, or pair them with jeans for a casual look.
The simpler the shirts, the better. Only make sure they fit you well (not too snug, not too loose).
Another essential for an adult man is a polo shirt – it’s not as casual as t-shirts, but not too formal as shirts. Polo shirts come in long and short sleeves, various colors and work well with a blazer, jeans, under an unstructured blazer, and other combinations.
Sweatshirts & jumpers
You will need a sweatshirt for casual weekend hangs and trips, so make sure you have a quality one. Forget the gym sweatshirts with various logos, bright colors, and stripes. Get a monochrome sweatshirt in grey or black. You’ll easily pair it with jeans, chinos, shorts, and sweatpants at home.
Another item you’ll need in winter is a knitted jumper or cardigan. Depending on the climate you live in, choose between a heavier or lighter one. Once again, opt for neutral colors.
Trousers
There are a few styles of pants a man should have, but the specifics depend on your lifestyle – e.g., if you only live in jeans, you might skip the wool trousers and get an additional pair of denim.
When buying jeans, skip the blues and go for black (or at least dark blue). Make sure they fit well and come in a classic style, high quality, and do not mimic the latest fashion trends.
The fan-favorite chinos are perfect for smart-casual looks, work well for all seasons, and can be dressed up or dressed down. Get at least two pairs in different colors. Chinos are a great alternative to jeans while significantly upping your style game”, – says TheDarkKnot.com
Finally, wool trousers are great for city life, especially if you attend many functions or events. Get a slim-fit, and you’ll wear them every winter!
Blazers and suits
An unstructured blazer is usually the best choice for a modern man, as it’s still smart but not stiff or boring. You can pair it with shirts, cardigans, polo shirts, jeans, trousers…basically anything!
You’ll also need two suits for your wardrobe – a summer suit and dinner suit for all seasons (unless you attend many official functions and need a tuxedo as well!).
A dinner suit is a classic and straightforward purchase – it should be well-tailored, with silk lapels and a stripe on the trousers. It’s tempting to get a black one but consider navy.
A summer suit is usually made of linen. It’s light and will work great for summer weddings and nights out. Opt for light colors for those moments in the sun.
Outerwear
You need a good quality coat that will dress up any outfit and work for any fancy event.
Go for a classic mid-thigh length and skip the very long or short ones as they will eventually go out of style. Opt for darker colors, and you won’t need to visit dry cleaners after every rainy day.
Bomber or puff jacket will work great for the weekends and leisure days. Again, forget the splashy (yes, they are fun) colors, and you’ll thank us!
A denim jacket is a warmer weather staple that you can wear even in winter under the puffer or coat. It pairs perfectly with t-shirts and hoodies and will be your ultimate go-to for chilly summer nights.
Footwear
Black or brown classic shoes, brown boots, and Air Jordan 11 Low Legend Blue sneakers at Flight Club (with their crisp white look and hints of a light baby blue toward the bottom) releasing in May 2021 are all you need! You’ll be covered for any weather, season, and occasion. If you are looking for socks to match your outfit, check Custom Sock Lab.
T-Shirts
You always need t-shirts in various neutral colors to wear under dress shirts, cardigans, sweatshirts, and on their own on a warm day.
Make sure you get high-quality t-shirts like the ones from subscription service Fresh Clean Tees, and you’ll always look put together. Click here to browse through their page and find a great basic tees pack: https://freshcleantees.com/products/basic-5-pack