International Men’s Day is an annual international event celebrated on the 19th of November. The 2020 theme is “Better Health for Men and Boys” aiming to make practical improvements to the health and wellbeing of the male population.
In celebrating International Men’s Day, here are 5 Men’s Wardrobe Essentials
1. Tailored Suit in Black or Gray
All guys need at least one suit that is perfectly tailored to their bodies. Modern suits are slimmer cuts than those that were popular in the ’80s or ’90s, so a sloppy suit could imply that you’re woefully behind the times.
Why stick with black and gray? They’re the two best colors to get the most mileage out of your suit. From work to weddings, and from funerals to a formal date, a classic, tailored black or gray suit can be worn in many ways.
You can also get more mileage by breaking out the suit components and wearing them separately, like the pants with a colored button-up for business casual.
2. White Button-Down Shirt
Sometimes called an oxford, sometimes called a button-up (the term button-down is reserved for when buttons fasten down the collar). Whatever you call it, you should have one in white for everything from professional wear to church. Look for a crisp, blue-toned white shirt (not yellow-toned) for the most mileage, since it can work with almost all other colors, including gray and navy.
A white button-up should be tailored as well, otherwise, it could look unkempt and over-sized. Look for one that fits snugly at the neck, but not tightly, and allows you to move your arms, shoulders, and elbows without restriction. Once you’ve nailed the white button-down, you can start gathering some in other colors, like blue.
3. Dark Denim Jeans
While skinny jeans might be trendy right now, you can look stylish through the years to come in a pair of straight-cut, dark denim. Dress them up with a sports coat, or wear them on a Saturday with a polo or your favorite graphic tee. If you’re timid about clothing, they’re the ultimate no-brainer.
4. Wrist Watch
We all loved our calculator watches in the ’80s, but if you’re still rocking a timepiece with a multiplication table, it might be time to upgrade. Regardless of your job, every man should own at least one grown-up watch: One that has a clean face, leather or metal band, and looks great with more formal clothing.
Whether you go for gold, silver, or leather, a well-made watch shows off your personal style, so choose wisely. Of course, you can keep your fun plastic watches, but reserve them for casual events and weekends, rather than work.
5. A pair of dress shoes
A pair of professional oxfords can never steer you wrong, particularly for formal wear. Choose something in black or brown leather – they can look just as great with suits as they can with khakis and a sport coat.
Loafers are definitely a wise addition to your closet, but they’re also considered less formal than oxfords. If you work in an office with a business professional dress code, it’s best to opt for oxfords. If you have a little more leeway, then polished, neutral loafers are usually fine.
