Face it-clothing oneself, and doing it well, is a pain, especially for men. In these times, we’re expected to be ready for anything-day at the office, change a tire, work-out, go to the game, bar fight, AVN Awards-you name it, we have to be ready. That’s just part of being a modern man.
Now, I could give you a literal laundry list of things that every man could/should have in his closet, but, hey, this stuff gets expensive and adds up quick, and if you’re like me, more than 30 minutes in a store that doesn’t sell alcohol is too long. For that reason, let’s pick out five things every guy should make a point of keeping on hand, and, in some cases, how to get some of these items for a few bucks less.
1) A jersey of your favorite/hometown team- A quick, but important, set of caveats here: You will only wear this if you are going to a game at the stadium or to a bar/party when your team is playing for a championship. Literally anywhere else, and you will look like a dork. Also, NO basketball jerseys. They don’t even look particularly stylish on basketball players.
Now, on to the why of this recommendation. There are places to stand out, and places to blend. In a crowd of drunken, testosterone-riddled fans? Blend. Make this even easier on yourself by going for the jersey of a player who is long-beloved by the fan base, possibly even someone who’s retired. Remember, retro is all the rage, and, you don’t have to worry about a Brett Favre situation (though, you’ll still see a ton of Favre jerseys at Packers games, naturally). Ultimately, even if you aren’t a big sports fan, it at least gives the impression that you know what’s going on.
Do it on the cheap: If there’s a time to look for gently used stuff on eBay, I’d say it’s for something you’ll probably only wear a couple times a year and will wear over other layers of clothing.
2) Black crew necks-all kinds– Yes, we’re lumping a few things together in here, mainly because if you live in the Southwest or other warm environments, you probably don’t have much use for a black sweater. Get yourself a t-shirt, long sleeve tee, and sweater, make sure they are well made, and take good care of them, and they will serve you as wardrobe staples forever. Dress them up or down, layer them, do whatever you want with them, but make sure you have a couple of them available. Versatility mixed with a color that never goes out of style should be a baseline in your wardrobe.
3) A suit that isn’t black or gray-This is not to say that you shouldn’t have a black and/or gray suit. You need at least two of those for job interviews and occasional winter wedding. No, this pick is all about diversifying your wardrobe in formal situations. I mention it here because most men don’t think of suits as the place to take chances with one’s wardrobe. While that’s certainly a fair opinion, given the cost of a decent suit, even something in brown will give you a chance to try something different with your ties, shoes, etc. Done right, it will also earn you some eyeballs in an appropriate manner. If you’re the single guy at a wedding, this is a good thing.
Do it on the cheap: You know what? Don’t. Not on a suit. You want it to hang correctly, and you want it to last.
4) A good wool/heavy coat– Fine, I’m shorting our southern readership on this one, but it’s a necessity everywhere else. Up into my mid-twenties, I got away with old ski-jackets and other heavy nylon coats. One, I don’t ski, and two, I looked like I was still in high school. Again, this is a bit of a pricey purchase, but absolutely worth it. This is another piece that you can wear with both a suit or a pair of jeans, and if you live in the type of climate I do, you’ll get several months use a year out of it. What’s important is that it’s a decidedly grown-up item to own, the kind of a thing a man, not a boy, buys himself.
5) Golf Shoes– I expect a few raised eyebrows over this one, but, trust me. If you’re still in your early 20s and you haven’t made this purchase yet, I strongly encourage it. This especially stands if you plan on getting into the professional world or plan on getting married someday. I say this because, at some point in your lifetime, someone (likely another man) in a position of power will ask you to go golfing with him, either in a professional context or because you are bedding his daughter. Your golf game itself probably stinks. Don’t worry about it, most people suck at golf. However, show up with a pair of the appropriate shoes, and you send the message that you at least believe in doing things the right way. With that crowd, that little detail means a lot.
Do it on the cheap-Keep an eye on the sporting goods stores in your area at the end of the summer, around late September/early October, and you’re likely to find some very good shoes significantly marked down. You’ll likely find a pair that’s plenty comfortable enough for $50 or less.
