Leather belt

A leather belt with a silver buckle is an absolute necessity in any man's

wardrobe, and fortunately, good-quality belts can be had at reasonable
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prices. Belts are sort of like referees and waiters; they're at their best
when you don't notice them that much. The key to a classic belt is to
avoid anything that disrupts its slight concealment among clothes,
meaning anything that jumps out, like large ostentatious buckles or
shiny, flashy leather. To get the most bang for your buck, go for one that
is reversible, with black on one side and brown on the other.
What you can wear it with: Jeans, flat-front pants, and suits.
White T-shirt
For a fresh and wholesome ail-American look, you can't beat the white
T-shirt and jeans combo. You need not limit yourself to jeans with
this T-shirt, however, as it can be paired with anything you might also
wear with a dress shirt to give it a more casual-cool effect. Look for a
blend of 98% cotton and 2% Lycra as the stretch from the Lycra means
the shirt will fit you to a T, in addition to ensuring the garment retains
its shape over time.
What you can wear it with: Provided you avoid overly large sizes,
you can wear your trusty white T-shirt with jeans or shorts when it's
warm, or as an undergarment under sweaters and shirts in the winter.
White dress shirt
The ultimate timeless piece. Think of this classic as a crisp, clean white
canvas on which to showcase other trendier items of your wardrobe. No
matter what you wear with it, you'll look instantly put together and a
decent one won't cost you the Earth. Pay attention to details, though,
and choose a thicker cotton weave for increased durability.
What you can wear it with: What can't you wear this with? Ideal for
both suits and jeans of all colors, the white shirt is truly your closet's
most valuable player.
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Collect Your Staples
Sports coat
Every man knows that, like the white shirt, a good solid-color jacket can
be used in numerous situations and can often make shabby-looking ensembles
respectable. Obviously, the simpler the sports coat, the more
enduring its timelessness; fabrics like corduroy, and anything with pinstripes,
are more high risk.
What you can wear it with: Your sports coat can be worn at the office
with a matching pair of suit pants, or in a bar with a pair of your
most reliable blue jeans.
Black socks
Unless you're playing sports or hanging out in your pajamas, stay away
from white socks. Instead, choose black socks both for everyday wear
and for special occasions. To ensure your socks go with all of your
clothes, pick black socks that are smooth (no ribbing) and fairly thin
with reinforced toes. Since socks are fairly cheap and wear out quickly,
make sure you buy a few new sets every six months.
What you can wear them with: Anything but your gym shoes.
A suit
While the classic, staple suit certainly merits a place on this list, it also
deserves far more exploration than the present space permits. So for the
time being just add it to your list; we'll take you through all the ins and
outs in a later chapter.
Black dress shoes
They say your shoes get noticed first, so make sure you invest in a good
pair. A modern, sleek take on the classic cap-toe oxford is your best bet
for a black dress shoe you can wear with anything. Pass on clunky dress
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shoes or those with heels greater than one-quarter to one-half of an
inch, as these will be difficult to wear with a slim-cut suit.
What you can wear them with: Suits and formal attire.