More and more men are working with personal stylists to help shape their style. My male clients all want a hand when it comes to shopping for new pieces. Either they’re not sure where to shop, what suits them, or how to put looks together.
I love helping them get their style mojo back so I thought I would share some extra tips here. One of the easiest ways to run an efficient wardrobe is to consider creating a capsule wardrobe. It involves focusing on a limited number of key pieces that will form the core of your wardrobe.
Yes, there is some effort to getting a capsule wardrobe in place, but once it is done, you will shop for less, be efficient in getting ready quickly and stylishly, and ultimately feel more confident.
All the garments should work together
So, what could be in a male capsule wardrobe? Well, you should aim for all the pieces to be timeless and preferably of good quality. This is because you will want to wear each piece year in and year out.
Everything needs to work together, so focus on a colour palette, e.g., black, tan and blue. This will enable you to mix and match and wear clothing in several ways, getting the maximum wear out of each piece.
There are many theories on how many pieces are needed for a capsule wardrobe, a popular number is 33, which is what I’m using below. However, the exact garments needed depends on the lifestyle of the person wearing them and how much storage space they have. Just remember that the idea is to keep it to as few pieces as possible.
In my mind, the capsule wardrobe below is for a man who has a good social life, a hybrid job (sometimes works in an office and other times at home) and enjoys outdoor hobbies at the weekend. As we’re in springtime I’ve focused on what can be worn now and during the summer. However, if you want to go for a year-round wardrobe the lightweight puffer could be swapped for a heavy parka and the casual shoes swapped for heavier winter boots. You get the idea!
What to include in a capsule wardrobe for a man
- 2 x jeans (light and medium wash, or medium wash and black)
- 1 x chino trousers
- 1 x lounge wear joggers
- 1 x shorts
- 1 x trainers (neutral colours)
- 1 x casual high top boots
- 1 x leather smart shoes
- 1 x smart/casual shoe (boat or loafer)
- 1 x summer sandal or slider
- 1 x blazer
- 1 x waterproof jacket
- 1 x fleece or gilet
- 1 x lightweight puffer/quilted jacket
- 2 x round neck sweatshirts or hoodies
- 2 x spring knits (could include a cardigan)
- 2 x long sleeve T. Shirts
- 3 x short sleeve T. Shirts
- 3 x non-iron collared shirts (2 x smart long and short sleeved/1 short sleeve casual)
- 3 x polo shirts
- 1 x denim shirt
- 1 x overshirt (shacket)
- 1 x tan belt
- 1 x baseball hat
What do you think? Minimalist, huh? But in a good way – fewer pieces but they work together, so less chance of making mistakes when getting dressed.
When you’re creating your own capsule wardrobe really consider how you live your life and what you need. Being strict with your colour choices will really help you wear clothes in different ways easily.
If you’d like a more bespoke service drop me a line at info@notgivinin.com and let’s go shopping. For more information on this service read it here.
Gail x
