The only basics a gentleman needs

Basics are – sadly – the part of an outfit that are almost always forgotten about. To be fair, they’re an easy thing for a gentleman to ignore. A suit, a jacket or a pair of shoes require a lot more thought and effort but once you’ve bought a plain white T-shirt, that’s you sorted for the year, right? Wrong. A gentleman needs to update his basics and he needs to have a moment – preferably every couple of months – where he separates those he genuinely needs from those that he really doesn’t, and we’re here to tell you how you make that differentiation.

THE RIGHT T-SHIRT

We know that this might seem like the obvious choice but it is genuinely important and let’s face it, it’s probably the most neglected piece in your wardrobe. There are a lot of options out there; from the low v neck to the high round neck and everything in between. The key is to find a style that suits you and stick to that. Also, it’s worth spending slightly more money on a really well made cotton t-shirt (here are our favourites) rather than a cheap one from high street: it’s going to last you much longer and be much more comfortable, too.

A GREAT PAIR OF SOCKS

Do not underestimate the importance of socks, gentlemen. Gone are the days of wearing a novelty pair on Halloween or Christmas and you can no longer get away with wearing a pair of running socks with your work shoes. You’re a gentleman and you need to dress like one – from your tie right down to your socks. You might not think it, but socks are actually very visible and need to be treated with as much care as your jacket or trousers. Investing in a bright, patterned pair (try any of these) is the best way to jazz up any work outfit.

THE CLASSIC TRENCH

The trench is one of the most timeless pieces a gentleman can own and the great thing about it is – if you invest in the right way – you’ll only ever need to buy one. This classic jacket is one that can be worn to literally any occasion you see fit and will give any outfit an instant lift. We recommend going for the ever classic beige colour (see our picks of the most classic trench coats a gentleman can get) to make sure that your investment stays relevant forever.

A HAT FIT FOR A GENTLEMAN

Lots of gentlemen are put off the idea of a hat but we think that it’s a basic that every man needs to own. The fedora, for example, is an absolutely timeless accessory and one that is much easier to pull off then you might think. Lock & Co. make some of the best hats in the world and you really can’t go wrong with one of these. A word of advice: don’t over accessorise your outfit if you choose to wear a one; it’s going to look best on its own, so don’t distract it with any other bold accessories.

THE PERFECT PAIR OF JEANS

Jeans are something that are so important to get right: a bad pair of jeans can really bring down an otherwise great outfit. The thing that men often get wrong is the fit and this is the most important part. You need to put time into working out what suits you best in terms of your body shape and your general style. A really good pair of jeans is a really great investment because a decent pair is going to last you years and years. A side note: if you haven’t updated your jean selection in the last five years, please do that – now. Read our gentleman’s guide to jeans here.