Everyone knows how difficult it can be to
stay abreast of the latest trends, especially if you lead a busy life,
and let's face it, half of what is considered trendy for guys nowadays
(in the Jamaican culture, is in my humble opinion, quite tasteless).
So if you're efficient, you will have
already done most of the dirty work by making sure your most important fashion
pieces, which trump trends any day, never go out of style. These items are
the wardrobe and accessory staples every man should own; the things that should
be so ingrained in your life that after one of them falls apart, it is
necessary to go out and buy another.
Here are some of those trend-repellent
staples.
CASUAL CLOTHING
1) White shirt
The ever-classic mainstay in every man's
wardrobe, the standard white shirt can be an invaluable clothing item in both
casual and professional settings; the key is that it's subtle enough to
withstand fashion trends.
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.
2) Blue jeans
There probably isn't a man alive that does
not own at least one pair of blue jeans. From Levi's to Diesel, the original
blue jeans can be slightly faded or a dirty denim, and yet they're still so
programmed in our society that we continue to buy them, regardless of trends.
What you can wear them with: Versatility is the name of the game
here, and rightly so, as blue jeans look good with nearly anything, from a
blazer and dress shoes to a T-shirt and sneakers.
3) Black loafers
Because most people assume these are not
the coolest shoes around, black loafers often get a bad rap. Nevertheless,
these are a certified male wardrobe staple, if only because of black loafers'
true virtue: their simplicity. Free from laces, the loafer is the ultimate in
slip-on, slip-off comfort. And because of their minimalism, they will never go
out of style.
What you can wear them with: Jeans, suits or anything else you're
comfortable in.
4) White T-shirt
From thin undershirts to standard cotton
white Ts, fitted white T-shirts are a wardrobe staple that may never go out of
style, mostly because of their year-round versatility.
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.
5) Blazer/Sports coat:
Every man knows that, like the white shirt,
a good solid-color blazer (preferably black) can be used in numerous situations
and can often make shabby-looking ensembles respectable. Obviously, the simpler
the sports jacket, the more likely its timelessness; fabrics like the recently
fashionable corduroy and anything with pinstripes are a high risk for the whim
of future trends.
What you can wear it with: Your blazer 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.
6) Sunglasses
Not only useful on the beach, every man should
have a pair in his car. When looking for something timeless, avoid big, clunky
models, and those that wrap around. Oval-shaped sunglasses are
your best bet (especially those similar to aviator glasses, but smaller); these
have been worn for years and odds are good this fact will not change.
What you can wear them with: Because of their practicality on sunny days,
you can wear them with just about anything, summer or winter.
Get working on your list. Part 2 coming right up!
P.SLadies, don't be afraid to share this list with someone you know needs it.
