While business attire has decidedly become more casual, there are certain wardrobe elements that every professional man needs to have in his closet.
For many years college graduates were told they need to wear a suit on their first job interview. The cliché rings true; in business and in life, you never get a second chance to make a good impression. That old adage pertains to both young and upcoming individuals and seasoned professionals because impressions matter – particularly in a business setting. We’ve all heard the term, “appearance is everything,” and while it may seem I’m advocating form over substance, you need both to be successful.
Every gentleman needs at least three good suits. Even if you work in a more-casual profession, having a selection of suits on hand is paramount to a successful appearance. I recommend three colors in suiting: solid navy, solid charcoal and mid-tone gray. Anyone who knows me knows I favor bright colors and patterns. However, in suiting essentials, it’s much better to stick to the basics to maximize your investment. These color palettes are so universal they will go with everything you own and it will create the sense you have a bigger wardrobe because you can mix and match with different shirts and ties, creating brand-new looks with the same suit colors.
In addition to your suits, you need two sport coats for more-casual business environments. I suggest a classic navy (it is New England after all) and a second coat with a subtle plaid or micro pattern. Keeping the coats simple allows you to wear them over and over with a different trouser for a new look. Speaking of trousers, I suggest three pairs with our seasonal climate. Two wool and one cotton option are perfect for the Northeast, with the latter lending itself to a casual-Friday look.
Under the suits and sport coats, you need eight to 10 dress shirts and five ties. Even if you’re not wearing them every day, it’s important to have them for business or social occasions that might come up, or even an interview for another position. Having a nice mix of solid and patterned dress shirts is important to elevate your look. And dress shirts are a relatively inexpensive way to change up your business attire. For solid colors, I recommend several white and blue shirts, complemented by patterned ties; as well as an array of striped or patterned dress shirts that can kick your overall look up a bit when the situation warrants it.
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CASUAL COAT: Sports coats are suitable for more-casual business environments, specifically a classic navy, subtle plaid or micro pattern. / COURTESY MARC ALLEN FINE CLOTHIERS/IAN BARNARD[/caption]
To finish your look, I suggest two pairs of dress shoes, brown and black with coordinating belts, as well as one pair of brown loafers, which creates a dressed-down-but-still-professional look.
All in all, this is not a lot of clothing. However, these are the true essentials to any businessman’s wardrobe and in a time where many men are looking to pare down their closets and maximize their investment, these are the pieces that are integral to a successful appearance.
Marc A. Streisand is the owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers in Providence and Newport.
