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Take a good look at your closet. Do you ever get the sense that you have too many clothes? Even though my career and life revolve around fashion, style, footwear, and gear, I think I might have over indexed in the wardrobe department. Way. Too. Much. Stuff.
Enter: The men’s capsule wardrobe. The much-coveted but rarely-achieved idea that you can squeeze every outfit into just a few quality, versatile pieces.
It’s all about simplicity. We’re talking Kondo-style utilitarianism that promises the ability to pick a random top, button, and pair of sneakers that all go well together. Sounds interesting? Sounds like an impossible task to pull over? Here is all about capsule wardrobes for men, how to create one, and our top choices for different categories.
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What Is A Men's Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a set of men’s clothing essentials that can be used in both warm and cold months that, in theory, removes the need for extra fluff pieces that you can only wear on special occasions. It’s about streamlining everything into a system. Maximum efficiency.
Why Should I Have A Capsule Wardrobe?
There are a few main reasons to achieve a capsule wardrobe:
Less Clutter
The main benefit of a capsule wardrobe is that you have less junk! Since every item has a spot in a frequent getup, it removes the need for random tops or flashy shoes that don’t pair well with other items.
Versatility
A men’s capsule wardrobe is like a lean steak: Very little fat, all substance. This means that each piece has to work overtime. Those jeans have to be good for the office or a date.
Timelessness
While there’s certainly a time and place for trendy apparel, it’s not in an essential capsule wardrobe. A successful toolkit is built upon neutral colors like black, white, navy, and gray. These work well regardless of age, season, or activity.
Quality
Because you’ll be using the same pieces over and over again, they have to be made of the best materials. Quality is a must! Go for more well-known brands with a rich heritage vs. cheap products you saw trending on TikTok. Also, some brands even offer a lifetime guarantee which is an added bonus you should look into.
Must Have Items To Build Your Capsule Wardrobe
These are all the items you should think about when building your first capsule wardrobe.
Shirts
Shirts are already a staple in any man’s closet, they become all the more important in a capsule wardrobe because of their office-to-happy hour appeal and quality build. I recommend having at least three long-sleeve button downs in light colors like cream, green, and pink.
Although more on the casual side, t-shirts are another must have. Having a few white, black, or gray tees offers a convenient top if you’re traveling or have a less formal event. Just make sure they're breathable, made of high-quality fabric, and fit you correctly!
Here are a few of my favorite shirts:
Mizzen + Main is known for their performance dress shirts that look as good as they feel. You won’t find a better dress shirt than this.
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What better way to fill your t-shirt needs than a three pick with the top three colors? Bombas uses Peruvian Pima cotton that’s durable and as soft as silk.
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UNTUCKit’s (now) iconic look is great for everyday use. Grab a wrinkle-free style for ease on the go and in packing for your trip.
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Polo Shirts
Polo shirts toe the line between casual and dress, so you want to pack a few. Day out on the links? Quick meeting over coffee? Polo shirts.
They also offer a wide selection of fun patterns and designs—just don’t go too crazy. I recommend having a few traditional cotton ones and a few performance polos for days when you’re active or traveling. The best polo shirts also have anti-odor and moisture-wicking properties that can easily handle sweat.
Here are some of the best polo shirts:
Buck Mason is a TQE favorite, and this Avalon Knit Polo perfectly exemplifies why: a classic-with-a-twist, it’s light and breathable with an elevated touch.
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The SILVER Pique Polo is great for sweat resistant and staying fresh, no matter how stinky your body gets. It uses a proprietary treated fabric with premium Supima cotton.
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Luca Faloni’s 100% linen Elba Polo blends elegance, comfort, and sway—but it comes at a premium.
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Pants
Just like shirts, pants are one of the cornerstones of your capsule wardrobe. Classic, low-key pants that work for a wide range of settings make everything easier. Chinos are an obvious go to, and I recommend having one or two pairs, at a minimum. Colors like cream and navy go best with the most amount of tops.
Bonobos’ The Chino 2.0 blends elegance and comfort. They’re made with a cotton-spandex blend that provides just enough stretch and breathability.
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If you have a more formal work environment, then you’ll need a pair of dress slacks. You can typically get by with just black, but have a matching coat.
Although a bit pricey, Brooks Brothers classic wool pants will pass any test at the office. They have a flat-front silhouette and are made in Italy by the renowned Reda mill.
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A pants section in your closet wouldn’t be finished without a good pair of denim. Traditional Japanese selvedge is the highest quality, but can also be a bit stiff and expensive. A few brands also have newer synthetic blends that have a touch of stretch. I prefer a classic pair from brands like Levi’s or Madewell. It doesn’t get much more iconic than a pair of slim-fitting jeans. These come in three rich colors and feature a quality 98% cotton 2% elastane material.
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Shorts
Especially during warmer months, a stylish pair of shorts can be the difference between being hot and sweaty or cool and comfortable. You need a good pair of casual shorts.
Similar to the pants, you should try to get a few shorts in understated colors like cream, tan, and navy. If you want to mix it up, you could also go for a bright color like blue or pink. The important part is to consider what type of events you’ll be wearing them to.
Chubbies best-selling The Staples offer a 5.5-inch length and an elastic waistband for ultimate comfort. No more worrying about taking down too many hamburgers at the grill out.
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Pro tip: have a few pairs of athletic shorts handy that you can get a workout in. At least one pair of swim trunks is a good idea as well. I love The Anchor from Fair Harbor: a classic swim trunk in a ton of fun patterns. You can practically feel the breezy New England summer with these.
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Faherty makes classy gear that looks good on just about anyone. The 8” Movement Chino Short comes in a few different colors and is made of a proprietary coolness blend that’ll keep you breezy even during summer.
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Jumpers and Knitwear
Quality jumpers and knitwear is a necessity when the temperatures start to dip. They can be worn over a basic t-shirt or a nice polo shirt, providing an easy way to stand out (in a good way).
Go for classy brands that have experience in knitwear and that pair well with different types of shirts. Note: Make sure that it’s not too baggy, but also not too restrictive as you could get too hot depending on the weather.
State’s cashmere works with or without an undershirt. It’s attractive, yes, but also offers unparalleled warmth from its natural fibers. (I have two from the brand and wear them just about every day inside the house.)
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Go old school with one of these fun patterns from Saturdays NYC. You’ll look like you came straight out of the 80s… if that’s your vibe.
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Sunspel’s rich heritage comes out in this waffle-stitch shirt jacket. It’s made in Portugal from 100% Egyptian cotton.
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Jackets and Blazers
A jacket or blazer is essential for making a sophisticated layered look, especially during cool weather. This outerwear is great because it can take you from casual to formal, and back again, with one simple motion.
They work with chinos, dress pants, and even khaki shorts if you’re really trying to get preppy. Fit is a priority, though, so make sure you try it on or get it tailored to your body. There’s almost nothing worse than a bad attempt at wearing a jacket.
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The Lightweight On-The-Go Blazer is the epitome of cool. Vineyard Vines knows what it’s doing when it comes to the preppy look.
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Didn’t you hear? Bombers are back in style. The Boulevard Bomber from Bonobos is slim and durable.
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Suitsupply has a long list of custom-made suits and coats that look like they came straight out of an issue of GQ.
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Shoes
And finally, shoes. We suggest having one pair of shoes for each type of activity. This could look like a pair of running shoes for workouts, a pair of nice sneakers (I prefer white leather) for casual events, and a pair of dress shoes or boots for formal settings.
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Koio’s bestselling Capri works with sweats or nicer slacks. They’re handmade in Tuscany, Italy with real Italian cow leather and built to last.
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Amberjack makes dress shoes that feel like running shoes. Take these on your next business trip for comfort you can’t find with traditional leather dress shoes.
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I recently picked up two new pairs of the 574. They’re classic, look great with many different bottoms, and once you’re done wearing them for casual use—kick around in them on the pickleball court or at the gym.
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Looking for more fashion pointers? Check out our fashion edit for more tips and our favorite brands.
