12 new job essentials every guy needs in his closet
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After spending hours tweaking your résumé, submitting applications, and nailing a few interviews, you finally got the job. Congratulations!
You probably already have your outfit for the first day of work laid out, but after that, you're going to have to keep the professional look up.
While dressing professionally might seem hard to many, it doesn't have to be. With the right selection of clothes, you won't find yourself scratching your head in front of the closet in the morning or recycling the same boring outfit every day.
In order to execute a stylish and professional look every day at your new job, you're going to need suits, shirts, ties, shoes, dress socks, a watch, and a bag suitable for the office. If you don't have the slightest clue on where to begin, you're in luck.
We put together a list of all the new job wardrobe essentials you need to get started off on the right foot. That way, you'll have all the time you need to focus on the job instead of what you're going to wear.
Check out everything you need for a well-rounded work wardrobe, below:
A navy suit
A navy suit is one of the most important colors to own when building a wardrobe of formal clothes. It's appropriate for almost any event, and you'll be able to pair it with many shirt and tie combinations. The Indochino Autumn Indigo Basketweave Suit is made out of 100% merino wool and comes in a rich navy blue color.
Also, if you're interested in a wider selection of suits including different brands, fits, and colors, here are the 5 suits every man should own.
Indochino Autumn Indigo Basketweave Suit, $329 (Originally $799)
A charcoal gray suit
Dark gray is the second most important color to own, especially if you're limited to only a few suits. As with navy suits, you'll be able to wear it with a lot of shirt and tie combinations. Using a contemporary spin on pinstripe, the Indochino Deep Charcoal Tonal Stripe Suit features a very fine pattern that is subdued, yet classical.
Also, if you're interested in a wider selection of suits including different brands, fits, and colors, here are the 5 suits every man should own.
Indochino Deep Charcoal Tonal Stripe Suit, $329 (Originally $799)
A rotation of dress shirts
Having the right dress shirt is absolutely the key to any great outfit. No matter how dressed up or casual your look is, you'll be wearing a shirt. Whether you're wearing a full suit and tie or just a simple pair of pants, your shirt is equally important, as it is the staple piece.
To get started, you'll need shirts in white, blue, striped, checked or plaid, and a contrasting collar. Brand like Twillory, Charles Trywhitt, Bonobos, Ministry of Supply, and Brooks Brothers are some of the best places to shop.
These are the 6 dress shirts every professional man should own.
A couple pairs of dress pants
Sometimes a full suit isn't necessary. If a shirt and tie will get the job done, then you'll need a good pair of dress pants to go along with it. The Hude Boss Genesis Trousers feature a clean check patterned and come in three colors that will fit well into your wardrobe — light brown, medium gray, and navy.
HUGO BOSS Genesis Flat Front Check Wool Trousers, $74.97 (Originally $195)
If you're interested in a non-traditional pair of dress pants, the Bonobos Tech Chinos are the absolute best way to go. In a market filled with athletic-inspired workwear, Bonobos' option stands out for its ability to absorb and wick sweat away, to keep you cool and dry. While featuring a classic chino look, they're made up of cotton, polyamide, and elastane, and use 3XDry Advanced Moisture Management technology.
Bonobos Tech Chino, $138
A blazer or sport coat
You just put on your shirt and tie for work, but it's a bit cold outside. Instead of ruining your professional look with a fleece or windbreaker, a blazer or sport coat is the best way to maintain your in-office style.
Check out 8 stylish blazers and sport coats that will keep you warm this fall here.
A rotation of ties
If you work in a profession that requires you to wear business or dress attire every day, it goes without saying that you need to own a decent amount of neckties. Choosing the right ones to add to your wardrobe can be an endless process, because there are simply so many options available and you can't buy them all. Luckily, The Tie Bar offers every kind of tie you need for a well-rounded wardrobe, with most ties priced at only $19. Buying multiples of your favorites from The Tie Bar is still cheaper than a single tie from most brands.
The Tie Bar sells the 7 ties every man should own — all for just $19 each.
Several pairs of dress shoes
When it comes to dressing professionally, you technically could wear the same shoes every day, but that's just as boring as wearing the same old blue button-down and khakis every day. Also, it's simply not stylish. Different seasons or occasions call for different shoes. Whether it be a classic penny loafer, black oxfords, or a pair of fall boots, you'll find it here.
These are the 5 dress shoes every man should own.
If you're looking for a specific style or want to stick to a budget, check out these lists:
- 8 best dress shoes under $200
- 8 best dress shoes under $350
- 8 best dress shoes under $500
- 8 best chukka boots for fall
- 5 men's footwear startups with stylish boots that'll stand out this fall
Underwear that stays tucked in and doesn't ride up
Getting dressed for comfort starts with great underwear, whether it be undershirts or boxers. We've all experienced shirts that won't stay tucked or underwear that ride up. Luckily, there's Tommy John. Founded in 2008 with the goal of bringing men's undergarments into the 21st century, has some of the most comfortable underwear I've ever worn. And if you're looking for comfort to wear outside of the office, the Go Anywhere Collection is a must-have.
Shop underwear and more at Tommy John now.
Solid color dress socks
Ministry of Supply's Smarter Dress Socks are some of the best socks I've ever worn. Unlike most pairs, each sock is specific to the left or right foot. They're designed for absolute comfort while being the perfect style of formal dress socks. Oh, and they're fortified with coffee to absorb odors to keep you fresh all day long.
Ministry of Supply Smarter Dress Sock, $15 (or $12.75 when you buy any 3 pairs)
Fun dress socks
When you have to adhere to a professional dress code, it can be hard to show off your personal style sometimes. Soxy is a company on a mission to take boring everyday accessories like socks and make them fun. Founded in Los Angeles in 2014 by brothers Boris and Albert Vaisman, the startup aims to generate more compliments worldwide and allow guys to stand out from others, all through the power of socks. I recently tried their fun socks, and they're the perfect way to show personality in the office.
Shop all fun socks at Soxy now.
A versatile watch
If there's one accessory every man needs to own, it's a wristwatch. The right watch should be functional and attractive — a piece that adds to the wearer's style. Whether your watch style is minimal or more complex, you can find the right timepiece on any budget.
- 10 stylish watches under $100
- 10 stylish watches under $250
- 10 best automatic watches under $500
- 12 best diver's watches under $500
- 10 best automatic watches under $1,000
A laptop bag or briefcase
Whether stepping into the courtroom, board room, or office, the right briefcase will not only help you look prepared, but actually be prepared. Generally a bit smaller than messenger bags, briefcases are the perfect size for carrying everything you need and nothing you don't, so there's no clutter and confusion.
These are 9 stylish briefcases to carry to the office.
This article was originally published on 9/18/2017.
Amir Ismael Editor, Insider Reviews Amir Ismael is an editor for Insider Reviews, Insider's e-commerce branch of the service journalism team. As a collector of sneakers and fashion, Amir is passionate about all things related to style. He's covered everything including the industry's shift to producing more sustainable clothing, the most comfortable loungewear, all of the best places to shop for affordable business casual attire, and more. He's used his expertise in footwear and the footwear industry to review all kinds of shoes from sportswear giants, well-known casual brands, and startups. Amir's coverage also includes eyewear, watches, and grooming products like electric razors and men's skincare. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Amir has led Insider Reviews' face masks coverage with thoughtful recommendations based on CDC guidelines, expert opinions, and his own testing. During his time at Insider, Amir previously handled deals of the day coverage, and worked as a generalist writing hundreds of reviews ranging from phone cases and headphones to bed sheets and blenders, and has also covered major shopping holidays including Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Before joining the Insider Reviews team in 2017, worked as a freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector where he contributed to daily sneaker news and release dates, feature-length articles, and interviews with artists, designers, and athletes. Amir graduated from William Paterson University in 2015 with a degree in journalism and public relations. Say hello to Amir at aismael@businessinsider.com or on Instagram @amirjismael. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test style and beauty products. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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