Essentials of a Business Wardrobe

In the corporate world, the way you present yourself is one of the keys to success. People make split-second judgments based on your appearance and determine how professional, reliable, and trustworthy you are. So why not invest in men’s business attire that will help you make a strong and positive first impression?

There are many elements to a winning business wardrobe which often leaves novice businessmen feeling overwhelmed. But if you’ve just taken your first steps into this world of suits and ties, you’re in luck because we’re simplifying men’s wardrobe essentials for the office right here. Let’s jump right in!

1. Suits

A suit is the most foundational piece of all men’s business attire. A well-made and well-fitted suit will take you anywhere from interviews to conferences to client meetings. That’s why it’s essential that you invest in quality pieces that will last you for years to come. We recommend starting with a solid charcoal and navy suit because these are two of the most versatile. They make you look respectable without bringing you too much attention, so you can easily get away with wearing them frequently.

A two-week rotation is the most ideal for suits. So if you wear suits five days a week, invest in 10 good year-round suits made from medium-weight fabrics. Additionally, you should have 2-5 lightweight summer suits and 2-5 heavyweight winter suits to bookend the year-round suits. If you want to make a big splash with your men’s business attire, a collection of 10 year-round suits, 10 summer suits, and 10 winter suits is best for you.

2. Blazers

Blazers are the go-to men’s wardrobe essentials when you want to wear something a little casual but still look professional. They tend to be more memorable than suits—you wouldn’t want to flaunt your flashy purple sport coat again after just a week—hence you should only rotate them every 3 weeks. We recommend getting one in a dark blue and one in a dark gray for versatility and then throwing in some more stylish pieces to the mix depending on how often you’ll wear them. 

3. Shirts

Dress shirts are staple men’s business attire that simply have to be a part of your wardrobe. We recommend having a 24-shirt wardrobe, and before you wonder why you need that many, think about how often you take your clothes to the cleaners. Cycle them such that you always have 8 shirts that are ready to wear, 8 that are to be taken to the cleaners, and 8 that are already at the cleaners. 

Among these 24 shirts, we recommend having 6 white ones, 6 blue ones, and 12 patterned ones so you can keep switching it up. Remember to never compromise with the quality of your men’s business attire. Only go for 100% cotton shirts and performance cotton shirts to ensure you’re comfortable and ready for business at all times.

4. Trousers

What’s a good blazer without a dashing trouser? These men’s wardrobe essentials in combination with your shirts and blazers will help you pull off countless smart looks. You’ll be wearing them often, so you should have a minimum of two weeks’ worth of trousers ready for you. Some classic colors to go for are navy, charcoal, brown, blue, and gray. Ensure you have a nice mix of solids, textures, and twills for variety in your men’s business attire.

5. Shoes

Even the best suit will look shoddy if you neglect your footwear. You should have enough high-quality pairs to rotate every two weeks. We highly recommend investing in shoes made of cedar because they don’t crease easily. Cedar is also a very absorbent wood and has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which means your shoes will remain dry and mold-free. 

A few must-have shoes for your men’s business attire are tan loafers and oxfords in the colors black, brown, and oxblood. You should also have a few pairs of derbies, Chelsea boots, and monks to switch things up.

6. Ties

A tie is the easiest way to add some extra flair to your outfit, so we recommend a two-week rotation. Start off with versatile colors like navy, burgundy, dark green, gray, and black. Aim for a balanced collection of solids and patterns like stripes, polka dots, and paisleys to keep things interesting. However, avoid colors and patterns that are too flashy.

7. Socks

Socks are one of the most neglected men’s wardrobe essentials, yet if you put just a little bit of effort into upping your sock game, you’ll take your men’s business attire to another level. Solid-colored socks in black, navy, gray, and burgundy are always a safe choice but we recommend having some fun patterns like stripes, dots, and argyle as well. Just remember not to go overboard.

8. Accessories

For an outfit to look sophisticated from head to toe, you need to cover all your bases, and that includes accessories because even the smallest of details like a belt, a pocket square, and a watch can help elevate your men’s business attire.

We recommend classic leather belts in black, tan, dark brown, and burgundy. They should be thin and have simple metal buckles. The same applies to watches as well. When you’re putting together your outfits, ensure you match the materials and colors of these accessories with your shoes.

As for pocket squares, we recommend moving away from the conservative choice of white and leaning more toward pale pastels with subtle patterns like plaid or gingham for that extra touch of detail.

Get Your Men’s Business Attire Custom-Made

If you want to look smart and feel confident at your workplace, then getting your men’s wardrobe essentials for the office custom-made is non-negotiable. Custom-made clothes will give you a polished appearance that’s simply not possible with mass-produced clothing. If you’re ready to take the plunge, head over to Alton Lane to get your business essentials made to order now. If you need any help with your business wardrobe, feel free to contact us or book a virtual appointment. We’re always here to offer you guidance so you can feel your best in your custom clothes from Alton Lane!