We just celebrated Father’s Day and all those special dads (and husbands) in our lives, so today we are making it all about them. You may be familiar with the term “capsule wardrobe,” and there is loads of information available about capsule wardrobes specifically for women. However, men can benefit greatly from the concept of a capsule wardrobe due to its simplicity and versatility. While some men may be scoffing at the idea, creating a capsule wardrobe can significantly enhance a man’s style and simplify his life. Today we look at how to create a capsule wardrobe for a man.
The difference between men and women
Let’s face it, different things excite men and women. Most ladies grew up watching Sex in the City and have always dreamed of a Sarah Jessica Parker wardrobe. The idea of a gorgeous, sophisticated wardrobe filled with just the perfect collection of clothes for every occasion is something all ladies dream of. Remember that Heineken ad? Where the couple show their friends around their new apartment? The wife’s ‘piece de résistance’ at the end is her enormous, gorgeous walk-in wardrobe, resulting in all her friends going crazy. The husband, on the other hand, leads his friends into a walk-in fridge with rows and rows of beer, resulting in the same OMG moment from his friends. Men and women are just wired differently.
In a shared wardrobe, the man often gets a slither of storage space, which is often filled with a complete mish-mash of items. We are just generalising now; some men do have impeccable taste and put real thought into how they style themselves. However, for a lot of guys, they might as well have gotten dressed in the dark!
We are not advocating vanity or expecting anyone to be anything they are not, but we all know that dressing well every day makes you feel better, makes you more confident, and more respected.
What exactly is a capsule wardrobe?
Having great style doesn’t mean having a tonne of options, as long as you have the right clothes. A capsule wardrobe is a small, tightly edited collection of clothes that gives you the most for your money. In essence, it’s a wardrobe that prioritises simplicity and quality over quantity.
Why consider a capsule wardrobe?
Whether you’re a man or a woman, we’ve all experienced those mornings when we open our closets, brimming with clothes, only to feel as though we have nothing to wear. You pull out a couple of pieces, but you think everything stinks! So, you choose the same outfit you always fall back on.
This happens because we have too many options (and most probably not the right options). The more options available to us, the more challenging it becomes for our brains to choose. It’s this paradox of choice that’s the problem.
Why will a capsule wardrobe work so well for a man?
Most men don’t shop for clothes with a plan. It’s like going grocery shopping without a shopping list. You wonder about the aisles grabbing items that simply look good. When you get home, you look through your shopping bag and realise you have bananas, fish, peri-peri sauce, doughnuts, and coffee. Then you think, “What the hell are we going to have for dinner?”
Creating a capsule wardrobe for a man is like going shopping with a shopping list and getting everything you need to make a lovely family dinner; in fact, a lot of the ingredients you buy can be used again the following night to make another delicious meal that is completely different. All the ingredients work together! Nothing gets wasted.
This means:
Less clutter. You won’t fill your wardrobe with clothes you never wear.
Easier to get dressed. Fewer options make it easier to choose what to wear, especially when so many items can interchange and work together.
You don’t have to keep up with trends. A proper capsule wardrobe centres itself around versatile, classic styles. No more listening to 20-year-old, pimple-faced shop assistants telling you what is cool. Trendy clothes, by nature, need to be replaced by the next trend. Creating a capsule wardrobe for a man aims to avoid needing constant updating.
The guidelines for creating a capsule wardrobe for a man
Peter Nguyen from The Essential Man sets out these 3 guidelines when creating a capsule wardrobe for a man.
1. Timeless, classic designs
A great classic outfit looked good 20 years ago and will probably look good 20 years from now. It centres around simple, classic styles: the white T-shirt, the dark wash jeans, and the navy blazer.
2. Versatility
You want to pick pieces that can double or triple duty. Your blazer should be appropriate for work as well as for a date night.
3. Focus on core neutral colours
No matter your age, your ethnic background, or the way you like to dress, neutrals should be a man’s core colours. Think of white, black, grey, olive, khaki, and brown. These colours look great on all men and are the foundation of a good capsule wardrobe.
Neutral colours aren’t overpowering. Many men compensate for a lack of style by wearing loud colours and patterns. There is nothing wrong with bright colours, but many men overdo it or just get it wrong. Neutrals always look flattering.
Neutrals automatically mix and match easily with each other. You don’t have to worry about colours clashing.
Neutral colours also create the perfect backdrop for brighter pop colours. When you feel ready to take your capsule wardrobe to the next level with some colour and patterns, you’ll have the perfect base to work from.
The essentials to create a capsule wardrobe for a man
Here is a rundown of the essential items a man should have in his capsule wardrobe. These items all mix and match well together to create different looks. Remember the guidelines above: classic designs, versatility, and neutral colours.
Not sure where to shop for good-quality men’s clothes? Penny Marriot, a stylist and personal shopper, recommends these stores for men: Trenery, Country Road, Kingsley Heath, Old Khaki, Gant, and Timberland. Follow Penny on her Instagram page, Definitely Those, where she shares excellent style tips and finds for both men and women.
Bottoms
(There should be at least one pair of each of the items listed below.)
Jeans. A slim-cut pair in a dark rinse is super versatile and universally flattering. Dark colours evoke a more serious vibe, allowing you to possibly wear them to work. Dark-coloured jeans are also easier to mix and match. The length of the jeans is important. If they’re bunching up around the shoes, they’re too long. They should reach approximately the top of the shoelaces. If the jeans are a perfect fit other than their length, consider getting a local tailor to adjust the length.
Chinos. Chinos are the ultimate smart-casual. Pick a slim-cut pair in a neutral colour such as dark tan, grey, navy, or olive. For smart casual, you can wear chinos with a polo shirt and a blazer, or on weekends, with a T-shirt and sneakers.
Shorts. South Africans are an outdoorsy nation, and with our climate, it is essential to have a pair of shorts. Pick a modern pair with no pleats, no cargo pockets, and no loud prints. The length should be just above the knee or shorter. Longer than the knee will make a man look squat.
Joggers/tracksuit pants (optional). These are a great casual option for weekends with a T-shirt and sneakers. Make sure they still look stylish, and not too shloomfy.
Tops
(Eight tops: a mixture of the items listed below.)
Short and/or long button-down shirts. You can wear these versatile shirts with jeans, chinos and shorts. They are casual, but a bit nicer than a basic tee.
Polo shirts. Every guy’s smart-casual secret weapon. You can pair them with jeans, chinos, and shorts. Mix and match neutral-coloured polo shirts with any of your bottoms.
T-shirts. Every guy should have a few T-shirts. A couple of basic colours (neutrals) are important. One or two graphic tees are also great, but make sure they aren’t too loud and overpowering. The length of the T-shirt is important; it should be a few centimetres below the belt.
Jackets
(Three jackets: one of each of the items listed below.)
Blazer. This is a great piece to dress up any outfit. For the office, you can wear it with chinos, or for a date night, pair it with jeans and smart shoes.
Lightweight/casual jacket. There are tonnes of different casual jackets out there, and picking one depends on your lifestyle. It could be a restrained leather jacket (not a ‘rocker’ leather jacket), a utility jacket, or a zip-up pullover jacket. Make sure the length is right and the sleeves aren’t too short. The jacket should close easily, but it should not look like it is two sizes too big.
Weather jacket. Don’t confuse a weather jacket with a casual jacket. A weather jacket, such as a puffer jacket, is to protect you when it is really cold or wet. It serves as a protective jacket against the elements, not a fashion statement. Every South African man needs a weather jacket for a cold winter night in the bush or watching kids play sports on a freezing Saturday morning.
Shoes
(At least one pair of the shoes listed below.)
Minimal white sneakers. The minimal white leather sneaker has become a staple in a modern man’s wardrobe. Its versatile, clean design means you can wear it for any casual or smart-casual occasion.
Dress shoes. Even if a man is super casual and doesn’t need to dress smartly for work, he still needs a dressier type of shoe in his wardrobe. There are a few options, such as a loafer or a lace-up shoe or boot. Brown or black are the most versatile.
Suit
(One full suit, including a dress shirt and tie.)
Every man should have at least one suit. Even if he doesn’t need to wear a suit for work, he will eventually need one for special occasions like weddings, funerals, or interviews. Getting the suit properly tailored is so important! If you own a suit, but the fit isn’t great or it is outdated, a good tailor can make it look modern for a fraction of the cost of a new suit. Are you unsure about the proper fit of a suit? This video shows how to tell if a suit fits well.
Fineline Wardrobe Solutions is the perfect partner for a capsule wardrobe
We at Fineline Wardrobe Solutions are not experts in style and fashion. We are, however, the experts at designing and producing the most elegant and functional wardrobes, manufactured to the highest quality. Once you have treated yourself to a Fineline Wardrobe you want the clothes you put in there to be of the best quality and functionality too.
Men typically don’t get the lion’s share of storage space in a shared wardrobe, but a capsule wardrobe eliminates this need. There are a few design elements we at Fineline Wardrobe Solutions use that will suit a capsule wardrobe for a man perfectly.
Pigeon holes
Pigeon holes are perfect for a man’s wardrobe. They neatly fit any folded items, such as T-shirts, polo shirts, button-down shirts, and shorts, in functional cubicles. They are a great space-saver and keep clothes wonderfully organised.
Trouser rails
Fineline Wardrobe Solutions can also install lovely built-in trouser rails to keep all his jeans, chinos, and dress pants in perfect condition. No coat hangers are required.
Pull-out shoe drawers
Often, a man’s shoe collection isn’t as extensive as a woman’s. Again, this is just a generalisation; many men have just as big of a shoe obsession, especially with sneakers.
For a smaller shoe collection, these pull-out shoe drawers are perfect as they double up on shoe space. The central bar enables the stacking of two pairs of shoes on top of each other, while still keeping them organised and in good condition.
For the man with a shoe large collection, these angled shoe shelves display the collection beautifully.
Let Fineline Wardrobe solutions help you
For many of us, both men and women, getting a good-quality, functional wardrobe of clothes is a long process. Creating a capsule wardrobe is the way to go, especially for a man. Contact Fineline Wardrobe Solutions, and we’ll create the perfect wardrobe internals for your capsule wardrobe, ensuring a flawless morning routine. Finish off your wardrobe with a set of beautiful sliding wardrobe doors, and all the stars will simply align for pure wardrobe bliss.
For more creative tips and ideas, look at our trendy blog.
