Casual essentials are what you will be wearing all year round. These are the most important items in your closet; you’ll find yourself wearing casual outfits much more than formal and semi-formal ones.
Beyond understanding the importance of having all the casual menswear essentials, it’s also key to opt for quality pieces. Even though you will find an endless range of fast-fashion pieces that won’t cost much, you’ll end up having to replace these items frequently. As a result, there’s a good chance you will inevitably spend a lot more when supporting fast-fashion brands. Not to mention the massively destructive impact these brands have on the environment.
Nevertheless, here are all the casual menswear essentials you will need in your wardrobe.
A Few White T-Shirts
Plain white t-shirts are a staple in every functional wardrobe. You can pair a simple white shirt with just about anything. They are comfortable enough to wear around the house and versatile enough to tie any casual outfit together.
Even so, it’s worthwhile to invest in the right t-shirt fit. Oversized t-shirts are favorable for wearing around the house, while a slim fit is best for casual social events and strolls down the street. You also have the options of crew neck, v-neck, and scoop neck styles.
Timeless Blue Jeans
While ripped jeans, skinny jeans, acid wash, and baggy jeans go in and out of style, classic straight-fit blue jeans are a timeless classic that won’t ever fall out of fashion. A well-fitting pair of blue denims can also tie together a semi-formal outfit.
Denim jeans are available in an endless range of cuts and styles, so work with a style guide to find the perfect pair for your body shape, weight, and height. A quality pair of denim jeans can also last years, so opt for the highest quality.
A Couple Of Color Hoodies
Hoodies are functional and fashionable. This clothing piece will be your staple when the weather grows colder. However, it’s best to choose a couple of hoodies in solid colors. If you decide to shop for print or patterned hoodies, you might find it more challenging to pull outfits together that don’t clash.
Beyond color, it’s also worthwhile to get one oversized hoodie for lazy days at home and one fitted hoodie for nights out.
A Good Pair Of Sneakers
Loafers, dress shoes, and winter boots are more suitable for the office and formal or semi-formal occasions. These shoes won’t work well with your casual outfits, and they don’t consider comfort as much as sneakers do.
There are a ton of great sneaker styles and designs, with basketball shoes, running shoes, tennis shoes, and skating shoes being the top options to choose from. You can choose a type of sneaker based on your style preferences, but it’s important to consider comfort and foot and spine health.
With that said, if you’re hoping to find shoes that can add quite a few inches to your height, look for men’s athletic elevator shoes. This type of shoe can boost your height without impacting comfort.
Sliders Or Slip-Ons
For warmer or lazier days, sneakers might be a bit more effort than what’s welcome. Instead of only having sneakers, get a pair of summer sliders or slip-on shoes. These casual shoes are perfect for warmer weather and any casual occasion. However, it’s best to avoid sliders and slip-ons when elevating a casual outfit.
Oversized Button Shirt
An oversized button shirt or a resort shirt is the ideal garment to add a bit of personal style to your casual wardrobe. These shirts can be worn with or without a plain white t-shirt, and there’s no restriction when it comes to picking patterns or colors.
Fitted Chinos
You might feel that chinos are best for a semi-formal wardrobe, but these pants can also be worn casually. Instead of pairing chinos with a golf shirt for a business casual occasion, opt for a t-shirt.
Getting a few pairs of fitted chinos in different colors is worthwhile. Tan, navy, brown, and gray are great options for casual menswear.
Knitted Polo And Crew Neck Sweaters
A knitted polo sweater is your next go-to winter casual essential. A polo sweater is a great option when the occasion doesn’t call for an everyday hoodie. These comfortable sweaters are great for most casual outfits, but be sure to pick plain colors instead of busy patterns.
On the other hand, a crew neck sweater is slightly more casual than a polo and complements just about any outfit as well. You’ll find yourself pairing these sweaters with business casual wear as well.
Chino Shorts
Demin shorts, or jorts, are the worst addition to any wardrobe. Jorts go best with crocs, and unless you’re interested in fishing, you should steer clear of these fashion abominations. Instead, look for a few pairs of simple chino shorts for summer.
A Few Pairs Of Sweatpants
Of course, sweatpants are another wardrobe staple you will need. There’s no other type of pants that allows the level of comfort. Sweatpants are perfect for days spent lazing around, trips to the gym, and the always-dreaded errands to the grocery store.
Grey, black, and white are more than colorful enough for these essential pants, but you can invest in more colors if your budget is lenient enough.
A Casual Coat
Most winter coats are pretty formal. But some options are timeless and casual enough to complement your comfortable outfits.
Puffer coats, leather biker jackets, and oversized blazers are the best options. Bear in mind a quality coat can last a lifetime, so you’ll want to spend as much on quality as you can.
Casual menswear essentials are the core of any wardrobe. Without these pieces, your closet won’t be functional or practical. The best way to maximize your wardrobe is to add casual pieces that work well with your personal style. You can also amplify your personal style with a few essential accessories like hats, belts, watches, and others.