When it comes to getting dressed, we tend to rhapsodize about the virtues of “wardrobe essentials for men” as if everyone knows what we mean. On the Menswear Hierarchy of Needs, wardrobe essentials might encompass the perfect white tee, a killer pair of jeans, and the loafers you can wear with them 9 months of the year. But in compiling this list, our goal wasn’t simply to meet your needs—you are, frankly, a grown-ass man, and your goal should be nothing short of self-actualization.
The wardrobe essentials below are marginally more complicated than the type of “essentials” you need to function on a regular basis: keys, wallet, phone, charger. Forget those and you’ll have a miserable day. But the clothes we’re talking about here are just as fundamental, in their own way; in aggregate, they constitute the foundation of a rock-solid men’s basic wardrobe.
If you’re looking for the just-arrived-on-Earth necessities, we’d point you to five or six categories almost useless in their abstraction: underwear, socks, shirts, pants, shoes, maybe a jacket depending on where you call home. So in lieu of that nonsense, we took the mandate to its logical extreme, pulling together a highly specific starter pack of everything you’ll want—nay, need—to wear in the year of our lord 2025. (Unless you happen to be a regular on the black-tie-gala circuit; you’ll need a separate guide to navigate those.)
The Men’s Wardrobe Essentials Hit List
- The Plain White Tee(s): Lady White Co. Our T-Shirts (2-Pack), $110
- The Go-To Jeans: Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans,
$98$48 - The Classic Crewneck Sweater: J.Crew Cashmere Cable-Knit Sweater, $228
- The Foul-Weather Boots: Blundstone Classic 500 Chelsea Boots, $210
- The Beefy Hoodie: Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Standard Hoodie, $125
- The Trusty Canvas Sneakers: Chuck Taylor All Star 70 Sneakers,
$90$62 - The Wide-Leg Chinos: Todd Snyder Japanese Selvedge Relaxed-Fit Chinos, $298
- The Go-With-Everything Loafers: G.H. Bass & Co. Weejuns Penny Loafers, $175
- The Movie-Star Shades: Warby Parker Albie Sunglasses, $145
- The Heartthrob Button-Up: NN07 Colby 5332 Stripe Button-Up Shirt, $195
- The Sporty Steel Ticker: Bulova Jet Star Watch, $695
- The Razor-Sharp Blazer: Buck Mason Graduate Blazer, $398
The Plain White T-Shirt
A plain white T-shirt can be worn as an undershirt, standalone with some vintage jeans, or—if you want to get DIY—screen-printed into a work of art. Looking for an indie version no one else has? Check out our guide to the best white tees.
The Indestructible Flannel Shirt
In cooler temperatures, a reliable flannel shirt is more than a wardrobe essential: it’s a no-brainer. Most versions will be plaid, but all of them should feel substantial enough to double as a light jacket, thanks to their lightweight wool or thick cotton make.
The Dome-Swaddling Beanie
Having determined the threshold for beanie weather, you can move on to truly important matters: buying the best beanies to wear during beanie weather. The right one is the gloriously simple, cozy accessory that keeps your head warm (depending on how you choose to wear it) and your fits topped-off. Not all of them are created equal, and most GQ editors own a whole stack’s worth—soft cashmere for a buzzcut head, maybe, or a freaked-out version to offset the mid-winter blahs. Either of the below will never steer you wrong.
The Upgrade Undies
Slim, abbreviated trunks or boxer briefs that keep everything in place are the foundation of every rock-solid wardrobe—whether other people can see ‘em or not. Even if you’re in the minority that’s committed to boxer shorts, it pays to spend a little more on something that’s, you know, holding your balls all day long.
The Classic White Crew Socks
There were a few years where the collective menswear consciousness leaned into “fun socks,” and further away from God. How easily we are led astray… But there’s just one holy hosiery that will never fail us (except for weddings and funerals) and that is the simple white crew sock. Don’t get us wrong, a little joyride in some eye-catching socks and a pair of mules gets revs our engines plenty. But at the end of the day, it’s the simple pair that will keep you grounded.
The Stonemaster Puffer
We love that iconic North Face puffer as much as the next guy (you know the one we’re talking about). But don’t let its objectively perfect design distract you from the avalanche of stellar, lesser-known alternatives on the market.
The Go-To Jeans
There’s a reason that the Levi’s 501s is at the very top of our guide to the best men’s jeans: it has been, is, and always will be the jeans you come back to again (and again, and again). If you dig your denim light and a little retro, though, Buck Mason’s is a close second. Can’t think of what to wear? Here’s your answer, seven days a week.
The Striped Button-Up
The humble button-up shirt is back in a big way (though we’ll be the first to tell you that it never really left). Reach for one with a touch of ’90s heartthrob energy and see what the fuss is about for yourself.
The Sporty Steel Ticker
Not ready to take the plunge on a serious diver from Rolex or Omega? You’re in luck: Seiko’s much-heralded 5 series gives you everything you could want in a dive watch—an automatic movement, a day-date display, water resistance, and a near-indestructible case—at a price that won’t require a second mortgage. (If you’ve got a few more dollars to play around with, Bulova is no slouch, either.)
The Trusty Canvas Beaters
We get that canvas sneakers aren’t exactly the type of kicks you lust after on StockX, but there’s no denying the rush of dopamine you get when you break out a fresh pair. Pristine. Gleaming. Scuff-free. And that new sneaker smell! Sure, there’s a little sadness when you thank your old, roughed-up kicks for their long and distinguished service and set them free. They delivered hundreds of wears; held down hundreds of fits. At less than a Benjamin for the platonic version, though—that’d be the Converse Chuck Taylor, a mainstay of our sneakers coverage, since, uh, always—don’t lose too much sleep over replacing your previous pair. And when you’re ready to upgrade, swap the Chucks for Buck Mason’s revamped deck shoe, made in conjunction with the cult-loved sneaker gurus at Japanese brand Moonstar.
The Cinematic Trench
Because there’s no umbrella cooler than a trench coat. Simple as that.
The Crewneck Sweater
We love the zany knitwear options flooding the internet these days. But if we’re honest, there will always be a spot in our closets for a classic crewneck sweater. They’re timeless and endlessly style-able, even if you only manage to drape one across your shoulders.
The Tough-As-Nails Work Pants
If jeans didn’t exist, there’s one garment that could bring this great nation together and it’s a pair of hard-wearing work pants. From hard-flipping an 8-set to installing HVAC to walking the dog, there’s not a pair of pants that crosses the vast dude spectrum like a pair of Dickies or Carhartts. Skater, poseur, or regular dude, every guy needs a pair of work pants if not to give their trusty blue jeans a much-needed break.
The Leather Jacket
Wearing a leather jacket is like eating a mushroom in Super Mario Bros: it makes you bigger, tougher, and practically unstoppable. Most leather jackets will give you the same effect, but the leather blouson, a cropped version with very few frills, is our silhouette du jour.
The Good-Looking Bad Weather Boots
By now, you’re probably getting the idea that the name of the game here is versatility. While you don’t have to opt for Chelsea boots, the right pair will be able to withstand the elements—and any sideways glances from your office nemesis. Call it a funny case of fashion kismet or chalk it up to Australia’s topsy-turvy climate turbulence, but two of our all-time favorite versions hail from down under. Buy ‘em both and you’ll always be set, whether you swear by paint-splattered work pants or knife-sharp dress trousers.
The Boss-Level Topcoat
Sometimes clothes can make you feel like you’re living a movie and a good topcoat is like you’re aiming for an Oscar. (Those trucker jackets with the sewn-in hoodie are more like Hallmark). It’s the most dramatic garment you can have in your closet and while trench coats are a great look year-round, a beefy topcoat with a weighty drape shines in cold weather. You may not be starring in any blockbusters coming up soon, but, boy, will you look like you’re ready to.
The Do-It-All Navy Blazer
If there’s a theme here it’s that menswear essentials shouldn’t be unitaskers like a hands-free egg cooker that looks like it belongs in the bedroom and not the kitchen. They should be useful in a variety of situations and when it comes to tailoring in particular, the navy blazer is a Swiss Army Knife. It works in almost any situation, from job interviews (with a tie) to weddings (someone else’s or your own). Bonus points if you opt for a double-breasted number with strong shoulders, brash peak lapels, and an unmistakable sense of what Italians—and menswear guys—call sprezzatura.
The Movie-Star Shades
We do realize that this article is publishing in January but sunglasses are a year-round necessity, overcast skies be damned. They’re relevant whether you’re soaking up the summer rays or trying to cut the wintry glare.
The Steezy Geezer Shoes
If there’s one thing your grandpa has figured out, other than how to fill a 401k, it’s shoes. Chief among the list of AARP-approved, fashion-beloved kicks is Paraboot’s Michael and Kleman’s Padror. Why not dress for a future where you’re older, wiser, and most importantly, swaggier.
The White Oxford Shirt
Like a plain white tee or simple white crew socks, a white Oxford shirt is a true workhorse. It can take the 9-to-5 like a champ, sharpen up for a fancier occasion, or kick back wide open over your favorite vintage tee. If you only have one shirt with buttons, let it be this.
The Yee-Haw Belt
Belts are often an afterthought, bu they really shouldn’t be. So don’t waist (sorry) the opportunity. Much like cowboy boots, the western belt is riding high right now—hop in the saddle, and don’t get hung up on wearing it with blue jeans.
The Bigger-Is-Better Chinos
Remember chinos? The wardrobe staple of preppies and, inexplicably, grandpas everywhere? The pant that taps in when your jeans need a break? The ones that Gap viral-ized in the late-90s? These days chinos are back and bigger than before. The chinos of today are surprisingly familiar and look more like the military-issued pairs of the midcentury—high rise and hella roomy. Some even have a pleat or two. We’re all for going wide and pleated, but these both present a happy-ish medium if you’re still escaping the clutches of those target-marketed joints.
The Back-Saving Wallet
In the age of Venmo and ApplePay, the backlash that occurs at the end of dinner should be over who pays the bill, not over the brick of a billfold you pull out from your back pocket. If that’s you, it’s time to replace your wallet ASAP, if not to get with the times at least to save you from scoliosis. So ditch that overstuffed, Constanza-sized number indefinitely: A good wallet should give you a blissful feeling of organization every day of your life, when you head out into the world unencumbered by all the needless junk polluting your pockets.
The Go-With-Everything Loafers
The menswear-sphere admittedly overloaded on loafers and we’re seeing a slight shift in the shoe zeitgeist. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the right pair of loafers can still be the most versatile kicks in your closet. They’ve got more range than Daniel Day-Lewis and can go from casual to dressy to punk in a flash.. Wear ’em with socks or without, and count yourself lucky when they get truly worn in—then keep wearing them.
The Sporty Ball Cap
In 2019, GQ style editor Yang-Yi Goh broke the biggest story in millinery since this Bruno Mars spread: everyone at GQ HQ was obsessed with a nondescript Nike tennis hat. Chalk it up to Challengers mania or tennis’ fashion-pilled crop of new stars, but that hat’s smaller brim, sleeker finishes, and sportier bent look spot-on again. Even the Italian fabric maestros at Loro Piana are getting in on the action: Their signature wooly baseball caps—New Era snapbacks for the .01%—now come done up in a lightweight waterproof fabric, and in a range of discreet hues. Time to give that musty trucker a break.
The Throwback Sweats
Sweatpants should be cozy, sure, but the best of the genre are so much more than mere lazy-Sunday garb. We’ve moved past the calf-gripping elastane-pumped versions that have defined the closets of so many Lulu bros and dudes who have skate decks hung up as art. Instead, sweatpants now should be closer to the originals with a baggier fit and even wide-open hems. Spring for a pair that oozes Rocky-level charm, and they’ll become the bed-to-bodega bottoms you can’t stop wearing outside of the house, too.
The Red-Hot Sneakers
Who knew that the humble and comfy walking sneaker would become a hot-ticket item? Despite the unrelenting push for futuristic kicks, the retro dad sneaker has stood its ground, going from under-appreciated to ubiquitous (see also: Birkenstock and Uggs). Who says you have to suffer for fashion?
The Impenetrable Duffel
A good duffel bag needs to do only one thing: hold stuff. A great duffel bag, though, needs to check off a few more boxes. It should still carry your clothes, kicks, chargers, toiletries, and everything else in the most space-efficient, easy-to-find way possible. But it should also be designed to outlast your passport—or better yet, you—despite years of being stuffed in an overhead bin and thrown in the trunk of your car. We’ve tested hundreds of ’em over the years, and the two below offer all that and more.
The All-Day, Everyday Hoodie
Reigning Champ’s best-in-class sweatshirts have the stamina to take you from a coffee run to casual Friday at the office (just put it under one of those chore coats we’re always telling you about). Visvim’s vintage-inflected version, on the other hand, look so damn good you’ll want to make it the showstopper.
The Fuzzy Fleece Zip-Up
Second only to a hug from mom on the “cozy warmth” meter is zipping on a great fleece jacket. Need we say more?
The Denim Shirt
As it so happens, a denim shirt is just as adaptable as a pair of jeans. When you’re having trouble picking the locks of the most stubborn outfits, a denim shirt is a skeleton key that unlocks everything from chinos to dress pants to cargo shorts and everything in between.
The Hard-Working, Easy-Wearing Coat
It’s hard to think of a jacket more useful, more handsome, more versatile—heck, more all three at once—than the chore coat. These days, the original design still retains its utilitarian charm, but the hammer and nails that used to accompany it have long since been replaced by a cell phone and ear buds. Thanks to fashion’s ongoing workwear fixation, there’s never been a wider range of luxe designer versions available, but the OGs—like Le Mont St. Michel’s genre-defining joint—still set the standard.
The Around-the-Clock Trousers
When your dress pants are this good—roomy and comfortable, statement-making but versatile—there’s no sense in saving them for special occasions. Wear them all the time, with anything, the way you would your jeans.
The Swanky Dress Watch
In 2024, “dressing up” means basically whatever you want it to. Tux with a skirt? Go for it! Green velvet suit with a gingham shirt? By all means! Canadian Tuxedo as an actual tuxedo? Big mood! So as the era of the steel sports watch winds down (sorry), dress watches seem poised to dominate in their place—just not quite the way anyone expected. Plenty of GQ staffers are swapping their steely divers for dressier fare, and then pairing ‘em with faded jeans, rumpled button-ups, and all manner of dainty shoes. Which, incidentally, is exactly the approach you should take, whether you opt for Seiko’s eminently affordable riff or JLC’s legendary Reverso.
The Upper Body-Positive Tank
Take it from the admirals of the A-shirt, Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber—a clean white tank is the easiest way to look hot in hot weather. Pair it with a purposely unbuttoned shirt, and you’ve got a go-to beach vacation outfit.
The Sleek Black Lace-Ups
Black derbies can pull through when you need shoes for more formal occasions—and elevate a quick-and-dirty jeans-and-tee outfit. Dr. Martens is a great entry-level choice, and you’ll get a lot more mileage out of the Mono pair, which forgoes the brand’s signature yellow stitching for discreet black thread.
The Razor-Sharp Black Suit
Death and taxes, famously, are the two things certain about life. And for one of those, you’re going to need a black suit. But you don’t have to wait for a black tie affair to exhume it from the garment bag in the back of your closet. With the right shirt and some groovy slacks, the jacket can be divorced from its other half for a raucous night out on the town. We dig the double-breasted shape of Banana Republic’s scandalously affordable riff, but we’ve got more options in our guide to black suits.
The Bodega-Run Slides
We could give you a million reasons Birkenstock’s flagship slip-on deserves to see so much more of the world than the litter-strewn street that separates your apartment from the corner store. (In fact, we have!) But if you’re still not convinced, try Marni’s gloriously shaggy spin out for size. We have a nagging suspicion you’ll never look at a humble knockabout clog the same way again.
The No-Nonsense Tie
A solid navy tie is the Switzerland of neckwear. It doesn’t go with some of the collared shirts in your closet—it goes with all of them.
The Real-Deal Handbag
Trust in Jacob Elordi, gender-construct destroyer and handbag evangelist. A great tote—a decided upgrade from the canvas free-with-subscription joint—takes a going-out outfit to 11, while also sparing your pockets an unsightly phone bulge.
The Double-Duty Swim Trunks
You don’t need to go swimming in swim trunks just to wear ’em. In fact, swim trunks should serve dual functions, since you probably won’t find yourself near a body of water all that often. Bather remains a GQ favorite—we’ve put the Canadian swimsuit brand in everything from the GQ Box to our first-annual GQ Recommends All-Star line-up of the best…everything.
The Statement Jewelry
You wouldn’t press send on an important email without proofreading it first, right? An icy piece of jewelry is more efficient than Grammarly at letting you know your outfit is absolutely impeccable—and a heck of a lot more fun to play around with. (That fiery missive to your boss, on the other hand, might need a little rejiggering.)
The Yacht-Lolling Shorts
At a certain point every summer, we take a hard look at our swishy nylon shorts and mesh-lined swim trunks, and think to ourselves: Is this really the best we can do? What if, we continue thinking, Jeff Bezos is so taken with our Prime Day coverage he invites us to spend a carefree weekend circling the Mediterranean on his mega-yacht? We can’t show up to Ibiza in jorts! That moment of neurotic navel-gazing tends to catalyze a glorious epiphany: When it comes to shorts, we can all do better—by upgrading to a pair that feels as indebted to John-John as it does Harrison Ford in Cannes. The shorts our epiphany conjured this summer look a lot like the ones below: a couple of inches longer than you’re used to, and rendered in every shade of lightly-toasted meringue.
The Woven Sandals
Speaking of vacation: the next time you’re on one, a breezy pair of woven leather sandals are the move. Go from cabana to playa with Chris-Pine-approved huaraches, or level up your summer shoe rotation with a pair of fancified fisherman sandals.
