My male friends are constantly joking with me, asking if
they are wearing the right clothes and what should they expect next in
menswear, in a tone not so sarcastic that it provokes retaliation, but such
that suggests a willingness or want for more information, without losing too
much testosterone. And after much deliberation on my next post for the blog, I
figured, why not do a list of ten items every man should (and probably does)
have.
First, lets go right back to basics, a pair of all star
converse. I don’t feel I need to support this with anything, I’m pretty sure
most men already own a pair or five, and if you don’t, then just don’t let
people know this, get yourself down to Office, Shuh, Sole Trader (are those
even still going now?) and pick up a pair before anyone finds out. Bog standard
shoes, giving the wearer the ability to look ‘cool’ without looking like a
douche who tries too hard.
Number two on my list, Calvin Klein underwear. White
preferably. Now this is a tricky subject, seeing as I am a woman, is there too
much I can say about men’s under garments without sounding a bit perverse? Well
I’ll probably be darned if I do, and darned if I don’t. Whilst I spent a
Christmas with the buying team for a renowned department store, working on
menswear accessories, Calvin Klein was a big buy for them, and sold through
continuously. So clearly you folks like you CK briefs, and quite frankly,
nothing is worse than Primark bought underwear your mum picks up for you four
times a year.
Three, now although scent isn’t really fashion, at the same
time, it is. You could look sh!t hot, but if you smell like hot sh!t then
what’s the point? I love Chanel Sport Por Homme personally, the chances are, if
you cannot pronounce it, it smells good. Steer clear of anything with a
celebrity face on it, or with a naked lady as the bottle, remember, someone
might see this bottle and having to explain why you have Peter Andre’s perfume
to a friend could be a difficult situation, all best avoided.
Four, now I deliberated putting this as my final number ten,
but I guess I got a bit excited and had to slot it in at four. Band tee-shirts!
I must say, the whole picking of a band is a very tricky thing to do. Nothing
too obvious, ruling out The Who, Kiss or Jimmi Hendrix, nothing people would
not have heard of, ruling out anything you hear on BBC Radio 6 (although props
if you know some of these) and nothing too lame, ruling out Mc Fly, Midnight
Beast, and… did I say Mc Fly? (unless you’re actually a 13 year old girl and
its 2004) A good band would be something like Bombay Bicycle Club, The Strokes,
or Black Keys, but remember, whatever band tee-shirt you wear, be prepared for
scrutiny and that others will expect you to know more than three songs, and
none of which can be from their most recent album. Try markets down Brick Lane,
retro stores like Rokit, or music stores like Rough Trade or even at a gig.
Five, this, yet again, is a bit of an obvious one, a pair of
slightly worn, Levi 501’s. Timeless, effortlessly cool, and then you will have
Jean envy. I don’t think I need to explain much more?
Six, here we come on to watches. Now the topic of men and
their watches is a bit on the tricky side. I mean, the amount of fake Rolex (or
Rullocks as I like to call them) going around, its like the whole fast car
thing. Personally I think if you cannot afford the flash watches, don’t buy a
fake. Casio are best, they last as long as you want them too, will always look
good, and show that you don’t really care about fashion and clothing as much as
you actually do. Steer clear of anything with Velcro, nothing say, I can’t
quite tie my own shoe laces like a Velcro watch. Just stay on the short bus or
don’t wear one.
Seven, another one you probably have, and if you don’t, then
don’t let people know this. Leather jacket, with or without a hoodie attached
inside. They will always remind me of programmes like The O.C. or Skins, but
you have to admit, people in those programmes ALWAYS looked good! Throw it on
over any outfit and you’re ready to go! Check out SuperDry’s range, or River
Island.
Eight. Seeing as summer is fast approaching, well as fast as
English weather will allow, sun glasses are a big factor. Go Ray-Ban or go
home. I don’t think this is something limited to men either, everyone needs to
own at least one pair of ray-bans. Tortoise shell, black or a bright bold
colour, depending on how many you want, in the classic retro style.
Nine. Belts, from what I know at least, are pretty important;
I mean they hold your trousers up. Enough said really right? Then again getting
a good belt seems to be a tricky situation. There seems to be so many options,
colours, styles, thickness and buckle. I mean, as cool as that batman buckle
your aunt got you for your last birthday is, its still not the easiest thing to
wear. Try something leather, plain, black or dark brown. It will match casual
trousers and formal suit pants. Yet again, without making you seem as though
too much thought has gone into your dress process. Look at Next, ASOS or
Diesel.
Ten. Now this is a bit of female input I must admit. A crisp
white shirt never go amiss. Be it from Topman, ASOS, Ted Baker, Hugo Boss or
Saville Row, it creates this perfect desk to dinner (where you can wear it to
work, then out to dinner or the pub for those of you not in the know about
‘desk to dinner’ dressing) look, appealing to men, women, friends and family.
Every man can pull off a white shirt, and every man should at least give it a
go.
So this is my current list of Ten Must Haves for Men, no
doubt I will be updating this every so often.
