Starting your professional career can be intimidating for a lot of reasons. Knowing what to wear should be the least of your worries. Luckily, we can give you gents a pretty foolproof formula to create a starter wardrobe so you can focus on your work, not your clothing.
THE STARTER WARDROBE FOR PROFESSIONALS
Whether you’re in law, finance, business, or otherwise, you’ll need a wardrobe that communicates the same level of care and professionalism that your work does. But building a full wardrobe can be expensive, so where do you start?
For a new professional, your wardrobe should consist of these key essentials:
1. NAVY SUIT
A navy suit is one of the first things you will want to buy. Not only is it perfect for the office, you can also dress it down for a more relaxed look.
Hot tip: Go for a soft construction with patch pockets so the jacket can also be worn as a blazer.
2. CHARCOAL SUIT
A charcoal suit is another piece that will offer some versatility. You’ll look crisp in the office, and you can jazz it up if you need something for an event.
Hot tip: Charcoal suits can often be worn as a formal outfit. Try buying one with a peak lapel.
3. EIGHT QUALITY DRESS SHIRTS
Ideally you will want to have 3 weeks of shirts to rotate through, but when you’re building your wardrobe, start with these 8 first:
4 white shirts | 2 blue shirts | 2 patterned shirts
Hot tip: White shirts can show wear more easily, so go for solid
blue if you’re looking for more longevity.
4. BLACK SHOES AND BELT
Obviously, you’ll need black shoes and a black belt. Find something high quality, and they’ll last you for years.
Hot tip: Consider a high polish cap toe shoe that you can wear to formal functions as well.
5. BROWN SHOES AND BELT
As you build your wardrobe, you should actually own more brown shoes than black. They work with just about every colour of pant.
Hot tip: Both wing tip and monk strap shoes are great starter options.
6. NAVY BLAZER
A good blazer is versatile. Not only can you wear it to the office, you’ll also be able to pair it with jeans or casual pants to dress up your weekend look.
Hot tip: Look for an unlined jacket with a bit of texture, and you’ll be able to wear this blazer day and night.
7. GREY TROUSERS
Grey trousers are a must. They’re a solid base for just about any jacket, and you can dress them up or down.
Hot tip: Choose a flannel wool for winter and a mohair blend for summer. It’ll make a huge difference in how comfortable you are.
8. WINTER OVERCOAT
In climates like Edmonton, a winter overcoat is necessary. You don’t want to be that guy walking down the street, clutching his suit jacket as he trudges through the snow.
Hot tip: Choose dark grey or navy to stand out from the sea of black.
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For all of these pieces, fit is key. Take advantage of tailoring, and be sure to go somewhere you trust.
With these core items, you’ll be able to rotate through them enough that you’ll look fresh and polished every day.
Need some extra help? Stop by the store to chat with our sales associates for some one-on-one tips.
