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What are the most useful items in your wardrobe/ collection?

The_Foxx

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Someone was asking me about basics for a wardrobe today, and I was thinking about what I would consider the most useful, versatile, and handy items in a wardrobe. Thought it might make an interesting topic.

For me, the 10 most useful items in my wardrobe (most of them I should have bought a long time ago, before buying other things) that come to mind:

+ large, soft, wool tartan duffle travel bag. probably the single most useful item I own, the perfect travel bag whether it is a weekend car trip or flight (the soft construction makes it an easy fit in the overhead bin or on the floor, on any flight) . although I've never seen this bag again (by Jack Spade), recently saw a pebble grained leather version at Orvis that was just as great-- and reasonably priced/ on sale, so I bought it for my wife.

+ silver, double sided cufflinks. everything from pinstriped suits to a tuxedo.

+ charcoal grey suit. I would have listed my new navy suit, but the charcoal suit seems like more of a workhorse because the cloth is heavier, and it's easier to pair with either black or dark brown shoes.

+ a great pair of black laceups. I like brown shoes a lot, but don't wear them nearly as often as my black balmoral laceup shoes.

+ blue dress shirts. I wear them much more than the "classic white."

+ solid or subtle patterned navy blue over the calf dress socks. they go with just about everything i own, flannel trousers to most of my suits.

+ slim fit black dress shirt. i've been meaning to get this for a long time, to wear with a black blazer and jeans, with a tweed sportcoat, with a solid tan sportcoat, etc. finally purchased one from thomas pink online, with french cuffs and sleeves shortened to correct length.

+ wild-striped shirt. Any number of stores make a version, mine is from banana republic (in a heavier, twill cotton not the flimsy ones I've seen so much in the stores since). perfect under a navy blazer with jeans, something different for a navy suit, etc. not sure what it is about navy blue, purple, and pink stripes but I always get at least three compliments on the shirt from attractive women every time i wear it!

+ at least one great pair of jeans, that retails for around $200. mine are from rock and republic, but neiman marcus has the Earnest Sewn fulton on sale online at the moment, which looks like the perfect version of what I mean-- on sale for about $80 and in most sizes.

+ tweed sportcoat. everyone has to have one of these, i think! I like to wear mine with jeans and a dress shirt much more often than I do flannel trousers and a necktie, great for travel or going out to dinner in style without overdressing.
 

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