Help a 17 year old identify the staples every wardrobe should have

I'm only a year older than you, OP, but I've been trying to make a few changes to my wardrobe. So far, here's what I have and recommend:

- Button-downs / flannels / oxfords
- Clarks Desert Boots (these are pretty much a required)
- A solid pair of denim (don't go cheap on a pair that can last you years)
- Some tees
- 1 or 2 pairs of nice, clean sneakers

Originally Posted by Strombollii

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That's a completely different sartorial circumstance. Do you wear tailored suits to class?

I wore a tie to public school. I didn't really fit in back then.

Originally Posted by pseudonym

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- Clarks Desert Boots (these are pretty much a required)

hahahahaha

Man, these SW&D people are nasty. Come over to Mens Clothing, OP, we'll take care of you. You need:

1 navy suit, 1 charcoal suit, 1 grey glenplaid suit, 1 mid-grey suit
5 english made shoes in brown
20 pocket squares
20 ties

There! done.

Originally Posted by WhateverYouLike

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Man, these SW&D people are nasty. Come over to Mens Clothing, OP, we'll take care of you. You need:

1 navy suit, 1 charcoal suit, 1 grey glenplaid suit, 1 mid-grey suit
5 english made shoes in brown
20 pocket squares
20 ties

There! done.

ballers wear ties and suits with no shirts

Originally Posted by Uncontrol

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ballers wear ties and suits with no shirts

Too advanced. Baby steps. Perhaps undo the top 4 buttons first.

Originally Posted by WhateverYouLike

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Too advanced. Baby steps. Perhaps undo the top 4 buttons first.

(you didn't list shirts)

Originally Posted by Nil

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I'd be pissed if some dude showed up at my wedding without a suit. Granted, I don't really want to get married but hypothetically speaking it's incredibly rude. Juveniles have more leeway; I'm not going to expect a suited up 13 year old. But once you're an adult, you're a dick if you don't.
It's rude to you, perhaps. I find it rude that, if you were my friend, you'd *require* me to wear a suit. In the reverse situation, I'd be happy that you just show up and celebrate with us. I'm going to a wedding this weekend. Khakis, button-down oxford, tie, dr. martens (spit shined).

Originally Posted by CharlieAngel

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It's rude to you, perhaps. I find it rude that, if you were my friend, you'd *require* me to wear a suit [to your wedding].

lol are you ten years old?

Originally Posted by pseudonym

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- A solid pair of denim (don't go cheap on a pair that can last you years)

You're going to be disappointed, since even the nicer Japanese denim will break down after a few years.

Jeans are not an "investment piece" (ugh I hate that cliche)--you're basically paying for fit, color, and quality. Note that I didn't include durability.

Originally Posted by Uncontrol

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lol are you ten years old?

Not even close. Suits are anachronistic throwbacks that should be relegated to the garbage pile. Like marriage.

Originally Posted by CharlieAngel

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It's rude to you, perhaps. I find it rude that, if you were my friend, you'd *require* me to wear a suit. In the reverse situation, I'd be happy that you just show up and celebrate with us.

I'm going to a wedding this weekend. Khakis, button-down oxford, tie, dr. martens (spit shined).

Originally Posted by CharlieAngel

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Not even close. Suits are anachronistic throwbacks that should be relegated to the garbage pile. Like marriage.

How edgy and counterculture of you.

Originally Posted by CharlieAngel

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Not even close. Suits are anachronistic throwbacks that should be relegated to the garbage pile. Like marriage.

But that isn't what matters at all. In this situation, you aren't wearing a suit because you like it; you're wearing a suit because it's expected of you. Would you show up to a black-tie fundraiser in a tuxedo t-shirt? Would you wear your Docs to go meet English royalty? This may be difficult for you to understand, but a wedding is not about you. I'm an atheist, but I wouldn't go to a funeral and talk about how the pastor is full of **** and how the deceased is just going to rot in the ground.

Also, suits aren't anachronistic throwbacks. They're a completely serviceable form of everyday wear. If you were Milanese, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Originally Posted by Makeshift_Robot

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But that isn't what matters at all. In this situation, you aren't wearing a suit because you like it; you're wearing a suit because it's expected of you.
Why? It's a social anachronism. I have absolutely zero interest doing "what's expected of me" unless I'm the one doing the expecting.

Would you show up to a black-tie fundraiser in a tuxedo t-shirt?

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Nah, that's tacky. I'd skip the black-tie fundraiser completely and go get hammered at a bar.

Would you wear your Docs to go meet English royalty?

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Why not? I have no special feelings for people that won out in the birth lottery. I will accord them the same courtesy I give everyone. My time.

This may be difficult for you to understand, but a wedding is not about you.

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And it might be difficult for you to understand: Clothes do not make the man.

I'm an atheist, but I wouldn't go to a funeral and talk about how the pastor is full of **** and how the deceased is just going to rot in the ground.

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I'm an atheist, as well, but I'm not wearing a suit to a funeral, either. I'm not engaging in a debate with the pastor, I'm just not going to wear a suit.

Also, suits aren't anachronistic throwbacks. They're a completely serviceable form of everyday wear. If you were Milanese, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

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So were frilly neck pieces and powdered wigs at one point in time. Hell, the 3 piece suit seems to have gone by the way-side, as well. Good riddance.

How edgy and counterculture of you.

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You got it.

I <3 CharlieAngel