How To Build A Fashionable Men’s Wardrobe On A Tight Budget

Taxes, commute fees, and more taxes, where is the room for the enjoyable things? Budgets are a necessary part of life, but you still have to look sharp, so what do you do? There’s no need to splurge your life savings building a men’s wardrobe, but you also can’t keep wearing your sleeping shirts everywhere you go.

Thus, we are here to help you with a compromise: Building a fashionable men’s wardrobe on a slim budget. No, please, we insist. Men’s designer clothing is not a necessity as long as you know how to style yourself. We can only afford essentials, so you can forget about those light-up sneakers or that sports jersey of your favorite player. We aren’t saying buy cheap men’s clothing, we are saying affordable because there is still value in this clothing. Versatility is the key: Several simple pieces alternated in variation to make different outfits out of the same clothes. Many of these will be familiar sights to you but what you will notice is the absence of clothing that you never knew were unnecessary. You want to talk minimalist? We can guarantee you a complete wardrobe for any occasion with just eighteen items. If cost is a determining factor, we recommend H&M for the more formal wear and Old Navy for the more casual stuff as stores for men’s fashion. You can probably purchase everything on this list for under $300 at those locations. Your guide to affordable style awaits.

Navy Suit

Don’t ever forget this guy. First off we’ll need to build your work wardrobe first, which is a lot simpler than it sounds. Consider the fact that a professional look consists only of a few clean pieces to pull off, you shouldn’t be worried. The best choice is a matching solid blue blazer and trousers for any situation that you will come across.

Item Count: 2

White Dress Shirt

So, we meet again. You can bet your house that you will never see the end of these in your wardrobe as long as cotton exists in the world. Even though you may be constrained by a budget, you will need two of these at the very least for rotation.

Item Count: 2

Brown Oxford Shoes

Oh Brown Oxford shoes, when will we ever see the end of you? Hopefully never. A deep cigar brown pair of dress shoes will add an instant style impact with anything you wear (as long as it has a collar). Make sure the front of the shoe is pointed, though a cap toe is optional. We are serious about the pointed tip. If you own anything even closely resembling a flat front, put them where they belong: In a fire.

Item Count: 1

Ties

You only need two ties in your closet: One solid and one patterned. The former should be black or navy blue, the latter should have a striped or argyle pattern.

Item Count: 2

Pocket Square

Yes, it’s a necessity. No, you will not just use a napkin. If you can’t afford this, you can’t afford anything else on this list. White, silk, and presidential fold.

Item Count: 1

Boots

For the snow or the rain, you need a pair of these to bear through the elements. They are usually composed of highly durable leather or synthetic so they will last you for as long as you need them to.

Item Count: 1

Sweater

Can be worn in a multitude of ways: Underneath a blazer, over a collared shirt, or just solo. It adds another dimension into your wardrobe as a valuable smart casual piece. We recommend two pieces: a V-neck sweater, because of how amazing they look with ties, and cardigans which add a bit more formality with the buttons.

Item Count: 2

Jeans

These should be for casual use only, though they can be paired with a blazer. We recommend a dark wash so you can pair it with just about anything, and it shouldn’t have any distressing in order to maximize versatility. Contrast stitching is a luxury but not necessary.

Item Count: 1

T-Shirt

Like dress shirts, white tees are a staple in your wardrobe and you should have three in stock at all times, since they’re usually sold in packs of three anyways. Use as an undershirt for your work wardrobe or on its own with jeans and sneakers.

Item Count: 3

Chinos

Chinos are overlooked in way too many men’s wardrobes. They’re breathable enough so that no matter how hot it is, you still won’t need shorts. They look great with all kinds of shoes and can even be paired with a blazer and tee during the summer. A khaki color is best since you already have a dark pair of trousers in your jeans.

Item Count: 1

Sneakers

Round off your footwear cabinet with a leisure shoe that fits all off-the-cuff situations. A pair of vintage sneakers from New Balance or Converse will do the trick. Try to stay away from functional-looking sneakers like training shoes because they look out of place without shorts and a tank top.

Item Count: 1

Jacket/Coat

For warmer climates, get a lighter jacket just for when it gets a bit chilly during the night. A track jacket with a hood is a great option for when the temperature dips in warm climates, but if you live in colder climates, a down coat is the way to go. But what if it’s not too cold for a parka, but you don’t have a jacket? Easy: pair a shirt with a blazer as a substitute. Super classy.

Item Count: 1

Total Item Count: 18.

What’ll Be The Next Addition To Your Men’s Wardrobe?

In this article I’ve shown you the 18 items you need to build a badass wardrobe that’s pretty easy to build and is also affordable, especially if you take it one step at a time.

Now I’d like to hear from you!

What will go into YOUR wardrobe next? Let us know in the comments below!