Men's Basics
New to /fa/? Come here from MFA and need to start over? Girlfriend burn your clothes? We understand.
Here's where to find some wardrobe essentials on the cheap.
If you are out of shape, pay a visit to /fit/ and return when you have your ideal body.
This Introduction is a strongly recommended read for both genders.
Contents
Tops
T-Shirts
You don't want tees that fit too close to the body nor tees that are too baggy. Be prepared to try a bunch of brands before you find a cut that fits you the best. Also try to figure out whether v-necks or crewnecks flatter you better. You still want to have both though.
- Plenty of grey, black, and white tees. These are neutral colors that can almost be worn with anything without spending too much thought and will provide solid base to expand upon.
- Solid color tees in colors that suit you well. Desaturated/muted colors work well here. They generally shouldn't clash or match with your skintone. Newbies: Stick with solid color tees until you acquire a taste for what designs on a graphic shirt work.
Shirts (Button-downs/ups)
-For reference, button-downs and button-ups are simply referred to as "shirt" by the majority of online stores. Other shirts will often be labelled as such, e.g. tees, polos. Fit is everything here, especially in a business environment where it is difficult to stand out.
- Amount varies greatly - if your job requires them, get more. DON'T BUY: black dress shirts, striped dress shirts. Trust us. White, light blue You can opt for solid colors to play it safe, go for a gingham, or another subtle pattern. Buy flannels sparingly.
Bottoms
Shoes
Low-top sneakers: Low-tops are extremely versatile, and a great replacement for ratty tennis shoes. They can easily be dressed up or down. These are often not too pricey. A few pairs, in mute colors like white or black, should cover your wardrobe and not break the bank.
Boots: See the Boots page for more details. Boots are often less versatile than sneakers, but are just as vital to a wardrobe. Two pairs, one black & one brown, is a good start. Beeswax Clarks Desert Boots, while overplayed, can be a great casual boot. Decent brands include: Wolverine, Doc Martens, and Red Wing.
