The Capsule Wardrobe Men’s Edit

Mizzen + Main is known for their performance dress shirts that look as good as they feel. You won’t find a better dress shirt than this.

What better way to fill your t-shirt needs than a three pick with the top three colors? Bombas uses Peruvian Pima cotton that’s durable and as soft as silk.

UNTUCKit’s (now) iconic look is great for everyday use. Grab a wrinkle-free style for ease on the go and in packing for your trip.

Buck Mason is a TQE favorite, and this Avalon Knit Polo perfectly exemplifies why: a classic-with-a-twist, it’s light and breathable with an elevated touch.

The SILVER Pique Polo is great for sweat resistant and staying fresh, no matter how stinky your body gets. It uses a proprietary treated fabric with premium Supima cotton.

Luca Faloni’s 100% linen Elba Polo blends elegance, comfort, and sway—but it comes at a premium.

Bonobos’ The Chino 2.0 blends elegance and comfort. They’re made with a cotton-spandex blend that provides just enough stretch and breathability.

If you have a more formal work environment, then you’ll need a pair of dress slacks. You can typically get by with just black, but have a matching coat. 

Although a bit pricey, Brooks Brothers classic wool pants will pass any test at the office. They have a flat-front silhouette and are made in Italy by the renowned Reda mill.

A pants section in your closet wouldn’t be finished without a good pair of denim. Traditional Japanese selvedge is the highest quality, but can also be a bit stiff and expensive. A few brands also have newer synthetic blends that have a touch of stretch. I prefer a classic pair from brands like Levi’s or Madewell. It doesn’t get much more iconic than a pair of slim-fitting jeans. These come in three rich colors and feature a quality 98% cotton 2% elastane material.

Chubbies best-selling The Staples offer a 5.5-inch length and an elastic waistband for ultimate comfort. No more worrying about taking down too many hamburgers at the grill out.

Pro tip: have a few pairs of athletic shorts handy that you can get a workout in. At least one pair of swim trunks is a good idea as well. I love The Anchor from Fair Harbor: a classic swim trunk in a ton of fun patterns. You can practically feel the breezy New England summer with these.

Faherty makes classy gear that looks good on just about anyone. The 8” Movement Chino Short comes in a few different colors and is made of a proprietary coolness blend that’ll keep you breezy even during summer.

State’s cashmere works with or without an undershirt. It’s attractive, yes, but also offers unparalleled warmth from its natural fibers. (I have two from the brand and wear them just about every day inside the house.)

Go old school with one of these fun patterns from Saturdays NYC. You’ll look like you came straight out of the 80s… if that’s your vibe.

Sunspel’s rich heritage comes out in this waffle-stitch shirt jacket. It’s made in Portugal from 100% Egyptian cotton.

Jackets and Blazers

A jacket or blazer is essential for making a sophisticated layered look, especially during cool weather. This outerwear is great because it can take you from casual to formal, and back again, with one simple motion.

They work with chinos, dress pants, and even khaki shorts if you’re really trying to get preppy. Fit is a priority, though, so make sure you try it on or get it tailored to your body. There’s almost nothing worse than a bad attempt at wearing a jacket.

The Lightweight On-The-Go Blazer is the epitome of cool. Vineyard Vines knows what it’s doing when it comes to the preppy look.

Didn’t you hear? Bombers are back in style. The Boulevard Bomber from Bonobos is slim and durable.

Suitsupply has a long list of custom-made suits and coats that look like they came straight out of an issue of GQ.

Shoes

And finally, shoes. We suggest having one pair of shoes for each type of activity. This could look like a pair of running shoes for workouts, a pair of nice sneakers (I prefer white leather) for casual events, and a pair of dress shoes or boots for formal settings.

Koio’s bestselling Capri works with sweats or nicer slacks. They’re handmade in Tuscany, Italy with real Italian cow leather and built to last.

Amberjack makes dress shoes that feel like running shoes. Take these on your next business trip for comfort you can’t find with traditional leather dress shoes.

I recently picked up two new pairs of the 574. They’re classic, look great with many different bottoms, and once you’re done wearing them for casual use—kick around in them on the pickleball court or at the gym.