Men's wardrobe essentials: put together a basic wardrobe
Neutral colours that go with everything
When choosing your basics, opt for sober colours that will go with everything, such as grey, beige, light blue... This way, you can create lots of different looks, as your pieces will almost all match. However, avoid wearing only dark-coloured clothes, preferring beige to black, for example, to brighten up your friends' days and put yourself in a good mood.
The first essential: the T-shirt
The first essential in every man's wardrobe is the T-shirt. This casual item can be worn all year round, both in summer with Bermuda shorts and in winter under a jumper. Even if the choice of T-shirt is often not taken very seriously and consumers tend to choose them without much care, at CAFÉ COTON we recommend that you opt for our high-quality T-shirts with a beautiful fall and made from natural materials that are gentle on your skin. Be careful when choosing your size and follow our made-to-measure guide if you have any doubts. Your T-shirt should be neither too tight nor too wide, and the sleeves should be neither too tight nor too loose. In short, this essential must be selected with care so that it can accompany you smoothly on all your adventures.
A versatile essential: the shirt
As shirt experts, we can't recommend this versatile garment highly enough. Dressy or casual, day or night, your shirt will always be there for you. Make sure you choose the size that best suits the curves of your body (if you need to, read our article "How to choose a shirt based on your body shape"). We recommend that you have at least one elegant shirt in poplin or twill and one casual shirt in oxford or flannel, for example.
Winter essentials: knitwear
There are three main types of jumper with three distinct collars: round neck, V-neck and turtleneck. Make sure you have one of each to create a basic wardrobe. When choosing a knit, more than for any other garment, the choice of material is fundamental. Choose natural materials rather than synthetics. At CAFÉ COTON, there's no need to worry about quality. You'll be amazed by the softness of our pieces, which will warm you up comfortably on cold winter days. You can also opt for a cardigan that opens with buttons, unlike a jumper. Then try layering by wearing a shirt, t-shirt or even a turtleneck underneath.
The elegant, comfortable essential: the polo shirt
The polo shirt was invented in France by industrialist André Gillier and tennis player René Lacoste. Originally a sports garment, it is now an essential in men's wardrobes. Its chic appeal made it the preferred item of clothing of American Ivy League and WASPS students, making it the garment of choice for the preppy style, which uses sportswear (tennis, sailing, etc.) in an elegant way. The polo shirt is both elegant and comfortable, and is perfect for coping with the summer heat.
Trendy essentials: the overshirt
The overshirt is a perfect alternative to dressier jackets, because it's a very thick shirt. It's very trendy and will finish off your look beautifully. We recommend our article "The overshirt: between shirt and jacket" to find out how to wear it with style.
Essential bottoms: trousers and Bermuda shorts
To complete your wardrobe, choose at least two pairs of trousers, one casual, in denim for example, and one dressier, like a chino. You can also have a pair of suit trousers for special occasions. For summer, you should also have a few Bermuda shorts to cope with the heat.
Strong pieces to accompany your essentials
If you don't want to look like all the other men around you, don't forget to pair your basics with stronger pieces in your wardrobe. To do this, play around with colours, patterns and even materials. For colours, you can dare bright or acidic shades like pink, yellow or green, for example. For patterns, go for floral prints or colourful checks. You can also play with textures and materials. At CAFÉ COTON, we recommend our terry towelling pieces. Our terry polo shirts and Bermuda shorts are as beautiful and comfortable as they are original.
