A previous article on o5 itemised the 10 things every woman should have, and it seems only fair that a similar article focusing on the 10 items that every self-respecting man should have be prepared too. So here’s the list … here are 10 items, listed in no particular order, that every man should have.
1. A Tailored Suit
It pays to have a tailored suit (or two) stashed away in your closet. It’s the ideal outfit for special events such as weddings (that you are invited to), formal dinners, date nights at the opera, and other similar events. If you can still fit into the black tailored suit that you wore when you graduated from high school (or college) then keep it and get another suit in a different colour – ideally navy blue. If you don’t have a suit, invest in one – and go with navy blue. Navy suits flatter all skin tones, can be both laid-back and formal and would look good in other shirt and tie color combinations.
2. Dress Shoes
If you have a tailored suit, you obviously need to have a suitable pair of shoes to go with your outfit. You probably already have a black pair so add another one – preferably one that’s colored tan or dark brown. Yes, you’ll get to use them. It may sound strange but tan/brown shoes do look good when paired with navy suits. You don’t have to buy big-name-branded shoes – select one that’s within your budget without having to sacrifice quality, of course.
3. A Leather Watch
Well – maybe the strap doesn’t have to be made of leather, but men do need to have a sensible watch – not one that has digital numbers but one that has an hour hand, a minute hand and perhaps a second hand that goes around the clock face. Constantly checking the time using your cellular phone, or (heaven forbid) beeper is just not – well, manly.
4. A Weekend Bag
Just like ladies, you should be moving away from backpacks. Men should have sensible weekend bags (that can also double as a gym bag). If you are worried about walking around with a “Murse” (Man Purse), select a messenger bag or a duffle bag with solid colours or subtle patterns (please, no Hawaiian prints) in leather, cotton, or canvas.
5. An Umbrella
Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you can’t get wet. You’ll look like a drowned rat, even if you’re wearing your best tailored suit. So get yourself a good umbrella: ideally one that doesn’t fold, and that comes in one solid colour (and one that has no prints or patterns, please).
6. Plain Colored Undershirts
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To wear underneath your polo shirts, of course. You can also wear these undershirts (or tees) when you’re on casual outings. These will make you very hot looking indeed. And if the armpit areas start to get discoloured – toss them out.
7. Dark, straight-legged, unembellished jeans
Please – leave the improperly-sized jeans (either too tight or too loose) to teenagers and rap-stars. Men … real men, wear jeans that have no rips, no tears, no studs, no chains and are not pre-faded. Jeans should not sag in the butt, bunch around the ankles or show bagginess around the thighs. AND the waistband of your jeans should rest on your upper hipbone – not on your waist like a grampa, and not too low for others to see your crack. Ew!
8. A Good Wallet
One that holds your bills, some coins, your credit cards and your drivers licence. AND one that doesn’t have Velcro on it.
9. A Basic Tool Kit
You don’t have to own every piece of circular saws available in the market – just a basic tool kit with wrenches, screw drivers, hammers and nails would suffice. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know how to use these – you just need plain common sense.
10. Cologne
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Not body spray. No one likes awful smelling men (or women for that matter). Dab some cologne before you head out of your house – just make sure you don’t over do it.