Essential Items of Clothing (Part 3)

Welcome to Part 3 of this mini series. I hope you have agreed with Parts 1 and 2. By now I am starting to run out of the big everyday items. This essentially leaves only accessories. I'm a bit reluctant to suggest what you should get for accessories. Accessories are one area where you can and should be able to express yourself. Despite this, I guess there certain types of belts, socks, ties, even shirts, that you should definitely have. By all means go out and get the most ridiculous looking accesories items if you like them. However, among all these items I hope that you consider the following.

7. Belts

Belts are often an item of clothing that gets overlooked when it comes to owning a quality essential piece. This is simply because all standard belts (black/brown with a metal buckle) generally look the same. It takes a certain person (usually gay) to really notice what belt you are wearing (not to mention good eyesight as more often than not it will look like you are investigating somebody's crotch). Therefore, for some people, the only time they justify an expensive belt is when its for show and is bought in poor taste.

Rugged Leather Belt

So that being said, why bother spending a lot of money on an item that basically looks like the $20 knock off? Well for starters a belt should compliment your clothes. Its the finishing touch that keeps you looking sharp. An honourable mention goes to RM Williams for the quality of their leather goods. However, I don't really identify with being a farmer so my choice is from Ralph Lauren. Depending on its purpose, you could go for a great everyday belt such as the rugged leather belt shown above.

Chunky Roller-Buckle Belt

However, if you're after a fancier belt that can be used for everyday wear in addition to formal occasions, might I suggest the chunky roller-buckle belt; also from Ralph Lauren

8. Socks

After a long day (even if there's a lot of sitting involved) you will find there is a massive difference based on what kind of socks you wear. Your socks are very much part of your identity so I will keep it general. There are always two issues with most socks; odour and chaffing. You could try the *Silverescent socks (apparently they have silver in them to help with odours...?) such as those from Lululemon which are supposed to suppress the odour. However, I've found that this can generally be counteracted by simply wearing thicker socks. This poses the next problem. With a market so saturated with socks, what should you choose as an essential?

Solid Crew

I'd suggest you go with long black sport socks when it permits. My choice is the solid crews from Adidas Originals. I've always been skeptical of sports socks, but unlike a lot of sports gear, these work. You get great elasticity in the socks such that it doesn't feel like your toes are being suffocated. They are ridiculously comfortable and any smells seem very manageable compared to office socks that end up sweaty and slippery.

9. Jackets
In Australia, our winters are relatively mild compared to other parts around the world. As such, the most important jacket you will own is a mid weight versatile jacket. I'm not here to tell you which jackets you should or should not get but one that you should definitely own is one that falls in the causal to almost semi formal range. As such, this rules out hoodies and dinner jackets as your most versatile jacket.

Nylon Field Jacket - The Closest I could find

What you are looking for is something that has the comfort of a hoodie and is less formal than a dinner jacket. For me, my choice is the the easy jacket from Scotch and Soda. Goes with everything and you can dress it up or down as required.

Before I conclude part 3, I'd like to summarise my thoughts. With these 9 items, you basically have the 'essentials' set for your wardrobe. With that in mind, I encourage you to fill the rest of your wardrobe with items that allow you to express your identity. That's why I generally left out tops and accessories from these posts. So until next time, my closing words are to remember to question why you like or identify with an item before you buy it.

#Hanbaobao

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Essential Items of Clothing (Part 2)

This is expected to be the second of three posts. Continuing on from Part 1, I'll select another three items of essential clothing you should consider paying more for. Our basics are the most important part of our wardrobe which should be enough justification for not getting on a fashion train band wagon.

So without further ado, let's continue.

4. Shorts

I'm pretty relaxed when it comes to shorts. Much of the same criteria applies as pants but because of the general nature of shorts, suffocation is never too much of an issue. That being said there is a current fashion trend of guys wearing very tight short shorts. I can understand wanting to join in on a fashion trend but what I can't understand is wanting to deliberately suffocate your bits. Seriously it's bloody uncomfortable and it's probably why guys that wear these kind of shorts are so prone to brain implosions. 

Boston Short

So once again, short is fine but keep the air flowing. I'm not a huge a fan of short so my go to brand is Tommy Hilfiger. They seem to offer the right levels of comfort, length and quality (most probably because they are american - see part 1). They also have one major advantage over fierce rivals Ralph Lauren; they don't look like 'dad' shorts.

5. Sunglasses

Everyone should have a good pair of sunglasses. Unfortunately many do not. What they have are either a white pair of Oakley's that say I have no taste or they get very shiny Prada ones that say I'm over compensating for something. 

In Australia let alone Adelaide, chances are you will need two pairs; one plastic, one metal. The plastic will usually take the form of the Ray Ban Wayfarer. This surprisingly doesn't suit a lot of people, so I suggest you get something like the Ray Ban Justin. I find this to be a great casual multi-purpose pair and if on the off chance you really are worried about them getting ruined at the beach, go get a cheap $20 pair. No one seriously cares how expensive your beach sunnies are.

The metal pair is for more formal events. Events like a day at the races or a day time work function; basically anywhere you are wearing a shirt and slacks. As I alluded to before, a big unstylish pair of Prada sunnies is not the answer. Leave them to the overweight black watch polo wearing douche. I'd like to see you get something that suits your face shape and compliments instead of another seeking. My choice is another Ray Ban. The BB 3477. What a name.

6. Underwear

To be honest luxury underwear could easily have landed in my 'Favourite Luxury Items' series. The fact that it hasn't is due to two main reasons; they are actually more comfortable than regular underwear and the special feeling you get from wearing them. 

There's something pleasing about having something that's yours that other people can't see or don't know about. I think I can therefore justify saying that luxury underwear falls into this category. You gain confidence and comfort from your luxury underwear which is unknown to the people that pass you by and that for me is particularly pleasing; unless you're the guy with your pants around your ankles.

Trunk Fit Boxers

So what's my choice? Calvin's rate quite highly of course but I think I prefer Abercrombie. Sure it's same shit different name but at least you ain't being compared to Bieber.

This concludes part 2.

#Hanbaobao

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Essential Items of Clothing (Part 1)

I was tempted to make this an analysis post about spending habits but in lieu of my promise for some more cheery posts I thought I'd spin it a different way.

So today I'm going to discuss what items you should spend more on such that it becomes more worthwhile in the long run. If this proves popular I'll do a few more and slowly expand to the more showy and out there items.

1. Thongs

We live in Australia which means almost anywhere you go thongs are an acceptable footwear. I'd even go so far and say that jeans and thongs are considered a well dressed individual. So my choice here is a singled coloured pair of Havianas. If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now. In almost every case 'a brand that is know for a certain type of product is the brand you should consider buying even if they cost a little bit more.' 

Top Black

Havis are the leader when it comes to thongs. They offer extra comfort over the obvious competitors and provide you with a fashionable accessory to go with almost anything; not to mention, they seem to last forever. That being said the amount of wear, comfort and flexiblity you get out of Havianas are why they are my choice of thongs.

2. Suits

No matter what you do with you life, a black suit will always be required. You could always rent but why would you when you could purchase a core item that will become part of your identity. Most people have no idea when it comes to suits so I'll suggest some advice. The suit I'm getting at is not the play suit you use for 21st bday's. This suit should be well made, offer a flattering body shape and represent you at your finest. That means suits from entry level places such as TopMan, Roger David, Suit Co. and their equivalents are out. Go after the next tier up such as Herringbone or even Ralph Lauren. However, steer clear of brands like Armani and Burberry; completely over priced for the quality you get. You got to remember these high end brands want you to buy each year's collection. So essentially you are paying for style not quality. 

Black Modern Twill

My personal favourite is Rhodes & Beckett who offer a flattering cut, good quality and english tailoring. They may even be made in Italy (I'll have to check that). The best bit about them is the fact that in Australia, we don't have a big stylish suit culture. This means if you are willing to wait (EOFY or Boxing Day) you can pick up these $1000 suits at 50% off (i.e the price you would pay for one of the entry level brands). Are you sold on them yet?

3. Pants

When it comes to pants, I need ones that allow my bits to breath. It doesn't matter how stylish they are, if your manhood is suffocating, you probably shouldn't buy them (unless you're into that sort of thing). That's why you should buy american for pants. No one knows how to do style and comfort quite like the Americans . A lot of good quality brands such as country road do style but they are guilty of trying to suffocate your manhood. As such, my brand for pants is Hollister. 

Slim Straight Chinos

From chinos to jeans, hollister provides the same stylish cuts as good as any other brand; except with extreme comfort. You could always pay extra to get Ambercrombie but seeing as they come from the same factory, I don't really see the point when it comes to a straight pair of chinos or comfy slim cut jeans.  

This concludes Part 1 on Essential Items of Clothing. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3.

#Hanbaobao

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