7 Wardrobe Essentials For The Urban Male

Part of being a man is looking the part of a man. A man’s image is an essential part of who he is, and who he may become in the eyes of a potential employer or girlfriend. It not only gives out a certain impression to others, but the right look can also make you feel good about yourself. I have had the opportunity to speak to many great and successful men, and while their wardrobe may not have been the most important thing, it certainly touched upon their ability to express courage, integrity, conviction, and virility to the world. How can your wardrobe accomplish such a huge task?

Allow me to demonstrate:

Black Leather Wingtips

Take a good look at your shoes. What do they say about you? Are they dirty, scuffed, creased, or in otherwise bad form? While you may not always pay attention to what’s on your feet, many people do, including women and men of power (because they know a man who takes care of himself, takes care of business too). Consider your shoes as that which holds the foundation for the rest of your outfit. If your feet are not up to the task, the entire look will crumble. If we could have only one shoe, it would be a pair of black leather wingtips. They express an image of class, masculinity, power, and over the last 50 years, they’ve yet to go out of style.

Vertical Striped Shirt

Most guys play it too safe in the bedroom. They stick with the same old moves, Barry White tunes, and dress shirts. We recommend shaking it up with a classic vertical striped shirt. With just one glance, this shirt says, look at me, I’m suave, self-assured, and I have something you don’t (the guts to wear a vertical striped shirt and make it look this good). Keep in mind that you will get even more out of a striped shirt if you incorporate layering to add depth and contrast.

A Few Name Brands

We’re a society of brands, and to tell you the truth, most guys hate being labeled by what they have on. However, that is just a fact of life. In the same as when we see a guy getting out of a Volkswagen Beetle, compared to one climbing out of a Hummer. Name brand shirts can give you an edge during a first impression. Why? It’s not because that little polo guy is really that cool, but because his clothes just fit a man better. It is often the subtle things that will make you appear more polished, worldly, and intriguing. And for the record, we’re not talking Tommy Hilfiger here, but something a little more extravagant, like LaCoste.

Man Briefs

If you haven’t gotten around to something besides Fruit of the Loom or replacing what mom bought you when you were in high school; your ego is in serious need of a boost. Guys hate buying underpants, as they seem so unnecessary. As long as they are doing their primary job to hold your junk, why should you give them a second thought? Sure, a lover may see them for one-second, but hopefully, that’s it, as most guys want to be out of them as fast as possible. However, they do matter. What others can’t see, still affects your confidence. Man briefs look good, offer superior support, and they receive a thumbs up from the vast majority of women (and we’re talking over 90 percent).

The Suit

Most guys have had to don a suit at some point in their life. Perhaps they went to prom, had a job interview, or somebody died. However, these things are more versatile than most guys realize. You can wear one with jeans and a vertical striped shirt for a casual business look. You can layer it up with a polo and sweater for a dinner date, and then ditch the sweater when its time to go out dancing. The key to a suit is to buy one that fits. Most guys tend to buy too big (relaxed fit), and end up looking sloppy and unstylish. If you’re trying to cover up those love handles, just know that you aren’t fooling anybody with an oversized suit jacket. Part of confidence is taking ownership of your body, regardless of the last time you visited the gym.

Wool Coat

We suspect you probably own a leather coat and beat up sports team jacket. However, a good wool coat will suggest some swagger, and allow a lot of layering possibilities throughout the winter months. Never underestimate the power of wool to add depth and texture to just about everything in your wardrobe.

Denim to Moderation

Everything in moderation, is one of the best bits of style advice for the urban male. It’s just too bad that some designers did not receive this memo, as your choices in denim go from high-waistline dad jeans to the whisker washed emo look. Unfortunately, for most guys, neither of these extremes look good. What a real man needs is a solid pair of denim, that fit well (not too baggy), do not taper too much at the ankle (nor do they flare like a bell bottom), and they are one solid color (not faded or stone-washed), and for your own sake, leave the pocket bling for Vegas (and hopefully you’ll leave them there, too, as the old motto recommends).

Eric Leech writes at Urbasm.com on gadgets, automobiles, fitness, dating, and the 19 women you should never date. Be sure to visit for more on the ultimate urban male guide to the city.