6 Wardrobe Basics You Can Wear All Week Long

The era of skinny pants is dead. With menswear taking cues from the more relaxed cuts of ‘80s and ‘90s workwear, we’ve seen guys err towards looser pants paired with sneakers, lace-ups, or even a pair of loafers.

Call it a shacket, call it an overshirt, call it whatever you like. The thicker button up is the perfect layering piece for transitional seasons, overly air-conditioned environments and a summer that occasionally looks like it’s not going to be particularly warm. You can wear it undone over a basic white tee, or button it up and wear as is.

Where leisure-forward footwear was once all about throwaway thongs and sportswear-inspired slides, recent times have seen a shift towards more luxurious options. Birkenstock’s Boston mules and similar slip-ons have become a must-own for style-savvy gents, offering an option that you can dress up with a pair of jeans.

Another fantastic layering piece worn under a blazer or paired with a pair of chinos for a more relaxed look, knitted polos bring a little bit of a Mediterranean, resort-inspired aesthetic to any dressed-up look. For effortless yacht party style that could also apply to casual Fridays at work, pair with a set of linen pants and some clean white sneakers.

The golden rule for making a tee look and feel more expensive than it actually is? Invest in a heavyweight material. Heavyweight cotton tees, like those made by AERE and workwear brands like Dickies and Carhartt, not only look better and more structured when worn by themselves, but tend to last longer and look more refined when layered under a jacket or even a suit.