How to Plan the Perfect Wardrobe for Your Style

Ever look in your closet and wonder what your wardrobe should look like? Does it feel like you are walking into Ari Gold’s closet or does it seem more like Turtle’s?

Your wardrobe should not only represent your personality, it should also be a reflection of your lifestyle. Obviously someone who wears a suit everyday will have a substantially different wardrobe from a person who only wears a suit 4 times a year.

There are four main style categories that most men fall into, The Ted Mosby, the Eric (E) Murphy, the Jack Donaghy, and the Gatsby. Each of these categories vary based upon each man’s lifestyle and concurrently have different wardrobe essentials.

The following categories give a detailed description of what your wardrobe should ultimately look like.

Which category do you fall into?

The Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother)

Typically someone who falls into the Ted Mosby category works in a business-casual environment where suits are almost never required. This person generally only wears suits for weddings and special events, limiting the need for more than 2 suits in his wardrobe. He will likely utilize slacks, shirts, and sport coats more frequently.

This is what his wardrobe should consist of:

• 1 Tuxedo
  • Traditional Black Tux

• 2 – Suits
  • 1 Navy Suit
  • 1 Charcoal Suit

• 4 – Blazers / Sport coats (Variety is essential)
  • 2 Navy / Charcoal / Black Blazer
  • 2 Patterned sport coats

• 8 – Pairs of slacks (Repeating once every 1.5 weeks)
  • 4 Varying shades of gray
  • 2 Navy
  • 2 Textured (ie: self-stripe, sharkskin, pin-dot)

• 12 – Shirts (2 weeks worth of shirts with 2 back-up options)
  • 2 White shirts
  • 5 Solid color shirts
  • 5 Patterned shirts

The Eric (E) Murphy (Entourage)

Primarily wearing suits 1-2 times per week, this guy suits up when he is client facing or for important meetings.  The remaining part of the week he dresses business casually. This lifestyle requires a blend of both formal and casual clothing and should consist of:

• 1 Tuxedo
  • Traditional Black Tux

• 4 – Suits (Repeating every 2 weeks)
  • 1 Navy Suit
  • 1 Charcoal Suit
  • 2 Patterned/Texture (ie: Pinstripe, glen plaid, herringbone)

• 3 – Blazers / Sport coats (Variety is essential)
  • 1 Navy/charcoal blazer
  • 2 Patterned sport coats

• 5 – Pairs of slacks (Repeating once every 1.5 weeks)
  • 3 Varying shades of gray
  • 1 Navy
  • 1 Texture

• 12 – Shirts (2 weeks worth of shirts with 5+ matching tie options)
  • 2 White shirts
  • 5 Solid color shirts
  • 5 Patterned shirts

The Jack Donaghy (30 Rock)

Liz Lemon: Why are you wearing a tux?

Jack Donaghy: It’s after six.  What am I, a farmer?

This person wears suits at least 3-5 days a week and rarely dresses business casually. That being said, the Jack Donaghy category requires a more robust wardrobe with a comprehensive blend of suits, a tuxedo, blazers, slacks, and shirts. Mixing and matching shirt and tie combinations is essential for maximizing his wardrobe.  He is prepared for every event.

• 1 Tuxedo
  • Traditional Black Tux

• 10 – Suits (Repeating every 2 weeks)
  • 2 Navy Suits (Midnight navy & traditional navy)
  • 3 Gray Suits (Charcoal, medium gray, lighter gray)
  • 5 Patterned/Texture (ie: Pinstripe, glen plaid, herringbone)

• 2 – Blazers / Sport coats (Variety is essential)
  • 1 Navy/charcoal blazer
  • 1 Patterned sport coats

• 5 to 7 – Pairs of slacks (Repeating once every 2 weeks)
  • 3 Varying shades of gray
  • 2 Navy
  • 2 Neutral

• 12 – Shirts (Repeating every 2 weeks with matching ties)
  • 2 White shirts
  • 5 Solid color shirts
  • 5 Patterned shirts

The Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)

His motto – too much isn’t enough. The Gatsby is your quintessential clotheshorse.  He takes all three aforementioned categories and combines them into one gigantic closet. This person’s lifestyle and work environment are far less relevant than his sheer appreciation of clothing.  Whether the event is business casual or formal, the Gatsby has the perfect outfit for every occasion.

• 2+ – Tuxedos
  • Traditional Black Tux
  • Modern Midnight Navy / Patterned Tux

• 8+ – Blazers / Sport coats
  • 3+ Navy/charcoal blazer
  • 5+ Patterned sport coats

• 12+ – Pairs of slacks
  • 8+ Solid colors: tan, gray, black, navy, brown, neutral
  • 4+ Textured

• 20+ – Shirts
  • 4 White shirts
  • 8 Solid color shirts
  • 8 Patterned shirts

Bottom line, you don’t need to wear a suit everyday to look good, you just need to be prepared for every occasion.