With the suit taken care of – or on hold as you work on forging the physique you need – let’s look at the rest of the Gentleman Spy’s wardrobe.
YOUR DAILY UNIFORM
Whether you want to be more stylish like James Bond or subdued like Jason Bourne, you’ll need similar basics: slacks, jeans, polo shirts, and dress shirts.
Your goal is to build a versatile wardrobe that will serve many roles and can all be mixed and matched.
Dress down a pair of slacks by wearing them with a t-shirt and more casual shoes.
Dress up a pair of jeans with a button down shirt, jacket, and dress boots.
Select versatile choices and you’ll never have to worry about not being dressed for the occasion.
A good starting point for a classic, versatile wardrobe might look like:
- 1+ casual shoes + matching belt
- 2+ dress shirts (white and light colors that go with the suits and slacks)
- 2+ ties
- 2+ slacks (dark and light)
- 2+ well-fitting jeans
- 2+ solid color polo shirts
- 2+ high-quality t-shirts
- 1+ sweaters
- 1+ bathing suit
- Watch (a classic, non-flashy, all stainless steel will go with everything from a bathing suit to a tux)
When you choose your colors and fabrics correctly, all of the above will go well with all the rest; there will never be a situation that you can’t be dressed for. Wherever you go, whether it’s a vacation to Costa Rica or a business trip to London, you will be looking your best with just a few well-chosen articles of clothing.
QUICK-START GUIDE:
You’ll find detailed information, from the best styles to look for to the faux pas you must avoid, inside the Gentleman Spy Program.
Start today by going to your closet. Remove everything that is faded, torn, too small, too big, or you haven’t worn in the last six months. Take it to Goodwill, a homeless shelter, or throw it away – it doesn’t matter as long as you can’t go back to sub-par clothing. Next, find a fashionable friend or mentor and take them shopping with you.
To start with, you need one pair of dark denim, straight fit jeans; the perfect polo shirt; the perfect t-shirt; a pair of wool slacks, and a tailored fit button down shirt. Choose colors that are subdued and classic such as navy blue, charcoal gray, black, white, and khaki. Avoid one-off pieces; almost all your clothing should be interchangeable.
If you spend any time at the pool, the beach, or are planning a vacation where you will, ditch the board shorts or spandex and pick up the perfect tailored fit bathing suit.
Don’t forget to check out the Resources page for the footwear, watch, and other accessories needed to round out the look.
When you’re ready for more detailed information and next steps…