My Husband Needs a Complete Wardrobe Refresh—9 Stylish Basics I'm Starting With

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Despite being married to a fashion editor, my husband knows nothing about clothes. He wears the same slew of T-shirts on rotation, and if I buy him a few nice pieces, those will become his go-to dressed-up outfit for the next few months. Much to my excitement, he recently let me know that he's serious about getting a wardrobe refresh and wants to give his outfit game a little bit of upgrade. A lot of the men's fashion content online can be for those who are very much in tune with their sartorial side, but for those like my husband who are still taking baby steps, I decided to round up the basic stylish pieces I'm starting off with. 

If you are a guy who's looking for a simple guide for a casual yet elevated wardrobe or are someone who wants to help your partner out in their fashion journey, look no further than the list ahead. From lightly printed sweaters to matching loungewear sets, everything below will make for an easy and stylish wardrobe.

Simple Sneakers

Bold sneakers are fun, but starting off with a pair of simple sneakers that can go with a majority of outfits is important. Nike's and New Balance's offerings are a personal favorite, but I also love the retro touch a pair of Vans can bring to a look.

Elevated Jackets

Nope, this doesn't include the fleece jacket that it seems every man has in their closet. Whether it's a leather jacket or a simple denim number, it elevates solid items like a T-shirt and jeans.

Everyday Accessories

I firmly believe that men who don't accessorize are missing out. All it takes is a cozy hat or a sleek pair of sunglasses to take a simple look to another level.

A Quality Bag

Despite the fact that companies make men's pockets deep enough to fit absolutely everything (yes, I'm jealous), a quality bag for either everyday use or traveling is key. 

Non-Workout Joggers

I get it. Trousers are often not the most comfortable of pieces, but luckily, brands have released many versions of joggers that aren't the ones you'd wear to work out. I'm talking about khaki, linen, and cargo versions.

Subtle Prints

Although I wish every man would take the plunge in the print department, not everyone can pull a Harry Styles. Ease into prints with more subtle colorways and patterns. They're still interesting enough to make a statement but aren't too far-fetched.

Collared Shirts

This is an obvious one, but I love the incorporation of unique colors and textures in what would be an average collared shirt. Also, don't be afraid to work with different styles, like a mandarin version.

Staple Knitwear

Sweaters don't have to only come out for the holidays. Simple sweaters and cardigans can be incorporated into an everyday wardrobe, from a casual look with jeans to a button-down with fitted trousers.

Loungewear

When I showed my husband the pieces below, he immediately wanted them. I don't blame him. I've been living in matching sets this past year. They just always look good and are incredibly comfortable.

Next, Summer 2021 Is Bringing Retro Style Back With These 8 Trends

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.