Polo Ralph Lauren · Men's Knitwear
Washable Cashmere Crewneck
Cashmere he cannot ruin in the laundry. Instant Ralph Lauren boyfriend.
$250–$500
Shop Now →The Boyfriend Closet · /mens-wardrobe-essentials/
The Boyfriend Closet: the capsule that actually works
Most men do not need more clothes. They need four better versions of things they already own, and permission to throw out the rest. A working capsule is roughly eight pieces and it costs less than the closet full of nearly-right items it replaces.
The order below is deliberate. Knitwear does the most visible work, footwear does the second most, and accessories are where a small amount of money buys a disproportionate amount of polish.
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Layer one — knitwear and outerwear
One great crewneck and one heritage jacket cover autumn through spring. Everything else in the closet is a supporting act.
Barbour · Men's Outerwear
Bedale Wax Jacket
The whole aesthetic in one garment. Gets better every year he owns it.
$250–$500
Buy This for Him →
Polo Ralph Lauren · Men's Outerwear
Maxwell Lambskin Leather Jacket
Brown lambskin, cut like a shirt jacket. The grown-up leather jacket.
$1,000+
Shop the Pick →
Layer two — fix the shoe rotation
If his entire rotation is trainers, one loafer changes more outfits than any garment could.
Ferragamo · Men's Shoes
Byte Gancini Driver Loafers
Fixes his shoe rotation in one move. No socks required, no sneakers allowed.
$500–$1,000
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Lucchese · Men's Shoes
Franklin Western Boot
Real bootmaker, not costume Western. Wears with denim and with a suit.
$500–$1,000
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Sperry · Men's Shoes
Gold Cup Prescott Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are back and the Gold Cup is the one worth owning.
$100–$250
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Layer three — the small expensive things
A wallet that is not falling apart, sunglasses that are not from a petrol station, one watch.
Coach · Men's Accessories
3-in-1 Leather Wallet
Maple leather, no logos shouting. The upgrade he did not know was overdue.
$100–$250
See Price →
Persol · Men's Sunglasses
PO3330S Polarized Sunglasses
Straight off our JFK Jr. board. The fastest old-money upgrade there is.
$250–$500
Shop Now →
TAG Heuer · Men's Watches
Carrera Chronograph Automatic
The fastest way to make him a watch guy. Wears with a suit or a hoodie.
$1,000+
Shop Now →
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Picks from neighbouring collections that fit the same brief.
Creed · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Aventus Eau de Parfum
The compliment magnet. If he owns one cologne, it should be this one.
$250–$500
Shop the Look →
Sterling Pacific · Men's Luggage
40L Aluminium Cabin Case
Full aluminium carry-on. Dents become the point, not the problem.
$1,000+
Shop the Look →
Coach · Men's Watches
Jackson Chronograph Watch
First real watch energy without the first-real-watch price.
$100–$250
Shop the Pick →
Michael Kors · Men's Watches
Slim Runway Three-Hand Watch
The thin black dress watch that disappears under a cuff. Never overdressed.
$100–$250
Get It Here →
Wardrobe Essentials FAQ
What should be in a men's capsule wardrobe?
A crewneck knit, an Oxford shirt, a white tee, dark denim, tailored trousers, one jacket, loafers and white leather sneakers. Add a watch, a wallet and sunglasses. That is roughly eleven items and it covers everything short of black tie.
What should I buy my boyfriend to upgrade his style?
Loafers, then knitwear, then sunglasses. In that order. Shoes change an outfit more than any other single item, and most men's shoe rotations are the weakest part of their wardrobe by a distance.
How do I get him to throw things away?
Replace before you remove. Men part with a worn-out wallet the day a better one arrives, and almost never before. The same is true of body wash, sunglasses and shoes.