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Pants

While jeans may be your go-to pair of pants, consider stocking up on chinos as well. You can’t go wrong with a pair in British khaki (a caramel color, slightly darker than your typical khaki chinos) and charcoal.

Same with shorts; the most versatile colors are navy and British khaki. But since you’re wearing shorts in the summer, feel free to grab a pair or two in more adventurous colors.

Finally, one pair of mid-grey wool trousers for those occasions when you need to class it up a bit.

Our Favorite pants To Recommend

Levi's 531 Athletic Slim Jeans
$47.70

A slightly slimmer version of the favorite athletic-cut Levi's 541

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09/10/2026 10:46 pm GMT
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Bonobos Jeans
$98

Bonobos has jeans for any body type, with a variety of different washes and types of denim fabric (stretch, premium selvedge, etc.)

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Adriano Goldschmied / AG Jeans
Starting at $178

AG is a premium denim company leading the sustainable manufacturing movement. A ton of different fits and incredible denim fabric selection.

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Flint and Tinder The Summer Jean
$188

"The Summer Jean combines a classic, easygoing shape with the lightest weight denim they've ever sourced, resulting in the perfect jean for all of your warm-weather outings."

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Everlane Chinos
$72

Everlane made a pair with all the technical-pant features—they’re sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and have 4-way stretch—plus an authentic chino look designed for everyday wear.

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Bonobos Chinos
$98

Your search for the perfect chinos ends here. Bonobos' chinos offer superior comfort, dozens of colors, and quality that lasts.

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J.Crew Chinos
$79+

J.Crew's designers engineer these pants with precision—using fit and fabric detail that'll make you want to wear them every day.

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Spier & Mackay Trousers
$58+

Spier & Mackay makes high-quality and well-fitted modern menswear at a wallet-friendly price.

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Brooks Brothers Flannel Trousers
Starting at $148

Several fits and colors available.

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Sharp-looking, affordable suiting.

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Shirts

Stock up on a few T-shirts (or V-necks, if you prefer) which are perfect for casual occasions. I typically stick with grey, white, or black for max versatility, yo.

My sport shirts are a mix of OCBDs and chambrays, plus twills and flannels for the colder months. Depending on fabric weight, most, if not all of your shirts can be worn year-round.

I own a few dress shirts as well, though not as many since I rarely wear suits. My workhorses are my white spread collar and light blue button down collar dress shirts.

Our Shirt Recommendations

Bonobos Short Sleeve Shirts
$78+

Bonobos has a wide variety of colors and patterns available year-round. It’s always good to have a mix of styles for different occasions.

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Uniqlo OCBDs
$39.90

An affordable, yet well-made version of the classic Oxford cloth button down in 100% cotton.

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J.Crew Chambray Shirts

Softer and lighter than denim (thanks to a different weaving process), chambray looks great no matter how you wear it.

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EG's TOP PICK
Charles Tyrwhitt Dress Shirts
$39+

Tyrwhitt’s elegant men's dress shirts are made from smooth cotton in understated patterns and classic colors to smarten any look

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Midlayers

Midlayers not only add a bit of visual interest to your outfit’s layers, but they help keep you warm. They can replace heavier outerwear during the transitional months, or worn underneath your coat during the colder ones.

I have a number of sweaters, but also love shirt jackets, heavier wool flannel shirts, and quilted vests. These all serve as great midlayers. Stick to neutrals like grey, navy, tan, brown, or black to maximize versatility, but don’t be afraid to throw in a few bolder and more adventurous midlayers into the mix.

Our Favorite Midlayers To Recommend

Everlane Felted Merino Wool Sweater
$98

To make this wool softer, warmer, and more durable, Everlane washed and boiled the yarn so it softens and shrinks up just enough to create a denser fabric with all of wool’s upsides—and none of the scratch.

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Alex Mill Sweaters + Sweatshirts
$50+

Alex Mill is timeless, not trendy. They take the core styles that every person wants and does something radical: They don’t change them all that much


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J.Crew Factory Walker Vest
$99 (but usually on sale)

Great budget quilted vest that's perfect for layering in colder temperatures.

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Outerwear

The number and type of outerwear you buy will depend on how cold it gets where you live. Some guys can get away with light outerwear all year long, while others need to bundle up HARD and would benefit from investing in a warm coat designed to shield you from the elements.

Outerwear Recommendations

J.Crew Combat Jacket
$198

The perfect jacket for transitional weather and inspired by the classic M65 military jacket, this go-to layer is built with rugged 100 percent slub cotton twill and reinforced in key areas.

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L.L Bean Baxter Parka
$299

Filled with a serious volume of down under a tough wind- and waterproof shell and topped with a comfy hood, our warmest men’s insulated parka keeps you comfortable and dry in extreme cold, wind and rain. -L.L.Bean

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J.Crew Dock Peacoat

"We modeled our version on military-issue styles from the 1930s, using a soft-but-sturdy wool blend with authentic, old-school details like reinforced anchor-motif buttons."

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Montgomery Original Men's London Luxury Duffle Coat

This roomy coat in Italian Melton wool features custom developed toggles and dropped shoulders for an easy-over-everything fit.

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09/09/2026 11:47 am GMT
Allsaints Ivor Leather Bomber Jacket
$529

Matte black leather for no-fuss outfitting. The Ivor Bomber Jacket is shaped to a regular fit with ribbed trimming and matte metal hardware.

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Footwear

Men typically need 5-6 pairs minimum in their wardrobes. A pair of lace-ups in black and brown, a simple pair of leather sneakers, and a few pairs of casual shoes such as chukkas, work boots, or loafers.

Our FOOTWEAR Recommendations

Cariuma OCA Low in Cloud Grey Suede
$98

"Our much-loved, signature sneaker is the OCA. Crafted from high-end, raw materials, it features lightweight cushion technology, the perfectly-weighted rubber sole, and classic cap-toe design for a crazy-comfy, go-to look."

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EG's TOP PICK
Koio Capri
$295

In buttery full-grain calf leather, the Capri Triple White from Koio is the ultimate wardrobe cornerstone.

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Thursday Boot Company Captain Men's Lace-up Boot
$199.00

"A well-made, rugged lace-up boot in a classic silhouette. Available in a variety of colorways and either a slim rubber or chunkier lug outsole."

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09/10/2026 09:48 pm GMT
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Thursday Boot Company Duke Men's Chelsea Boot
$199.00

Well-made, Goodyear-welted, comfortable Chelseas in a variety of leather and suede colors.

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09/09/2026 11:47 am GMT
Koio Chelsea Boots
$348

Handsome, yet rugged winter-ready Chelsea boots.

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Herring Dartford Loafer in Tan Soft Grain
$304

Herring's Dartford loafer is hand-finished and hand-patinated at the Carlos Santos factory (each pair has a unique). Goodyear welted.

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Socks

The type of socks that work best for you will depend on what you do day to day, as well as the season you’re in.

For me, I have a number of calf-length socks in a plush, colorfully flecked wool for winter from Boardroom Socks, and plenty of cotton no-show socks for the warmer months. I also dress more casually and don’t wear suits every day.

If you wear suits, you’ll want to invest in a few pairs of nice dress socks (I prefer over-the-calf styles).

And for summer, if you haven’t tried absorbing insoles as sock alternatives for your loafers and canvas sneakers, I think you’re gonna love em. The two I use most are linked below.

Our Favorite Socks To Recommend

Uniqlo Low-Cut Socks
$4.90

No-show design makes it looks like you are not wearing any socks. Non-slip heels ensure a better fit.

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Bombas Vintage Stripe Calf Socks
$12

These socks have classic stripes around the calf that are specially designed with stay-up technology. It's the perfect tension level so that your socks (and stripes) stay up and never slip down.

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Smartwool Medium Hiking Crew Socks
$19.95

This all-purpose hiking sock was designed for rugged day hikes or moderate backpacking. An arch brace holds the sock in place and adds additional support and a flat-knit toe seam matched with our responsibly-sourced Merino wool helps keeps you comfortable.

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Underwear

If you’re on the slimmer side, go with boxer briefs that have a short inseam, between 3-6”. If you have bigger legs, I find 6-9″ inseams to be more comfortable.

Why boxer briefs? You get the best of both worlds: the support of a brief and the shape of boxers.

I’ve tried plenty of boxer briefs, and my favorites are typically made from a synthetic blend that’s designed with stretch, as well as moisture-wicking and cooling properties in mind. As far as color, I typically stick with black or grey. Light to mid-grey is great when you have to wear light-colored pants.

The Underwear We Always Recommend

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Suits And Sportcoats

The number of suits you need will depend on how often you wear them during the week.

If you wear suits every day, you’ll probably want between 7-10 suits for variety (but realistically can get away with 5-6). If you wear them only for special occasions (maybe 1-2x per quarter) then you’ll be fine with 1 or 2.

If you are going for a smart, sharp casual style, you’ll use sportcoats more often. It’s beneficial to have one with a grey base and one with a navy base. I find myself using my glen check (with a brown and tan base) often, as well as a brown herringbone tweed jacket.

The Suits And Sportcoats We Recommend

SuitSupply

Sharp-looking, affordable suiting.

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Spier & Mackay

Spier & Mackay was founded on the belief that great fit and high quality don't have to be luxuries.

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Grooming

I have a simple facial routine. Most nights I use a gentle face wash, rinse, then follow up with a facial moisturizer. I also have under-eye cream to help with dark circles and wrinkles (I don’t have many, yet, so this is more of a preventative measure).

The ideal hair product is different for every guy. It depends on your hair’s thickness, coarseness, length, and styling preferences. I have thick, straight, medium-length hair, and for me and the way I style my hair, I found that Beardbrand’s Styling Balm works well. It’s lightweight, has enough hold without being stiff or greasy, and smells great.

Our Favorite Grooming Products

Tiege Hanley Skincare System
Starting at $25

Choose from Level 1 to Level 3. Use code GENT for a special price!

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Free Skincare Sample Kit: Brickell Men's Products Best Sellers
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Try Brickell's best selling men's natural Anti-Aging & Skincare sample kit for FREE. The kit includes 8 of their best sellers and a $10 coupon towards your first purchase.

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Daveed Travel Pouch
$20

"You never know when a red spot may appear, but you always know you can make them go away with Concealer Tool. Just tap a little on your face and blend in."

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Geologie Skincare
$37

Exclusive offer for Effortless Gent readers: Save an additional 30% on your trial set from Geologie (under $1 a day to get started)!


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Oars + Alps Skincare

"We believe what you believe: that a skin care regimen should work for you, not the other way around. We believe in powerful, natural ingredients that deliver powerful, natural results." –Oars + Alps

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