3. BUY SOME BASICS

You want to look good from head to toe, but there's a good chance that you're on a budget. So we're going to start you off with a few "must-have" basics to get your wardrobe rolling. Then, as your wallet expands, so can your wardrobe.

Where should you go to buy your fancy new duds? Department stores such as Bloomingdale's and Macy's offer one-stop shopping for those of you who loathe shopping. Trusty retail stores such as Banana Republic and J. Crew are always safe bets (especially if you don't mind the "preppy" look). If you prefer a hipper look, check out stores such as French Connection and Club Monaco.

Here's a big tip on how to save money: Everything at retail stores eventually goes on sale, usually at the end of a season. For example, summer clothes will go on sale in late August. Be careful though. Sales are good for items that are basic staples (e.g., khaki pants, dress shirts, T-shirts), but not for trendier items that were popular at the start of a season but not appropriate to wear the next year.

Once you've determined where you want to shop, it's time to start building your wardrobe with these basic items:

Shirts
Pants
Shoes
Accessories (belts, ties, watches, jewelry)

Shirts

  • Stan insists that you must own at least one crisp, white, high-quality, cotton shirt-you just can't go wrong with it. Buy one with a full-fashion collar that you can use with a collar stay and that can be worn with a tie. This way you can wear this shirt to work or out at night. Button-up dress shirts are generally good choices, as long as you buy one that is high-quality and a nice color. And since you're building the basics, stick with colors like blue and white.

  • You also can't go wrong with a high, V-neck sweater made of a quality material. Try Merino wool, or if you're really in the mood to splurge, cashmere says class and it feels great against the skin. V-neck sweaters look great for dates and dinners, and for casual dress days at work.

  • Also, be sure to wear a short-sleeve, white T-shirt under your shirts and sweaters. Not only does this protect your tops from sweat and deodorant stains, it makes you look adult-y and fashion-y.

Pants

If you're on a budget, there are three pairs of pants that you must purchase: a pair of dress pants, a pair of khakis and a pair of blue jeans.

  • Dress pants. Most men don't own dress pants unless they are suit pants, but even if you own suits, you need a separate pair of dress pants. You might be tempted to go for a standard black pair, but navy blue is very modern while still being non-flashy. Stan says, "Black is a safe bet." Exactly. A safe bet, but Stan also notes that navy says that you might know a little something about style.

    If you wear suits to work, go ahead and splurge on a really nice (that is, expensive) pair of dress pants and get them professionally tailored. You will wear them all the time and it will be worth the investment. It's better to have one nice pair of pants instead of five cheap pairs.

  • Khakis. For a more casual look, you need to have a nice pair of khaki or light-colored pants. It's a good idea to have a couple pairs of these pants because you can just wash them and iron them at home (or if you're particularly lazy, get a pair of wrinkle-free khakis). Then if you're in a hurry, you will always have a clean pair to toss on.

  • Blue jeans. When purchasing jeans, Stan suggests buying a nice pair of dark wash jeans with a clean cut and style. Make sure they fit nicely (that is, don't buy ultra baggy jeans or jeans that aren't a standard length). Dark jeans will always look good and can be dressed up at night.

A general rule of thumb for any type of pants you purchase is not to buy pants with pleats-stick with flat front pants. They have cleaner lines and just look neater. Also avoid anything fancy, so that your pants can be stretched throughout your wardrobe without anybody noticing. For instance, if you only own one pair of khakis and they are really flashy, people will notice if you wear them all the time. The horror! However, if you buy a standard pair of plain khaki pants, no one will notice if you wear them all the time; they'll just assume that you have five pairs of khakis.

Shoes

Whereas women are required to have at least two dozen pairs of shoes, men usually own a measly two pairs: a pair of sneakers for bumming around and a pair of dress shoes for work. But, can you guess what one of the first things a woman notices about a man is? It's not your charming personality, it's your shoes.

  • If you want pointers on buying the perfect pair of sneakers, we've got you covered with an entire SYW on the subject.

  • Buying dress shoes is slightly more complicated. First off, you should be prepared to pay at least $125. Sounds hefty, but remember, quality over quantity. You can wear the best outfit in the world, but if your shoes suck, you might as well be wearing a potato sack.

  • Stan tells us, "There is absolutely no excuse for wearing shoes that are not polished or one where the heel has worn off or the leather looks worn." He also says, ideally, your shoes will match your belt which will match your briefcase. Nothing looks worse than a brown belt worn with a black pair of shoes and a tan briefcase. Except if all three are covered with hearts and unicorns.

A few dressy-ish options:

  • Boots. If you can only afford to purchase one more pair of shoes, Stan prefers that you go with a black leather boot. We don't mean a cowboy boot or a pair of Doc Martens; we're talking about a boot that is an inch or two above your ankle with a nice heel and a conservative, round-capped toe. This way you can wear them both for work and for going out at night.

  • Slip-ons. If you are morally opposed to boots, Stan's suggested alternative is a pair of nice leather slip-on shoes. These shoes are sort of loafer-ish, and they have a high vamp that covers your socks.

  • Tied. If you prefer shoes that tie, look for a nice pair of leather shoes with a toe that is more square than round. Try to find a pair that is casual enough for khakis, but nice enough for dress pants. Avoid dress shoes with tassels or buckles.

  • Slides. Even if you practice good grooming, most men have unattractive feet. So, in the summer, while you might be tempted to wear sandals, it's best for men to keep their toes covered at all times unless you live in Rome and carry a shield. For the two men on this planet who have good-looking feet, you are allowed to purchase a nice pair of leather slides if you are dying to flaunt your toes.

Accessories (belts, ties, watches, jewelry)

While there isn't a lot of variety in men's clothing, accessories are an opportunity to individualize your look. Belts, ties, watches and jewelry can sometimes be even more expensive than the suit you are wearing, but you don't need many of them, and you don't necessarily have to spend a fortune. Here's the lowdown on how to put the finishing touches on your outfit:

  • Belts. You need two belts: one for dress pants and one for khakis and jeans (never wear your dress belt with your casual pants or vice versa). Also, your casual belt should be wider than your dress belt.

  • Ties. You can have fun with your tie collection, but keep up with the trends. If skinny ties are in, then take a gulp and go buy a skinny tie for that season-but that season only. Try to avoid cartoon ties or polyester. They're dorky. And learn to properly tie the thing by watching this video on How to Tie a Tie.

  • Watches. Buy the nicest watch you can afford. If you only buy one watch, buy a simple, classy watch that will match with anything. Avoid bells and whistles. Don't buy a diving watch or a sports watch, unless you are a diving instructor or an athlete. In that case, buy a second watch.

  • Jewelry. Aside from wearing a watch and the occasional pair of cufflinks, jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Unless you are married, you shouldn't wear rings unless it's a class ring (and even that is questionable). If you wear a chain, keep it simple, and only wear one (or a group of rogue disco dancers may start to boogie around you).