ZZ Top may not be remembered for being icons of style, but they were right about one thing: women like a sharp-dressed man. In fact, if there’s one lamentation modern women have about modern men, it’s that we don’t often dress to impress. Updating your wardrobe can make a significant difference.

Let’s be clear: if you can convince a woman to love you, she will be there for you through almost anything you do. Hitler had Eva Braun, Charles Manson had Squeaky Fromme, and even Ted Bundy received hundreds of love letters from women after he was sentenced to death for murder. What women cannot forgive, however, is your cargo shorts. 

Men’s Wardrobe Essentials

You don’t need to pitch your basketball shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops, and women secretly love your gray sweatpants. Those all have a purpose but should usually be left in your drawers. Dressing yourself for special occasions means a little more effort, but it’s not difficult and doesn’t have to be expensive. If you have some go-to items in your closet, you will be ready for anything and will likely be the best-dressed man there. 

1. Dress Shoes

You’re about to get a lot of simple fashion advice, but it’s all for nothing if you wear running shoes with any of this. You don’t need to buy high-dollar dress shoes and a shoe shine kit for every outfit (it doesn’t hurt, but there’s no need for it), but your shoes need to be appropriate for the outfit. 

You’ll see well-dressed men wearing Timberlands and Chuck Taylors, but they’re considered well-dressed because their shoes match the occasion, and – most importantly – they’re clean. It’s best to have a brown dress shoe, a casual dress shoe and a formal black dress shoe. If you have just one pair that aren’t sneakers or work shoes, go for one pair of black leather loafers and learn to shine them. They last forever and only get better with age. 

2. At Least One Suit

So many events in life (and death) require a suit, so you might as well invest in one. Men are expected to wear a suit at weddings, business meetings, and funerals, even if the tie is optional. Plus, it just feels good to wear one, and people will look at you differently. Don’t believe me? Try it.  

If you only purchase one suit, go for a darker color like deep gray or navy blue, which are appropriate for most occasions. A good suit doesn’t have to be expensive; it just needs to fit well, so if you’re willing to pay a little more, have it tailored to you. It should never be too baggy or tight, and the back collar of the jacket should rest on the back collar of your shirt. As for buttoning a suit jacket, look up the “Sometimes Always Never” Rule.

3. A Neutral Blazer

Blazers are for times when a suit might be too much, but you still need to look put together. A single-breasted blazer can be paired with any matching pants and shirt, even if it’s just a t-shirt and dark jeans. You can buy a blazer from a thrift store, and as long as it fits like it’s tailored, you can wear almost anything with it.

Gray blazers are the most versatile and can be paired with even the most casual shirts, pants, and shoes. A navy blazer is always going to look more formal, and your shirts and pants should match. 

4. A White Dress Shirt

White dress shirts are a classic look for a reason: they’re always appropriate and never go out of style. Even if you take off an accompanying jacket or blazer, a white dress shirt, and dress pants (with the appropriate shoes) will still look damn-near presidential. 

There’s nothing wrong with other colors, but if you’re not hip to the nuances, you’ll look like you should be selling mobile phone plans. You can never go wrong with a clean, pressed, and fitted white dress shirt in your wardrobe.

5. More Than One Belt

If there’s one thing that cannot fit every occasion, it’s the belt. It’s an accessory but a necessary one. Going without a belt looks like you forgot to wear a belt. Luckily, it’s easy to match. 

Your belt should, in most cases, match your shoes. For a formal event, your shoes will likely be black, and so should your belt. At more casual events, it will probably be brown. Find something that isn’t shiny and doesn’t look cheap, even if it is cheap. 

6. Dark Jeans

Dark blue or black jeans are the workhorse of a man’s wardrobe because they fit almost any occasion, from casual to business casual and even some semi-formal events, with the right outfit. Best of all, they can be as comfortable as any well-worn, go-to denim monstrosity you wear every day and forget to wash. 

Even when ripped or frayed, they match almost anything. An untucked dress shirt looks great with dark jeans. You can even wear them with an old KISS tour shirt and blazer for your parents’ 50th anniversary if you have a nice pair of shoes to go with it. 

7. Dress Socks

It doesn’t matter what they’re made of, how much they cost, or what pattern or color they are – as long as they aren’t white. You can show a little bit of personality or go completely functional and match them to the rest of your outfit. White socks just aren’t good dress wear. 

8. Ties

We live in an age where ties are no longer expected with a suit, but it’s good to have one when they are. You can’t go wrong with a standard black tie for a classic look. When tying a tie, you want the tie to end at the top of your belt buckle. Anything shorter, and you’ll look like Yogi Bear. Anything longer, and you’ll look like Donald Trump (and this should not be your goal, no matter what your political affiliation). 

Pro tip: White ties are for mobsters. 

9. A Pocket Square

A pocket square is just a square of fabric stuffed into the breast pocket of your suit and is the easiest, cheapest way to elevate your style. A white pocket square goes with any suit and tie combo, and it’s almost impossible to get wrong. You can display as much or as little of the square as you want in almost any shape. It’s the best way to signal that you know how to dress, even if you really don’t. 

10. Khakis 

There is no dress pant more versatile than well-fitted khakis. You can wear them to the office, then throw on a blazer if you have a date right after work. They’re appropriate for both church and the Sunday Funday that follows. A white t-shirt with khakis is a year-round look that never goes out of style. The only rule: never wear pleated ones. 

11. Hats, Watches and Sunglasses

Hats, watches, and sunglasses are great accessories for any event, but there are a few rules for them. Regarding hats, visors are for college football coaches, fedoras are for news reporters in the 1920s, and cowboy hats are for actual cowboys. If you’re not one of these, leave them at home. An outfit paired with a matching baseball-style cap is where it’s at nowadays. 

Black works for most sunglasses, but matching the frame color to your shoes never fails. Keep sunglasses to a classic style, and never use reflective lenses or rest them on the back of your head. Oversized sunglasses are for professional wrestlers, and white sunglasses are a red flag. 

Wear a watch on your non-dominant hand, and don’t wear it too tight or too loose. Match the band to your belt and shoes when wearing a leather band. Match the band to your belt buckle for a metal band. The case size should be proportionate to your arm.

12. A Tuxedo

A tuxedo might be the only item on this list up for debate in your wardrobe. Most men will not wear a tux or its accessories for most of their adult life and rent a tux instead. Buying your own tuxedo will pay for itself by the third time you rent one. So, if you foresee at least three black-tie functions in your future, it might be worth the investment.