This is about the clothes I want for 2024 and 2025. But it’s also about building my wardrobe thoughtfully. It doesn’t make you a bad person if you want clothes, but you should approach it with intentionality. I hope this article gives you an idea of how to more meaningfully expand your wardrobe and create good habits to avoid purchasing random clothes (that end up never being worn.) This especially happens if you’re a person like me who thrifts and spends way too much time on eBay and Etsy. At the very least, this is a good exercise for planning out your wardrobe and being a more intentional shopper; I’d encourage all my friends to do the same
The big throughline in this article about my personal style is my inspiration from vintage menswear styles like workwear etc. with a certain throwback to the midcentury (30s, 40s), in terms of silhouettes with a preference for clean lines.
Sections
Pants
Shirts
Outwear
Accessories
Pants
The one major hole in my wardrobe is pants. I have an extremely small rotation and it’s time to get some more. I’ve been really experimenting with high-rise wide pants and I’m never going back. They’re much more comfortable and the silhouette often looks much more clean and coherent; so all these pants listed will fit with this vision.
A Good Pair of Gray Dress Pants
This is the most massive hole in my wardrobe, especially for when I have to dress up, like at a debate competition, etc. Due to our climate, I can’t go for something heavy like flannel. However, I’ve had good experience with sports jackets in a wool hopsack weave, which is an open weave that is lightweight and breathable. Thrifting is the best option, but I’ve heard good things online about Scott Fraser, but they are kind of expensive.
From Scott Fraser Collection
Green Fatigues
The coolest and most affordable option for these I’ve seen online and in real life is vintage/military surplus, which is great as these look even better with age! These are pretty versatile for many styles and mesh great with Americana/workwear elements so I think a pair of these pants would be great to incorporate into my wardrobe.
This is a vintage reproduction from Bronson
Shirts
Extremely Casual Collared Shirts
This is very broad on purpose, but the general idea is that I have enough T-shirts already and I think a lot of the time any form of good collared shirt can make someone look just a bit more fashion-forward and sophisticated. The main thing I want is rugby but other styles I’m definitely looking into are popovers, and camp collars, obviously in a casual fabric. I also might consider an interesting knit long-sleeve polo, (however, since polos are so generic in our time I’ve seen way too many people wear bad, slim, and boring polos, which kinda scares me off.)
This is the “Soft greige confetti fleck shirt” from Scott Fraser Collection, which has a Cuban collar (it is also way beyond my price range.)
Jackets
Vietnam Jungle Jacket
I’m trying to thrift one of these in my size. Vintage military (field) jackets are pretty easy to come by, have a lot of different styles, and don’t even necessarily have to be American. But, I specifically want a vintage Vietnam jungle jacket (these specifically can get a bit pricey) which would work well in our climate and have some interesting casual style options.
This is another vintage reproduction by Bronson
Denim Chore Jacket
I’m trying to explore more Americana workwear styles and this would work. Specifically striped ones like in Wabash or hickory stripes; something that’s “giving transcontinental railroad.” For extra features, I’m specifically looking for something with front slanted pockets/hand warmers and inside pockets.
A liberty stripe chore jacket by Wythe New York
Accessories
Western Belt
A Western belt can add so much flare to an outfit. These don’t have to be styled in a Western way necessarily; these could go with any style. This is one of the things that I would consider getting new. Nudie Jeans makes an interesting mid-price ranged option:
A dark brown western belt by Nudie Jeans
Dark Brown Penny Loafers
I’ve been putting off getting these for far too long and would go great with the gray wool dress pants I mentioned earlier, these would be good in filling that hole in my wardrobe when sneakers are just too casual and I need footwear for semi-casual to slightly formal situations.
Carmina penny loafers
Conclusion
I hope reading this was as helpful and insightful as writing it was for me. Fashion doesn’t have to be about constantly buying new things—it’s about making conscious decisions about your style. Style is a form of social language; the choices you make with your clothes are a reflection of your culture, identity, and background. Each piece you add to your wardrobe is a way to communicate something about yourself to the world, whether you like it or not; so it’s important to make those choices intentionally.
If you’re looking to expand your wardrobe, I’d encourage you to do something similar. Take the time to assess your needs, experiment with new styles, and focus on building a collection that feels you.
