What classic style looks like
Start with an Oxford shirt, dark jeans, and shoes you can keep clean. A navy blazer can come later if your week calls for one.
How it works on a normal day
For a normal workday, wear the Oxford shirt with gray trousers and brown shoes. Heading out afterward? Keep the shirt and shoes, swap the trousers for dark jeans, and leave the blazer at home. You do not need two separate wardrobes for those plans.
Start with these wardrobe essentials
- Navy blazer
- Oxford shirt
- dark straight jeans
- gray trousers
- brown leather shoes
Three classic outfit formulas
Everyday
- Oxford shirt
- dark jeans
- leather sneakers
Work
- Navy blazer
- white shirt
- gray trousers
- loafers
Evening
- Fine knit polo
- navy trousers
- brown suede shoes
What to pause before buying
Before buying something new, see if you can make three outfits with clothes you own.
- Trend pieces that only work for one season
- Oversized logos
- Buying several versions of the same formal item
Use the profile without becoming a uniform
You can bring in parts of your second style, too. Try changing the shoes or outer layer first, and keep what you enjoy wearing.
Keep the Oxford shirt and straight trousers, then try clean sneakers in a casual setting. Smart casual gives you a less formal way to use familiar pieces. Compare smart casual style →
Heading somewhere unfamiliar? Read our guide to clothes and first impressions before assuming one look works for every setting.