10 Closet Essentials For Men

Having a nice wardrobe won’t benefit you much if you don’t go to the proper lengths to take care of it. Your clothes spend the majority of their time neatly tucked away and stored in your closet, waiting for that occasion when you need to look your best. Storing your garments and accessories in the appropriate containers and taking proper care will keep them, and you, looking great for a long period of time. An impeccably groomed man needs a well-stocked, organized and functional closet. The following items are essential to providing an excellent foundation for the dapper man’s closet.

Wooden Hangers
If you are using flimsy wire and plastic hangers, your favorite suits may be getting ruined in your closet. Your sports coats spend much more time on hangers in your closet than they do draped over your shoulders. The truth that all well-dressed gentlemen know, is that these cheap hangers can drastically misshape and unfortunately ruin your jackets. Made to properly support your garments, wooden hangers help your clothes to keep their proper shape, in addition to allowing an appropriate amount of breathing room for each item of clothing. Also, wooden hangers definitely make for a more aesthetically pleasing closet overall.

Umbrella
A perfect blend of functionality and style, umbrellas can add class to any outfit. A stylish umbrella can not only accentuate your favorite suit, but also helps to keep you dry and the rest of your wardrobe free from the ever-present enemy of moisture damage. Often times, people keep their umbrellas in the car, but one cannot have enough conveniently located umbrellas to keep them dry and their garments protected from the elements. After all, even if you have an umbrella in the car, you still have to make it to the car dry in order to take advantage of it. If this means you have an extra umbrella on hand during the day, so be it! A gentleman always looks out for his friends.

Iron and/or Steamer
Wrinkles are the ultimate enemy when it comes to looking dapper. For this reason, it is preferable to keep both an iron and a steamer in your closet. While you may not consistently need to remove wrinkles from your clothes, these are items that are worth their weight in gold when you actually need them. Life happens, and there may be times when you’re in a crunch and need to iron something. The steamer, which is ideal for linens and some other fabrics, allows you to eliminate wrinkles before noticing them in a photograph or work meeting the next day.

Garment Bags
Whether you’re going on a business trip or need to change outfits at the office, garment bags ensure that your clothes are not exposed to the elements while you’re in transit. They are an essential element in keeping you looking immaculate.

Cufflink Box
Since cufflinks are an integral part of a well-dressed man’s look, it is best to keep them organized, safe, and in an easily accessible area. Using a cufflink box ensures that these finishing pieces are kept in good condition.

Shoe Rack
When you start to accumulate some nice shoes, the first thing you want to do is keep them stored in a safe area. Simply piling up your shoes ensures that they will get scuffed or otherwise damaged, and this is not the correct way to care for your footwear. Putting them on a shoe rack allows them to breathe and recover after you’ve worn them. Also, keeping them on a rack in the closet ensures that your shoes are stored at a safe distance from the elements that can damage them, such as radiators and excessive sunlight. If you take care of your nice shoes, they will continue to take care of you for years to come.

Garment Brushes
When it was more popular for men to have butlers, one of their primary duties was to use the garment brush in order to keep their employers’ wardrobes in tip-top shape. Butlers knew that using a garment brush allowed for the gentle removal of any dust that may have accumulated, keeping the garment fresh and clean. Keep in mind that when using your garment brush, never use a scrubbing motion on your clothes. It is best to use a strong sweeping motion with a firm flick of the wrist to clean dust from a garment. You want to make all of your strokes in the same direction as well, so as all of the fibers are neatly combed in a cohesive fashion and doesn’t look a mess.

Watch Box
Instead of just tossing your watches on the dresser, invest in a nice watch box. Not only does it make for a more elegant presentation in your closet, but it also protects your watches from the damage they can sustain by sitting out in the open.

Tie Drawer/Box
Ties are yet another crucial element of a well-dressed man’s wardrobe. Some would argue that they are, in fact, the most important piece. Keeping your ties in either a drawer or box specifically intended for them is your best bet for locating your favorite tie when you’re in a hurry, as well as keeping it out of harm’s way.

By incorporating all of the above items into your closet, you will be well on your way to creating and maintaining the stylish look that arises as a result of organization and attention to detail.

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