As the morning hustle begins, you find yourself facing your overcrowded closet, a jumble of hangers and stuffed garments. Shirts are squeezed between jackets, and pants are scattered on the floor. Frustration builds as you think, “Ugh, I have nothing to wear.” You rummage through outfits, but nothing feels right. You try on a shirt but it just doesn’t feel like you so you toss it aside. With each passing moment, the pile of discarded clothes grows, and in a last-minute rush, you grab the last shirt you tried on and hurry out the door. Sound familiar?

*This guy probably screwed up his morning finding his clothes. Don't be like him*

We believe in efficiency and simplifying your wardrobe by eliminating what you don’t need. When faced with too many choices, making a decision can become a real challenge, and it’s a daily struggle we often choose to endure. Great style isn’t about having a huge selection but rather having the right pieces that resonate with you. You deserve to enjoy your clothes and feel confident knowing they’ll make you look your best.

Many guys enjoy buying nice clothes they come across. However, when they get home and try to pair those new pieces with their existing wardrobe, they often find that things just don’t match. It’s a bit like going grocery shopping and picking up whatever catches your eye, only to realize later that you were craving a hearty western meal, but all you ended up with are watermelons, donuts, and instant noodles.

Building a wardrobe

Step 1: Consider a style that you like that suits your lifestyle. Having a clear vision makes it simpler to align your choices towards that direction.

Step 2: Next, fill about half your wardrobe with classic pieces in core colors. These timeless pieces look just as great now as they did decades ago, and will likely do so in the future! Think of staples like a crisp white t-shirt, dark wash jeans, and a navy blazer. Core colors are flattering and blend effortlessly, so you won’t have to stress about mixing and matching. Unlike trendy items that quickly fade, a well-rounded wardrobe filled with classic pieces minimizes the need for constant updates.

Step 3: Next, add 30% of versatile pieces in lighter tones to your wardrobe. These cheerful colors will add a refreshing touch to your collection and beautifully complement your classic staples.

Step 4: Finally, use the last 20% of your wardrobe for adventurous colors, prints, or statement pieces. While it's tempting to go for flashy styles, overdoing it will come off as too showy. At The Feather House, we believe that less is more and subtlety will make a strong impression when done right.

Our recommendations

Assuming you're a typical salaryman in a corporate setting who does laundry once a week, here’s a helpful breakdown that you can consider.

3 jackets: Aim for either 2 suit jackets and 1 casual jacket or the other way around, depending on your office’s dress code. Having two suit jackets allows for a nice rotation throughout the week and is perfect for special occasions like weddings. We recommend starting with classic midnight blue or charcoal gray, and if your dress code permits, you can explore deeper browns and greens. For your casual jacket, there are plenty of wonderful options, such as a chore jacket, safari jacket, field jacket, or bomber jacket. A personal favorite of our co-founder Wei Jie is the classic chore jacket, which he believes effortlessly elevates any outfit.

8 Shirts: Plan for 6 work shirts and 2 casual shirts to create a well-rounded collection. This way, you’ll have 5 shirts for the week and 1 extra that can also serve as a weekend option. We want to keep things fresh and avoid wearing the same shirt too often! For work, a classic white oxford or twill shirt is essential for its versatility, along with other options like light blue, navy, light pink, yellow, or green. If tailored shirts are a consideration for you, you can play around with different collar styles for an added touch of flair. For your casual shirts, the sky’s the limit! Explore materials like linen, seersucker, and chambray, along with various colors, prints, and collar styles like one-piece and camp collars.

4 T-Shirts or the Equivalent: Reserve 4 casual tops for your weekends and after-work activities. This could be a mix of T-shirts, mock neck tees, polos, or Henleys—anything that keeps you comfortable and relaxed. A helpful tip is to look for options with a higher GSM and good construction to keep them looking great longer. Enjoy your laid-back style as well!

6 Bottoms: For work, aim for 3 dress pants to ensure a healthy rotation throughout the week. Wool pants are particularly handy, as they don’t require frequent washing thanks to their moisture-wicking properties. Choose colors that coordinate with your jackets, considering shades of blue, gray, and brown. For casual wear, a pair of jeans or chinos offers wonderful versatility. If you enjoy sartorial wear, consider experimenting with different waistbands for a unique touch. Finally, don’t forget to add 2 pairs of shorts for those warm days in Singapore.

2 Pairs of Shoes: Have 1 formal and 1 casual shoe to complete your collection. For formal wear, classic Oxfords and Derbies are excellent options, while Monk strap shoes provide a sleek laceless alternative. Feel free to add some flair with details like brogues and wingtips. For casual wear, you have a wonderful range, from loafers to classic white sneakers, along with Chukka and Chelsea boots. Dark and light shades of brown work beautifully for both formal and casual styles, easily matching your pants, while olive green and black are also great color options. Enjoy finding your perfect pairs!

As you explore this wardrobe guide, keep in mind that this wardrobe guide is just a starting point for the typical corporate guy. Feel free to adjust it to fit your unique lifestyle. If you notice certain pieces getting more wear, consider having a few extras on hand. It’s wise to plan for flexibility as things don’t always go as expected, like laundry not drying on time. The goal is to have just enough clothing to minimize decision fatigue while ensuring a healthy rotation.

By following this approach, your wardrobe will be fully active, allowing you to enjoy each piece without the stress of decision fatigue. Transforming your closet from chaos to clarity is an achievable and rewarding journey. Trust the journey and we hope you enjoy every moment of dressing well just as we do. Hope this helps!

Cheers~

The Feather House

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In a warm and humid Singapore