At some point in your thirties or forties, you start to realise that life is less about acquiring things and more about acquiring the right things. The fleeting purchases of your twenties – fast fashion, flimsy furniture, gadgets that date before the warranty expires – give way to a quieter pursuit of permanence. Which is where the idea of everything a man should own comes in. Not an exhaustive checklist, but a considered edit of essential pieces that balance style with utility, things that work hard for you and get better with age. The essentials that mark the difference between making do and doing things properly.
A pair of quality sunglasses
Protecting your eyes should be the priority, but looking good runs a close second. A quality pair of sunglasses – with proper UV protection and a frame that suits your face – is one of those grown-up purchases you’ll never regret. They’ll last years if you avoid sitting on them, which is half the battle.
A navy wool suit
Not the suit you wore to job interviews in your twenties, but one that fits properly, is cut in wool, and can take you from summer weddings to funerals without looking either overdressed or undercooked. Navy is timeless, forgiving, and works just as well with a tie as it does with a T-shirt. Think of it as the backbone of your grown-up wardrobe – sharp enough for the office, soft enough for dinner.
A pair of Goodyear-welted boots
If trainers tell the world you’re still clinging to adolescence, Goodyear-welted boots suggest you’ve finally grown into yourself. Built properly, they can be resoled forever, meaning you buy them once and keep them for life. A Chelsea or Derby in brown leather will see you through most situations – the sort of footwear that only gets better the more it’s battered.
A crisp white Oxford shirt
A white Oxford shirt is as close to a universal language as clothing gets. Wear it under a suit, with jeans, or open over a T-shirt, and you’ll never look out of place. Get one with a bit of heft – too flimsy and it feels disposable, too stiff and it looks like office uniform. A shirt like this ages with you, softening and creasing in all the right ways.
A proper chef’s cast iron skillet
Every man should know how to cook one thing well, and the cast iron pan is the place to do it. Built to outlive you, it holds heat like nothing else and only gets better the more you use it. Steak, eggs, pancakes, roast chicken – once you’ve seasoned it, it becomes indispensable.
A wool overcoat
When the temperature drops, nothing beats the heft of a proper wool overcoat. Camel, navy or charcoal will cover most bases. It works on the commute, over tailoring, or thrown casually over knitwear and denim. Invest once, take care of it, and it’ll carry you through every winter for decades to come.
Raw selvedge denim
There comes a point in a man’s life when pre-faded jeans feel a bit try-hard. Raw selvedge denim is the antidote – stiff at first, but breaking in over months until it moulds to you. Dark indigo is the most versatile, and with a turn-up you get the smug satisfaction of that tidy selvedge edge.
An automatic timepiece
A phone might tell the time, but a watch tells the story. An automatic timepiece, with its whirring rotor and hidden mechanics, is a tiny machine that connects you to a century of horological craft. Whether it’s a diver, a dress watch, or a rugged field model, the point is that it ticks away without batteries – just like the ones worn by your father, and his before him.
A leather weekend bag
The gap between a supermarket duffel and a sleek suitcase is bridged by a proper leather holdall. It’s the kind of bag that gets better with every trip, developing a patina that maps your life’s mileage. Big enough for a long weekend, small enough to sling in the overhead locker.
A pair of versatile white sneakers
Clean, minimal sneakers have transcended trend cycles. They go with denim, tailoring, shorts, whatever. The trick is keeping them clean – nothing undermines a man faster than grubby trainers. Stick with leather, avoid excessive branding, and they’ll cover more ground than any other shoe in your wardrobe.
A set of Japanese steel kitchen knives
Cooking is easier – and infinitely more enjoyable – when you have the right tools. Japanese steel kitchen knives are sharp, precise and designed to last a lifetime with proper care. They’ll also make chopping an onion feel like performance art. If you only own one serious piece of kitchen kit, make it this.
A classic fountain pen
In a world of screens, writing something by hand has become a small act of rebellion. A fountain pen feels deliberate – heavier, slower, more personal. Whether you’re signing documents or scrawling in a notebook, it adds weight to the words.
A slim wallet in full-grain leather
The era of the overstuffed billfold is done. A slim wallet, ideally in full-grain leather, carries the essentials without bulging awkwardly in your pocket. Cards, licence, maybe a couple of notes – no more. With use, it develops the kind of character no contactless app can replicate.
A heavy-duty umbrella (the kind that lasts)
Umbrellas are disposable until you buy a good one. A solid frame, a wooden handle, and a canopy that won’t fold inside out at the first gust. You’ll curse the weather less, and when everyone else is wrestling with broken nylon, you’ll look like the one man prepared for life’s inevitabilities.
A decanter and set of crystal tumblers
At some point you stop serving whisky in a chipped glass and start pouring it properly. A decanter and tumblers won’t make the whisky taste better, but they’ll make the ritual of drinking it infinitely more enjoyable. It’s less about showing off, more about doing things properly.
A double-edged safety razor
Disposable plastic razors are wasteful. Electric shavers are soulless. A safety razor sits in the sweet spot – tactile, sustainable and pleasingly effective. The blades cost pennies, the handle lasts forever, and the ritual of shaving suddenly feels less like a chore.
A mid-century lounge chair (design classic or inspired)
Furniture doesn’t need to be fussy, but one good chair can transform a space. A mid-century lounge chair – whether a bona fide classic or a faithful reproduction – is where you’ll read, drink, and eventually fall asleep. It says you care about your surroundings without being precious.
A bookshelf stocked with the essentials
The man who owns no books is suspicious. A well-stocked bookshelf says you’re curious, thoughtful, and not reliant on TikTok for cultural reference. It doesn’t matter if it’s classics, cookbooks, or contemporary fiction – just make sure there’s a spread that reflects who you are.
A timeless coffee table
Every living room needs an anchor, and more often than not it’s the coffee table. A timeless design – solid wood, marble, or something clean-lined in steel and glass – will outlast endless trends and flat-pack replacements. It’s not just for mugs and magazines, but a stage for your life at home: books you’re reading, records you’re playing, conversations you’re having.
Some luxurious loungewear
There’s a fine line between looking comfortable and looking like you’ve given up. The best loungewear keeps you firmly on the right side. Think heavyweight cotton sweatshirts, cashmere joggers, or pyjamas cut from proper fabric. Clothes that feel indulgent but look presentable, so you can open the door to the postman without shame – or spend a Sunday in, with nothing planned, and still feel like yourself.
A classic steel bicycle
Carbon fibre might win races, but steel bicycles win hearts. A classic road frame, slim-tubed and hand-brazed, is built to last decades and ride like a dream. Steel flexes with the road in a way modern materials don’t, giving a ride quality that feels almost alive. It’s transport, exercise, and design history rolled into one – proof that sometimes old tech is the best tech.
Next up: How to build the ultimate minimalist capsule wardrobe.
