- To view Part 2 (the stockings), click here .
- To view Part 3 (the costumes), click here .
- To view Part 4 (the shoes), click here .
The journey to your ideal men's wardrobe begins here. Welcome to our guide to men's basics. Our goal: to give you concrete advice to help you build your stylistic identity, starting by mastering the essentials .
Having good basics is a key step - whether you've decided to reset your wardrobe or already have good style knowledge . A basic is a simple and well-cut piece. It's a garment that will accompany you for years and which will serve as a base ( well! ), before incorporating other more original, more personal pieces, in short, stronger pieces .
Please note: just because a piece is simple does not mean you should neglect the details when choosing it - in fact it is quite the opposite! These are precisely the well-thought-out and manufactured basics that make all the difference .
Cuts, materials, looks... Sit comfortably, fasten your seat belt and let yourself be carried away according to our recommendations. The first step on this stylistic road trip? The tops, of course.
BonneGueule is above all a story of passion . The 2007 blog has become, over time, a company with around sixty employees . Since 2014, we have been offering our own clothing , in line with what we believe in . Here we share with you our years of experience in contact with clothing, so that you can then make your own choices, with full knowledge of the facts... and always with style .
1. The t-shirt: a basic necessary all year round (and all life)
CHOOSE YOUR T-SHIRT WELL
Despite what you might believe, it is not that easy to find a beautiful, well-cut t-shirt. Here are some elements to take into account when choosing the right one:
- The material: favor natural materials (cotton, linen, wool, hemp, etc.). They are thermoregulatory and have the potential to present a rich texture that adds character to a look. Avoid synthetic materials: visually flatter, less insulating, less breathable and which retain odors more.
- The shape of the collar: on a t-shirt, the V-neck is a false friend. We prefer the round neck , easier to combine with other pieces. Be careful, however: it must neither tighten you at the neck nor be too low-cut.
A well-proportioned round neck
- The sleeve seams : they should follow the natural curvature of your shoulders and break at the acromion (the bony protuberance at the end of your shoulder).
- The sleeves : they must stop at the base of the biceps. They should neither be tight nor too loose.
- The bust : a well-cut t-shirt will be slightly adjusted to the pectorals but will not mold your stomach .
- Making: lay your t-shirt flat. If it is positioned crooked and its seams "twist", it is not of very good quality.
To go even further, don’t hesitate to consult our complete guide to the t-shirt :
HOW TO WEAR A T-SHIRT PROPERLY?
Once you have found the right t-shirt, you now need to know how to wear it . A versatile piece that crosses the seasons, it can be worn with:
- Jeans and a jacket
- Under a casual suit
- In summer, tucked into Bermuda shorts or light pants
- In all your casual outfits
The t-shirt can find its place in all stylistic registers: casual, dressier, rock, minimalist, workwear, etc. There’s a t-shirt for every style.
To start, choose light t-shirts that will fit easily with the other pieces of your outfit: white, beige, heather gray... Once these shades have been mastered, you can try khaki, terracotta, olive green or mustard for example. example.
OUR BONNEGUEULE T-SHIRTS
If you are looking for beautiful t-shirts , with soft and textured natural materials:
OTHER T-SHIRT BRANDS
- Colorful Standard : a large choice of colors and organic cotton, all made in Portugal.
- Velva Sheen : They are durable, strong, do not shrink in the wash and have no visible seams. The price is high but they will last you for many years.
- Maison Cornichon : t-shirts knitted in France on vintage machines
- Mr. P : the site's own brand Mr. Porter offers a wide range of t-shirts each season, in terms of cut, colors, textures and even compositions.
2. The shirt: a great classic in the men’s wardrobe
No, the shirt is not just reserved for formal events . Now, it is becoming more popular in casual versions, to be worn every day with a t-shirt, chinos and sneakers. Well chosen, it is a very versatile piece .
CHOOSE YOUR SHIRT WELL
As with the t-shirt, the choice of cut and material are major elements to consider when purchasing. Without going into all the details of a perfect shirt widely listed here , here are a few points to check :
- The cut : a shirt in your size should lightly follow the lines of your body without constricting you. You should be able to move without feeling excessive tension.
- The material : favor natural materials (cotton, linen, etc.).
- The collar : it must be proportional to your face ( as well as the lapels of your jacket if you wear one ).
- The seams : check that the seam falls at the level of your shoulder.
HOW TO WEAR A SHIRT PROPERLY?
There are two main families of shirts: formal shirts and casual shirts.
The first are longer and are generally worn tucked into pants, in formal outfits: with a suit in a professional setting or for a special occasion , for example. The most used fabrics are poplin, fil à fil or even twill. These fabrics generally have a relatively smooth appearance.
The shape of the collar is also a good indicator: the stiffer and wider it is, the more it is an indicator of a formal shirt, which will be more difficult to wear casually .
Conversely, casual shirts have a more informal appearance due to their cut (often shorter and straighter) and the materials used, which are more textured, grainy, than on formal shirts. You will find in particular oxford, chambray or even flannel. Casual shirts also sometimes feature one or two chest pockets while formal shirts do not.
With them, everything becomes possible: you can wear them closed, open over a t-shirt, tucked into your pants or - more often - outside.
Keep in mind that there are not just two ways to wear shirts: don't limit yourself to the registers discussed above. Today, we easily wear more formal shirts with jeans and more casual shirts with dressier pants, for example pleated, don't hesitate to straddle stylistic barriers .
OUR BONNEGUEULE SHIRTS
High-end materials, carefully crafted cut and construction, here are our shirts:
WHICH SHIRTS BRANDS SHOULD YOU GO TOWARDS?
We also invite you to take a look at:
- SuitSupply : their advantage is to offer three different price ranges (the first two at less than 100 euros), always in an Italian style.
- Portuguese Flannel : casual shirts, especially in flannel, all made in Portugal.
- ABCL Garments : shirts in beautiful textured fabrics, particularly Japanese, sometimes mixing materials (ramie, linen, cotton) and all made in Italy.
- Gitman Vintage : for the classic oxford fabric shirt, with buttoned collar, chest pocket and made in the United States.
- NYC Corridor : beautiful casual shirts with original and well-chosen fabrics. Perfect for pushing your style a little further.
- 100 Hands: Dutch brand offering very high-end shirts with very beautiful fabrics and hand finishes.
- Husbands : a reference for more classic style shirts, and even for the entire men's wardrobe in general. Well-cut traditional shirts.
3. The mesh: anti-cold device
Knitwear refers to all knitted pieces, as opposed to woven clothing (jackets, jeans, etc.). We're talking in particular about sweaters and cardigans - essentials for surviving the cold , in short.
CHOOSE YOUR KNIT WELL
To know the quality of a knit , we look at its composition, indicated on the label. We favor natural materials - notably wool which keeps you warm without making you sweat - over synthetic materials.
The presence of polyester or other synthetic materials should not be prohibitive . Synthetics can help add texture to a knit while limiting the price increase, or help bind certain fibers together (particularly in the case of sweaters made from recycled fibers). We only ensure that the proportion of synthetic does not exceed 20, 25 or even the maximum, 30% - or tell you more on the subject right here .
Furthermore, when you buy a sweater or cardigan, don't necessarily rely on the softness of the piece. Many brands treat their materials with softening products that fade after the first wash.
Apart from sheep's wool, there are nobler but also more expensive materials, such as cashmere or alpaca. Warmer and softer, they are also more fragile and more difficult to maintain.
Small maintenance point: never put a stitch in the dryer or above 30ºC in the washing machine, wool program and gentle spin! It must be dried flat and never on a hanger, as this risks completely distorting the piece.
To find out everything about the different wools (lambswool, cashmere, alpaca, etc.), we invite you to read this article:
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATE A SWEATER OR CARDIGAN INTO AN OUTFIT?
For a sweater, it is safer to start with a round neck - as with the t-shirt. It’s a simple collar to sport .
Whether you wear your knit over a t-shirt, over a shirt or next to your skin , make sure it fits your collarbones without strangling you.
The mesh has a relief allowing you to play with textures. Don't hesitate to try combinations between your sweater and your coat (or your jacket), it's by trying that you improve.
In addition to sweaters, a good chunky knit cardigan, with or without a shawl collar , will be very useful to face winter . It can be easily worn over a t-shirt or shirt, but also over a turtleneck.
A sweater not to be overlooked: the turtleneck sweater . It's an easy-to-match piece that instantly adds a touch of elegance to your outfit. It fits as much into a formal register as into a casual outfit.
The main advantage of the turtleneck sweater is that it keeps you warm, being able to replace a scarf in winter.
Discover our in-depth content on the turtleneck here:
- How to choose and wear the turtleneck (article)
OUR BONNEGUEULE KNITS
You will have understood, there is nothing like a good knit , with beautiful high-end materials that keeps you warm. Here are the knits from the BonneGueule collection, only in noble and natural materials (wool, cashmere, alpaca, etc.):
WHERE TO FIND A GOOD KNIT?
- Hircus : the brand offers one of the best value for money on the market with high-end pure cashmere sweaters, between 150 and 200 euros.
- SNS Herning : we enter the very high end with more expensive products (count around 270 euros for a large knit cardigan), but very robust and which will easily last several winters.
- Inis Meáin : an incredible heritage brand with unique traditional know-how. You will find robust, thick and authentic pieces there.
- Colhays: a Scottish brand renowned (including at Pitti Uomo) for its incredible knits and cardigans. The price is also, by the way.
4. The polo shirt: between relaxation and elegance
The polo shirt is a slightly different type of top: it constitutes an essential asset of a good wardrobe because it is right between the t-shirt and the shirt on the scale of formality . In other words, you can wear it in any context !
CHOOSE YOUR POLO WELL
Make sure the quality of the fabric of your polo shirt. Rather suited to the spring/summer seasons, a good polo shirt must be flexible , breathable and durable . Once again, choose natural materials .
The collar of the polo shirt is an essential subject : it must have hold and form a beautiful curve that fits the line of your shoulders. A collar that is too thin can twist or bend unsightly, which is not the goal!
Another important subject, color. Since the polo shirt is a multifunctional garment, make sure that the colors you choose match the rest of your wardrobe . Navy blue or a light gray are good colors to start with.
Finally, make sure the seams are strong and will not distort if pulled. In particular, we can judge the quality of the seams by observing the overlock (the stitches executed astride the two edges of the fabric to be assembled).
WEAR YOUR POLO WELL
In theory, there aren't many missteps possible with a polo shirt. In a casual setting, pair it with jeans, chinos or Bermuda shorts, and with sneakers or canvas shoes. This goes to everyone, no doubt about it.
In a more serious setting, the polo shirt replaces the shirt, and brings a touch of lightness that goes well. It goes with a blazer and dress pants without any problem
Who says serious does not necessarily mean uncomfortable: we therefore advise you to leave the last button open. You can wear it tucked into your pants (leaving a pleat to cover the waist) or taken out, as long as it is not too long and does not cover your entire posterior.
OUR BONNEGUEULE POLOS
Durable, breathable and made with beautiful materials, here are our polo shirts designed for you:
5. The overshirt: a very practical twist
The ultimate mid-season piece, the overshirt has established itself in recent years as a true basic in the men's wardrobe . Its strong points? Its versatility and usefulness as a layering piece. We put it on over a t-shirt and/or under a coat if it's cold: it's a garment with multiple uses, which is very easy to wear .
CHOOSE YOUR OVERSHIRT WELL
Choose a soft and breathable material , which will ensure maximum comfort when worn: you don't feel hot, you don't feel cold, you have style. Natural materials like wool or cotton will be your friends. More durable and more beautiful than their synthetic or artificial counterparts, they are what will make your overshirt quality .
Make sure the details and finishes are up to par:
- beautiful buttons
- functional pockets
- ribbing that holds
- a collar marked with density
WEAR AN OVERSHIRT WELL
It's a twist that works every time : a simple, basic outfit can be enhanced with an overshirt. It goes easily with a t-shirt, a shirt (not too tailored) or a polo shirt, with a bit of layering. On the legs, a good pair of jeans or casual chinos does the trick.
If you want to see more ways to wear overshirts, we have already talked about it here with an article , and here with a video .
OUR BONNEGUEULE OVERSHIRTS
Half-workwear, half-casual, the overshirt has what it takes to seduce us. The fact that we ourselves wanted to offer it is only the logical consequence:
That's it for the highs! Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and everyone may have their own definition of basic .
Next stop on our journey into the happy world of basics? Stockings and pants.
In the meantime, don't hesitate to ask us any questions you have in the comments, we will be happy to answer you.
