Written by Craig Landale in Essentials on the 29th April 2020

As I’ve recently been spending more time at home in self-isolation, I came to realise that I didn’t need the huge amount of men’s fashion garments that were sitting in my wardrobe. I recently had a good sort through – one that Marie Kondo would be proud of – and realised that the vast majority of the menswear pieces hadn’t been worn for over a year. With sustainability more important than ever, I truly believe it’s time we all introduced the idea of owning a capsule wardrobe of very few permanent menswear pieces. A small collection we can build upon, mixing and matching for everyday wear and a range of different occasions. To get started, separate your rarely worn garments and use a service such as Thrift+ to sell them. You’ll make a little pocket money whilst also raising money for charity. Win-win.

Garments, products of delicate labour and precious resources, have lost their value. We buy more and use them less than ever - packing our wardrobes, filling landfills and fuelling incinerators. All at the expense of our society and planet. For this feature we have linked up with Asket – a brand that doesn’t design for seasons and creates clothing to last forever - to get you guys started on a sustainable capsule wardrobe. Below I’ve picked out all the permanent menswear essentials I believe are all that a guy needs in his collection. Sure, we can’t live without clothing, but we can make the pieces we choose to invest in count.

The T-Shirt 

There’s nothing more versatile than a plain t-shirt, this is the garment that speaks to every man. I would recommend having 3-4 in different colours such as white, black, grey and navy. This one is as classic as they come. Designed to stand the test of time, this signature straight-cut crew neck t-shirt is made from premium heavyweight Egyptian cotton jersey and accentuated with a ribbed neckline. Playing the role of both statement and staple, this piece will be the most worn item in your wardrobe. 

£30 in black

The Oxford Shirt 

The Oxford shirt can be worn all year round. You can roll the sleeves in the summer and tuck it in for a smarter look. 2-3 in white, blue and dark navy is a good amount to rotate throughout the week. A classic staple in every wardrobe, the Oxford cloth button-down shirt is as timeless as it is essential. This shirt features a straight-cut silhouette, soft brushed American Cotton Oxford cloth and custom Mother of Pearl buttons. 

£80 in blue

The Sweatshirt 

A crew neck sweater is a casual classic that you will wear time and time again. This one is a minimal take on the original American football player uniform. Cut from custom developed unbrushed Egyptian cotton, featuring a tailored yet supremely comfortable fit, and soft loopback interior. Perfect for slow Sundays at home, yet sharp enough for the streets. 

£75 in dark navy

The Zip Hoodie 

A hoodie is great for layering on a chilly day. Surpassing the youthful stereotype, the hoodie has evolved into a casual layer with function. Cut from the same midweight custom developed Egyptian cotton as the above crewneck sweatshirt, it’s combined with a generously sized double lined hood and finished off with a soft loopback interior. From the sofa to the gym, to the city it'll be your go-to layer off the clock. 

£110 in grey melange

The Merino Wool Polo 

If you need a smarter look then a long sleeve polo can do just the trick. You could pick up a couple of colourways too. A true chameleon and one of the most adaptable pieces of knitwear you could add to your lineup. The Merino wool polo is a dense and exceptionally fine 24 gauge knit, made from 100% traceable extra-fine Merino wool that's both naturally breathable and insulating. Cut for a semi fitted shape with a fluid drape, it’s ideal for layering or worn solo. 

£100 in charcoal melange

The Chino 

Chinos can complement a multitude of occasions. Simply give the cuff a couple of rolls for a laidback look. Pick up beige for casual and dark navy or black for smarter style. Any well-considered wardrobe requires a pair of versatile trousers. Developed to perfection over 31 months, these Chinos are tailored from mid-weight Italian cotton-satin weave with a hint of stretch, feature an overlapping closure, and detailed with a tonal herringbone interior. On or off the clock, these will be a regular player on your roster. 

£110 in beige

The Raw Denim Jean 

Every man needs one pair of jeans they can rely on. A monumental garment and the cornerstone of timeless style, no wardrobe is complete without it. This raw denim jean has been engineered - from the first thread, to the last button - to shape after your body, fade with wear and mould according to your everyday life. Cut from a rigid 13oz Japanese heritage raw denim and sewn to perfection in Italy, there's no garment that will age as well as this. 

£105 in raw denim

The Zip Jacket 

Finally, here’s a simple piece of outerwear to keep you dry. You can layer some of the above pieces below it for extra warmth too. Braving the elements never looked so good. This zip Jacket takes on the simplicity of a coach jacket silhouette, but secretly packs the functionality of a full-blown down jacket. Featuring an organic cotton poplin weave with a fluoro-free water repellent surface treatment and Primaloft Silver insulation from recycled PET bottles, it weighs lightly on both your body and our planet. 

£235 in matte black

We put the spotlight on minimal style and sustainable fashion for this guide to Permanent Menswear Essentials for a Capsule Wardrobe with Asket Clothing.