The ONLY 12 Items You Need for the Perfect Rugged Casual Wardrobe

To build a perfect casual wardrobe, you need to identify which aesthetic you desire. Street? Smart casual, old money? Rugged masculine?  If the answer is rugged, masculine, you’re going to love today’s content: with these 12 items, you can make over 70 different outfit combinations.

1. Denim. Opt for medium-washed, non-distressed jeans that are not too tight or too baggy. Super dark wash, non-distressed jeans are too dressy.
2. Cotton casual pants. Earth tones are casual ruggedness. Avoid overly flashy or bright; instead, opt for subdued, muted tones. I personally like green chinos, which are very masculine and rugged. Classic tan is another option. Corduroys with a low wale are incredible.
3. T-shirts. Look for crewneck t-shirts in white, black, or gray. They are a perfect base layer for lightweight jackets or sweaters. Make sure it doesn’t have a pocket.
4. Henleys. Go for off-white or white Henleys, which are the most versatile. I also like ones that have a bit of texture, such as thermal.
5. Lightweight denim shirt. Denim shirts are sexy, but many guys don’t know how to wear them. They worry about how they’ll look in denim-on-denim. Just make sure there’s a high contrast between the shirt color and the jeans. Check out my demonstration.
6. Leather jackets. This is the most masculine and rugged aesthetic option. I love my Thursday Boots tracker jacket in suede. Trucker jackets are perfect because they’re not super heavy (aka you won’t get too hot), and you can wear them over simple t-shirts. It’s a staple piece. Another option is a suede bomber, which works for any age or demographic. If you don’t want a bunch of collars or zippers, look for a racer jacket. My favorite is brown. But also matte black is incredibly sexy.
7. Pea coats. They come in a ton of colors, including black, gray, and navy blue, with navy blue being the classic. This jacket will keep you warm and accentuate your masculine form with its broad shoulders, cinched waist, double-breasted features, and oversized lapels.
8. Cable knit sweaters. Go for a cardigan or a crew neck, which are super on-trend and popular. The shawl collar makes it a bit more manly by beefing up your traps and is perfect for layering in cool months.
9. Minimal leather sneaker. Every guy needs two pairs of these: white ones for the spring and summer, and a pair of brown ones for cooler / cold months. They’re versatile and work with so many different options. Thursday Boots has a vast variety.
10. Boots. Every guy needs some boots. Boots can make you appear taller and change the aesthetic of your look. The Chelsea boot is a bit more rugged. I also love cap-toe and chukka boots. Thursday Boots offers affordable prices with incredible quality, craftsmanship, styling, and comfort.
11. Flannel shirts. Flannels can feature big or small patterns and let you look casual cool. They’re sexy and stylish.
12. Over shirts. These are style secret weapons and are heavier than denim shirts and flannels. Layer them over Henleys or a simple t-shirt. They also look great under a suede jacket, or even a bomber or pea coat.