What Every Man SHOULD Have - THE BASICS

I posted this over in motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com back in 2009. It still makes perfect sense to any man out there. There are some additions which I have marked in italics:

1. One good dark coloured suit (for weddings, funerals and certain semi-formal occasions) These days a suit can be black if it is your only suit BUT do note that in Malaysia you can get away with a Long Sleeved Batik Shirt instead of a suit as the Batik Shirt is considered as formal attire. I've got both. Obviously. And batik is pretty universal in tropical climate - Nelson Mandela (above) over in South Africa uses the madiba shirt, or printed silk shirt, also categorized as a batik shirt by most.

2. One good watch - you do need to tell time. That Casio G-SHOCK won't impress the women at the casino. James Bond uses Omega and previously Rolex. There are reasons for this especially with the Rolex if you're stuck in a third world country you can pawn it for good money. A Seiko would do. It tells me (and most others) that you are at least willing to stick out a little for a timepiece and not just something insignificant. Your smartphone can also tell time. BUT it is a phone. 

3. One good pen - That cheap Kilometrico in your business shirt pocket looks cheap. And makes you look cheaper. Buy a RM50 Parker Jotter (pic above). Not a pricey pen but it looks its part and your image will improve with this small investment but if you lose it you won't cry like a baby (try losing a MONTEGRAPPA and then see how).


James Bond used one in Goldeneye. Remember that pen that could explode? So if you can still find a New Old Stock (NOS) Parker Jotter (which by now is out of production) then by all means get one. If not, a newer budget model Parker, Cross or Pelikan would do.

4. Two good pairs of shoes for work. Two is the minimum number so that you can rotate them. Use one and rest the other. But the best number for rotation is actually 5 pairs. So you only use that one pair per day per week. Your shoes will last a long time if you do so. If you would kindly check out the picture below you'd see that I have enough shoes to have a proper rotation of shoes that would keep them wearable for a long long time. There is that saying "you are too poor to afford one good pair of shoes" as one good pair will only last about six months or less if worn everyday. And that's why you should have at least two pairs of shoes for any occasion. 

I like using Mr Bond as reference even though he may not actually be the best role model for dressing up, or dressing down. But a fictional character who drives nice cars, gets the girls, wears nice suits is actually better than 95% of anything out there.