Men’s Style Q&A: Three wardrobe must haves, vacation packing tips

This Week’s Sports Illustrated Style Q&A fills guys in on wardrobe must haves for vacationing, the three staples that should be in every man’s closet, and where to find dress shirts that will not break the bank.

This Week’s Sports Illustrated Style Q&A fills guys in on wardrobe must haves for vacationing, the three staples that should be in every man’s closet, and where to find dress shirts that will not break the bank. You can find last week’s tips here, and stop by the new men’s style section of DressfortheDay.com, or by downloading their app, and get all the fashion info you could ever need.

Q:  I’m traveling to the Caribbean for 5 days but don’t want to check-in luggage. What do I pack so that it all fits in a carry-on?

-Matt

Chris Bosh/Jesse Garrabant

A: Hey, Matt! Very jealous of your upcoming trip. We can totally relate to the severe freak-out mode of lost luggage (not to mention the saved time so you can get your tan on stat) so you’re definitely making the right move here. Our cheat-sheet of travel essentials to have you hopping off the plane and styling under the palm trees in no time: 1) A white linen shirt: pairs nicely with shorts while you hit up the resort nightlife and keeps you cool in the humidity 2) Flip-flops: get a nicer pair that can be worn to the pool and dinner 3) Fun swimming trunks: hand-wash and reuse as needed 4) Seersucker shorts: a classic staple that goes with just about anything 5) Water- proof boat shoes: lightweight for packing and perfect for boat day. Enjoy and save us a margarita!

Q: Where can I buy good quality dress shirts that won’t cost $100?  

-Scott

Jemal Countess/Getty Images

A: Hi Scott – we love a man looking for a good deal without compromising quality! You can absolutely find plenty of dress shirts without emptying your wallet (save those dollars for splurging on your date!). The Nordstrom Smartcare Wrinkle Free Dress Shirts ($55 - $69.50) have to be our ultimate favorite. They come in every fit imaginable–classic, regular, trim and extra-trim. Extended sizes for our Big and Tall (aka handsomely husky) guys are also available! Colors and patterns are endless, from classic whites and blues to shades of purple, pink, green, yellow and everything in between. Shop them in your favorite checkered or striped prints. Two collar choices are available: button-down or point/spread. Best of all? They are designed to go straight on from the dryer or your suitcase so you never need a dry cleaner or iron. We know; it’s almost too good to be true. Again, save that money for spoiling your date or get an extra drink at the hotel bar during your business trip. You’re welcome!

Q: In regard to menswear, what are three staple pieces that all men should have in their wardrobe?

-Gigi

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A: Hi Gigi! You're pretty much asking us to how to make those Axe commercials a real life thing right ;)? Let's start with your #1 staple piece: the white button-down shirt. The great thing here is that you can get a quality one, regardless of your budget. This is our favorite steal option and check out our luxury pick here. For staple piece #2, we’d have to go with a tailored blue suit. All you dudes can and should look like 007 in a suit! Here’s your investment piece and this is a sweet alternative. We recommend the color blue, as it’s versatile and can be worn for work, formal affairs and the pants and jacket can be worn as separates for years to come, Yep, we’re talking some serious ROI here. Lastly for staple piece #3, a good pair of denim is your must-have. We recommend a slim cut so it gives the illusion of being custom tailored. However, steer clear from overly tight and skinny as that reads trendy and will be over before you know it. We love these no-fuss classic pair from Ralph Lauren. There you have it, three staple pieces a man should swear by to get that Axe commercial kind of attention.

Q: Can you be dressed office-appropriate without wearing a collared shirt? How?

-Saureen

FilmMagic/Getty Images

A: Hi Saureen! We're all about being comfortable in the work place and heck yeah we loved the Dolce & Gabbana sweatpant-work trousers when introduced but...it’s best to stick to collared shirts unless it's casual Friday or your office environment is super laidback, in which case polos are totally fine. The good news is collared shirts don't have to be "workplace boring" nor does what you pair them with have to be! Opt for a vibrant plaid option or experiment with a fun pattern like this or this (yes, those are tiny little skiers!). Also, don’t forget as colder temps take over, pair your shirt of choice with a textured blazer or a light-colored cardigan. Save those crewnecks for touch football over the weekend!