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Style Essentials: Classic Men’s Clothing You Need in Your Wardrobe

By Chase McPeak Published May 18, 2018

It’s safe to say that American fashion dominated the 20th century. From Levi’s denim securing its spot as the de facto work-wear to Clint Eastwood elevating the cowboy boot from practical, range-riding protection to its current place as a symbol of bad-assery, U.S. style has been seeping into global culture since the advent of Hollywood. However, the entertainment complex can’t take all of the credit.

Why? Because most well-known (and well-worn) American fashion began life as clothes for the working man, meaning it had to be both tough and comfortable. In addition to denim and the cowboy boot, a perfect example is the white T-shirt. Originally created during the Spanish-American war circa 1898, it was so beloved that the Navy began issuing them in 1913 to sailors as undergarments, and by the 1920s, workmen were wearing them daily, along with most young boys.

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To honor our fashion heritage and to help you, dear reader, achieve iconic style, we put together a list of our favorite iconic American fashion pieces and a few options you can get today.

Outerwear

Leather Moto Jacket

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style essentials classic mens clothing moto jacket belstaff — Belstaff - $1,895 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing moto jacket alexander mcqueen — Alexander McQueen - $4,195 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing leather jacket tom ford — Tom Ford - $5,695 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bomber Jacket

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style essentials classic mens clothing bomber jacket alpha industries — Alpha Industires - $149 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing bomber jacket belstaff — Kellend - $550 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing bomber jacket j crew — J. Crew - $260 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Denim Jacket

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style essentials classic mens clothing denim levi s trucker — Levi's Trucker Jacket - $90 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing denim made in los angeles — Todd Snyder - $298 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing denim nordstrom — Treasure & Bond - $78 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Blue Blazer

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style essentials classic mens clothing blue blazer bonobos — Bonobos - $400 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing blue blazer brooks brothers — Ministry of Supply - $375 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing blue blazer ministry of supply — SeaVees - $63 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Footwear

Sneaker

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style essentials classic mens clothing sneakers koio — Koio - $250 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing sneakers seavees — SeaVees - $63 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing sneakers oliver cabell black — Oliver Cabell - $146 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Loafer

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style essentials classic mens clothing loafer cole haan — Cole Haan - $320 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing loafer gh bass — G.H. Bass - $110 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing loafer to boot new york — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Work Boot

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style essentials classic mens clothing boot wolverine 1000 mile — Wolverine 1000 Mile - $365 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing boots danner brogue — Danner - $220 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing boots thursday — Thursday Boots - $199 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tops

Knit Sweater

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style essentials classic mens clothing sweater finisterre — Finisterre - $98 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing sweater h m — H&M - $25 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing sweater connolly — Connolly - $590 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Polo

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style essentials classic mens clothing polo flint tinder — Flint & Tinder - $58 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing polo tommy hilfiger — Tommy Hilfiger - $70 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing polo zachary prell — Zachary Prell - $77 Image used with permission by copyright holder

The T-shirt

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style essentials classic mens clothing tshirt mack weldon — Mack Weldon - $32 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing tshirt western rise — Western Rise - $96 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing tshirt other — Richer Poorer - $24 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hoodie

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style essentials classic mens clothing hoodie todd snyder — Todd Snyder + Champion $178 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing hoodie marine layer — Marine Layer - $96 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing hoodie bonobos — Bonobos - $198 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bottoms

Denim

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style essentials classic mens clothing denim mott and bow — Mott & Bow - $118 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing chinos levis — Levi's - $88 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing denim raleigh — Raleigh Denim - $225 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Chino/Khaki

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style essentials classic mens clothing chinos uniqlo — Uniqlo - $40 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing chinosa and f — Abercrombie & Fitch - $68 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing chinos bonobos — Bonobos $98 Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Short

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style essentials classic mens clothing shorts free fly — Free Fly - $59 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing shorts polo ralph lauren — Polo Ralph Lauren - $65 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing shorts chubbies — Chubbies - $60 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cowboy Boots

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style essentials classic mens clothing cowboy boots heritage boot co — Heritage Boot Company - $420 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing cowboy boots ariat rambler — Ariat Rambler - $150 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing cowboy boot aria drifter — Ariat Drifter - $200 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sunglasses

Wayfarer

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style essentials classic mens clothing wayfarer ray ban — Ray-Ban - $153 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing wayfarers warby parker — Warby Parker - $95 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing wayfarer moscot — Moscot - $290 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aviator

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Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses — Ray-Ban

style essentials classic mens clothing aviators quay — Quay - $60 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing aviators warby parker — Warby Parker - $145 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Clubmaster

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style essentials classic mens clothing clubmaster raen optics — Raen Optics - $160 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing clubmaster quay — Quay - $50 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing clubmaster ray ban — Ray-Ban - $203 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Watches

Field Watch

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style essentials classic mens clothing field watch jack mason — Jack Mason - $195 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing field watch weiss — Weiss - $1,995 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing field watch timex — Timex - $70 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Chronograph

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style essentials classic mens clothing chronograph rose gold — MVMT - $135 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing chronograph linjer — Linjer - $259 Image used with permission by copyright holder

style essentials classic mens clothing chronograph vintage — About Vintage - $349 Image used with permission by copyright holder

And if you’re not just down for American style, but American made style, check out these all Made-in-the-USA gifts.

Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual

Chase McPeak is the former Lifestyle Editor. Chase regularly appeared on Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast where…

Topics

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Look to the sky for these space themed watches

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Accessories, Strap, Wristwatch

It was the 1960s. We were in the middle of a Cold War with Russia, and instead of escalating to an actual war with bullets and bombs, we took the conflict to the sky. We created a war of economics, science, and morale in a race to the sky to be the first nation to reach the moon. While the race picked up throughout the decade, it came down to the wire before the USA won the race by landing on the moon (if you believe that sort of thing and don't believe Stanley Kubrick directed the greatest ruse of all time). In any case, no race can be run without a good timekeeper. And watches were a must-have for all involved. Ever since, chronophiles like me have been obsessed with space-themed watches and, in particular, moon mission watches.

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