A Grown-Up Wardrobe You Can Buy With Your First Paycheck

A lot of college students are currently preparing to transition into "the real world." We've been there, and you need to be prepared. This isn't a place where you can get away with wearing flip-flops, a hoodie, and cargo shorts to everything. Your cool guy streetwear wardrobe won't get you far either, and no matter how dope your sneaker collection is, it won't get you a job (unless you want to shine Russ Bengtson's kicks before he tapes Quickstrike).

If you want to make it in life, you need to dress the part. And we understand, your finances might be a bit limited, so we've tried to keep everything fairly priced. All of these items can be had for a total of $1,314. Considering it's a complete overhaul of your gear, that's pretty good. Besides, it's about time your closet graduated too. To help you succeed in the real world, we put together A Grown-Up Wardrobe You Can Buy With Your First Paycheck.

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Consider This: jcp Oxford Shirt, $28

Meet your wardrobe's new workhorse. You can wear these with just about anything—untucked over denim or shorts or tucked into a pair of slim khakis. Roll up the sleeves for a more laid-back look. Stock up on solids first: You need a blue and white one. Then you can branch out to bengal stripes and other colors like seafoam or red. Yes, you can throw these under a suit jacket, but not on formal occasions—the button-down collars place these shirts firmly in the casual category. You can still dress them up a little though.

Consider This: Benny Gold Standard Raw Denim, $100

While there's plenty of selvage denim to be had under $100, what sets Benny Gold's apart is that it's made in the U.S. from rugged 13.5 oz. denim. At that weight, they're good for all seasons, although you'll definitely need to break them in long before summer comes. A good pair of jeans will last you a long time if you treat them well, and at this price, they'll prove to be more than worth it.

Consider This: Vans Authentic, $45

Keep the rest of your heat, but be sure to have a pair or two that moves in slience. Canvas kicks like Vans Authentics look good with denim and can also be worn with a suit. Yes, we know Boyz II Men did the whole Concords with tuxedos thing, but trust us on this—in the real world, how everything looks together matters more than if you got them Js.

Consider This: Hanes ComfortSoft T-shirt 3-pack, $22

There's a reason Supreme embraces the Hanes 3-pack: They're one of the best T-shirts ever made. Super affordable, comfortable, and extremely versatile, you can rock them under leather jackets or as undershirts for your buttondowns.

Consider This: Dockers Alpha Khaki, from $59

You can't wear denim 24/7, and tailored trousers just aren't meant for everyday use. The happy medium? Chinos. Made from soft cotton, they don't just come in khaki anymore. From versatile colors like navy and gray to louder shades like cobalt blue and red, having a couple of pairs in your closet is a smart move.

Consider This: Herschel Supply Co. Oak Briefcase, $100

You're older now, which means you need to give the messenger bags and backpacks a rest. They're fine when you're keeping it casual, but business time calls for a business bag. No, you don't need to spend a grip on a crocodile leather one or anything, a canvas briefcase is professional enough to bring to an interview while light enough to carry around all day—and you can always strap it on if you don't feel like holding it.

Consider This: Warby Parker Jasper in Whiskey Tortoise, from $95

Say goodbye to your stunner shades—your rose-colored lenses came off a long time ago, and you see things a little bit clearer now. First, you realized you can't pull off RiFF RaFF's eyewear game when spring break is over. That's why you need a pair of sunnies that are as trend-resistant as they are UV ray-resistant. Tortoiseshell frames aren't going anywhere, and you can even keep your fashion game current by getting them a little more rounded.

Consider This: Florsheim Veblen Plain Ox, $175

If you have one pair of "nice shoes," make them brown. You can wear them with a suit, to interviews, weddings, and even on nights out. There's nothing wrong with a tough pair of wingtips, but lately we like the plaintoe oxfords we've been seeing more and more of. It's a simple shoe that goes with anything, and when you're dropping over $100 on a pair of kicks, there better be multiple ways to wear them.

Consider This: Hugh & Crye L'Enfant Blazer in Navy Hopsack, $245

A suit jacket is too structured to ever look fully casual. When you want to take your kit up a few levels without going all-out, opt for an unstructured blazer. This lightweight, slim version from Hugh & Crye comes in twelve different fits based on a variety of body types, so for many guys it's the closest thing to made-to-measure. If you only get one—get navy. Then throw it on before a date, or just a night out, it's an instant style upgrade that'll set you apart from the herbs.

Consider This: Uniqlo Fine Poplin Long Sleeve Shirt, $30

A crisp white shirt is the glue that holds any formal kit together. It doesn't have to cost a lot either. This fine poplin shirt costs 30 bucks and will make you look like a million. Just make sure to keep it ironed for formal events and those times you need to look like a professional.

Consider This: Suitsupply Sevilla Blue Plain Suit, $399

If you only have one suit, make it a navy one. Suitsupply is known for balancing European taste and quality with affordability, and clocking in at around $400, this notch-lapel suit is perfect for just about any occasion short of a black tie gathering. The jacket is canvassed—meaning there's a layer of cotton and horsehair that'll allow it to mold to your body over time. It's a great first suit that's actually worth keeping around long after you've gotten the dough to get something next level.