Nearly a decade ago, we wrote a list of what we consider to be the foundations of every man’s wardrobe and called it The Essentials. On it were items of clothing that have stood the test of time, such as Converse All-Stars, Levi’s 501s, navy blazers and button-down Oxford shirts, along with a few modern classics, such as Common Projects. The Essentials was founded on the belief that while fashion changes, style remains the same. And while that’s broadly true, and borne out by the fact that much of our original list remains the same today, it’s far from the whole story.

The way we dress isn’t just an expression of our own personal style, but a response to the way we live. The clothes that we consider “essential” are therefore bound to change as the world around us changes. In these turbulent times, that’s truer than ever. Here, then, are 21 items that we think should form the foundation of your wardrobe for the next 12 months.

Have you ever thrown around the word “cosy” as much as you have in the past 12 months? It’s become a part of our daily lexicon over here. Blankets and throws represent a key factor in home cosiness and we love this wool piece from Pendleton, the American heritage brand. There is nothing more classic than their Glacier National Park-inspired stripe and it will add a dash of woodsman-y flair to any room in your house. 

Hello, have you heard about how we all need to be wearing face masks to keep each other safe? (See our guide here.) So, why not get yourself one (or three) you actually like to wear? Given the increased amount of waste being generated from disposable masks, we’re particularly fond of this breathable three-pack set from rag & bone. The masks are constructed from washable ECONYL, a special kind of recycled nylon, and are nice and stretchy and breathable. 

If you have to wear sweatpants all day long – and we would argue that you do, at least while working from home – make ’em cashmere and wool. While you’re at it, make ’em stylishly cuffed at the ankle, plus conveniently adjustable with a drawstring waistband. These, from our in-house Mr P. collection, will feel different enough from your PJs that you won’t feel like you’ve just rolled out of bed – a key factor in 2021 loungewear. 

Put down that harsh hand sanitiser and pick up this glorious hand soap from holistic grooming and beauty brand Susanne Kaufmann. We all need to continue to be vigilant about hand cleanliness as we roll through the new year, but – as with face masks – we’re all about upgrading the basic elements of wellness so that they feel luxurious, not just necessary. 

You might ask: are blow-out socks really essential? And we might answer: yes. Our love for luxurious socks is well documented and The Elder Statesman makes a cracking pair. A blend of the LA-based brand’s specialities – super-soft cashmere and far-out tie-dye – these socks will make your feet feel special as you pad around the house and electrify every ankle flash on the streets.

Few things say “ready for business” like lapels, which is why it’s wise to keep a blazer or suit jacket close by, even while you’re WFH. Aspesi’s khaki version is also padded (yes, like that duvet you’re currently swaddled in), so it’s basically cheating. But there’s no reason your boss will be any the wiser. 

If you haven’t had the energy to leave the house recently, we’ll let you in on a secret: it’s absolutely arctic out there. A cosy beanie, however, has made our once-daily excursions just that little bit more bearable. If you pick one in a classic colour, like this neutral taupe-toned iteration from Folk, it’ll keep until next winter, too.

Like certain designer bags and sell-out sneakers, watches are the sort of thing that hold their value long after their release. Unsurprisingly, this has translated to a bit of boom in the trade of late. MR PORTER’s limited-edition selection includes this Bremont Project Possible timepiece, a tribute to Mr Nirmal Purja’s summit of the world’s 14 tallest mountains in just six months and six days. (Read more about his adventures here.)

Think of a shearling jacket very much like the sartorial equivalent of a warm hug from your nearest and dearest – something we have been sorely lacking in an age of repeat lockdowns. Good news, though: this teddy-like bomber, made by San Francisco-based brand Golden Bear, will also last for years to come. 

Whether you admit it to your boss or not, chances are you’ve been spending more of your working morning (cough, day) in pyjamas. There’s no shame in this, but it does mean you might want to think about upgrading your current old-tee-and-boxer-shorts combo. Cleverly Laundry’s pair are tailored from superfine cotton that’ll still look and feel silky smooth even after a night of tossing and turning. 

Yes, these sneakers are built for running over scree or through fells. Yes, they are made with lots of comfort-inducing and ankle-supporting technologies, accompanied with a reassuringly small ®. But that yellow flash on the tongue is a wink to you, over there, a man who has never done exercise in his life, inviting you to pair them with your cargo trousers and Prada nylon jacket.

If our dogged determination to have fun this year was manifested in physical form, it might well be this sweatshirt. Oversized, inspired by 1960s West Coast surfers, and inescapably, unapologetically, absolutely purple – we see this as a pleasing dose of cotton-form escapism.

Perhaps the result of some form of style-related semantic satiation, we have somehow robbed the word “essential” of its meaning. Is this sneaker absolutely necessary? Probably not – a slipper might be more your speed these days. But if a sneaker can be described as “essential” because it is broadly appreciated (this is one of our bestsellers) and is timeless and classic in its design, this is definitely it.

If the resplendently retro shape and colour of these aviator shades (from Gucci, the brand that does them best) is not enough to get you over your anxiety of wearing sunnies in winter months, then just think of them as very, very stylish PPE.

“Dress for the mood that you want” is not a saying. We know that, because we just made it up. But it feels like a modern, 2021-appropiate retelling of the one about wearing clothes to get a promotion. Sounds, and looks, good to us.

A yoga mat is just about the most space-efficient piece of home fitness equipment you can buy, making it the perfect new-year investment for those still unable to access gyms. This one from By Japan and Ikehiko is backed with igusa, a soft, woven grass used in traditional Japanese tatami mats, and trimmed with denim. The natural materials aren’t just for show; igusa is known for giving off a calming scent, too. Very Zen.

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be giving the whole “new year, new you” movement a wide berth in 2021. The world is on fire – this is no time to be planning a radical transformation. Besides, a new signature fragrance is sometimes all the change you need. Designed for both women and men, Byredo’s latest scent, Lil Fleur, is heady with the aroma of damask rose, making it a nice alternative to the spicier, woodier fragrances we’d typically douse ourselves in at this time of year.

After months cooped up indoors, we’re all dreaming of outdoor adventures. Little surprise, then, that we find ourselves drawn to Filson, one of the outdoorsiest, most adventurous brands of them all. Founded in Seattle in the late 1800s to service the needs of prospectors heading north to find their fortunes in the Klondike Gold Rush, the brand still channels the thrill and romance of the great outdoors to this day. Its bags, such as this one made from tear-resistant Cordura, are just the thing for channelling your inner frontiersman.

Is it a cardigan? Is it a blazer? Is it a cardizer? It’s a cardigan. As cardigans go, though, this one’s about as blazer-like as they get. Look, it’s even got lapels. As with the Zoom-friendly blazer (see above), this cardigan from TOM FORD offers comfort with a dash of formality. With so many of us still working out of home offices this year and possibly beyond, that puts it right at the top of our Wish List.

If one single shoe could sum up mid-century style, it would be the penny loafer. In his seminal book on menswear, Elegance, Mr G Bruce Boyer described their popularity at the time: “there was virtually not a middle-class young man or woman in the United States who did not own a pair of oxblood coloured penny loafers in the 1950s”, he wrote. Originally intended as a casual indoor shoe – to loaf is to idle, and so loafers are idling shoes – this is an enduring classic with renewed 2021 appeal.

We’ve previously described SMR Days, a brand co-founded by MR PORTER’s former-Style Director Mr Dan May, as “the perfect WFH uniform”. In truth, it’s much more than that. Yes, these lightweight drawstring trousers are ideal for lounging around the house, but they’ll also be the first thing in our suitcase when we finally get the chance to escape for a long-overdue city break or a weekend at the beach.