Wardrobe (2024.01)

Written By Matt Manhattan

The goal of this focused wardrobe is two-fold; accommodate a wide range of temperatures and conditions while being able to fit entirely into a single rolling suitcase. Clothing articles are selected based on fabric blend, weight and physical volume with a foundation in overall comfort.

To keep things simple I wear the same underwear (x8) and t-shirt (x5) every single day.

If it's nice out I'll throw on a pair of shorts and I have three pairs. Two are lightweight and casual, while the third is more suited for hiking or travel because of the many zipper pockets.

If it is moderate out I'll throw on sweatpants, which are my preferred pants at the moment. On days where it is wet, rainy or I'm expecting a lot of variety I will don my hiking pants. And when I want to look a little more presentable I have a pair of jeans that I find a bit too stiff for my liking and I'm hunting for a stretchier option.

I have two of essentially the exact same Merino Wool hooded sweatshirts with the only difference being that one has a zipper with split front pockets and the other is a pullover with a kangaroo pocket. The thinking here was that on days I want to moderate my temperature I would wear the zipper hoodie, and on days I wanted to be bundled I would wear the pullover. The only problem is that I never wear the pullover because I prefer to not make that choice in advance and always grab the zip-up. I also have a cable-knit cashmere sweater which used to be more my style but will be refreshed in the near future.

If it gets really cold, which for me is at or below 45 degrees (I've measured), I'll swap out the briefs for long underwear and the tee for a long sleeve shirt, both of which are made of Merino wool. My hat is a generic cashmere beanie and my gloves have touch on a few of the fingers. My scarf was modified by an old friend to be a full neck warmer just like a TurtleFur, and I would highly recommend you do this with an old scarf too.

The socks I wear change with the season. The thinnest and lowest sock (x6) will be worn in the Summer months with a higher and thicker hiking sock (x6) being used most of the year (Spring/Fall). In Winter I may switch to my thickest sock (x2), but they really make your feet feel smashed in a boot (if you don't knowingly size up because of these socks) so I like to wear them around the house with slippers.

If I'm going to the beach I have two of the same bathing suit in different colors and I kept a 'wet suit bag' and waterproof wallet from when I had a pair of Vilebrequin trunks a while back. I used to wear a hat into the water and would lose it occasionally. I discovered this surf cap and it clips to your head which solved that problem. The only caveat is that it makes me look a little unique.

I put together my own 'indoor set' comprised of a lightweight Merino hoodie and sweats with some slippers. I got two of each so I could use one while laundering the other. Up until recently I didn't have a set of clothing that I specifically wore indoors and instead just wore whatever I was wearing outside, inside. But after buying and utilizing 'indoor clothes' it has helped me cut down on unnecessary and excessive laundry while prolonging the life of my outdoor clothes. Slippers have also been a game changer for keeping my feet clean in only somewhat clean places, and sometimes even with socks on you need that barrier between you and the floor to actually get your feet warm.

If it is raining or windy out I will put on a lightweight shell. And if I need to battle low temperatures I have a down puffer I can wear individually or layer underneath. They both fold and pack down to a fraction of their size and weigh almost nothing.

I love to walk barefoot and do everything I can to stay connected to the earth. Which is why my sneakers and boots feature a wide toe box with a natural foot shape. Crocs are the ultimate slip on shoe which also have a wide toe box and I will always have a pair with me. The last two pairs of shoes are both sandals, but one is for quickly putting on and taking into strange showers, while the other is more for staying connected to your feet through water.

My main watch is a Casio F-105W which is far superior to the F-91W that everyone has lost their mind over. Because the plastic strap would poke me and get snagged on things I replaced it with a 18mm velcro strap. To protect my eyes from the sun while letting my head breathe I wear a generic trucker-cap.

Three microfiber towels that I use as a main towel, hand towel and bathroom floor mat; for situations where one or all three are missing or unsatisfactory.

The most important part of a wardrobe is being able to properly maintain it. So to start you want to find a sturdy laundry bag that you enjoy using. To save space and avoid spills in transit I use fragrance-free laundry detergent sheets. And to save on and avoid dryer sheets I use some incredibly cute dryer balls. For random stains I keep a stain stick, and if my clothes are covered in excessive hair I use a lint roller. When things start to look a little fuzzy I just clean them up with my fabric shaver which is the main reason that I'm able to rotate the same few garments while keeping them looking fresh. When holes and tears do occur, I have a small sewing kit that I pretend to know how to use.

All my toiletries fit into a small dop kit and contain what I would consider to be the essentials of personal care. An electric toothbrush is an absolute requirement for proper dental maintenance and I pair my toothpaste with a tube squeezer to get every last bit. After always buying a full-size bottle when I got somewhere, I discovered this concentrated mouth wash which allows me to now keep a full bottle of mouthwash in a travel size. If I'm not around anyone I won't even wear deodorant, but when I'm out in public I lather my armpits up with what I believe to be a natural option. I have an overflow bag for my full size bottles of shampoo and conditioner that I keep in the car, so I just refill the 2oz travel bottles that fit perfectly in my dop kit. I keep my hair pomade in a travel container that I top up when necessary and my entire morning routine consists of putting on face lotion with SPF, that's it. For minor scrapes and cuts I use a liquid bandage, and then swap it out it with regular adhesive bandages and antibiotic ointment. I keep pain relievers on hand, but the only pain I seem to treat is the good time I had after a night out. To maintain my facial hair I have a pair of hair scissors and an electric razor that runs off of AA batteries (I use rechargeable). Almost exclusively for splinters and glass I have tweezers. And to keep the claws in check one must have a set of nail clippers. When bedroom activities do occur I use a lambskin condom and something that rhymes with electric slide.

Separate from my toiletries I always have an eye mask so I can get sleep no matter the conditions and a microwavable heating pad which I use for sour stomach and sore muscles. I only need a belt every once in a while and a thermometer is invaluable to have on me if I begin to feel sick.

My day-to-day items all fit neatly into my shoulder bag which has three different compartments, each with extra organization within the pockets. This is the main reason why I like this bag so much and why accessing things is so efficient. One downside is that the strap has a magnetic clasp which can open somewhat easily, but it is fixed and permanently secured with two zip-ties. I keep my ID, credit cards and pocket knife in a key wallet and cash goes into its own pocket along with a fresh N95 mask. I have a tiny notepad paired with a space pen so when my next great idea pops into my head I'm not waiting on ink. Alongside my wireless earbuds I have an Apple AirTag and a Tile Pro because I'm paranoid. My car keys conveniently connect to the carabiner in the front zipper pocket. And next to my Star Wars hand sanitizer, I always have some tissues. My reusable bag is constantly being used and I'm always thankful I keep one on me. And should the need arise I'm always prepared to hand out a business card and/or sticker.

I'll wear my backpack if I need to have extra things on me, or I know I may be picking things up. It functions mainly as an extension to my shoulder bag to allow me to simply stay out of the house longer without issue. I always keep my light shell and my umbrella on me so that the moment isn't ruined because mother nature needed a release. And the same goes for some snacks, so I don't get hangry. In its own small pouch I keep a 5000mAh battery bank and 3-in-1 USB cable so I always have extra juice. You'll find yet another Apple AirTag and a Tile Pro for this bag too. My writing implements have grown to include a mechanical pencil, full size pen and thin tip permanent marker. In an even smaller pouch I keep pain reliever, adhesive bandages, electrolytes, antidiarrheal tablets, a motion sickness patch and some throat drops. To hang the backpack up somewhere and keep it off the ground I have a carabiner/hook combo clip and for fixing things on the go a have a mini multi-tool. I always have a 1 liter flexible water bottle in one of the bottle pockets, and for hikes I use the hydration link to turn it into a bladder with a straw. The backpack also has a hole in the top to run a tube out of for larger bladders. And for the occasions I want my phone directly on my shoulder strap I use a removable phone holster.

Tools don't solve problems on their own, it is their correct use that enables solutions. Individually this is just a list of clothing and accessories, but I have harnessed their collective power to create a personalized wardrobe. I don't expect anyone anyone to copy this list in its entirety, but I hope that you have been inspired by at least one thing I have mentioned to help you improve your wardrobe and life.

 

Garments

Underwear
Socks
Shirts
Tops
Bottoms
Jacket
Shoes

Accessories

Watch
Hats
Sunglasses
Belt
Bathing Suit
Scarf
  • Duchamp Scarf (Modified) (Discontinued)
Gloves
Bags
Umbrella
Towels

Laundry

Personal Care

Extended/Extras

Every Day Carry (EDC)

Shoulder Bag
Backpack
 
Matt Manhattan
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Office (2024)