5 outfits every man needs, from weekend to wedding

Five outfits cover almost every occasion a man dresses for: everyday casual, smart casual, office, formal and traditional. Get one of each right and you will never stand in front of your wardrobe wondering what to wear to a wedding, a funeral, an interview or a Saturday out.

1. What is a good everyday casual outfit?

A plain white or black T-shirt, dark jeans and clean white sneakers. It's simple, cool enough for Accra's heat, and it looks finished because every piece fits and nothing is fighting for attention.

Add an overshirt or a denim jacket when the evening cools down or the air conditioning is strong.

2. What does "smart casual" mean for men?

Smart casual means a collared shirt or knit polo, chinos or dark trousers, and leather shoes or very clean sneakers. No tie and no suit, but no shorts or slides either.

It's the dress code for most dinners, dates, birthday parties and casual Friday at work. A knitted polo is the easiest way to get it right in the heat.

3. What should I wear to the office?

A shirt and tailored trousers, with derbies or loafers. Add a blazer or the jacket of a suit for meetings. Most offices in Accra are business casual, so a tie is only needed when your workplace or a client expects it.

Keep two or three shirts in white and light blue and two pairs of trousers in navy and charcoal. You can rotate them for a full week without anyone noticing a repeat.

4. What is the right formal outfit?

A dark suit (navy, charcoal or black), a white shirt, a plain tie and black oxfords. This is what you wear to interviews, formal weddings, corporate events and many funerals.

For funerals in Ghana, black is the expected colour, often with a black or red-and-black accent; follow the family's chosen colours if they announce them. Our guide to the 5 suits every man needs explains which suit fits which event.

5. Why include traditional wear?

Because many of the most important events in Ghana call for it. A well-made smock (batakari or fugu), a kaftan or kente cloth is the right outfit for festivals, naming ceremonies, engagements and Friday wear at many workplaces. The government launched the National Friday Wear Programme in November 2004 so that workers would wear clothes made from local fabrics on Fridays (Christian Science Monitor, 2004).

Pair it with leather ahenema sandals or loafers. One outfit in good cloth, tailored to you, beats several in poor fabric.

What should I wear to a wedding?

Read the invitation first. Many Ghanaian weddings announce colours or a chosen fabric; wear that if they do. If not:

• White wedding or church service: a navy, grey or light suit with a tie, and leather shoes.
• Traditional marriage or engagement: traditional wear, or the fabric the family has chosen.
• Reception or party: smart casual or a suit without a tie, depending on the venue.

What should I wear to church?

Smart casual at the least: a collared shirt, trousers and leather shoes. Many congregations dress up further, with suits or traditional wear on special Sundays. When unsure, go one step smarter than you think you need.

What should I wear to a job interview?

A navy or charcoal suit, a white or light blue shirt and leather shoes, even if the job is casual. You can take off the tie if everyone else is relaxed; you can't put one on if you didn't bring it.

How do I build these outfits from a small wardrobe?

Start with the five pieces in the clothes every man needs, then add one suit and the five pairs in the shoes every man needs. Those cover outfits 1 to 4. Traditional wear is usually best made to measure by a local tailor.

Questions

Can I wear sneakers with smart casual outfits?

Yes, if they are plain, clean and leather. White or black sneakers with chinos and an oxford shirt are smart casual. Running shoes and loud colours are not.

What colour shirt goes with everything?

White, then light blue. Both work with every suit colour and every trouser in this guide.

Where can I buy sneakers to go with these outfits?

In our shop. Our sneakers are high-quality replicas of popular designs, labelled as such on every page; the facts page has delivery, payment and returns. For menswear: Menswear (knitwear, quarter-zips, outerwear, shackets, denim jackets, jackets and suits) is coming soon.