This a list designed to remind us of the top 10 items that all chaps should all have in their wardrobe to ensure that you can do anything and go anywhere and look stylish. It is updated and designed specifically for gents living in the South African environment.

The 10 basic pieces every South African gentleman should have in his wardrobe are:

A dark, well-fitting modern suit

Every man, no matter what their lifestyle, should own at least one suit in black, charcoal or deep navy. Nothing else is appropriate for weddings, funerals and major meetings, when you need to make an impact.

And it should fit well. Even if you don't wear the whole suit that often, you will be able to get plenty of wear from the jacket, worn with your jeans or trousers for smart casual occasions.

Suit styles vary, but a good rule of thumb to last you the next five years is to go for the British (double rear vent) or preferably, American (single rear vent, narrow lapels) style suits with two buttons.

For the very fashion forward, a single button suit with very narrow lapels is fabulous. I would personally avoid the Italian style (think Armani) or double-breasted suits as these are very dated at the moment and are very chunky on larger men.

A contemporary blazer

A blazer is something you will always use. You can wear it to smarten up your jeans, or as a slick alternative to the suit, with a pair of dress trousers. Blazers also come in useful for dinner dates, informal weddings and theatre or winter brunch.

Fabric choice is important, especially in South Africa, so make sure that your blazer and lining is made from natural fabrics for longevity and comfort.

Fabrics that you should currently be considering for your blazer are light tweed, corduroy, velvet or navy wool — possibly with a regatta stripe. Together with your dark suit jacket, you should be set.

A crisp white shirt

All men. At least one. Possibly with double cuffs so that you can dress it up with cuff links, or down by rolling up the sleeves to achieve the more relaxed look.

Undone cuffs peeking out of your jacket sleeves is quite a big look in continental Europe at the moment although I am not sure that it plays that well here in Africa.

Never let your chest be visible through your shirt if you have opted for very fine cotton. But then, please don't let your vest show through either. A better alternative is a classic, round neck, white t-shirt which acts as a great comfort layer in the heat of the summer.

Faded blue jeans

Find the perfect jeans for you — it's worth trying on as many pairs as you can bear to find the perfect fit. And then wash them a few times before wearing them.

Please do not, under any circumstances, buy extremely-fitted, pleated, high-waisted or tapered jeans. The leg should be relatively wide, the waist worn on the hips and slightly loose (two finger spaces between your waistband and hips), and there should be absolutely no decorations, tears or artful fading involved. Unless you are under 30 or in a rock band, in which case skinny jeans are the choice du jour in faded black.

Flat-fronted trousers

A good pair of trousers with a flat front, narrow pockets and a straight leg is a wardrobe essential. These should be able to be worn with all the other elements of your basic wardrobe so I would advise a black pair, but I know that khaki is a popular choice. There should not be any turn ups with these trousers.

A cashmere jumper or cardigan

A good-quality knit will move through many seasons in a classic wardrobe and is a good way to introduce colour. Younger, trendier gentlemen should definitely go for the cardigan option as this is a more contemporary way to keep out the winter chill. Think Justin Timberlake or David Beckham.

A vintage leather belt

It will go with your jeans and trousers and never date. You can't go wrong if you keep the buckle to the classic rectangular shape and in stainless steel.

A good quality watch

It doesn't need to be a Rolex, but it should be a classic. It should be quietly confident — not flashy. And it should be size appropriate to your wrist. Try the watch with jeans and your smart suit to ensure that it can carry you through all relevant occasions. Then you only need the one.

T-shirts

While every chap should have a couple of classic white t-shirts in their wardrobe, I do believe that he should also have a black tee, a grey tee and one or two Fred Perry/Lacoste/Polo t-shirts in suitable colours.

A slim tie

Think Reservoir Dogs, The Beatles and Muhammad Ali and go for a black skinny leather tie for a totally up to the minute look. Or think longer term and get something with a stripe. But remember to keep it relatively narrow to remain contemporary and then tie it using an asymmetrical four-in-hand knot.

As Muhammad Ali once said: "Wear a slim dark suit, white shirt and dark tie and you will look like a man. That's all you need to know. It's that simple."

And possibly… a tuxedo/dinner suit

This totally depends on your lifestyle, but if you wear a tuxedo (American — the rest of the world call it a dinner suit or DJ) more than once a year, you really should invest in your own.

In the warmth of South Africa, it is best to go for a shawl collar, single button DJ in a very, very dark blue — it looks black but has depth and shimmer to it.

It is very out of vogue to wear a cummerbund (appalling on all but the very slim anyway), but a waistcoat has now come back into fashion, and while optional with a DJ, can be a good look if you want more coverage. My advice is to keep it simple, never wear a belt, never have turn ups and stick to a black bow-tie and white pocket square.

For more information contact Robyn at www.robyncooke-styleguide.co.za