Every well-dressed gentleman must have an all-cotton oxford cloth button-down shirt from Brooks Brothers.

Every man's closet must contain a trench coat. It's hard for any gentleman not to look dashing when clad in this swashbuckling style.

A seersucker suit is one of the most iconic styles dating from the 1920s and is still a gentleman's best bet when it's hot and sticky.

Socks must be at least an 18-percent synthetic blend to insure they don't droop, because droopy socks that show calf are worse than short socks that do the same.

Your cocktail shaker can be smooth chrome or hammered aluminum. It must both conduct cold and look sophisticated at the same time.

Burberry makes the best version of the traditional trench coat, which can have a zipper and button-in lining for colder climes. The belt, which comes standard, should never be buckled but must be casually knotted at the waist.