Five things every man should have in his cupboard

They say fashion is short-lived but style is timeless. Savour both worlds by having these wardrobe essentials.

1. Dark suit
Nothing beats a classic black suit - preferably tailored to fit your body shape. Think Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the James Bond movies or Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black. But you have to be a careful about the fabric you choose - the less shiny the better; you don't want to look like a pimp. A white shirt is usually the best complement for a black suit. If you don't like black, you can go for navy - it will go well with a powder-blue shirt.

2. Chinos
The best thing about chinos is their versatility - you can wear them with a golf shirt, formal and casual shirts. They're even perfect for smart-casual occasions. You can find chinos in khaki, beige, brown, navy and black - but we'd recommend khaki, beige and navy. And for the killer look, why don't you try beige chinos with a navy blazer, brown shoes and belt and a pink shirt. Yes, pink!

3. A dark overcoat
South African winters can be can quite vicious. And did you know that almost every state president has been photographed wearing an overcoat - including France's Nicolas Sarkozy, Russia's Dmitry Medvedev, Jacob Zuma and the USA's Barrack Obama? Don't go for a trench coat (unless you'll be running up and down the rainy streets of Cape Town) - rather get a coat made from wool or cashmere. You'll feel like a million bucks.

4. A good pair black shoes
You'd probably loathe black shoes if you wore them day in and day out at school. But a pair of very good black shoes is a must-have for your wardrobe. Go for a pair that's comfortable and versatile enough to go with your dark suit and jeans. Remember that when it comes to shoes, never buy cheap - always go for genuine leather uppers.

5. The perfect pair of jeans
This is one wardrobe item that most guys get wrong. Almost every guy has more than one pair of jeans, but the question is "are they good?" There's no point in having six pairs of unsightly, cheap jeans when you can have three good ones - besides, jeans are made to be durable. Know your body shape and go for a cut that best suits you. If you like wearing your jeans with formal shirts and golf shirts, choose regular fit jeans and bootleg fit jeans. And don't wear low-rise jeans that show your underwear!