The OCBD is the ultimate smart-casual shirt. It can do it all. Wear it open over a T-shirt with shorts and leather sandals for a breezy summer look, or dress it up with preppy casual pieces like penny loafers, chinos and a cardigan. It’s the most versatile shirt there is, which makes it a must in every man’s wardrobe

Not just the one, mind you. Quality plain tees are something it’s well worth stocking up on. Find one that fits you like a glove and buy it in every colour (especially white, navy, black and grey). Plain T-shirts are one of those things you’ll find yourself wearing on an almost daily basis, so it’s important to get it right and have plenty of options on hand.

A polo shirt bridges the gap between an Oxford shirt and a T-shirt. It’s your friend when you need to look put together while keeping things laid back. It’s right at home with anything from shorts and sneakers to tailored pants and Derby shoes, and can even be worn with a suit for summer weddings and various other semi-formal warm-weather occasions.

With its open spread collar, this summery button-through shirt is a great alternative to a traditional short-sleeved version. It’s got a more relaxed feel to it and looks equally great with beach garb, casualwear or tailoring. Pick one in a roomy cut made from linen or linen-blend fabric to get the most out of its warm-weather potential.

A simple jersey crew neck in a plain block colour is a great tool for layering during the colder months. It’s warm, low-profile enough to slot under things like overshirts and light jackets, and can be worn as a standalone layer in the transitional months too.

A fine-gauge roll neck in lambswool, merino or cashmere is a smart-casual layering essential. It can be worn with a suit in place of a shirt for a contemporary twist on traditional tailoring, or layered underneath an overshirt, bomber or denim jacket to give casual looks a sense of direction and purpose.

Comfy, cosy and easy to wear, a hoodie is one of those things you can just throw on at the weekend when you’re not sure what to wear. It’s an invaluable layering tool in the fall and winter, and looks great worn under some heavy outerwear like a parka or wool overcoat.

Whether they’re raw denim, mid-wash or stonewash, it’s important to have at least one pair of jeans in your wardrobe. Historically, they’re casual legwear, but these days there’s nothing stopping you from dressing them up too. Try wearing mid-wash denim with a pair of brown suede loafers, a tucked T-shirt and a Cuban-collar shirt for a summery slant on smart-casual.

The Ivy League look is a big trend right now and chinos are arguably the preppiest legwear option there is. They occupy a middle ground between jeans and dress pants and can be worn with anything from soft tailoring to T-shirts and sandals. For maximum versatility, opt for a classic slim or straight leg in a subtle colour like navy, forest green or classic khaki.