Hello Sir ,
Clothing says who you are without opening your mouth.For, everyone dresses how they feel.However , since you want to go formal or semiformal , having a grap of the basics is no more than essential.
Top to bottom :
Hair : While hair isn't actually categorized in clothing i , myself think that is an important factor of attractiveness and a great asset on one's looks.So hair , should be well cut , or stylized .Nothing too fancy , nothing too improper.
Scarves : I would buy 2-3 scarves , while they're not too expensive they do add up to your style quite a bit.
Some that would match your belt and shoes would be more than enough.Again nothing overly fancy that makes you look like a clown.
Tops : Equipping yourself with like 4-5 shirts would be solid. I like to go with plain colors but thats up to you , but wear anything colorful-fancy enough and you may look out of scheme.Something like white , black , light blue , pink-red (it's a hue i cannot characterize with a word) then simple checkered ones usually do the job as well. And fancy that , shirts can be worn EVERYWHERE and ANYTIME . Be it , a walk with friends in the summer , in the winter , a walk to the beach that will lead you to a night party , anything really.They can be worn with everything and anything and look pretty damn good.
------Then you can buy some V-necks as extras for a little bit more professional-tight look , but thats up to you.
Bottoms: Jeans , never , ever , go wrong . I hate ripped jeans and they dont look as formal but rather more casual and torn-like. I would go with plain , dark jeans , not baggy and definately not skinnies.A good medium would look very good .3 pairs are fine (e.g. a denim-dark one , a lighter one and then a black) .
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Chinos are another thing , you may want to have look into those later on but they are a great addition.
Shoes : You can never go wrong with 2 pairs . Some wingtip boots or just boots , not those timberland ones. And a pair of loafers or normal wingtips in neutral colors since it's to start.
Extras
Bracelets : For me they're an amazing asset and a good conversation starter.They have never been useless to me.And it shows your personality. You can find some good quality ones here *cheap too* (
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Leather-B ... gridsize=3 )
Watches : Watches are great and you can buy fine ones with less than 30s .
Cardigans : Cardigans are my favorite , i almost always wear one and if i don't , i do.They step your style one more notch . Seriously , they re awesome and there are hundred or thousands of different ones . Just dont pick the sports one .
Socks : While socks may not be the very first one notices , you dont want to be laughed at when you sit down and the pink-barbie ones appear . So buy some anyway .They're cheap and easy to choose.
Remember those are just advice . Rome wasn't built in a day so your wardrobe isn't going to -either.
Signing off,
~John