One of the biggest steps a boy can make as he becomes a man is moving into his own place.

With this move comes a lot of new responsibilities and freedoms. This can allow him to express his individuality, or serve to magnify his flaws. Whether he has roommates or lives by himself, what a man surrounds himself with truly speaks to who he is and what he values in his life. When he brings a woman into that realm, she immediately begins to analyze the surroundings and taking mental notes on what she sees, smells, and feels. Two key areas a woman will look to understand a man she is or could be in a relationship with is his bathroom and his closet. There she can see deep into his core being and figure out what makes him tick, what he values, and how he will eventually behave if the relationship develops into the long term. In a different article we talked about 10 Things No Man Should Have In His Closet, this list provides the opposite perspective. It will give you a great idea of what to stock your closet with to ensure a favorable impression to anyone who happens to wander in there. Enjoy!

10. A Black Suit and Ties.

Most guys can thank their lucky stars that they don’t have to wear a suit every day to work. But just because you don’t have to look nice for work doesn’t mean you don’t have to know how to. A black suit is one of the useful and versatile items a man can own. There are plenty of occasions where they are appropriate and they never go out of style. Spend around $400 and make sure it fits you well. If you do you’ll be set for weddings, funerals, fancy dinners, job interviews, and any other time you need to clean up fast. Trust me, it will beat having to go through the hassle of renting all the time. Oh and if your ties are the clip on kind please e-mail me your address so I can come over and punch you in the face. Learn how to tie a tie. Now.

9. A Matching Pair of Shoes, Belt, and Wallet.

This may seem like such a small thing, but this is an example of something that may not land you on the cover of GQ, but it will prevent you from looking like an idiot. Black shoes, black belt, black wallet. Every time. Brown shoes, brown belt, brown wallet. Every time. The goal here is to blend in. Or at least not to stand out. A guy who matches gets appreciated, a guy with black shoes and white socks gets mocked. Who do you want to be?

8. Handkerchiefs.

This is probably the most under-appreciated piece of a man’s wardrobe. Spills, tears, sniffles, sneezes, and even wounds can be cleaned up with a handkerchief. Carrying one with you could be the difference from a date ending because you have to go home to change your pants to a woman being very impressed that you were ready when the waiter spilled your food on your lap. It’s not like they are that expensive. And besides, if she borrows your handkerchief that means she has to call you to return it, right?

7. Clothes on Hangers.

Believe it or not those bars in your closet have a purpose. Hang your clothes up, the pants too. Trust me, people (especially women) can tell when your clothes have been hung or if you had to dig them out from the bottom of a drawer. This would be a great time to organize you clothes by activity, color, season, or whatever your preference is. Just make it look like you had a plan when you put them away.

6. At Least 4 Pairs of Shoes.

It doesn’t matter where you work or what you do for a living. You need work shoes. You also need a pair of dress shoes, a pair of running shoes, and some casual shoes. That should provide you with plenty of options for any situation. If you want to go crazy in this arena that’s fine, but start with 4 and work your way from there.

5. Dress socks.

Let me paint a picture for you: You’ve arrived at a swanky bar to meet her girlfriends for the first time. You’re dressed to the nines, looking good, and you’re working the room like a politician. Your group makes their way over to some chairs and everyone sits down. Suddenly the entire bar is silent. The music stops. Someone drops their glass on the floor. From under your nicely pressed black pant leg a knee high white tube sock you bought in a case of 24 at Wal-mart is screaming for everyone’s attention. Your girlfriend starts to cry. I bet you wish you had a handkerchief.

4. Something From His Childhood.

This is your ‘awwwww’ factor that lets a woman know you’ve got a softer side and a connection to your childhood. As we discussed in another hub, this should not be a toy. A teddy bear, a blanket, or your old baseball glove are all good options. But really what makes it impactful is that it means something to you. Don’t just put something in there because I told you to, that’s creepy.

3. A Safe.

You need something more secure than your 4th grade peechee folder for your birth certificate, passport, social security card, transcripts, and other valuable documentation. If those things are at your moms house then stop reading this.

2. A Laundry Bin.

If you’re dirty laundry must be in your closet then make sure you have the means to contain it. A bin with a lid is preferable, and make sure you get some sort of air freshener to go with it. Using a dryer sheet will work as long as you don’t mistake them for clean clothes on accident.

1. Cologne.

This made the list for several reasons. The first is because it is essential that you smell good at almost all times. The second is because I have a personal vendetta against ‘body sprays’ sold in bulk quantity to middle schoolers who spray each other like they’re in a gang spraying their turf. The third is because if you put this in your closet it will help to remind you that it goes on after you’re dressed and only in moderation. The idea of cologne is not to punch someone in the face with your aroma. You want it to gently pique her curiosity so she moves closer to you. You should not be able to buy your cologne at Wal-mart or for less than $25. Use it sparingly and buy it at a department store. Ask the lady at the counter for help, it will probably be some of the best advice you’ll get from a lady at a counter in a department store.

There you have it. Hopefully this helped you out a little bit and maybe even made you laugh. Go ahead and take a look at your closet or your boyfriends closet and see what it is telling you. Hopefully you’ve have most of these ten items. If you don’t then you’ve got some shopping or organizing to do!