Sometimes, men’s clothing needs to be ready to go to work. We’re not talking about heading in for a day at the office. We’re talking about time spent getting work done outdoors – or maybe more leisurely outdoor recreation activities.

Either way, when you are planning on spending time outside, exposed to the elements, your clothing needs to be able to withstand the water, wind, dirt and, yes, sweat. It’s in these scenarios that you need to trust that your clothing is durable enough to withstand the elements, of a quality level that ensures it will last outing after outing, cool or warm enough to keep you comfortable, yet still stylish enough to meet the demands of your personal fashion preferences.

Let’s take a deeper look at why men need to have a few go-to durable clothing options in their closets – and how to find the best, highest quality clothing that is sure to last.

Why men should have durable work and outdoor clothing

Call it work clothing or rugged clothing, every man should have a few articles of clothing available that they can wear for a day that might see them get a little dusty or dirty. This could be doing some chores out in the yard or even a camping or fishing trip.

But when you find yourself needing to spend some time in the great outdoors, you likely won’t reach for or pack your finest threads in these instances. You don’t have to resign yourself to throwing on that old, hand-me-down crewneck or that raggedy T-shirt that by far has seen its better days, though.

There are many great, reputable men’s clothing brands that strike a balance between being high-end and read-to-work (or play). You just have to know how to find the best clothes that will offer the most durability, quality and longevity.

Here’s how to find that clothing that you can put to work.

Here’s where to start

If this sounds like a look that you want to pull off – or need to pull off because you’ve got plans that include spending time outside – then here is where to start.

Begin by looking for the reliable standards of this style: flannel shirts, leather boots, wool coats, tweed pants and quality denim. The world of rugged men’s clothing only expands from there.

Find the perfect fit

Men who are ready to lean in and embrace the rugged style should know how their clothes must fit in order to get the most comfort and longevity out of them.

Don’t make the mistake of buying clothing that is too tight, even if that’s your personal preference. When you are outside and moving around, you want the freedom of movement that will allow you to reach, stretch and bend without worrying about seams bursting or tearing under strain.

However, you don’t want clothes that are too baggy, either. Baggy clothing just gets in the way and quickly becomes frustrating.

Plaid goes well with an active lifestyle

Many men are fans of the good ol’ plaid button-down shirt, but these shirts look even better when they’re worn while exploring or working outside.

This is the time to let your favorite plaid shirts shine. But be prepared to take a few extra steps to make sure you are truly purchasing a quality shirt before making a purchase.

Check for clothing durability

With highly durable work clothing, you should know that it’s going to last a while. There are a few ways to check the quality and longevity of the clothing to see if it truly will stick around.

First, put your hand inside the material. If you can see your hand through the fabric, then it’s likely not built to last very long anywhere, let alone outside in the elements. You can also give the fabric a firm (but not too hard) tug to make sure the seams can take some pull without coming apart.

Clothes that prioritize function

When searching for reputable brands that specialize in a more rugged look, you will want to make sure the clothes are designed with function as the priority over form.

This likely will mean there are very few frills or unnecessary features that try to make the clothes stand out. Remember, the best work and recreation clothing let their performance do the talking, not anything flashy in the design.

Go rugged-refined

Did you know that men can pull off a rugged look that has as much class as it does function? It’s called rugged-refined, a look that perfectly combines comfort and utility with quality and style.

One of the simplest ways to make your rugged look more refined is to add a dark or neutral-colored suit. With a suit, matching shirt underneath and neutral chinos or high-end denim jeans, you’re ready for business casual appearances.

It’s also easy to dress-up a rugged look with a sharp field jacket or leather accessories, such as a quality belt or pair of leather shoes.

Love what you wear

You are making something of an investment whenever you are looking for clothing that is meant to last. It’s important that you know that you will get plenty of use out of your purchase. If you don’t love what you wear, then this will not happen.

You don’t want to make too hasty of a purchase with a shirt, sweater or pants that you aren’t in love with. This will only lead to the clothing sitting in your closet.

Whenever buying clothing that’s built to last, you have to be sure you know you will wear it at least somewhat frequently. You also need to feel comfortable in the clothing. It should fit well, but also feel good to the touch when you are wearing it.

Hansen’s Clothing only carries quality clothing

Hansen’s Clothing has built its reputation over the generations by providing men with high-end clothing that makes no sacrifices in pursuit of quality.

This goes for our brands that feature a more rugged appeal. Shop today to explore brands like H. Goose, Pendleton and more that are ready to come along for your next outdoor excursion.