Essentials in your wardrobe need to be versatile. They must be durable enough for impromptu camel rides in Egypt and comfortable enough to wear on an 18-hour flight from Singapore to LA.

When building your essential wardrobe, begin with trousers. They are the easiest essential to build around. The fit, color, material, and length of your trousers determine the rest of your outfit. My favorite essential trouser is the COS Jersey Zip-Cuff. They are the perfect start, and can be worn in the office, to the gym, and after work at a cocktail bar.

Tapered-fit, jersey cotton, and zip-cuffed, these trousers are the definition of versatile. They can be dressed-down with a Comme Des Garçons T-shirt, dressed-up with Ferragamo loafers, and un-dressed when the mood strikes…if you like to play with matches. This level of versatility is why they are the first item I choose when travelling. They are comfortable enough to survive the train from frankfurt to amsterdam and durable enough to handle the target’s henchman at the seedy underground bar in the red light district.

When choosing your first essential, choose a versatile, durable, and comfortable pair of trousers. Choose the COS Jersey Zip-Cuff trousers, you will not regret it.

L.S.