Are you still walking around with sweatpants and your keys on a lanyard? Well, it’s time to stop dressing like you’re in college.
Fact: wearing bigger size clothes doesn’t make you look bigger-- at all.
For more fact and fiction on the subject of not looking like a swagless slob, peep the below blogs. As always, in regards to what to ignore and what to follow, viewer discretion is advised.
I haven’t bought clothes in over a year. I have been meaning to get a new pair of dress shoes and everyone I know makes fun of my old running sneakers I wear around. So what I’m saying is. I need shoe advice. I think I’m going to try and get more adult sneakers next time, but I don’t know if they’ll be as comfortable? I have a general idea of what I want in my dress shoes. Debating if I do it in black or that light brown color I see these days.
I have a few pairs of “comfortable” shoes for various purposes, which I might suggest:
Sneakers – Converse Jack Purcell, white canvas (~$80)
Boat shoes – Sperry Gold Toe (~$150)
Loafers / comfortable dress shoes – various Ferragamo loafers and drivers with rubber soles (~$300-450, cheaper if you can buy Factory seconds or whatever)
I have low arches and need something with very comfortable, cushiony soles. All the above fit that criteria.
It sounds like you’re looking for something that can be worn around the office as well as for a night on the town, in which case I think Ferragamo is most versatile. Some of the rubber soled shoes are pretty versatile because they’re comfortable with a subtle sole. Also, on days when I’m running from one meeting to another or when it’s rainy outside, the Ferragamos are perfect. Not sure if you have any Ferragamo shoes but I think they’re definitely worth it – they look good, are comfortable, and you can get a lot of mileage out of it. Plus, people always notice a good pair of Ferragamo’s when they see them.
A woman eyed me on the bus, held my gaze,and I thought “ohh, today is going to be a nice day.” Then she looked down at my shoes. “Crap! I wore this pair today, and she’s really looking at my shoes. And I *still* haven’t gone and polished them like I’ve been telling myself to.”
Pay attention to your shoes, gents. A good haircut and nice shoes will take you farther in chick-land than jeans and a good dress shirt (though the jeans are probably next on the hierarchy, along with smelling nice).
My biggest issue (and it is one that gnaws at me daily) is that I don’t own a lot of shirts (and suits…but my shirts are far worse) that fit me appropriately.
I’m not a BSD so I don’t have cash to get all tailored stuff, and I’m a pretty slim guy (6’3", 180).
Can someone please provide a good suggestion for off-the-rack slim fit shirts? Or a cheap place to get tailored shirts? Also…Where should I go to get measured?
Thanks…I’m a newb.
rummage through stylegirlfriend and dapper.
I’d say brown, but you have to think about what you’re wearing them with.
http://dappered.com/2013/08/11-questions-to-ask-before-buying-a-new-piece-of-clothing/
Clark chukkas area good boot/shoe, but lots of choices.
J.crew factory, or regular J.crew
J.crew is a straight up go-to, no doubt.
I will say Brooks Brothers. Its not the flashiest/trendiest joint, but they have shirts in a few different cuts and plenty of neck/sleeves to dial in what fits you best. After that it makes it easy to just order up a few more since the sizes actually are consistent.
Brooks brothers is getting better, but, you’re better at J.crew if you’re under 50
To the extent possible, I’d honestly recommend getting at least one bespoke suit so you know what a good fitting garment looks like, and as such, what your real measurements are. Most ordinary salesmen in stores aren’t really qualified to take good measurements, and even in the MTM sections, they don’t take nearly as many measurements as needed to make an ideal fitting garment.
From there, you can take your measurements and send them to other makers and they can just work off those measurements. The best “bang for your buck” bespoke shirts I’ve seen are from Jantzen in HK and you can order them from the website if you give them your information on measurements. I have most of my stuff made either in London (back years ago when the exchange rate was slightly more favorable) and more recently in HK. I find that there is really good bang for your buck there so if you’re ever in that neck of the woods, it’s worth popping into a couple reputable places and picking up some stuff there. Once they have your measurements on file you can just call them or order stuff online and they’ll make it and ship it to you. Still much cheaper than in the U.S. (not sure about Canada).
Otherwise if you’re just looking to buy slim-fit off the rack, I’d say Charles Tyrwhitt is better fitting than Brooks Brothers; same for T.M. Lewin as well. Both have storefronts and online order. Seems that the U.K. garments are cut for a trimmer fit whereas Brooks Brothers is more targeted for conservative cuts or more portly Americans. But for all practical purposes, Tyrwhitt/Lewin have the same “cachet” across the pond as BB does in the States…so just go with whatever fits you best.
Whatever you do try for something that has actual measurements as opposed to sizes. This is my J Crew knock…same goes for Banana Republic and the like. At 6’3" and 180, you probably have proportions that dont line up well with J Crew’s “Large”. It may fit your neck, but then the arms are too short. It leads to more trial and error than is necessary instead of just saying you are a 16/36 and go find something that matches that. All those places change what a “Large” is over time, but measurements are measurements.
Agree you should find a place that has the style you might be after (as noted BB is not cutting edge fashion, and some other joints with the western pockets and turquoise buttons might be too flashy). Lastly, stay away from Express. Good luck.
Dappered is a great site.
Definitely true. I was just thinking that because of the budget factor he mentioned.
one note, If the shirt is for casual wear (untucked), it should be slim but not too “tailored”. If it’s to be tucked in, a “tailored” (more than slim) look is what you’re looking for. That way you dont have that ridic looking flap/overhang shirt thing that happens when your shirt isn’t the right fit.
NeedSupply.com is good for casual stuff, if you’re a baller.
Made to order suits, never got one, but these guys have okay reviews…
there are others
Bonobos pants. The casual ones wear well, fit me perfectly (big butt and thighs) and if you wait for a sale you can get some deals.
well i wasn’t sure what to expect when i entered.
however this is fking boss and those links are awesome. used to buy basketball shoes and wear them everywhere…throwing those in the bin.
i was thinking a black sweater over a red shirt with only the red collar and cufflinks folded halfway up showing would look great. But you can’t wear a red shirt on it’s own so i’ll be stuck wearing it only with the sweater.any ideas or would it look like shit anyway?
Check out www.ledbury.com for great shirts!
Started by a couple of good friends and classmates of mine
You’re getting ripped off if you’re paying $80 for Jack Purcells. $60 on Zappos or at DSW.
^ Didn’t realize the Jack Purcells were so inexpensive. Mine were actually a special edition plaid trim, but might get a pure white one too next time I need to buy a replacement. I think they’re great for casual wear and super comfortable with the removable cushion insoles.
Not a bad idea. I always regret buying stuff that I cant throw into 2-3 different pairings.
Marinate on these blogs for a week or two, then maybe you’ll have a better idea.
My advice would be to grab essentials first: blue oxford button down, chinos, better fitting jeans (not skinny skater 15 yr old jeans, but better fitting), some casual logoless Ts, etc.
check out stylegirlfriend for some lists “top ten must haves” titles like that. Some of her recent posts are more off topic, which is starting to piss me off, but if you go through the archives, and then go shopping in a couple weeks, you wont make any regretable mistakes.
Complex.com has a good style section with lots of lists