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Help me dress like an adult

post #1 of 18
10/16/09 at 7:56am
Thread Starter 
I have recently gotten the idea in my head that I would like to reinvent my wardrobe. It currently consists of jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, polos and button downs. Obviously the first three are where the problem lays.

I would like to replace most of the jeans in my collection with slacks of some kind. Does brand matter all that much when it comes to trousers?
I would also like to stop wearing sneakers every day. I obviously need to find myself some good loafers. I will probably need to start with two sets of shoes: one brown, one black. If at all possible I would like to find something inexpensive but not crap. I don't want the shoe falling apart on me.

I am trying to figure out a type of long sleeve shirt I can wear often without it being a button up or sweater. Is the only way to wear long sleeves in a classy but casual way to go the sweater route?

I am also very interested in sport jackets yet that would obviously be the more pricey route.

Suggestions please. Help me ditch this jeans and t-shirt look! Thanks.
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post #2 of 18
10/16/09 at 10:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjlins View Post
  • slacks of some kind.
  • Does brand matter all that much when it comes to trousers?
  • two sets of shoes: one brown, one black. (inexpensive but not crap)
  • long sleeve shirt I can wear often without it being a button up or sweater.
  • Is the only way to wear long sleeves in a classy but casual way to go the sweater route?
  • sport jackets
Suggestions please.
Help me ditch this jeans and t-shirt look! Thanks.

Keep your jeans & sneakers. You don't want to outrightly replace your wardrobe, but rather build on what you have.
Give us the followng information so we can help you better:
  • Your age & General Location (or major city you are near)
  • Activities/Lifestyle (things you do or places you frequent)
  • Season(s) you want to use the clothes for
  • Your budget (per item or total)
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post #3 of 18
10/16/09 at 11:05pm
Don´t use those nikes or whatever, avoid all that you see on MTV or similar.

Watch Casino with DeNiro and learn from that movie.

I did 14 years ago .
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post #4 of 18
10/17/09 at 3:17am
Thread Starter 
I am 24 years old. 6'2, 198lbs.

My fiance is a cellist and I like to go to performances with her. Other than things like that and work I don't do anything that out of the ordinary. As I will be making a transition from the military here in a few months, I will soon be a full time student.

Going to be moving in 2010 based on where she gets into grad school. Will either be Durham/Raleigh, Boston, Ithaca or NYC.

I wouldn't want to limit clothing options to a specific season. I would like to own enough clothes to look decent at any time year round.

Budget - For loafers, I would like to try and snag some for around the $100 mark if possible. Other than that I'm really not sure. I have the money to spend yet would still like to maintain as much of my savings as possible. I figure I can get away with some pretty average trousers.
I plan on getting fit for a suit at a store like Brooks Brothers upon getting back to the states. After that I will know my sizes and shopping on these classifieds will be possible. I had planned on my first suit being charcoal gray.

Thanks for the input.

(Casino is a pretty amazing movie. . I've never really watched it for the fashion tips though.)
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post #5 of 18
10/17/09 at 3:22am
Do you see the irony in this thread?
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post #6 of 18
10/17/09 at 3:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjlins View Post
I have recently gotten the idea in my head that I would like to reinvent my wardrobe. It currently consists of jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, polos and button downs. Obviously the first three are where the problem lays.

I would like to replace most of the jeans in my collection with slacks of some kind. Does brand matter all that much when it comes to trousers?
I would also like to stop wearing sneakers every day. I obviously need to find myself some good loafers. I will probably need to start with two sets of shoes: one brown, one black. If at all possible I would like to find something inexpensive but not crap. I don't want the shoe falling apart on me.

I am trying to figure out a type of long sleeve shirt I can wear often without it being a button up or sweater. Is the only way to wear long sleeves in a classy but casual way to go the sweater route?

I am also very interested in sport jackets yet that would obviously be the more pricey route.

Suggestions please. Help me ditch this jeans and t-shirt look! Thanks.

This was me six months ago....I'm still working on it now but I find that once you start this it never stops.

My suggestion is stay away from branded clothing....stay out of the typical mall stores such as Express, American Eagle, Armani Exchange, etc. They may seem "cheap" and may seem to have a decent shirt...but these stores mass produce clothes that were never meant to last long. A good place to start is J. Crew. Look at some of the "What are you wearing right now?" thread...I've learned that is possible to dress stunning and that a brand has nothing to do with how good you look(the only reason why I refer you to J. Crew is because their close are classy and will never go out of style...they will last too).

My suggestions for the loafers/dressier shoes would be Johnston & Murphy. Many people on here do not like them but I find that for the price(I'm a college student so anything over the 100 mark is unattainable for now) you can't get ahold of a classier shoe....new at least. Hawk amazon.com...I got a pair of $394.00 Made in Italy J&M's there for $95. Deals deals deals....
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post #7 of 18
10/17/09 at 3:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemagic View Post
Do you see the irony in this thread?

Other than the fact that most of us care more about our clothes than the average American adult....no I don't.
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post #8 of 18
10/17/09 at 9:41am
High-end tailors usually have huge sales right after Christmas and before Spring--you can usually pick up a very nice pair of trousers or a sportcoat for cheap.
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post #9 of 18
10/17/09 at 11:25am
As one who has never been a fan of loafers, I think you would be better off investing in some bluchers. Don't rule out wingtips/longwings, either. These have the advantage of going very well with just about everything you plan on wearing, including the jeans. While there are some attractive loafers out there for young people, they tend to be rather pricey, unless you get lucky with a sale.

As to your jeans, I would advise you to retire anything in an acid/stone wash and focus on dark denim. You may also want to consider looking into some raw denim if you have the chance down the line.

As to a long sleeve shirt, I am afraid your only real options for day to day wear are sweaters and button up shirts of some kind. Find a fit you like and wear it well.

Immediately, I would start browsing the WAYW thread here and on Streetwear and Denim as well. Also, a quick way to upgrade your style would be to stop wearing running shoes as casual shoes, if you are still doing so. Just stop.

Welcome to the obsession, it will grow on you.
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post #10 of 18
10/18/09 at 4:23am
Thread Starter 
Correct me if I'm wrong but a blucher is just basically a loafer /w laces? Any idea of some less expensive brands to check out? I am toying around with the idea of something like these Doc Martens for wear with jeans: http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2489-saxon-8057.aspx - Not sure how they would look with khakis. Thoughts? Not sure how they would look with khakis. What do you think of long sleeve thermals? I have recently discovered the WAYW thread thanks to KPO89. There is obviously a lot I need to learn.
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post #11 of 18
10/18/09 at 9:08am
You might get eaten alive on this STYLE forum for suggesting purchasing the mentioned doctor martin shoes.
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post #12 of 18
10/18/09 at 10:44am
I think those Doc's would look okay with jeans, but you could not wear them with anything else. For the price, you would be better off browsing ebay or the buying and selling forum. The buying and Selling forum is your friend, I have bought a few things there and have always been impressed by the quality of the transaction and the value. Look for something with a leather or dainite sole.

As to a thermal knit, I am assuming you mean some sort of waffle knit and not under armor, which is a big no-no. Personally, I like thermal knits, I wear them frequently, but it is definately a casual shirt and nothing else. If I am going anywhere nicer than class, I step it up to something nicer.
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post #13 of 18
10/18/09 at 11:16am
Those Doc Martens would be a great look with jeans -- but only if the jeans have oil stains, and only if you complete the ensemble with a work shirt that has your name embroidered on a patch over the pocket along with the logo of an auto repair shop. If that's the look you're going for, then those Docs are money. But for any occasion more formal than that, they're too butch -- the uppers are fine, it's the sole that does it.

As a student, jeans will be your uniform. But you can finish them off and look good with a simple pair of lace-up shoes (bluchers) or perhaps a Chelsea boot or chukka. Here are a couple from Timberland -- not that I'm endorsing them, I just went to their website because I knew I could find all manner of boots.

A chelsea: http://www.timberland.com/product/in...entPage=family

A chukka: http://www.timberland.com/product/in...entPage=family

Either one of those and a decent pair of plain lace-up bluchers like these http://www.timberland.com/product/in...entPage=family will take care of most of your footwear needs (again, nothing special about Timberland, and I'd only start considering them at about 50% off the website prices). When you get a suit, you'll want a pair of balmoral shoes, but those can wait. I'd stay away from loafers, I find them less versatile than bluchers or Chelseas.
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post #14 of 18
10/18/09 at 11:31am
Don't buy anything yet. You are almost sure to regret it. Spend more time looking around until you know exactly what you want.
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post #15 of 18
10/18/09 at 12:06pm
Do not buy those Doc Martens monstrosities.

A nice pair of lace-up shoes in brown will work with jeans, khakis, cords, and wool trousers.

Re trousers: khakis, cords or some wool trousers in gray would be a good start. Wear any of these with a button-up shirt and perhaps a sport coat. You will look nice.

Focus on fit. It is the key to looking good.

Shop slowly. We all make mistakes at the beginning. You might start by looking at some of the catalogues/websites--BB, JCrew, etc. to consider different styles.
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