A thread for those of us who are not yet clothing enthusiasts

[sipang]

Well, yall on your way to Japandude01 Griefer list. Hope you're happy !

 

[brad-t]

snakeskin bellbottom suit is a staple item imo

 

[Shalebot]

Originally Posted by Switz

For a non-enthusiast, recommendations for $500+ pairs of shoes, and $200+ shirts seem outrageous to both our heads and wallets. My question is how does one transition from an average to respectable (but not yet enthusiast-level) wardrobe? Where can we go to try things on before we make a purchase or if we are too unsure about a style to invest a lot of money in it? If you had spent your entire life shopping at average (think JC Penny to Express) stores, how would you spend your first $500, $1000, etc.?
Find some local shops and try stuff on. Don't compromise. If you aren't absolutely crazy about something, don't get it. If it means waiting / having to save up, do it. I can speak from experience that buying things to placehold until you can afford what you really want just leaves you with less money.

 

[spacemanvt]

dunno why everyone is hating on GQ, if you starting from zero, it will be a great guide on the way to being a fashionable man. if nothing else it has nice pics of how to dress

 

[MikeDT]

Originally Posted by Switz

For a non-enthusiast, recommendations for $500+ pairs of shoes, and $200+ shirts seem outrageous to both our heads and wallets. how would you spend your first $500, $1000, etc.?
Are we talking US dollars here? I wouldn't spend >$500 USD on a pair of shoes or >$200 USD on a shirt. One can be a clothing enthusiast without spending ridiculous amounts of money on individual items.

 

[pickpackpockpuck]

Originally Posted by spacemanvt

dunno why everyone is hating on GQ, if you starting from zero, it will be a great guide on the way to being a fashionable man. if nothing else it has nice pics of how to dress

I like GQ, even if you're not starting from zero. I think most of the people here that dislike it aren't really GQ's audience anyway. But if that's the style you want, I think GQ does a pretty good job. I do think they're a little suit-heavy. I'm tired of photo spreads of guys in suits jumping around. (On a marginally related note, I think the coolest photo treatment of suits I've seen in a while is Bottega Veneta's play on Robert Longo. Those ads are great.)

 

[zw-gator]

I usually buy jeans and shoes that are "good enough," quality wise, for most people here, and then thrift most of the wardrobe essentials.

 

[McCurry]

I think what you're looking for is Uniqlo =)

 

[porschemad911]

Originally Posted by GraphicNovelty

Even someone who dresses "normal" doesn't need chinos. If you're going with "as little as possible" for your wardrobe there's nothing chinos "do" that nice denim doesn't. Go trousers if you need something formal.

I would agree if you're not solely talking about indigo / black denim. Pairing anything navy on the top half just looks strange with those, but really good with khaki chinos (IMO). Or with khaki / grey denim I guess.

 

[notwithit]

I'd say it's just as much about figuring out what looks bad and eliminating it:

- stuff that's gauche/gaudy/heavily branded
- stuff that doesn't fit: shoulder seams fall down the arm; shirts that blouse out (if you wear them tucked) or fall below the crotch (if you wear them untucked); pants that fall off without a belt or balloon out around your legs
- passing fads (e.g., passants on everything)
- already-passed fads (e.g., square-toed shoes)
- bad combinations (e.g., orphaned suit jacket that hits mid-thigh paired with denim and a crew-neck t-shirt)

Originally Posted by JapanAlex01

Chinos, jumpers, blazers, pocket squares, ties, suede/leather shoes are all not basics, in my opinion, they are necessities!

You're joking, right? I dress pretty damn normal, and the majority of this list doesn't apply to what I wear at all, at least in an SW&D context. Chinos just look bad on a lot of people, myself included.

Besides, you left out slim, heavyweight, raw selvage denim with a 36"+ inseam.

 

[Dbear]

Pocket square as a necessity? I think you just want the guy to dress like you.

 

[filcol]

buy one quality...

piece of denim
pair of shoes
outwear

go dead cheap on the rest, just make sure it fits..

seriously, i think a lot here on SF are really fanatical about clothing, so if you just want to look good and stand out a bit, you'll be fine without spending too much

 

[notwithit]

Originally Posted by Dbear

Pocket square as a necessity? I think you just want the guy to dress like you.

I think that suits tend to look incomplete without a pocket square (often more so than a tie), but that only applies to the MC side of things.

For SW&D, pocket squares can look good, but they can also look stupid/try-hard/overly dandy-ish (depends on the pocket square, the jacket, and the context).

 

[brad-t]

Originally Posted by filcol

seriously, i think a lot here on SF are really fanatical about clothing
big surprise: clothing hobbyist forum is full of people who love clothing

 

[BB1]

Originally Posted by Switz

For a non-enthusiast, recommendations for $500+ pairs of shoes, and $200+ shirts seem outrageous to both our heads and wallets. My question is how does one transition from an average to respectable (but not yet enthusiast-level) wardrobe? Where can we go to try things on before we make a purchase or if we are too unsure about a style to invest a lot of money in it? If you had spent your entire life shopping at average (think JC Penny to Express) stores, how would you spend your first $500, $1000, etc.?

Dear forums,

I want to become a clothing enthusiast and experience the love but I don't know how! Can you guys help me? The cost of acquiring an enthusiast-level wardrobe is outrageous and I don't see the point, but I at least need to become respectable cause right now I'm just an average guy that shops at JC Penny.

I was thinking about getting some nice chinos from Express since I heard they're a staple, but this professor Fuuma says only Americans wear them. I don't want to look like a dumb American! Do you think I'll look more worldly if I get some moleskin trousers instead like he suggests?