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I have no idea how to dress myself. Help?

post #1 of 38
11/2/11 at 6:54pm
Thread Starter 

Hi. Long story short, I'm trying to reinvent my current "style" so that I 1) look better and 2) feel better about myself so I can 3) get laid... Ok well not so much 3 but it would be nice. I'm 23 and tired of wearing hoodies and sneakers and just ready to have a more "grown-up" look. I'm going for a J. Crew/GQ modelesque look. Casual, I suppose? You know... nice shirt, tucked in, maybe a skinny tie, scarf, blazer/peacoat, oxford shoe, slim pant and all that jazz. The problem is I can't shop for myself. I always come out with something either black, red, or blue and and a tee shirt with a confused look on my face at how I just screwed up. I'm no good at matching and putting pieces together. For instance, I bought a nice pair of desert boots that I wear with Hollister jeans. Or these decent selvedge denim jeans that I wear with high-top adidas. C'mon... just garbage...

 

So I'm asking for help here. Though I really have no idea what I'm even asking beside "How do I shop?" What are the essentials to a well dressed guy's wardrobe? Where do I begin? Shoes? Pants? Cry. I should literally just hire someone to make me look good. Any advice would be much obliged. I might just be overthinking everything, honestly. I do this for everything. How do you guys go about buying pieces for your wardrobe?

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post #2 of 38
11/2/11 at 6:59pm
Come to this site every day. Read posts. Look at the pictures. Use Search. Figure out what works. Find out where to buy it. Buy it. Wear it. Profit.
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post #3 of 38
11/2/11 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tobiasj View Post

Come to this site every day. Read posts. Look at the pictures. Use Search. Figure out what works. Find out where to buy it. Buy it. Wear it. Profit.

Along with this I can provide a few starter suggestions:

  • You can't start with one thing, indulge at once
  • Dress Shirts - White, Blue, Spread collar is nice
  • Sport Shirts - Gingham, Striped etc..
  • Chinos - Khaki - and Dress pants something dark like Charcoal and something light like Grey
  • Assortment of ties - Repp ties are a traditional start
  • Get a wool suit - I say Navy first, later you can explore greys and other darker colors and types of fabrics - Look at J Crew/ Brooks Brothers/ Polo or Rugby Ralph Lauren
  • Shoes - Oxfords are probably best bet for starter dress shoes. If you can spare it get some wingtips and/or brogues.
  • Get a car coat or a trench coat
  • V-Neck Sweaters to layer
  • Wear V-Neck undershirts if you do.
  • Socks - be colorful and wacky - but not too crazy - Stripes/Argyle/Regimental etc..


Maybe I am feeding you a bit of my style - but I know my style is pretty decent....

If you want to hire me, PM me.biggrin.gif
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post #4 of 38
11/2/11 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saturdays View Post

Along with this I can provide a few starter suggestions:
  • You can't start with one thing, indulge at once
  • Dress Shirts - White, Blue, Spread collar is nice
  • Sport Shirts - Gingham, Striped etc..
  • Chinos - Khaki - and Dress pants something dark like Charcoal and something light like Grey
  • Assortment of ties - Repp ties are a traditional start
  • Get a wool suit - I say Navy first, later you can explore greys and other darker colors and types of fabrics - Look at J Crew/ Brooks Brothers/ Polo or Rugby Ralph Lauren
  • Shoes - Oxfords are probably best bet for starter dress shoes. If you can spare it get some wingtips and/or brogues.
  • Get a car coat or a trench coat
  • V-Neck Sweaters to layer
  • Wear V-Neck undershirts if you do.
  • Socks - be colorful and wacky - but not too crazy - Stripes/Argyle/Regimental etc..
Maybe I am feeding you a bit of my style - but I know my style is pretty decent....
If you want to hire me, PM me.biggrin.gif

Hire me. devil.gif 3,000 poastS vs 1,000.
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post #5 of 38
11/2/11 at 7:26pm
As suggested its a good idea to read the forum. Its also good to start with the basics and build on that. Look for images / ideas of well thought out ensembles and try to take ideas from these, adding a few of you own along the way smile.gif
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post #6 of 38
11/2/11 at 8:26pm
Have confidence.

Its the most important factor when it comes to cultivating a personal style - in any style you identify with. People wear t shirts and shorts not because they do not want to be stylish, but because they have little confidence in their sense of style (as good or bad as it may be) and often rely on significant others, friends, sales people, or individuals whom they perceive to be more authoritative on the subject to direct them on their wardrobe choices.

I echo what other people have already said - come to the forum often, read and see how people here discuss their style. But most importantly - be confident in your own developing sense of style. You need not always agree with whats said here (I certainly don't - even with what foo.gif says), but take away what you agree with and internalize concepts and ideas you believe in.

And it should be fun, too.
Edited by daspianist - 11/2/11 at 10:04pm
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post #7 of 38
11/2/11 at 8:41pm
Newbie Fashion Tips for Grown-Up Men
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post #8 of 38
11/2/11 at 9:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by daspianist View Post

Have confidence.
Its the most important factor when it comes to cultivating a personal style - in any style you identify with. People wear t shirts and shorts not because they do not want to be stylish, but because they have little confidence in their sense of style (as good or bad as it may be) and often rely on significant others, friends, sales people, or individual whom they perceive to be more authoritative on the subject to direct them on their wardrobe choices.
I echo what other people have already said - come to the forum often, read and see how people here discuss their style. But most importantly - be confident in your own developing sense of style. You need not always agree with whats said here (I certainly don't - even with what foo.gif says), but take away what you agree with and internalize concepts and ideas you believe in.
And it should be fun, too.

This is all you need to know
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post #9 of 38
11/2/11 at 9:26pm
Thread Starter 

That thing about confidence couldn't be any truer. So humbly put too. Also thanks MrSand and tgt465. I guess I'll get to lurking.

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post #10 of 38
11/2/11 at 9:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrSand View Post



How much do you charge for personal style tips?

Y'know i've had a few people tell me that I should be a go-to guy for setting up peoples wardrobes and what not. I always thought about it, but always thought it would be a headache in the sense that I have a personal preference, as does everyone - I'd have to keep track of all my clients preferences (which isn't too hard - but the hard part is getting such clients). In any sense the next part would be to get a pricing model - which is tough considering I personally would turn away someone who offered to help build my wardrobe - he's just increasing the price of the clothing and what not by adding his fee. Its not very sustainable.

But if you want PM me and we can discuss something there, I'll be sure to help you. We can discuss everything further through those means.

To the OP:

I never mentioned belts - but I would get a black leather belt with a buckle (not an extravagant belt buckle soemthing like this)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrd617 View Post

Hire me. devil.gif 3,000 poastS vs 1,000.

3297/27months = 122 posts per month vs 1003/7months = 143 posts per month.

My post/month count is higher.. does that mean anything:p
Edited by Saturdays - 11/2/11 at 9:59pm
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post #11 of 38
11/2/11 at 9:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrd617 View Post

Hire me. devil.gif 3,000 poastS vs 1,000.

Hire me. 370 posts. I work cheap.

biggrin.gif
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post #12 of 38
11/3/11 at 12:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by daspianist View Post

Have confidence.
Its the most important factor when it comes to cultivating a personal style - in any style you identify with. People wear t shirts and shorts not because they do not want to be stylish, but because they have little confidence in their sense of style (as good or bad as it may be) and often rely on significant others, friends, sales people, or individuals whom they perceive to be more authoritative on the subject to direct them on their wardrobe choices.
I echo what other people have already said - come to the forum often, read and see how people here discuss their style. But most importantly - be confident in your own developing sense of style. You need not always agree with whats said here (I certainly don't - even with what foo.gif says), but take away what you agree with and internalize concepts and ideas you believe in.
And it should be fun, too.

teacha.gif
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post #13 of 38
11/3/11 at 3:42am
As advice goes, 'be confident' is right up there with 'just be yourself.' That is, it sucks. Dressing well GIVES you confidence, not the other way around.
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post #14 of 38
11/3/11 at 7:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tobiasj View Post

As advice goes, 'be confident' is right up there with 'just be yourself.' That is, it sucks. Dressing well GIVES you confidence, not the other way around.

I think you read the bolded text in my statement and skipped the rest.

"Dressing well" is a relative state that derives from comparisons to others - an individual in a black suit is dressed well compared to a person in t shirts and gym shoes, but I doubt he'd be considered well dressed by members on this forum.

What confidence could be gained from the relative state of being "dressed well", then, need first to exist intrinsically - and hence my advice to the gentleman who began this thread. He needs to develop an intrinsic sense of confidence in his developing style, absorb what he sees stylistic appealing to him while ignoring those he finds not, to truly gain confidence from being well dressed.

So no, I don't think my advice sucks. rolleyes.gif
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post #15 of 38
11/3/11 at 11:07am
First: Congrats, OP, for realizing you need to change. You've taken an important first step.

Follow the advice given so far. It's been good. I would add that you should subscribe to GQ, Esquire and/or Details. You're in need of basic help, and that's exactly what they offer.

You want good dark jeans instead of that Hollister crap. Chinos are even better -- no pleats or cuffs! Cardigans or v-necks, not hoodies. Loafers or brogues, not sneakers. Shirts, not T-shirts. A pea coat, not some North Face monstrosity. Wear a sportcoat or blazer with pretty much everything.

And above all, make sure everything fits well. A well-tailored $300 suit will look better than a sloppy $1,000 suit.
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