First time poster. New to clothes. Please tell me if the suit jacket I picked up at goodwill is...

I've always gone to thrift stores and I started thinking about building a wardrobe on the cheap. Right now all I got is lame button up shirts and jeans I've acquired through the years. I need some guidance and advice! What did I do right? What did I do wrong? How can I improve? I am willing to learn.

While thrifting last week I found some darker slim cut jeans that looked to be in good shape for $5. I also got some levi 514s for $15, which I should have worn for the picture since I like them better.

A wool and cashmere mix v neck in really good shape for $7. I suspect that it could be brand new.

The button down I had from work. I bought it at a thrift store, but it was months ago and I don't recall the price. Probably under $10. The sleeves are not long enough to get the 1/2" of sleeve to stick out from the jacket.

A suit jacket for $1.49 during goodwill's one color sale. It is hart schaffer marx and seems like good material.

Belt was $1.49, but is in worn condition.

I don't remember how much the tie was, but in general ties are 2 or 3 bucks.

I am hoping to get the jacket tailored if it gets the nod of approval.  I am looking for a new belt in better condition. One good thing about the belt is that it matches my shoes. The shoes aren't pictured but they are florshiem wingtips I picked up for $7. I feel like I am now obsessing about price in this post. haha. I am sure you guys don't really care.

Enough details. Here are the pics. I had to take them in my girlfriend's bathroom with my phone. In retrospect I should have taken proper pictures.

I normally wear jackets buttoned. Top button only. I took this pic with it unbuttoned so you could better see what's under it. Is it ok to wear suit jackets as blazers?

I experimented with wearing a tie. I don't know if it looks good with this outfit. Will any tie work? If so, please point me to an example.

I know rolling the sleeves like this is not typical. They seemed too boring just sitting there. Maybe I need a watch instead? Is rolling the sleeves like this completely unacceptable? Is there alternative ways to roll them? Here is a close up of the tie. Do the colors even work if the tie doesn't have any of the same colors the shirt has? I liked the tie in the store because it has my eye color in it.

Please help guys! Am I just wasting my time trying to thrift for good looks? I spent many hours just assembling this outfit from the mass of worn and ill fitting items at goodwill and savers. It would have been a lot easier to just buy a more coordinated outfit retail.

Besides not being experienced in fashion I think finding decent clothes in the right fit is the hardest part of buying from goodwill. Sure, I'll see a good shirt, but it usually doesn't fit well. Or I'll see a shirt that fits well but is worn and looks poor. I think perhaps I could increase the number of potential items if I buy a sowing machine and learned how to alter stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum 


Maybe you could change the buttons for something a bit more contrasting to make it look more like a sportcoat.

Changing the buttons is a good idea! I didn't even consider it as an option. Thanks for this. I am so glad I posted here.

I was so ready to be pummeled by the style elite. You guys are too nice. I still would like some suggestions for improvements though. You can be brutally honest with me.

Since it seems the jacket is not horrible I am going to bring it to the tailor (and look at button options). The jacket looks better buttoned and I will post better quality pictures when I get it back. I'll make sure to post from different angles and in different positions. buttoned and unbuttoned, etc.. as I understand it's hard to judge from just one picture.

From browsing the forum today I've already learned a lot. The pocket square can really be used to make an outfit explode, the shoe ideas you guys give me are great, some of the stuff about ties and knots I haven't digested yet, but it will come. The posts with pictures of what people are wearing today I think are the most useful as they will give me tons of ideas of how to use stuff I find while shopping.

My biggest problem now is trying to find a style. It's very easy to put together stuff with no personal style. Like you said, a boring outfit might not get any negative responses, and a good outfit with personality might some negative responses. I will keep this in mind and accept that not everyone will like everything =)