Basic wardrobe for Foreign Service - Page 2

Originally Posted by Longmorn 



And if you think you can find a suit in Kinshasa that is neither too flashy on the one hand, or evidently poor quality on the other, more power to you. Maybe things have changed since the last time was there.

Originally Posted by globetrotter 

sorry, I don't stand by that comment - I don't buy either brand myself, I am just thinking of the labels that I see people wearning, so you surely know better than I do.
OP - there are BB outlets, and they do have sales. if you have 4 months, aim at doing your shopping on Black friday at an outlet

Originally Posted by globetrotter 

you can get a suit as good as a BB suit in any of those cities. the OP isn't an "elite" of a kleptocracy, he is a government clerk.

Originally Posted by JWalters 

Thank you all for the discussion and advice.  I deeply appreciate it.
Central Oregon, and thank you.  Before I'm off to training in DC (and beyond) in early 2013, I will probably spend several weeks visiting family in the San Francisco and New York areas.

Thank you.  I appreciate the specifics, and your thoughtful "off duty" list as well.  I just won a pair of BR flat front chinos on eBay for $10 shipped.  
As to the timepiece, I've dabbled in the "guy gadget" hobbies long enough to have an Orient Mako, a surprisingly nice Momentum quartz, and my grandfather's old Bulova.  


This is an excellent perspective, thanks!  I did not make the cut for FSO but I am delighted they picked me up as an Office Management Specialist (OMS).  At work, I tend to excel so I'm sure opportunities will arise with time.  Given the focus of much of my federal job search, I am hoping for an OMS posting in a Diplomatic Security section.   I appreciate your invitation and will PM you before too long, once I get a little more reading done.

Several posters have echoed this advice, and I understand.  However, I am anxious about graduating training and being shipped off to Harare, Dushanbe, or Vientiane without enough work clothing.  I am fascinated by this discussion of local shopping but in my travels, have not seen many shopping opportunities for fine menswear in many such locales.  Notable exceptions such as Bangkok abound, but my hesitation remains.

Thanks for the DOS-specific observations - I have had limited contact with State compared to other agencies so this is very valuable.

Oh, I didn't mean to sound skittish about "hardship" posts.  At considerable professional opportunity cost, I have taken the time to travel extensively in such places backpacker style, "middle class" style, and via long bike tours.  Aside from serving my country, working and living in "hardship" locations is the main appeal of this gig.  Indeed, I was disappointed to learn that Baghdad, Islamabad, and Kabul are not available as first postings.


We recently attended a 2-day intensive escape-and-evasion class.  The instructor really emphasized your same point - he called it "baselining".  At the end of the field exercise day, I was able to evade a "hunter" at arm's length by improvising an outfit that made me look like landscaping staff, instead of the clothing the hunter last observed me wearing.

At class, we have an opportunity to rank the destinations list that they give us, and your list is strongly representative of my top picks.  Thus, I do want to show up there with enough specialized work clothing.


Again, thanks very much for the advice and specifics. Keep 'em coming!

Originally Posted by globetrotter 

you can get a suit as good as a BB suit in any of those cities. the OP isn't an "elite" of a kleptocracy, he is a government clerk.

Originally Posted by comrade 

"I don't buy either brand myself,"
Nor do I. We've met at a SanFrancisco Meet-up in early 2011, I believe.
I also said hello to you at the SF 10 the Anniversary bash.
My real name is Roger

Originally Posted by FlyingMonkey 

a fedora dress shoe that can decapitate a man when thrown from up to 20 metres

Originally Posted by FlyingMonkey 

You will need: two sets of impeccably tailored evening wear (the spare in case, the first set gets damaged during the inevitable confrontation with agents of unfriendly nations), several equally impeccably tailored 'Conduit Cut' grey suits from Anthony Sinclair of Mayfair, all modified for easy access to a revolver holstered on your prefered side, a pen that turns into a radio as well as a poisoned dart gun, bespoke shoes form C&J with spring-loaded knives concealed in the soles, a fedora that can decapitate a man when thrown from up to 20 metres, an especially modified Aston Martin with machine guns, a passenger ejector seat and flamethrower. You know, the usual...

I believe these are provided to all British operatives in the foreign service. I would expect the US department to be similar, albeit somewhat more vulgar in style.