Please help with redoing wardrobe

Ok, please bare with me I'm sure these questions have been asked before, i have used the search, just looking for a little more specific answers.

I recently moved to NYC and am planning on redoing my wardrobe in attempt to shed my old clothes from college to something more mature. Any advice at all would be real helpful.

I'm not 100% sure what my style is but I'd say pretty a pretty casual type street wear. Something similar to the pictures below.







/\ I like other color jeans / darker denim as well but these were the best pics i could find

My budget is about $700 to get started.

So far I have 2 jackets I like, one pea-coat type jacket and a bomber type jacket
I also have some Levi 511's which I've grown to like a lot so things that match these well.

In order to pull off a similar general style as those in the pictures, what are some essentials I should look into purchasing and what stores would you recommend that won't clear my wallet to fast? I'm looking for new shoes, button-ups, and whatever other essentials you would recommend.

For shoes I was thinking something like this? But i'd like to see more of a selection if there are any good shoe stores on the inexpensive side. (I'd rather not spend more than $150) http://comfortshoevillage.com/mens-shoes/clarks-originals-desert-boot-black-suede.html

Also, if someone could throw out some names of NYC stores which have quality button up's that would be a big help. Currently I've been mainly going to Express and H&M. H&M shirts seem to shrink a lot after washing though.

Thanks!

Go to Uniqlo; cheapest, best fitting basics you can get.

I forgot to mention. I'm also 5'7" with pretty broad shoulders, incase that matters so as to avoid stores catering to taller people.

With allegedly "broad" shoulders, clothing from Urban Outfitters and American Apparel is more likely to fit. Visit some NYC stores.

If I had $700 I would go to Banana Republic and J. Crew.

Both of these stores will give you the NYC casual chic look you're looking for.

Ask someone who works there for help --- or, better yet, take a good looking female co-worker with you and ask for feedback.

Have her pick you out 3 or 4 outfits.

You'll burn through $700 quickly (wait for a sale if you can), but you'll get at least 3 outfits.

Ask someone who works there for help --- or, better yet, take a good looking female co-worker with you and ask for feedback.

Have her pick you out 3 or 4 outfits.

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No. Read the article on the site about why that strategy is not good.

J. Crew is a fair suggestion, though overpriced. Banana Republic is that and less stylish-looking.

Try hitting up the Yohji Yamamoto thread. Quality is better over quantity, and you may be able to get a couple good items with your budget.

with spring/summer coming up, you don't necessarily have to wear lots of layers (knits, jackets etc) so you could create a good foundation using only $700 by buying some uniqlo (jeans and tee's) as someone else already mentioned. stash away some more cash during this time to splurge on a nice jacket and boots in the fall/winter.



greyweather said:

Go to Uniqlo; cheapest, best fitting basics you can get.

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yah i think uniqlo will be great for you

Ok thanks for the advice, what would you guys consider basics by the way? I have a decent amount of plain t-shirts , maybe 20 or so and then 8 or 9 button ups, 3 or 4 jeans

In New York, a few jackets, sweaters, button-front shirts, and casual pants likely belong in anyone's wardrobe, but it's still too broad a question. Everyone's needs are different. If you want to redo your wardrobe quickly and/or without wasting money, you probably won't get much more help from posting general questions than you already have. By the way, the numbers listed should be enough for those categories - but only if those items look good, fit well, are solid quality, etc.

With $700, I'd look into Buy&Sell section here or visit ebay and look for a nice, affordable pair of boots (Red Wing GT maybe), a pair of clean, white sneakers an Denim like APC. Then visit Uniqlo and get V-Neck Tees, a few Button Down Shirts and a grey sweater. Maybe a pair of casual pants. You should be pretty set for summer/early spring then.

The guy already has many tee shirts and button-front shirts. Also, buying used shoes is iffy and used sneakers sounds bad.

i would personally buy "nice" shoes, up that $150 budget on shoes a little(or lot ) more , shoe up, and then work from there. shoes can make or break an outfit. picture your ideal suit in scuffed up shoes, get my point?

I'm not sure what size you are, but you can probably get those desert boots on Amazon for about $80 w/ free shipping. They had them in my size (10.5).