Need advice (trying to change my style!)

Hello, I'm new to the forums here but have read some posts. As of right now I'm a college student looking to change their style from the typical graphic t-shirts and jeans. I've done some changing like the shoes that I wear. Instead of wearing vans (which I haven't worn in a long time) I find myself wearing boaters and penny loafers. That being said I feel I need some help learning about good brands for button up shirts, slacks, shorts, polo shirts possibly. I know some brands like Brooks Brothers, Southern Tide, Southern Proper, J. Crew, G.H. Bass. Recently I bought some tailored shirts and a french cuff shirt from Jos. A Bank which I was happy with but some feel that Jos. A Bank isn't the greatest quality? I'm not sure how or why some feel the quality isn't as good. I've heard some say the sizes run big or is great if your fat (which i'm not, work out and have found through a fitness trainer my body fat is less than 10%) ANYWAYS I also went to Brooks Brothers tried on some clothing but unfortunately didn't get anything So, some recommendations in good brands and why Jos. A Bank isn't that great? I'm new to really caring about the clothing I buy and looking nicer but enjoy it so far.

Thank You,
Brandob

you're in college. spend that money on drugs, booze and girls.

or guys, if thats the case.

Don't do drugs, meh on drinking, and well girls yeah money is already spent there so have that covered

Easier to get free booze if you're well-dressed.

But, uh, go to your university library, and take out Alan Flusser's "Clothes and The Man." Now, most of the advice in there is geared towards dressing like an '80s New York professional, which is probably something for you to avoid, but it has wonderful line drawings of how clothes should fit. Study those.

Swing through places with really nice stuff so you can see how nice it is -- try not to look out of your league as you check out an Isaia/Kiton/something else in the $300 range shirt at Neiman, and you'll see what really nice stuff is.

Figure out what "your price" for stuff is, and look into the best stuff you can get for that price.

YRR92 said:

Easier to get free booze if you're well-dressed.

But, uh, go to your university library, and take out Alan Flusser's "Clothes and The Man." Now, most of the advice in there is geared towards dressing like an '80s New York professional, which is probably something for you to avoid, but it has wonderful line drawings of how clothes should fit. Study those.

Swing through places with really nice stuff so you can see how nice it is -- try not to look out of your league as you check out an Isaia/Kiton/something else in the $300 range shirt at Neiman, and you'll see what really nice stuff is.

Figure out what "your price" for stuff is, and look into the best stuff you can get for that price.

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Thanks for the advice! Yeah I felt I looked out of my league when I walked into brooks brothers in my gym shorts and a t-shirt but that's what I decided to throw on that day and didn't think I would find a brooks brothers lol.

don't dress like MC in college.

no girls will ****************.

Don't plan on it but it doesn't hurt to dress a little nicer in public.

NefariousSabatour said:

don't dress like MC in college.

no girls will ****************.

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:eyeroll:

This is a good start on a well balanced wardrobe: http://putthison.com/post/712103418/the-essential-mans-wardrobe-perhaps-the-most

You can save the suits for last (or until you're graduating and looking for a job), but most of what's in there is classic, goes well with each other, and will blend into your current wardrobe along the way..

Theres nothing in there about brands. brooks brothers, j crew, GAP, and uniqlo are all good places to start. Joseph a bank is in the business of selling you the cheapest suit possible, so don't bother.

Makoto Chan said:

Theres nothing in there about brands. brooks brothers, j crew, GAP, and uniqlo are all good places to start. Joseph a bank is in the business of selling you the cheapest suit possible, so don't bother.

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"Cheapest" in the sense of "highest margins," not in terms of "least cost to the consumer."

I don't see the Gap as that much nicer than Old Navy, TBH, and I'd throw Lands' End into there (if you dodge the stodgy stuff they sell).



YRR92 said:

"Cheapest" in the sense of "highest margins," not in terms of "least cost to the consumer."

I don't see the Gap as that much nicer than Old Navy, TBH, and I'd throw Lands' End into there (if you dodge the stodgy stuff they sell).

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Yes, you're probably right about both. It's a list of vanilla basics at different price levels. For a college kid who wants to start dressing better, it's good to be willing to pay more for some nice things, and also know where you can get something inexpensive and nice.

Thanks for the link! I will have to go through and see what I don't have on the list. I didn't buy a suit from Joseph A. Bank but did buy some tailored shirts, a french cuff shirt, bow tie, and slacks. Not sure if those products are any better at their store but I got them at a good price. For a college student which stores/brands do you think would be best to go with?

Thank you for all the help.

Brando, I'm guessing you live in the US, so I'm surprised you bought a french cuff shirt and a bowtie. Hardly anyone needs these in their adult life, much less in college. Try to stick to the basics for now. The list of stores in my post above should help. Ralph Lauren comes to mind, as well. Depends on where you live. You don't have to spend a lot on everything, but what I like about that focused list from Put This On is that most everything is so versatile and useful that they would be worth splurging on a good one if you found it (whereas I wouldn't advise a college student to spend their money on bow ties or french cuff shirts).

I would advise at this point in your young, not financially established life that you only spend big money on blazers and shoes. Everything else you can cheap out on, including shirts.

With 10% body fat (oh how I'd kill to be 20 again) a good shirt option may be Calvin Klein's X fit models, which are very slim and will only set you back about 40 bucks apiece.

Go to Banana Republic's clearance rack for pants, as they typically have some nice, slim options for not a lot of money. Be careful though, especially at places like Banana Republic that you're not buying a bunch of polyester...its the devil's fabric and runs rampant in those stores. They will have some nice cotton options, but don't expect wool at that price point. Check the labels on everything for material content AND care instructions. If you cant afford, either with time or money, to care for the garment as is recommended by the maker, don't buy it.

When looking at nice leather shoes, don't expect much in terms of quality until you get over $300. However, there are some passable shoes which go on sale in department stores occasionally...Bruno Magli was recently on sale at Saks with several models under $200. They're not the best, but in my experience they hold up well, are very comfortable, and don't look cheap. It probably isn't within your budget yet to look at Alden, Church's, Ferragamo and the like, but Allen Edmonds is well loved on these forums, and can be had for under $300 if you're patient. Avoid the Macy's, Robinsons May, JAB, Men's Warehouse shoe departments like the plague. That stuff is worse than junk...its criminal.

Jackets, like shoes, are a whole new world. Really my best advice is to try on different sizes until you find one which fits you best. With a build like yours, look for trim or slim fits, as it may look like your swimming in "classic" fits, which basically mean "fat guy" nowadays. Try to buy jackets that are at least half canvassed, but don't completely shy away from fused, as it has come a long way. Most of all, don't be afraid to swing and miss a few times with jackets. More than any other piece of men's clothing, they are really a learning experience and everybody's shape is different. Get to know a tailor.