Newbie post! Need help!

Hey everyone,
I have been lurking here for awhile, trying to absorb the wealth of information that exists here on clothes and shoes. I need to completely revamp my wardrobe after college, but on a limited graduate student budget. The way things are going on right now, I will need to buy good (expensive) clothes slowly, maybe go shopping only once a month or something like that.

Anyways, I need your help to get me started in the right direction. I know what kind of things I want, but I am still not informed well enough to make sure whether the amount I am spending on something can be better spent on the same item from a different company.

So, a few questions first:
How do i find out if there is any promotional code going on at any particular store? Or do I have to just get lucky? Moreover, when buying something online (say a belt for example), is the best idea just to try and find that item in the store, try it out, and then order it online? What about stuff I cant find in the stores?

Also, for the month of August, I need to buy 2 things (as my budget allows):

I need good shoes to wear under jeans. What kind of shoes would one wear if I am wearing a shirt (untucked), and jeans? I also need some recommendations on good thongs or sandals? I always thought Aldo or Kenneth Cole were decent, but after reading some things here, I might be inclined to go otherwise.

I think I might make a visit to Puma to find decent sneakers to wear under jeans and t-shirt. Any other recommendations? Lastly, if anyone came across a nice fall casual jacked one can wear over jeans during the times when it might get a little cool, then that would be great too!

I realize that I am asking for a lot, but I am a complete fashion newbie, and I have want to get started on the right track before (finally!) spending some serious money on clothes. Thanks to everyone in advance.

I went through this a little while ago as well.

Basically, if I can offer one word of advice--just general advice--you absolutely need to look at proportion and cut before the quality of the item. I have $20 H&M sweaters that fit much better (and thus look much better) than a lot of sweaters I've bought. Have two pairs of jeans--one for looser cut shirts and one for slimmer cut shirts. Maybe have one pair of chunkier shoes and one pair of slimmer shoes as well.

As far as shoes for shirts+jeans go, Asics Onitsuka Tigers are a pretty fool-proof choice. Cheap and classic. You could get some APCxNike Court Traditions, some German Army Sneakers, or just get some Vans.

More general advice: If you're a grad student, you should probably just get some slim-cut shirts and pants at H&M to upgrade your professional wardrobe. Quality of the shirt doesn't matter if it's cut for a fat man.

Originally Posted by xghostsniperx

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I went through this a little while ago as well.

Basically, if I can offer one word of advice--just general advice--you absolutely need to look at proportion and cut before the quality of the item. I have $20 H&M sweaters that fit much better (and thus look much better) than a lot of sweaters I've bought. Have two pairs of jeans--one for looser cut shirts and one for slimmer cut shirts. Maybe have one pair of chunkier shoes and one pair of slimmer shoes as well.

As far as shoes for shirts+jeans go, Asics Onitsuka Tigers are a pretty fool-proof choice. Cheap and classic. You could get some APCxNike Court Traditions, some German Army Sneakers, or just get some Vans.

More general advice: If you're a grad student, you should probably just get some slim-cut shirts and pants at H&M to upgrade your professional wardrobe. Quality of the shirt doesn't matter if it's cut for a fat man.

Thanks! I can tell what fits and looks good on me, but in terms of its quality, I am lost. For example, I had bought a pair of slacks from Kenneth Cole which I had to return because they were 1 inch too short on me, and on the return, I ended up picking up a cardigan which was double the price. It fit me really well, but how do I know that the $98 I spent on it could have been better spent at say a sweater from somewhere else?

Also, sorry to mislead you, but I need two pairs of shoes: one sneaker types to wear under t-shirt and jeans, and another more formal looking, probably dark brown or brown in color, that I can wear while wearing a shirt or sweater over jeans.

I do need to buy some slim-fit shirts, and just a few days ago, I remember walking into a J.Crew store and seeing some decent shirts for $50, and then I was like, ****, I should probably go read up on the thread before I buy it because I am not too sure about the quality of the item. Sad, I know, but if I can start learning how to differentiate between good quality clothes and bad ones, it will do me a whole lotta good.

Originally Posted by feynmix

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Thanks! I can tell what fits and looks good on me, but in terms of its quality, I am lost. For example, I had bought a pair of slacks from Kenneth Cole which I had to return because they were 1 inch too short on me, and on the return, I ended up picking up a cardigan which was double the price. It fit me really well, but how do I know that the $98 I spent on it could have been better spent at say a sweater from somewhere else?

Also, sorry to mislead you, but I need two pairs of shoes: one sneaker types to wear under t-shirt and jeans, and another more formal looking, probably dark brown or brown in color, that I can wear while wearing a shirt or sweater over jeans.

I do need to buy some slim-fit shirts, and just a few days ago, I remember walking into a J.Crew store and seeing some decent shirts for $50, and then I was like, ****, I should probably go read up on the thread before I buy it because I am not too sure about the quality of the item. Sad, I know, but if I can start learning how to differentiate between good quality clothes and bad ones, it will do me a whole lotta good.

I still can't really tell quality either, don't worry. I mean, obviously an H&M sweater is not going to feel as nice as something from Trovata or APC, but other than that I'm a bit lost.

For shoes, I'll still stick with my reccomendations. Onitsuka Tigers are a bit ubiquitous, but they're classic. Look at Allen Edmonds for dressy shoes.

J.Crew has some decent tailored shirts, but I wouldn't buy them at $50.

You should try to describe your style and what you're looking to achieve more. Maybe list a few members whose style you like or something. I mean, i could reccomend stuff for workwear/americana, urban western, more hipster, slightly dressy, etc...

I'd stay away from puma shoes. I have yet to see any that weren't loud and basically an advertisement for puma. They often are less sleek (in design not shape) and less versatile. I feel the same way about onitsuka tigers (although some people like them because they've been around forever but i don't care about history). Once again, i don't know what to reccomend as i'm not sure of your style but jack purcell/john varvatos converses are nice looking, and less ubiquitous than normal chucks. Vans authentics or slip ons are pretty solid looking basics and really cheap as well. I do agree that the apc x nike court shoes are very basic, well built black sneakers with no branding or anything like that. German army sneakers are nice, uncommon shoes, but once again, it depends on your style.

I would personally keep looking on the forum, keep reading waywn, read the discussions on style or read when people critique others. When it comes to buying clothes, i'd splurge on a nice pair of jeans first of all. A pair of APC New Standards, as much as people talk about them, really are great starter jeans for people. Good price if denimbar or context has them in stock ($112-115), the fit is good and universal, and the color, styling is nice on them. I'd size down 2-3 (3 mainly for people in between sizes or for new people who generally wear jeans a size bigger like basically every man in america). Maybe a pair of jack purcell/john varvatos and then some tshirts/vnecks/henleys from American Apparel, Uniqlo, BDG (at urban outfitters). Then with basics done with, i'd fill in the wardrobe with some minor items at h&m or uniqlo and every once in awhile (once a month or 2-3 months depending on money available) splurge on a nicer item like a jacket, nice shoes, good hoodie, dress shirt, or some other interesting item that is unique and would fit your style perfectly. Buying things slowly over time, starting with the basics and then filling it in with nicer pieces, helps prevent you from buying a bunch of stuff you don't like and then being stuck in a similar situation.


THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO WORRY ABOUT is the fit of your clothes. It may be weird at first if you're not used to clothes fitting well (not tight or anything, but just not relaxed and loose). Most mall brands don't have very nice fitting clothes, and that's why people reccomend uniqlo, AA and h&m. Just please make sure your clothes fit you nice.



edit: I think this is the last time i post in these sorta threads. There are 2-3 of the exact same threads on this page. The advice given in every single thread can be applied to all. No one is so unique style wise that they can't listen to "non-branded, well fitting basics supplemented with nicer pieces from time to time". Just read all the other threads exactly like this.

hey, thanks for the advice. I agree that there might have been other threads like these before, but a lot of them are very specific and after perusing through them for about 2 months, I still have a lot of questions unanswered. I will continue to look through them, obviously. Thanks again.

here's what I would do for t-shirts:
buy one or two decent t-shirts so you have something to get yourself going. Gap are decent, and Hanes Perfect t's aren't bad, but they come in 2 packs and both shirts are the same color, which can be a drag. H&M shirts are cheap and fit well, but I've heard a lot of people say they shrink/fade/wear out very quickly. But for $4 or 5, they could also do the job until you get something better.

Once you have some money saved up (maybe $80 or 90), go to Trendy Blanks, and get some jersey and/or poly-cotton shirts. From this site, they're less than half the price you'd pay most other places, and the selection is decent. Shipping will be $12, so you might as well wait until you want and are able to get a fair number of shirts in one shot to save multiple shipping charges. AA shirts are comfortable, fit well, and last forever.

For the shoes, I could suggest a few things. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a classic pair of Converse All Stars (emphasis on classic-I shy away from their camouflage, candy-caned striped, double-tongued, etc). Pumas are usually nice look shoes, but I also feel that their shoes are a little too heavily branded. If you like them, go for it. Their shape goes well with jeans and they're comfortable. I'd instead recommend Onitsuka Tigers. Just as comfortable, classic and available in a wide variety of colors and styles. If you're looking for slip-ons, I don't know a lot of brands. I know Vans are quite comfortable, and I'd suggest you stay away from ultra cheap ones, as it seems one can only wear them for a few hours before the feet begin to ache.

Take all that with a grain of salt, of course.