New to fashion, need advice

Venom · Dec 29, 2016

Hey all,

Recently ive decided to grow a nice wardrobe. Usually my wardrobe consisted of a couple of jeans and shirts. Now i want something more. My goals are to own: 30 winter tops, 30 summer tops, 30 blazers, 4 shoes, 4 coats and 15-30 jeans. I read somewhere that wearing something different every day is considered fashionable. So 30 tops meand wearing each top 12 times a year. Wearig a blazer everyday is maybe too much. But i feel fancy and confident in a blazer....

My budget for clothes now is 400-500 euros each month.

Currently i own 2 blazers, 14 winter tops, 4 jeans, 1 coat, 1 pair of shoes. I should be able to complete my goal in a year i think.

I'm a student in my 20s.

I would love advice on what blazers to get and what to make sure i do when i buy clothes each month. I went to a few stores with expensive brands like g star. But i thought those clothes didy look very good. I like to shop at h&m and at pull and bear.

Is a blazer every day too much? How should i combine the blazers? And what clothes do i buy after my goal is completed? Am i out of my mind fot wanting to spend 400-500 euro s each month on clothes?

Murlsquirl · Dec 29, 2016

Your blazer and jeans goals are definitely a bit overboard. If I was you, I would start by purchasing one quality staple wardrobe piece at a time. A basic navy blazer, a good pair of denim, and nice piece of knitwear, a versatile pair of shoes, etc. Focus on the best quality you can get for your money, not quantity. With that budget, you can build a really nice wardrobe over the next year. It won't be anywhere near the size you're aiming for, but it could be really nice stuff that will last.

maxalex · Dec 29, 2016

Why would you want 30 pairs of jeans? By the time they developed a nice fade you'd be living in a retirement home. Two pairs of good raw denim is plenty--a heavyweight for winter and a slightly lighter cloth for summer. Wash them only once or twice per season (cold water, hang to dry which you probably do anyway as you live in Europe) and after about four years they'll look great. After ten years, time to buy two more.

breakaway01 · Dec 29, 2016

to add to what has already been written--you don't literally need a different blazer for each day of the month. Remember that (just as an example) 10 trousers x 5 jackets x 20 shirts = 1000 combinations. Not that all of them will work, of course, but you'd have probably at least a hundred good combinations. You're better off having 5 nice jackets than 30 cheap jackets. Add pieces gradually. You will find your sense of style changing as time goes on.

Also, as to whether spending 400-500 EUR a month is too much, of course that depends on many factors. Do you have debt that should be paid off? Are you saving for the future? If you have your finances in order, then how much of your discretionary money to spend on clothes is really up to you.

Venom · Dec 29, 2016

Murlsquirl said:
Your blazer and jeans goals are definitely a bit overboard. If I was you, I would start by purchasing one quality staple wardrobe piece at a time. A basic navy blazer, a good pair of denim, and nice piece of knitwear, a versatile pair of shoes, etc. Focus on the best quality you can get for your money, not quantity. With that budget, you can build a really nice wardrobe over the next year. It won't be anywhere near the size you're aiming for, but it could be really nice stuff that will last.

What does knitwear mean? Like a sweater? The thing im most afraid of is people thinking i wear the same outfit everyday or too frequently. For 20-30 euros the h&m sells great tops.

The two blazers i now own i got at a discount at h&m for 35 each. Normally they would be 50 each or even more. What would a good blazer go for? I saw some nice ones for 70.

With my budget now i could get 2 blazers, 4-6 tops, 3 jeans and 1 pair of nice shoes each month.

If quality overrule quality, how do i go about it when i dont own many clothes right now?

maxalex said:
Why would you want 30 pairs of jeans? By the time they developed a nice fade you'd be living in a retirement home. Two pairs of good raw denim is plenty--a heavyweight for winter and a slightly lighter cloth for summer. Wash them only once or twice per season (cold water, hang to dry which you probably do anyway as you live in Europe) and after about four years they'll look great. After ten years, time to buy two more.

Only wear 1 pair of bottoms for a season? Wouldnt they become dirty? That would mean wearing the same bottoms for more than 30 days.

30 jeans would mean 1 new bottoms each day. Was that website i read the information on wrong?

breakaway01 said:
to add to what has already been written--you don't literally need a different blazer for each day of the month. Remember that (just as an example) 10 trousers x 5 jackets x 20 shirts = 1000 combinations. Not that all of them will work, of course, but you'd have probably at least a hundred good combinations. You're better off having 5 nice jackets than 30 cheap jackets. Add pieces gradually. You will find your sense of style changing as time goes on.

Also, as to whether spending 400-500 EUR a month is too much, of course that depends on many factors. Do you have debt that should be paid off? Are you saving for the future? If you have your finances in order, then how much of your discretionary money to spend on clothes is really up to you.

Hmmmm. So if i own 5 nice jackets..... It wouldnt matter if i wore them each 5 times in a month?

maxalex · Dec 30, 2016

It is difficult to know where to begin here, but to start with the big picture: SF members come in all stripes and from all walks of life, but if there is one thing that unites us it is a respect for quality over quantity. While realizing that it is Wal-Mart's world and we just live in it, we generally reject the commoditization of our culture, in favor of the crafted, the considered, and the durable. This ethos can apply to many things we buy every day, including food. With clothing, it generally means endeavoring to own a few well-made and well fitting garments, then taking good care of them for many years. Note that price alone is no guarantee of quality; many trendy designer brands are crappily made and overpriced, trading on the fact that most people are undiscerning. But quality clothes do cost more; there is no way around it. Blazers costing 80 euros will be made in a factory in Asia by people earning 10 euros a day at best. I don't say this to guilt-trip anyone on fair trade labor practices, only to point out that the people who make those garments have no investment in the quality of the merchandise, and you will get what you pay for. The jacket will be fused, probably poorly, and will become ill-shapen quickly, if indeed it ever fits well at all.

To step into the frame a bit closer from that big picture, it is evident that if you have the means to buy 30 blazers at 80 euros each, you could instead buy three for 800 euros each, and get some pretty nice garments. That is hardly the high end but well into jackets made of fine European woolens (UK tweeds, Italian worsteds, etc.), and constructed in Europe as well, by people who take pride in their work. One such navy blazer, one tweed for winter, and maybe an unlined tobacco linen model for summer, should you put you in good stead, at least for a year. As other posters have noted, you can mix those blazers with different trousers, shirts, ties and pocket squares for a wide range of looks.

I recommend visiting upscale men's clothing stores in your city--the kind of places that look like an old-fashioned men's club--and trying on various jackets and pants. You don't have to buy anything but you will start to get a sense of quality, what it feels like and how it looks on you. The forum is full of threads recommending various makers, and retailers, that are worth the money.

The same goes for shoes, which you did not mention but which deserve your attention. Many style newbies disregard shoes in the misplaced notion that no one will notice. In fact shoes are one of the first things people notice--especially chicks I might add. Here too you can start a discerning collection of relative quality without breaking the bank. My sons, both in their 20s, wear shoes from Meermin of Spain, which can be ordered online and cost about 300 euros. They are hardly the best but they are pretty damn good for the money, Goodyear welted, handsome and sturdy. Get a pair of brown oxfords (they are more versatile than black), and then maybe some brown suede derbies in a different shade. For something a bit more Saturday-night, there are many good brands of Chelsea style boots in that price range, such as RM Williams of Australia.

Finally, to your question about washing denim. Here again the concept of quality over quantity applies. You can spend your money on a drawerful of short-lasting Levis or Wranglers that are mass-produced in Asian factories, or you can buy one or two selvedge raw indigo pairs from small quality makers (the best are made in Japan, USA and Canada) that will wear to a beautiful fade and last for years if you treat them with care. When to wash denim inspires violent arguments, but the bottom line is that jeans don't "show" dirt like chinos or woolens and really don't need to be washed very often, unless you spill something. (This is more of a problem with Yanks, who like to eat and drink in their cars--a deplorable habit enabled by car makers who put dozens of cup holders in their American models.) Of course sooner or later denim will need washing, possibly when your significant other insists. To put it as delicately as possible, the area most prone to "dirt" is the crotch. The best policy is to be careful when you go about your business.

I genuinely hope this helps, and I hope you join the ranks of those who stand athwart the winds of Wal-Mart and yell Stop!

Venom · Dec 30, 2016

maxalex said:
It is difficult to know where to begin here, but to start with the big picture: SF members come in all stripes and from all walks of life, but if there is one thing that unites us it is a respect for quality over quantity. While realizing that it is Wal-Mart's world and we just live in it, we generally reject the commoditization of our culture, in favor of the crafted, the considered, and the durable. This ethos can apply to many things we buy every day, including food. With clothing, it generally means endeavoring to own a few well-made and well fitting garments, then taking good care of them for many years. Note that price alone is no guarantee of quality; many trendy designer brands are crappily made and overpriced, trading on the fact that most people are undiscerning. But quality clothes do cost more; there is no way around it. Blazers costing 80 euros will be made in a factory in Asia by people earning 10 euros a day at best. I don't say this to guilt-trip anyone on fair trade labor practices, only to point out that the people who make those garments have no investment in the quality of the merchandise, and you will get what you pay for. The jacket will be fused, probably poorly, and will become ill-shapen quickly, if indeed it ever fits well at all.

To step into the frame a bit closer from that big picture, it is evident that if you have the means to buy 30 blazers at 80 euros each, you could instead buy three for 800 euros each, and get some pretty nice garments. That is hardly the high end but well into jackets made of fine European woolens (UK tweeds, Italian worsteds, etc.), and constructed in Europe as well, by people who take pride in their work. One such navy blazer, one tweed for winter, and maybe an unlined tobacco linen model for summer, should you put you in good stead, at least for a year. As other posters have noted, you can mix those blazers with different trousers, shirts, ties and pocket squares for a wide range of looks.

I recommend visiting upscale men's clothing stores in your city--the kind of places that look like an old-fashioned men's club--and trying on various jackets and pants. You don't have to buy anything but you will start to get a sense of quality, what it feels like and how it looks on you. The forum is full of threads recommending various makers, and retailers, that are worth the money.

The same goes for shoes, which you did not mention but which deserve your attention. Many style newbies disregard shoes in the misplaced notion that no one will notice. In fact shoes are one of the first things people notice--especially chicks I might add. Here too you can start a discerning collection of relative quality without breaking the bank. My sons, both in their 20s, wear shoes from Meermin of Spain, which can be ordered online and cost about 300 euros. They are hardly the best but they are pretty damn good for the money, Goodyear welted, handsome and sturdy. Get a pair of brown oxfords (they are more versatile than black), and then maybe some brown suede derbies in a different shade. For something a bit more Saturday-night, there are many good brands of Chelsea style boots in that price range, such as RM Williams of Australia.

Finally, to your question about washing denim. Here again the concept of quality over quantity applies. You can spend your money on a drawerful of short-lasting Levis or Wranglers that are mass-produced in Asian factories, or you can buy one or two selvedge raw indigo pairs from small quality makers (the best are made in Japan, USA and Canada) that will wear to a beautiful fade and last for years if you treat them with care. When to wash denim inspires violent arguments, but the bottom line is that jeans don't "show" dirt like chinos or woolens and really don't need to be washed very often, unless you spill something. (This is more of a problem with Yanks, who like to eat and drink in their cars--a deplorable habit enabled by car makers who put dozens of cup holders in their American models.) Of course sooner or later denim will need washing, possibly when your significant other insists. To put it as delicately as possible, the area most prone to "dirt" is the crotch. The best policy is to be careful when you go about your business.

I genuinely hope this helps, and I hope you join the ranks of those who stand athwart the winds of Wal-Mart and yell Stop!

800 euros for a blazer? The only negative thing i have to say about the two h&m blazers i have now are the buttons, which look cheap. And 300 euros for a pair of shoes? That could never fit in my budget. Well it could. But how long would those shoes last? For 300 they better last at least a year.

Look, im looking for clothes that look nice with a great fabric and clothes that make me feel classy, but an 800 euro jacket is too much. With 800 euros i could get 8 very nice jackets at other stores.

Is a 80 euro jacket not going to last at least a year? I think it wil???

I could get very nice sweaters for around 40 euros and nice shirts for 30 euros. 50 euros for jeans would get me far.

Oh im a bit overweight so the sweat getting into the jeans will need washing. That was my main concern.

And h&m isnt wallmart. There is some really fine stuff there, although a lot of crap too i must admit.

As for your advice about clothing stores, i will do as you say.

Perhaps aftet i reach my goal of 30 blazers i could get 1 to 2 nice pieces each month, so i have a solid base to start with. First get my basics right then go for the 800 eurks jackets....... But 800 euros seems just too much for one piece of clothing. 30 of those would mean 24000 euros. That would take 10 years to complete.

How long will an 800 euro jacket last? 20 years?

I went shopping last time and got two very nice tops for 20 euros each. Look:

They look nice to me and feel great.

maxalex · Dec 30, 2016

You have stated that you can spend 6000 euros a year on clothes. Why not spend a third of that on three really nice jackets that will last decades? Spend another third on four pair of trousers (including one raw denim) and ten shirts, and the final third on two pair of shoes and some socks. You don't have a problem here.

Venom · Dec 30, 2016

maxalex said:
You have stated that you can spend 6000 euros a year on clothes. Why not spend a third of that on three really nice jackets that will last decades? Spend another third on four pair of trousers (including one raw denim) and ten shirts, and the final third on two pair of shoes and some socks. You don't have a problem here.

And no one is going to think poorly of me with that quantity of clothes?

You're tempting me.

My budget might end up being 7200-8400 in one year. I did a recalculation.

3x4x10 is 120 combinations. How often would three jackets need cleaning and how much would getting those pricy jackets cleaned go for?

eagleman · Dec 31, 2016

I don't know of a single person who needs 30 sport coats or blazers. I wear a suit or SC every day and I don't have near that many. I probably have have of that that I have accumulated over many years. Invest your money in fewer high quality pieces that will last you for years. The same goes for shoes. Get good quality shoes that are Goodyear welded and take care of them. If you treat those shoes properly, they will last for many years. I have a couple of pairs that are over 20 years old.

Venom · Jan 2, 2017

eagleman said:
I don't know of a single person who needs 30 sport coats or blazers. I wear a suit or SC every day and I don't have near that many. I probably have have of that that I have accumulated over many years. Invest your money in fewer high quality pieces that will last you for years. The same goes for shoes. Get good quality shoes that are Goodyear welded and take care of them. If you treat those shoes properly, they will last for many years. I have a couple of pairs that are over 20 years old.

Thanks! The reason I want 30 blazers or sport coats is that I want to dress like barneh from how i met your mother who always wears a suit. Its a tv show. I dont want to wear a suit everyday, but a sc everyday would be nice. I dont want people to think i wear the same sc everyday. Or is that a false worry? I mean wearing the same shoes everyday doesnt worry me.

breakaway01 · Jan 2, 2017

Venom said:
Thanks! The reason I want 30 blazers or sport coats is that I want to dress like barneh from how i met your mother who always wears a suit. Its a tv show. I dont want to wear a suit everyday, but a sc everyday would be nice. I dont want people to think i wear the same sc everyday. Or is that a false worry? I mean wearing the same shoes everyday doesnt worry me.

everyone so far in this thread has told you over and over again that you do not need 30 blazers/SCs even if you are wearing a jacket every day and you are still not getting it.

No, people will not think that you are wearing the same SC everyday if you rotate among an initial set of classic-looking fabrics. Don't forget about combinations with jackets/trousers/ties. One thing to remember is that a jacket in a very loud or distinctive fabric will be remembered, and such jackets can't be worn too often without you being identified as "that guy with the lime green sportcoat".

You don't have to spend 800 EUR on a starter jacket of decent quality (see SuitSupply for example).

Anyhow, if you don't believe our advice, go ahead and get 30 cheap blazers/SCs. It's your money, after all. But I'm not sure why you are wasting everyone's time here asking for advice if you are dead set on going ahead with your initial plan despite all recommendations to the contrary.

Venom · Jan 2, 2017

breakaway01 said:
everyone so far in this thread has told you over and over again that you do not need 30 blazers/SCs even if you are wearing a jacket every day and you are still not getting it.

No, people will not think that you are wearing the same SC everyday if you rotate among an initial set of classic-looking fabrics. Don't forget about combinations with jackets/trousers/ties. One thing to remember is that a jacket in a very loud or distinctive fabric will be remembered, and such jackets can't be worn too often without you being identified as "that guy with the lime green sportcoat".

You don't have to spend 800 EUR on a starter jacket of decent quality (see SuitSupply for example).

Anyhow, if you don't believe our advice, go ahead and get 30 cheap blazers/SCs. It's your money, after all. But I'm not sure why you are wasting everyone's time here asking for advice if you are dead set on going ahead with your initial plan despite all recommendations to the contrary.

Had a bad day? You need to chill out.

Anyways, having 30 blazers sounds good to me. The money is the only issue. I bet if you all had a million dollars you would get at least 30 very expensive blazera, but thats beyond the point im trying to make.

I never had much money to spend on clothes and shoes. Now that i do i want to get advice from people more experienced.

And im looking for advice on more clothing items than just blazers. Althougj blazers are very important to me.

So far ive received amazing advice and i want to thank those people who took time to help me.

Besides, this part of the forum is for people who are new to fashion. So replying to my thread is your own choice in the end. If you dont have the patience or the kindness to help someone who is new to fashion, why bother replying to my thread at all?

New to fashion, need advice

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