The $5,000 Wardrobe

why do people keep recommending a navy blazer? i can't think of any situation where a tweed blazer or a suit would be better, depending on formality.

people keep saying it's a staple, but i think i'd only wear it if i didn't have anything else. and since this is a $5000 budget, what's the point in the blazer?

In gq/esquire world, a blazer, tie and/or vest thrown into any casual outfit makes it insta-style.

Originally Posted by breakz

Click to expand...

I'm a pretty boring dresser, unfortunately. I was trying to illustrate one could do the same as Esq for much cheaper.

Here's something just as boring, with slightly nicer shirts and jackets, which approaches $5k. Lots of brands that I like don't fit me, so I make some concessions to reality.

$150 for random socks/underwear/undershirts

black, blue APC NS - $330
random pair of shorts (like J.Crew or something) - $60
chinos in light grey and navy (Uniqlo, J.Crew etc) (work) - $100
=$480

Stan Smiths & Purcells - $110
Mark McNairy brown suede boots - $325
Mark McNairy navy suede bucks - $350
AE Park Avenues in black & AE seconds (work) - $475
=$1260

about 10 AA/Alt. A/Uniqlo tees - $70
couple of Epaulet shirts (one gingham, one flannel) - $260
one white point collar shirt (Ep or similar) - $130
Windmill Club tie - $60
5 oxfords @ Uniqlo (work) - $200
=$720

ToJ grey bomber with fur collar - $550
ToJ grey herringbone pea - $450
TaT suit - $450
=$1450

SNS Herning Stark in sea blue - $330
Ervell navy pocket sweater - $330
3 v-neck merino sweaters from J.Crew (work) - $150
=$800

two Uniqlo belts - $60
EG red twill scarf - $70
H&M or Zara scarf - $20
couple of knit hats - $50
=$200

You forgot an overcoat to go with the suit.

Originally Posted by chronoaug

Click to expand...

In gq/esquire world, a blazer, tie and/or vest thrown into any casual outfit makes it insta-style.

Hell yeah.

Blue blazer (shirt optional, since you only own two and they're both in the hamper), a pair of loose but not baggy, fitted but not tight Diesels and a pair of Cole Haan loafers and you're good to go wherever.

My watch alone costs more than $5k.

My watch band alone costs more than $5k.

Well, if we're playing the "what I'd buy" game then here are mind:

$5k, have to buy at retail:

Rag & Bone RB23 raw ($275)
Rag & Bone RB15 Shiny Indigo ($225)
Naked & Famous Weird Guy Indigo ($125)
Zara shirts (6 @ $60, $360)
Zara merino sweaters (3 @ $60, $180)
Banana Republic fitted Ts (I need a M/Tall, 6 @ $20, $180)
C&J brown lace-up ($550)
C&J black chelsea ($625)
Z-Zegna suits (I like the fit/style and the classic colors can double as odd jackets/trousers $2,300)
Zara mid-length wool coat ($250)

$5k, can shop dept. store sales/discount stores/discount sites like BF, Yoox:

Rag & Bone RB23 raw (yea, still love these $275)
Helmut Lang raw (about $100 on Gilt from time to time)
Notify coated denim (about $120 on Yoox)
Corpus washed jeans (about $100 on Gilt from time to time)
Naked & Famous Indigo (still a good deal, $135)
RLBL shirts (6 @ $80-110 on Gilt/RL sale, $600ish)
Same BR Ts (6 @ $20, $180)
Same sweaters but from end of season sale ($ 3 @ $40, $120)
Prada Sport lace-up walking shoe (quality not great, but comfy and only about $250 on Yoox)
Ferragamo lace-up in brown ($300ish on sale at any dept. store)
Varvatos pull-on boot in black ($250ish on sale)
Mainline Zegna suits (2 @ about $800, $1,600)
Theory blazers (2 @ $125ish from Gilt/Off 5th, etc)

I think both my lists are under budget and better than what was given in the mag.

Someone needs to give Esquire a Gilt Groupe invite.

Originally Posted by Captain Winky

Click to expand...

Well, if we're playing the "what I'd buy" game then here are mind:

$5k, have to buy at retail:

Rag & Bone RB23 raw ($275)
Rag & Bone RB15 Shiny Indigo ($225)
Naked & Famous Weird Guy Indigo ($125)
Zara shirts (6 @ $60, $360)
Zara merino sweaters (3 @ $60, $180)
Banana Republic fitted Ts (I need a M/Tall, 6 @ $20, $180)
C&J brown lace-up ($550)
C&J black chelsea ($625)
Z-Zegna suits (I like the fit/style and the classic colors can double as odd jackets/trousers $2,300)
Zara mid-length wool coat ($250)

$5k, can shop dept. store sales/discount stores/discount sites like BF, Yoox:

Rag & Bone RB23 raw (yea, still love these $275)
Helmut Lang raw (about $100 on Gilt from time to time)
Notify coated denim (about $120 on Yoox)
Corpus washed jeans (about $100 on Gilt from time to time)
Naked & Famous Indigo (still a good deal, $135)
RLBL shirts (6 @ $80-110 on Gilt/RL sale, $600ish)
Same BR Ts (6 @ $20, $180)
Same sweaters but from end of season sale ($ 3 @ $40, $120)
Prada Sport lace-up walking shoe (quality not great, but comfy and only about $250 on Yoox)
Ferragamo lace-up in brown ($300ish on sale at any dept. store)
Varvatos pull-on boot in black ($250ish on sale)
Mainline Zegna suits (2 @ about $800, $1,600)
Theory blazers (2 @ $125ish from Gilt/Off 5th, etc)

I think both my lists are under budget and better than what was given in the mag.
why the **** do you need so many jeans?

Originally Posted by underwearer

Click to expand...

for $5000 I could get a sweet Esquire and a Deluxe Reverb and then some jeans

I'll take a Danocaster Lake Placid Blue/rosewood Esquire and a Swart Space Tone Reverb ($3k total)

Originally Posted by Kill_switch

Click to expand...

why the **** do you need so many jeans?

Pretty much all I wear, be it work, hanging out or going out. Suits are for occasions only (as well as interviews and mandatory court appearances).

all i wear is jeans, i own one pair.

They do this every year...

Originally Posted by Fuuma

Click to expand...

What I would do:

Acne slim black denim X2 ($300 or so)
14 uniqlo white tees + undies ($210)
RO black leather high collar $2500
2XAnn gauzy knits ($850)
Vass fuuma special $800
MMM white sneakers $350

When more cash would buy pricey long coat + blazers. I'm pretty sure I can do almost unlimited time with what I just listed.

nice

Vass fuuma special?

Originally Posted by delirium

Click to expand...

nice

Yeah see I can't do that. Great list though, Fuuma.