A thread for those of us who are not yet clothing enthusiasts

[Switz]

For a non-enthusiast, recommendations for $500+ pairs of shoes, and $200+ shirts seem outrageous to both our heads and wallets. My question is how does one transition from an average to respectable (but not yet enthusiast-level) wardrobe? Where can we go to try things on before we make a purchase or if we are too unsure about a style to invest a lot of money in it? If you had spent your entire life shopping at average (think JC Penny to Express) stores, how would you spend your first $500, $1000, etc.?

 

[Nereis]

I'd hate to advise someone to buy Wing & Horns or Rick Owens straight off the bat. That's why the oft-maligned styleforum 'uniform' exists. It consists of:

Coat: Peacoat
Cardigan: Black
T-Shirt: White Vneck
Jeans: APC/3sixteen/any slim raw selvage in the $200 range
Sneakers: Chucks

You can literally get the above for less than $500 if you shop in the right places.

 

[Switz]

Originally Posted by Nereis

I'd hate to advise someone to buy Wing & Horns or Rick Owens straight off the bat. That's why the oft-maligned styleforum 'uniform' exists. It consists of:

Coat: Peacoat
Cardigan: Black
T-Shirt: White Vneck
Jeans: APC/3sixteen/any slim raw selvage in the $200 range
Sneakers: Chucks

You can literally get the above for less than $500 if you shop in the right places.

Thanks for your input.

 

[JapanAlex01]

Basically, you should always shop to your budget! This doesn't mean you can't look fly! I buy a lot of stuff from Uniqlo (probably my favourite store—at least, online). You should have some basics in your arsenal and then work from there: 1 x pair beige/sand chinos. 1 x pair navy chinos. 2-5 x jumpers/sweaters (wool/cotton/cashmere). 3-5 x t-shirts (primarily, white). 1-3 x belts (match colour to shoe, as best as you can). 1-3 x coats (pea coat/over coat/blazer/trench coat, etc, etc) 1-3 x pair(s) jeans. Good jeans are few and far between—buy a pair of petit standard APC jeans (they may seem expensive—just read up on raw jeans)! 1 x pair brown shoes—these can be suede or leather, brogues or chukkas. Quality varies (just ask, and I can point you to some). (Depending on your job) A certain amount of shirts. (Depending on your job) A certain amount of ties (start with 3-5). (Depending on your job) 2 x suits (start with navy and grey—go to the 'Men's Clothing' forum, for help). (Depending on your job) 1-2 x pairs of dress shoes (brown, burgundy or black). And, I would say, 1 x pair of bucks (any colour). ------------------------------------------------------------ On the side: bow ties, more shoes, loafers, more trousers, pocket squares (although, I would argue they're a necessity), more coats, etc, etc.

 

[300zx1985]

Troll the forums longer and you will develop a taste for certain asthetics you like. With trial and error you will find things that work with your body type and personality. Ultimately you should feel confident and sexy in your new clothing. Keep in mind styles change, so try to stick with staple items as mentioned in the thread then begin to personalize..... have fun.

 

[wj4]

For me, it was simple. I wore mall brands until I got my first professional job with a salary that allows me to shop for stuff of higher tiers.

It all depends where you are currently are IMO. If you're an undergrad...buying superlative stuff should be the last of your concerns.

I also think you can do A LOT worse than mall brands that usually get ragged on here, ie BR, J. Crew.

 

[aussy]

Stylish, mall brand basics (on sale or used) to start off
Then invest in a few, high end, signature pieces (outerwear for me) to build the rest of your wardrobe around
The rest should fall in to place

 

[Lane]

just invest in some quality footwear as a start, then move up from there. Don't go on a mall spree trying to look better, because you end up hating the garbage you pick up once you're more knowledgeable about clothing and what you want your aesthetic direction to be.

 

[dwyhajlo]

Originally Posted by JapanAlex01

Basically, you should always shop to your budget! This doesn't mean you can't look fly!

I buy a lot of stuff from Uniqlo (probably my favourite store"”at least, online).

You should have some basics in your arsenal and then work from there:

1 x pair beige/sand chinos.

1 x pair navy chinos.

2-5 x jumpers/sweaters (wool/cotton/cashmere).

3-5 x t-shirts (primarily, white).

1-3 x belts (match colour to shoe, as best as you can).

1-3 x coats (pea coat/over coat/blazer/trench coat, etc, etc)

1-3 x pair(s) jeans. Good jeans are few and far between"”buy a pair of petit standard APC jeans (they may seem expensive"”just read up on raw jeans)!

1 x pair brown shoes"”these can be suede or leather, brogues or chukkas. Quality varies (just ask, and I can point you to some).

(Depending on your job) A certain amount of shirts.

(Depending on your job) A certain amount of ties (start with 3-5).

(Depending on your job) 2 x suits (start with navy and grey"”go to the 'Men's Clothing' forum, for help).

(Depending on your job) 1-2 x pairs of dress shoes (brown, burgundy or black).

And, I would say, 1 x pair of bucks (any colour).

------------------------------------------------------------

On the side: bow ties, more shoes, loafers, more trousers, pocket squares (although, I would argue they're a necessity), more coats, etc, etc.

Yes! Do this, and you too can look exactly everyone else who reads GQ!

 

[JapanAlex01]

The **** are you talking about? These are staples?

While I don't personally read GQ, you take what you want from it.

 

[clarksdb]

What should my spring/summer wardrobe in particular consist of?

Right now I'm thinking
2 v neck tees (grey and blue)
2 pair of shorts (club shorts in white and madras shorts)
3 long sleeve button ups which I can roll up the sleeves
2 cardigans (grey and black)
boat shoes
Tanner skinny belt to match boat shoes

 

[bosatlbwi]

Originally Posted by JapanAlex01

The **** are you talking about? These are staples?

While I don't personally read GQ, you take what you want from it.

his point was those are only staples if you want to dress like you read gq. I'm pretty sure someone like lane or unc wouldn't wear most of that ****. the more experienced posters on here are right - figure out what you like wearing. if you invest in standard "gq" stuff then find out you like julius, etc. then you just wasted a bunch of money on **** you don't like.

 

[JapanAlex01]

Originally Posted by mike868y

his point was those are only staples if you want to dress like you read gq. I'm pretty sure someone like lane or unc wouldn't wear most of that ****. the more experienced posters on here are right - figure out what you like wearing. if you invest in standard "gq" stuff then find out you like julius, etc. then you just wasted a bunch of money on **** you don't like.
I suppose that's true. Although, as a point of information, the Japanese tend to lean towards having multiple styles. Not being secular. I think that's the right way to go. I find it kinda doltish to not be able to pull off different styles. Also, how can you not like chinos?

 

[Lane]

Originally Posted by JapanAlex01

Also, how can you not like chinos?
if you don't like plain pants?

 

[JapanAlex01]

Originally Posted by Lane

if you don't like plain pants?

*joshing