Build a new Grad's Business Casual Wardrobe

[K-man21]

Hey guys,


Just graduated college, and got a job in a Business Casual environment. I have a bare bones wardrobe at best, so I'm opening my wallet to you guys for suggestions. I want to switch my style, so throw me some ideas and I'll tell you if I like them! I'm 22 so keep that in mind please.

Since I did just graduate, I don't have a ton of money to spend, keep the total under $800ish if it's possible.

I'm a big guy, and have trouble finding things that fit. 6'3", 235 lbs. 46 Long jacket size, a 34" inseam in jeans and slacks, 33" inseam in jeans, 35-36" in slacks. I forget my sleeve length. I have very big thighs.

I have heard from people that work at the company that the dress is pretty relaxed for business casual. A lot of khakis and polos (which I DON'T want to wear, I feel it looks like a shoe salesman.) and they said people almost never wear ties. So button downs and dress pants. Jeans are allowed on Fridays apparently. I would prefer to be on the more formal end of business casual and I'm not afraid to try some new things, since this is a fresh start for me.

I'll tell you what I do have already:

• Tailored dark gray 3 piece suit, that I wore to my interview. Picture here...( My shirt sleeves are too short!)
  
• Several ok fitting to mediocre fitting dress shirts, in light blue, white, blue and white check, royal blue, gray, and light blue and white pinstripe.
• Several ties in various colors of blue and patterns.
• Black and brown leather belts.
• One pair of good fitting flat front khakis.
• Allen Edmonds Players shoes in Black.
• Allen Edmonds Clifton captoe shoes in Walnut leather.
• Tissot PRC200 watch with a black face and black leather band.

Since the suit and the shoes are my most expensive pieces, I'd like to build my wardrobe around them, especially the shoes.

I start my job Monday, so the less tailoring I need the better!

Also, any tips for casual everyday clothes would be awesome too!

 

[ter1413]



[COLOR=222222]Hey guys, Just graduated college, and got a job in a Business Casual environment. I have a bare bones wardrobe at best, so I'm opening my wallet to you guys for suggestions. I want to switch my style, so throw me some ideas and I'll tell you if I like them! I'm 22 so keep that in mind please. Since I did just graduate, I don't have a ton of money to spend, keep the total under $800ish if it's possible. I'm a big guy, and have trouble finding things that fit. 6'3", 235 lbs. 46 Long jacket size, a 34" inseam in jeans and slacks, 33" inseam in jeans, 35-36" in slacks. I forget my sleeve length. I have very big thighs. I have heard from people that work at the company that the dress is pretty relaxed for business casual. A lot of khakis and polos (which I DON'T want to wear, I feel it looks like a shoe salesman.) and they said people almost never wear ties. So button downs and dress pants. Jeans are allowed on Fridays apparently. I would prefer to be on the more formal end of business casual and I'm not afraid to try some new things, since this is a fresh start for me. I'll tell you what I do have already:[/COLOR] [COLOR=222222]

• Tailored dark gray 3 piece suit, that I wore to my interview. Picture here...( My shirt sleeves are too short!)
  
• Several ok fitting to mediocre fitting dress shirts, in light blue, white, blue and white check, royal blue, gray, and light blue and white pinstripe.
• Several ties in various colors of blue and patterns.
• Black and brown leather belts.
• One pair of good fitting flat front khakis.
• Allen Edmonds Players shoes in Black.
• Allen Edmonds Clifton captoe shoes in Walnut leather.
• Tissot PRC200 watch with a black face and black leather band.

Since the suit and the shoes are my most expensive pieces, I'd like to build my wardrobe around them, especially the shoes. [COLOR=FF00AA]I start my job Monday[/COLOR], so the less tailoring I need the better![/COLOR] [COLOR=222222]Also, any tips for casual everyday clothes would be awesome too![/COLOR] As in THIS monday???? (That ur girl??)

 

[K-man21]

Yes this Monday. I was just offered the job last Monday and was caught off guard by it. The past week I've been busy moving cities and getting settled into my new place, this weekend is the only time I have to go shopping before it starts.

I'm in Des Moines, IA if that makes a difference in the recommendations.

And no, that's not my girl, I had a thing with her for a while, that was at her sororities formal back in May. Not anymore though.

 

[dieworkwear]

I wrote a piece for Put This On that you might find useful.

Depending on your office environment, you can probably add some sport coats to the list. I'd start with navy, and then maybe get something in brown after that.

Also, if your shirts or pants don't fit you well, I'd work on replacing them until they do. Developing a small, but excellent, wardrobe is much better than having a big one with lots of variety. Have some perfectly fitting, high quality basics before you move on to other things.

 

[K-man21]

Thanks!

Do you have any store or brand recommendations for me to start with? Like for example a specific Brooks Brothers line that I can get a couple shirts from, or a pair on pants, and then take those to a tailor to have them properly fitted.

 

[K-man21]

If it helps at all here is a picture of the shoes...

 

[BoboMax]

you've got a good start with the shoe selection.

 

[Aznhomer16]

Brooks Brothers shirts are great. They can measure you and get you fitted. Sale is going on right now too, through 7/3.

 

[Tropicalist]

Get all your shirts fitted at a tailor. Add mid gray trousers in plain or windowpane check if you don't want to do khaki. A a navy blazer with gold buttons in hopsack, Duponi or fresco fabric, add a repp tie in navy with white stripes and a burgundy tie. Buy cap toe oxfords in burgundy. Add two linen pocket squares This should be more than enough and come in under 1000 if you shop at the right places.

 

[msulinski]

First off, I don't think there is anything wrong with a polo and khakis, but I think that works better for weekend wear.

As someone else suggested, you may want to get your existing shirts tailored, assuming you like them and they are in good shape. That will save you a lot of money up front and let you get a better feel for what you like before you go out and spend more money on shirts. Otherwise, I would go somewhere that has a good shirt selection in whole-sleeve sizes. Is there a Brooks Brothers near you? They should be able to measure you and give you some shirts to try on to get an idea of your size and fit (classic, slim, extra slim).

You are fine on shoes right now, but I would look to getting either a merlot or dark brown shoe in the future.

Also, don't wear a tie without a jacket.

 

[K-man21]

Well I put in a good 5 hours today of driving to various stores, and this is what I came home with. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics, it's the best I have currently. Colors are more true on the websites than in my pictures.

BR Classic fit dress pants in charcoal plaid.



Gap Tailored Straight fit pants in Navy.



Gap Dress Straight Fit in charcoal.



3 shades of grey dress socks.
Black dress socks.
Black and grey argyle dress socks.
Navy grey argyle dress socks.
Brown argyle dress socks.
3 pairs of cool striped socks from J Crew.
Black leather belt.
Brown leather belt, in a similar color to the Clifton shoes.

And, the crowning jewel, a Brooks Brothers Navy Blazer, that is currently at the tailor.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Gap pants aren't good quality and look cut too slim at the hips, thighs, and rear for someone with that build. Return if possible. Casual button-front shirts for casual wear should be fine.

FYI, the suit jacket does not fit well at the neck and 3-piece (which adds unnecessary bulk) and gray shirt are inappropriate for most interviews, though obviously that didn't ruin the interview.

 

[K-man21]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately I currently don't have enough money to go much higher end than Gap or BR when it's on sale. Just graduated college, student loans, new job, etc. Do you have any suggestions for stores or websites that I can get better pants for a similar price? What's wrong with the jacket neck?

I didn't wear the vest for the interview, just the pants and jacket. I wore a white shirt and blue dotted tie. I know better than to wear a 3-piece to an interview!

 

[mensimageconsultant]

The jacket neck should cover more of the shirt collar.

Lands' End and Jos. A. Bank dress pants should fit and provide fair value, if dress pants are what you want. Edit: just in case you haven't read many posts here, don't buy black dress pants.

 

[ballmouse]

I agree that Lands End and Jos A Bank might have better fitting pants for you. The ones you photographed are too tight (the pockets are not lying flat).