Checklist for building a woredrobe

[guccihomme]

Is there a beginners guide to building a woredrobe that prioritizes what should be purchased first, staple items that are needed often? And what clothing purchases should be postponed until after the core basics are acquired?

 

[Thrift Vader]

1. See a Capable Tailor/Alteration specialist. And get your correct size measured. for peace of mind when shopping.

2. Try to slowly build a quality suit collection. I Suggest starting with Greys, but do what you can.

3. For a flexible Wardrobe, you could do worse than to start with. 1-2 Greys,1-2 Navy's (both could include 1 pinstripe) a charcoal, a brown, and a Black. (some here will baulk at the thought of a black suit, but i call it the "Recruit suit")

4. Start with 1 pair of nice Brown shoes (Cap toes will serve you well) and 1 pair of nice Black shoes.

5. As many well fitting shirts as you can find. in the beginning, Fit is more important than "Quality". as most of the time, you will be wearing under a suit & tie. Make sure they are clean and ironed. and you have plenty of options.

6. Head to your local thrift store. Grab every tie that you can bear the sight of. with ties? the more the merrier.

7. At least one nice watch, a brown band and a black band would be preferred. a metal band will work if you need a watch that won't look out of place with whatever shoes/belt you are wearing.if you have only one nice watch? various "Nato straps" can bring it together, if you can pull it off.

8. You will need at least 2 belts, you guessed it! Black&brown.

9. A few pairs of cufflinks will be useful. for those shirts you find with french cuffs.

10. Go to your local Barbershop. a good one. and get your personal grooming absolutely perfect.

11. !f really you feel ike it. You can substitute a suit, for a Navy blazer and Grey pants. Using the other items in your wardrobe to fill out the look. -2 pairs of grey pants( lighter/darker), and 2 Navy blazers will see that you have choices.
You are now ready to rock.

At work, interviews, or meeting the ladies.

From this point on, You can start to upgrade your staple items, doing away with poorly fitting, or lesser quality items. and perhaps also look to expand your options. once you understand what works for you in your environment.

Vader.

 

[YRR92]

^^

That's good advice. I'd only quibble with the suit focus (might be better off getting one suit, a navy blazer, and an odd jacket first, so you can be exposed to different levels of formality and figure out which one works for you).

Also, I'm pretty relaxed about how the shirts I know I'll be wearing with coat and tie fit through the body. The sleeves and collar have to be perfect, but (unless you wear your coats so fitted that the shirt has to be quite fitted too) I don't mind a bit of excess ease, since it's not going to be seen that much.

 

[Thrift Vader]

You do have a good point. the finer details are unique to each person's taste. Though the O.P has inquired many times about wearing suits, and upping his game. Specifically Armani. while it's a brand known to the masses. we denizens of the Thrift thread are helping him learn the ropes. so my advice was tailored for him specifically.

You have a cool style that works for you. and i would reccomend the O.P looking at your fits. to see what he might want to adopt or emulate in his own way. My own personal style may not apply to him, or it might. who knows... but thankyou, for agreeing for the most part. and adding different take on it. This guy is really trying to learn.

I like my jackets to fit snug. and pants to have some room, while not exposing my ankles to the elements.
With either a suit, or Blazer & jeans.

 

[P12OFIT]

As someone who has recently started browsing these forums on a daily basis, I believe that you must first understand what you are trying to accomplish by building your wardrobe. While I will be wearing a suit to work five days a week, your job might call for button downs and chinos. The checklist for building my wardrobe vs. your wardrobe would be different. My advice would be to read, a lot, before making any purchases.

http://www.styleforum.net/atype/5/Styleforum_101

 

[JubeiSpiegel]

I always liked Manton's well dressed list of essentials:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/309783/...ollowing-things-you-are-not-well-dressed/0_20

 

[guccihomme]



1. See a Capable Tailor/Alteration specialist. And get your correct size measured. for peace of mind when shopping.

2. Try to slowly build a quality suit collection. I Suggest starting with Greys, but do what you can.

3. For a flexible Wardrobe, you could do worse than to start with. 1-2 Greys,1-2 Navy's (both could include 1 pinstripe) a charcoal, a brown, and a Black. (some here will baulk at the thought of a black suit, but i call it the "Recruit suit") 

4. Start with 1 pair of nice Brown shoes (Cap toes will serve you well)  and 1 pair of nice Black shoes.  

5. As many well fitting shirts as you can find. in the beginning, Fit is more important than "Quality". as most of the time, you will be wearing under a suit & tie.  Make sure they are clean and ironed. and you have plenty of options.

6. Head to your local thrift store. Grab every tie that you can bear the sight of.  with ties? the more the merrier.

7. At least one nice watch, a brown band and a black band would be preferred. a metal band will work if you need a watch that won't look out of place with whatever shoes/belt you are wearing.if you have only one nice watch?  various "Nato straps" can bring it together, if you can pull it off.

8. You will need at least 2 belts, you guessed it! Black&brown.

9. A few pairs of cufflinks will be useful. for those shirts you find with french cuffs.

10.  Go to your local Barbershop. a good one. and get your personal grooming absolutely perfect.

11. !f really you feel ike it. You can substitute a suit, for a Navy blazer and Grey pants. Using the other items in your wardrobe to fill out the look.  -2 pairs of grey pants( lighter/darker), and 2 Navy blazers will see that you have choices.
You are now ready to rock.

  At work, interviews, or meeting the ladies.

From this point on, You can start to upgrade your staple items, doing away with poorly fitting, or lesser quality items. and perhaps also look to expand your options. once you understand what works for you in your environment.

Vader.

Thank you. This list is awesome! It is very helpful.

 

[velomatt]

I'd also throw in a black, navy or dark charcoal sweater on the list.

 

[guccihomme]



I'd also throw in a black, navy or dark charcoal sweater on the list.

I thrifted a charcoal lambswool sweater made in Scotland. It was one of my first purchases before I gave thought to having a priority list of what's most needed in a wardrobe.

 

[guccihomme]



6. Head to your local thrift store. Grab every tie that you can bear the sight of.  with ties? the more the merrier.

I've thrifted 5 ties. I've attempted to avoid loud ties, and purchase ties that could be worn in a professional workplace. I've heard stripes are more conservative and safe.

The blue, red, grey is wool. The others are silk.

 

[LucasFilms]

In my opinion, it is worth to spend money on things that you are going to wear many times and people are going to see first to get an impression of you. For instance, a good overcoat, a nice suit and shoes.

A shirt is secondary and any white shirt that fits you well and has decent quality will do; a classic blue shirt with white stripes is pretty standard too. Ties can change completely the way a suit and a shirt look. A good belt is also important, an item to spend money on.

If shirts are formal, to wear with a suit, the most classical collars are usually better to last for a while without getting outdated.