Help - dress in the city

[Bibbs]

Background: I'm young and in college, 22, have a job at an ad agency in a big city which I start next fall. I am from the south, but summer in Maine, so I am used to all kinds of people . Normally dress very fratty/preppy, feel very comfortable in khakis and button downs. But I am moving to Chicago a) I will need warmer clothes in general and b) I have always felt out of place, my style is not exactly "urban" - lots of high-performance outdoors clothes etc.

So any general wisdom you can give on how to fit in the urban world, and also I have a couple questions -

Will I be out of place wearing something like this "http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?Gamma-AR-Jacket#" (black) out to bars at night? Or what should I get. I do not want a peacoat. And no I am not wearing a suit out to bars, my work environment is casual as well. Please give me your honest advice, I am not some dandy, just a normal guy.

Also, the only cordovan penny loafers I ever see are the glossy ones, they have seemed a bit too much for khakis and a checked shirt to go out in, what do you think?

 

[Bibbs]

bump

 

[emmanuel]

Seems to me like the guys in the street wear forum are a better fit to help you with your style.
anyway, I think track jackets are fine for bar hopping. Get some nice sneakers and dark denim. To bring the look together wear skinny ties and thin collared button ups underneath your jackets. or wear pants and a t-shirt with your jackets.

 

[whiteslashasian]

That Arcteryx would be fine for dive and college bars. Anyplace nicer and I would definitely opt for something in wool such as a 3/4 length coat.

Good advice emmanuel. It sounds like he'd likely lean more towards that look with his casual dress job and young age.

Personally when I go to bars and it's cold out I tend to wear an OCBD underneath a cardigan or V-neck sweater, straight leg fairly slim fit dark wash jeans, and some kind of wingtip or derby shoe in a dark brown/burgundy. For outerwear I like to wear my 3 button 3/4 length navy with brown check wool coat, scarf, and brown gloves.

FYI I'm 23 in NYC

 

[Bibbs]

Originally Posted by emmanuel

Seems to me like the guys in the street wear forum are a better fit to help you with your style.
anyway, I think track jackets are fine for bar hopping. Get some nice sneakers and dark denim. To bring the look together wear skinny ties and thin collared button ups underneath your jackets. or wear pants and a t-shirt with your jackets.

oh sorry, is there any way to move this thread or should i make a new one there?

 

[JesseJB]

Dark straight jeans, desert boots, a sweater or tee and a dark jacket. Done.

 

[emmanuel]

Originally Posted by Bibbs

oh sorry, is there any way to move this thread or should i make a new one there?

No need to apologize. There are some members here that will be able to help but your style fits that forum better. I expect you to get more replies there. You would have to make a new thread there.

 

[Bibbs]

OK thanks guys, if you can think of anything else let me know

 

[GucciKid]

Ha wow did anyone actually click on the link for that jacket?

DO NOT wear that jacket out to any bars if you plan on looking cool and or getting laid. That thing looks like it's made of nerf. It's especially lame that it says Arc'teryx on the front. That's the type of piece you'd wear when you're doing something physical, when you really don't care how you look. Seriously please do not wear that anywhere you will be seen.

You've probably got a pretty good start if you're comfortable in khakis and buttondowns. Just throw a nice sweater on top of a button down if it's colder out (wool, cashmere, no sporty fabrics or hoodies) and if you want to dress it up a little bit add a tie. Sweater + OCBD + tie is a great classic all American look.

Like someone suggested a chukka boot would be a good investment. Not too dressy, not too casual, goes great with jeans and can pair with probably anything except a suit. I would also invest in a good pair of brown penny loafers if those are your style.

Lastly I would go for a good leather/suede jacket and if you don't like a pea coat go for a single breasted car coat.

I would just say if you think it resembles a high performance outdoor garment don't wear it outside of your house.

 

[WoodyStylee]

comming from someone who recently moved to NYC. Dont buy anything before you move there. Your style will undoubtedly change within a month of being there. Jeans and shirts which you once thought were too tight, you will realize actually fit properly. 'Dress shoes' that you and all your buddies wear now, will soon be looked at as ugly and outdated. Just move there and become a sponge with every well dressed person you see walking on the street for like a month. You'll start to notice details in clothes that you most likely overlook now.

 

[dopamine]

Originally Posted by WoodyStylee

comming from someone who recently moved to NYC. Dont buy anything before you move there. Your style will undoubtedly change within a month of being there. Jeans and shirts which you once thought were too tight, you will realize actually fit properly. 'Dress shoes' that you and all your buddies wear now, will soon be looked at as ugly and outdated. Just move there and become a sponge with every well dressed person you see walking on the street for like a month. You'll start to notice details in clothes that you most likely overlook now.

Alternatively, just become a sponge on here. You'll start to notice details in clothes that you most likely overlook now. Then, you'll wish that you had remained blissfully unaware.

 

[nordicstyle]

Originally Posted by GucciKid

I would just say if you think it resembles a high performance outdoor garment don't wear it outside of your house.

It would work well if he ever came to Norway. Here people wear $800 Gore-Tex alpine parkas over their suits to work. They also wear ski jackets when going out clubbing in the city.

... but then again, if you were walking around in -15 degrees Celcius, snow and wind on a regular basis, maybe so would you.

Personally, I think it's a matter of style. If someone feels comfortable wearing "sports gear" when going out, I don't see why they shouldn't. It's a style after all, but maybe just a different style from what people here generally prefer.

That being said, if I was doing the "sporty" style, I would not wear khakis, leather shoes and a dress shirt. You're probably better of with dark jeans, a t-shirt or a polo shirt and some dark sneakers or skateboard shoes. Whatever you do, never ever wear white sneakers when going out to bars/clubs!

Even a full track suit will do if your shoes are black...

 

[nordicstyle]

Originally Posted by dopamine

Alternatively, just become a sponge on here. You'll start to notice details in clothes that you most likely overlook now. Then, you'll wish that you had remained blissfully unaware.

You got that right. Now I can't stop looking at people's suit jacket sleeves to see if their buttons are real or not. I also catch myself in noticing whether people wear derby's or oxfords, and I feel a bit sad when I see someone wearing brown shoes and a black belt or when someone is swimming in their shirt fabric.

 

[WoodyStylee]

Originally Posted by dopamine

Alternatively, just become a sponge on here. You'll start to notice details in clothes that you most likely overlook now. Then, you'll wish that you had remained blissfully unaware.

Good point. Just check out the WAYW threads every day. Pretty much a convenient filter of well dressed people.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by GucciKid

Ha wow did anyone actually click on the link for that jacket?

DO NOT wear that jacket out to any bars if you plan on looking cool and or getting laid. That thing looks like it's made of nerf. It's especially lame that it says Arc'teryx on the front. That's the type of piece you'd wear when you're doing something physical, when you really don't care how you look. Seriously please do not wear that anywhere you will be seen.
I see your point. No kidding!

Originally Posted by GucciKid

You've probably got a pretty good start if you're comfortable in khakis and buttondowns. Just throw a nice sweater on top of a button down if it's colder out (wool, cashmere, no sporty fabrics or hoodies) and if you want to dress it up a little bit add a tie. Sweater + OCBD + tie is a great classic all American look.

Some look at ties and loafers in clubs as "boring". I can understand loafers but not sure why ties would be "boring" in clubs...