Help Wanted from the Fashion Forward: Reinventing the Wardrobe

[MarineHillsTuff]

Whenever I buy something, I want to buy it because I appreciate it and feel comfortable in it; but also because it makes me look good and sends the right "image". I'm throwing out all of my clothes and starting from scratch. From the basic staples to fancy dinner outfits - from jeans to blazers to shirts to vnecks to sweaters to slacks. The problem is that I know about as much about fashion as a stone. My solution: (1) go get a personal shopper, or (2) ask you guys.

Anyone willing to help a chap like myself out on this one? All I ask is that you tell me why I should look at a particular product. Would much appreciate it. Thanks guys! Cheers!

 

[toothsomesound]

Where do you live?

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by AndrewRyanWallace

Where do you live?

Pacific Northwest. Lots of rain, cold weather, 60-90 days a year (TOPS) of sunny weather in the 80-90s.

Financial services/banking by profession. Mid to late twenties. Single. Straight.

 

[TeeKay]

Honestly the best thing for you to do is just hang out on this forum for a bit and see what you like and go from there. You'll likely make a few mistakes at first but it's okay, just start basic and work from there. It's pretty difficult to go straight from no style to being some sort of style guru, it's a long process. I started really caring about how I looked a year ago and I still make a ton of mistakes.

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by TKJTG

Honestly the best thing for you to do is just hang out on this forum for a bit and see what you like and go from there. You'll likely make a few mistakes at first but it's okay, just start basic and work from there. It's pretty difficult to go straight from no style to being some sort of style guru, it's a long process. I started really caring about how I looked a year ago and I still make a ton of mistakes.


I guess just getting a decent basis for starters would be helpful. I've been definitely reading up around here and it's been super insightful. Just trying to get it right (albeit as close to right as possible) the first time.

 

[chiggah]

for me, this forum changed style from tee-shirt + baggy jeans ---> to fitted chino pants or APC slim jeans + oxford/plaid shirts + boat shoes.. I guess it's a good start for me..

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by chiggah

for me, this forum changed style from tee-shirt + baggy jeans ---> to fitted chino pants or APC slim jeans + oxford/plaid shirts + boat shoes.. I guess it's a good start for me..

That's exactly the change I'm looking for right now. I'd still hold onto my (not so) baggy jeans and tee-shirts for get togethers where I'd feel like a jerk for dressing in 200 dollar jeans. But for the most part, that sounds like it is what needs to happen.

I'm concerned about slim jeans on me because I'm (at the moment) carrying a little bit of extra weight..

 

[toothsomesound]

You've already done quite a few things right. Keep lurking. Read WAYWT, Random Fashion Thoughts, Recent Purchases. Read an issue of GQ. See how much of it seems a) really new b) really obvious c) kinda boring. Or if you feel like you've already transcended that (which is certainly possible), try to hit a bookstore that has a good selection of periodicals and look for a more fashion oriented men's style magazine like Men's Vogue, Fantastic Man, Monocle etc. Explore your local shopping resources. Look at brands that appeal to you in some way. Figure out how/why. There are certain forum mores here that are in some ways limiting, but certainly good to adopt at first, especially if you're in that place of utterly distrusting your own taste. Again, hopefully you've transcended or won't have to deal with that at all but we all have to start somewhere. If you feel like you can handle it, page through some lookbooks and runway shows. Look at fashion/style tumblrs. A good place to start is the tumblr thread in this subforum, a few users here have really great ones.

Edit: just read your last post in this thread. If you want to have any chance at this 'becoming fashionable' thing, you're going to need to have some pride in yourself and find yourself attractive. Being healthy and in good shape is key. People quote Rick Owens ad nauseum: 'I'm not personally interested in clothes; the new fashion is fitness/bodybuilding' or whatever the **** he said. You get the picture. Dude knows what he's talking about.

 

[chiggah]

Originally Posted by MarineHillsTuff

That's exactly the change I'm looking for right now. I'd still hold onto my (not so) baggy jeans and tee-shirts for get togethers where I'd feel like a jerk for dressing in 200 dollar jeans. But for the most part, that sounds like it is what needs to happen.

I'm concerned about slim jeans on me because I'm (at the moment) carrying a little bit of extra weight..

i'm gonna be listing my old baggy stuff on a local trade site for cheap like $10-30 and im not even sure if it's gonna sell!

for starters i recommend checking out uniqlo, jcrew, Band of outsiders, gitman, APC, Norse. Anyone else feel free to add..

skim through the WAYWT threads too as it gives you an idea of mix n' matching.

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by AndrewRyanWallace

You've already done quite a few things right. Keep lurking. Read an issue of GQ. See how much of it seems a) really new b) really obvious c) kinda boring. Or if you feel like you've already transcended that (which is certainly possible), try to hit a bookstore that has a good selection of periodicals and look for a more fashion oriented men's style magazine like Men's Vogue, Fantastic Man, Monocle etc. Explore your local shopping resources. Look at brands that appeal to you in some way. Figure out how/why. There are certain forum mores here that are in some ways limiting, but certainly good to adopt at first, especially if you're in that place of utterly distrusting your own taste. Again, hopefully you've transcended or won't have to deal with that at all but we all have to start somewhere. If you feel like you can handle it, page through some lookbooks and runway shows. Look at fashion/style tumblrs. A good place to start is the tumblr thread in this subforum, a few users here have really great ones.

Thanks! I really appreciate the feedback. I'm doing a lot of those things already - I tend to look through a lot and figure out even though something may be "fashionable", would it look right on ME? I've been in that position a few times where it looked great on the model wearing, so I picked it up and it ended up being terrible on me. I know the two or three particular styles I'm looking to get pretty well, I think. But here is an example of an elementary question: APC vs Diesel. Why APC? APC's looked great, albeit very plain. Is that good? If so, why?

So some basics, but I guess also some insightful into to help craft how I think about the basics?

I'm not really being as analytical as it seems... Hope that makes some sense!

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by AndrewRyanWallace

You've already done quite a few things right. Keep lurking. Read WAYWT, Random Fashion Thoughts, Recent Purchases. Read an issue of GQ. See how much of it seems a) really new b) really obvious c) kinda boring. Or if you feel like you've already transcended that (which is certainly possible), try to hit a bookstore that has a good selection of periodicals and look for a more fashion oriented men's style magazine like Men's Vogue, Fantastic Man, Monocle etc. Explore your local shopping resources. Look at brands that appeal to you in some way. Figure out how/why. There are certain forum mores here that are in some ways limiting, but certainly good to adopt at first, especially if you're in that place of utterly distrusting your own taste. Again, hopefully you've transcended or won't have to deal with that at all but we all have to start somewhere. If you feel like you can handle it, page through some lookbooks and runway shows. Look at fashion/style tumblrs. A good place to start is the tumblr thread in this subforum, a few users here have really great ones.

Edit: just read your last post in this thread. If you want to have any chance at this 'becoming fashionable' thing, you're going to need to have some pride in yourself and find yourself attractive. Being healthy and in good shape is key. People quote Rick Owens ad nauseum: 'I'm not personally interested in clothes; the new fashion is fitness/bodybuilding' or whatever the **** he said. You get the picture. Dude knows what he's talking about.


Ironic you mention this - the only other forum I am utilizing is the Bodybuilding forums.

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by chiggah

i'm gonna be listing my old baggy stuff on a local trade site for cheap like $10-30 and im not even sure if it's gonna sell!

for starters i recommend checking out uniqlo, jcrew, Band of outsiders, gitman, APC, Norse. Anyone else feel free to add..

skim through the WAYWT threads too as it gives you an idea of mix n' matching.


I've checked out APC a little bit and I really like Jcrew. Which is interesting because I used to think Jcrew was like GAP for grown ups. Apparently they've really switched up their image. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[LA Guy]

We get these questions fairly frequently.

I would really recommend that you go to a brick and mortar, tell them that you'd like some good basics to start a new wardrobe, and take it from there.

Where are you in the PNW. If you are in Portland, Blake is a good place for your casual gear. Tell them we sent you, and you may get a discount. Blackbird has also opened up a storefront there. Frances May is another good source. If you are closer to Seattle, try Jack Straw Filaments (downtown) for some designer stuff, Blackbird in Ballard, and Kuhlman's in Belltown for some decent knits, shirts, and pants.

I hesitate to recommend brands without am in depth consultation, but I'd say that Robert Geller, RRL, Billy Reid, Woolrich Woolen Mills and Wings+Horns are solid choices for a guy who just wants nice casual clothes, but is not looking to look particularly fashionable or to spend a huge amount of bank and that between Filippa K and APC, you'll have your "smart casual" wardrobe covered. Between these brands, and a pair of plain sneakers ( I recommend grey or white), a pair of brown bluchers and a pair of black oxfords, you could put together a capsule wardrobe that will be serviceable, if not very exciting. I would definitely go to brick and mortars and also budget money for a few accent pieces (outerwear is a good place for this.)

 

[Peter1]

I'm gonna say that you need to decide which you want to do first: Get yourself in shape or get new clothes. Because if you ditch your old gear and spend $$ on clothing, then lose weight or change your shape thru lifting, you're going to have to start from scratch again.

Before you decide, know that a lot of fashion/style clothing cuts are based on physically fit or slender fit models. IMO a better investment than clothing or a personal shopper would be a personal trainer. I don't know your bone structure but if you can get down to, say, a 32-34 waist and 40-42" chest you'll be able to fit in most designer's L sizes. Anything bigger than a 36" waist and 44" chest and you're back to the mall brands -- or at least severely limited in your choices.

Besides, if you get in shape, then drop a ton of dough on clothes, that will incentive to stay fit.

Good luck...

 

[MarineHillsTuff]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

We get these questions fairly frequently.

I would really recommend that you go to a brick and mortar, tell them that you'd like some good basics to start a new wardrobe, and take it from there.

Where are you in the PNW. If you are in Portland, Blake is a good place for your casual gear. Tell them we sent you, and you may get a discount. Blackbird has also opened up a storefront there. Frances May is another good source. If you are closer to Seattle, try Jack Straw Filaments (downtown) for some designer stuff, Blackbird in Ballard, and Kuhlman's in Belltown for some decent knits, shirts, and pants.

I hesitate to recommend brands without am in depth consultation, but I'd say that Robert Geller, RRL, Billy Reid, Woolrich Woolen Mills and Wings+Horns are solid choices for a guy who just wants nice casual clothes, but is not looking to look particularly fashionable or to spend a huge amount of bank and that between Filippa K and APC, you'll have your "smart casual" wardrobe covered. Between these brands, and a pair of plain sneakers ( I recommend grey or white), a pair of brown bluchers and a pair of black oxfords, you could put together a capsule wardrobe that will be serviceable, if not very exciting. I would definitely go to brick and mortars and also budget money for a few accent pieces (outerwear is a good place for this.)

I've considered the brick and mortar route - I think I'm going to go talk to a shopper at Jcrew. I can go to really any one of those places or all of them. I'm in Seattle, but go into PDX regularly. I'm looking to build a base of staples, but at the same time have it be exciting and complimentary. Not a "oh he dresses nice", but a "that's something he would wear". If that makes any sense. I am looking to be relatively fashionable, but I don't think I'm going to be walking around in linen pants and silk shirts anytime soon. Make sense?