New Job, "Business Casual," Building from the ground up

[BradKincaid]

Hi all,

I have read the guide found somewhere on this website about business casual attire and have read a couple of threads on the subject and just wanted to follow up with a few questions.

I have just been hired to work in a "business casual" office. My wardrobe right now is thin, to say the least. I have a navy suit, a white Modern Tailor shirt, and a pair of black Bostonian Akrons (please go easy on me, I needed a pair of passable cheap shoes for imminent interviews). These are the clothes I used for interviews but they are about all I have. I also have a pair of medium/light grey wool trousers (Indochino essential grey pants) that I bought a year ago, for some reason. I need to add onto these existing pieces to make a decent wardrobe.

I am about 5'11"/6'0" and weigh 145lbs, 36 chest. Off the top of my head I think I need to add a few pairs of trousers, I prefer wool trousers to khakis, probably in shades of grey. I probably need to add several shirts and at least one pair of shoes. A blazer would be nice, but I need to figure out my priorities for spending money.

How do you guys think I should prioritize this stuff? I need to build slowly, as I am not flushed with cash.
Do you guys think it is acceptable, from a StyleForum perspective, to wear non-button down dress shirts without a jacket (no tie obviously)?
And what pattern shirts should I look for? I feel like checks and stripes are better if I don't wear a jacket.
Wear can I find a wool slim blazer for a reasonable price?
And finally, what shoes would you look to add? I know Allen Edmonds are a favorite around here, and I can see the value in them, but what style? I am thinking brown wingtips, like the McLains or something like Strands, both in burgundy. How do you feel about loafers like Weejuns in this scenario?

And any tips on where to shop (Denver area) for good deals and quality goods would be nice. My Modern Tailor shirt fits great, so I can probably go back to them, in the event other shirts brands give me fit problems.

Thanks for any help. I have a week before I start work, but I don't need an entire wardrobe by that time.

Obviously once I start work and see my co-workers I can adjust from there, but I need something to wear that first week or two and right now I don't have much.

 

[BradKincaid]

Okay, sorry for the bump but if I can't get an answer to the above questions I would at least like some advice on wearing a button down collar vs non-BD. I generally prefer non-BD, but most of the posts I have read regarding business casual suggest OCBD. Do you think it would be okay to wear non-BD in a business casual environment, either alone or with a blazer and a tie?

 

[morrison13]

These links might help:
http://www.styleforum.net/a/how-should-i-start-my-business-wardrobe
http://www.styleforum.net/t/230467/what-would-you-wear-for-business-casual

 

[mensimageconsultant]

How things have changed here, for the worse.

The OBCD issue is trivial.

What is "reasonable price" for a blazer?

And finally, what shoes would you look to add? I know Allen Edmonds are a favorite around here, and I can see the value in them, but what style? I am thinking brown wingtips, like the McLains or something like Strands, both in burgundy. How do you feel about loafers like Weejuns in this scenario?

Lace-ups should be fine, if they fit well. Loafers might not make a good first impression.

 

[BradKincaid]

Thanks for the help on the OCBD thing. I am going to look to get some shirts from TM Lewin and Charles Tyrwhitt, maybe from BB while they have this sale going on.

As for the blazer, I kind of jumped in head first and bought a hopsack blazer from Saks off 5th, while it was on sale. It is a Saks brand 100% wool, Loro Piana, made in USA. It fits well, but needs a bit of tailoring, as most OTR clothing does. It was $300 out the door. I can always return it if someone has horror stories.