Planning of having a year round wardrobe, any advices?

[inanemiralioglu]

19M here. I am planning to create a year round wardrobe that I can wear for college, int'l conferences and internships. I am think of doing one in business casual style. Here is a list that I will be planning to do. I know that it will take some time but I think it would be great to have opinions.

• A suit (navy or dark gray)

• 4 Chinos (2 beige, 2 navy)

• 3 Dress / suit pants (navy, dark gray and black)

• Jumper / knitwear (1 navy V neck, 1 navy cardigan, 1 gray bicycle neck, 1 gray quarter zipped)

• 5 Shirts (White, sky blue, striped, gingham and denim)

• 3 blazers (2 navy and dark gray)

• 2 coats (1 trenchcoat and 1 wool)

I plan this in my mind. This month I have enough budget to buy 2 chinos (planning on buying 1 beige and 1 navy from dockers) and all the jumpers (have a discount from mango's menwear section, saw some really good merino wool jumpers)

Any further advices?

 

[TheIronDandy]

Primary advice: start slow! Look around, try different things. Don't get all the jumpers at once, get one of a brand and see how you like it. Keep in mind that the same type of sweater, in the same material, and the same size, can still fit very differently from different brands. I did the mistake early on of buying several things from one brand when there was a good discount - then I ended up realising the fit wasn't doing me any favours and was stuck with multiple things I didn't like. After a few years, I can usually tell if something is for me after trying it on, but I really couldn't when I started thinking about dressing better.

Think about things like fit (do you want a loose fit, or a slimmer one) and silhouette (how does the outline of the clothes look): this is what most people getting into dressing better get wrong. I made the mistake of buying way too short jackets - while the jackets looked nice in themselves (and fit me decently over the chest and shoulders), the outline was way off and made me look like I was wearing a jacket 2 sizes too small.

If you're not a difficult size, consider ebay: you can get a well-made scottish sweater, barely worn, for less than you pay for a new one.

 

[inanemiralioglu]

Im a difficult size unfortunately. Also, what is your opinion on Dockers chinos, would they pair up well with a navy blazer?

Primary advice: start slow! Look around, try different things. Don't get all the jumpers at once, get one of a brand and see how you like it. Keep in mind that the same type of sweater, in the same material, and the same size, can still fit very differently from different brands. I did the mistake early on of buying several things from one brand when there was a good discount - then I ended up realising the fit wasn't doing me any favours and was stuck with multiple things I didn't like. After a few years, I can usually tell if something is for me after trying it on, but I really couldn't when I started thinking about dressing better.

Think about things like fit (do you want a loose fit, or a slimmer one) and silhouette (how does the outline of the clothes look): this is what most people getting into dressing better get wrong. I made the mistake of buying way too short jackets - while the jackets looked nice in themselves (and fit me decently over the chest and shoulders), the outline was way off and made me look like I was wearing a jacket 2 sizes too small.

If you're not a difficult size, consider ebay: you can get a well-made scottish sweater, barely worn, for less than you pay for a new one.

 

[TheIronDandy]

Im a difficult size unfortunately. Also, what is your opinion on Dockers chinos, would they pair up well with a navy blazer?

I can relate, I'm a very difficult size to fit as well. Still, knit wear is usually quite doable in standard sizes, as there's a bit of stretch.

I'm probably not the best person to ask, since Dockers really isn't that big in Sweden. I'm also deep in the clothing swamp: the only chinos I wear are Rubato officer chinos, which cost about 300 a pair (some people have summer homes, some people go on cruises, some people have multiple cars, I have fancy chinos). IN GENERAL, I'm not a fan of chinos with blazers or sport coats - it always looks like "dress code says I have to wear a jacket, but didn't specify trousers". When I wear chinos (which I do quite a bit) I wear them with a shirt and knitwear, but not a tailored jacket. I will wear wool or linen trousers when wearing a jacket.

IF you want to wear chinos with a tailored jacket, consider the cut: you generally want a higher waist on trousers worn with a jacket, and not too tight around the legs. If Dockers is a larger manufacturer (which I believe they are), they probably have multiple fits, avoid skinny and slim fits, and look for at least a medium rise.

And a bit of a disclaimer: Styleforum is a really good place to get advice, but a lot of us here are... passionate about clothes. It's a big interest, and to many of us, a major expense. I'll try to give the best advice I can manage, but I probably tend towards the very expensive and quite nitpicky, some other advice may be very strict on old rules - it's the risk when asking nerds

 

[cottontop]

What about footwear?

 

[William Kazak]

I would not want to have a list like yours. I would only purchase one item at a time and as necessary. Sometimes we arrive somewhere and our previous thinking of what we might need are not exactly applicable to the situation or to the place.

 

[JohnnyLaw]

I agree with others that it would be wise to buy pieces very slowly and to be flexible.

If you feel that you need a list, here a few personal opinions:

- Navy chinos are not very useful. I certainly wouldn't buy 2 pairs. Maybe get a pair in olive?
- I would omit the navy and black dress trousers and get 2 pairs of grey trousers (dark and mid) in wool.
- I would get 2 sweaters: a navy v-neck and a shetland crewneck in an earthy tone.
- You'll probably need a few more shirts.
- A single blue blazer should be enough to start. If you want a second sportcoat, brown is more useful than grey.

 

[jdgershbein]

In the Midwestern United States, it is a challenge to assemble a wardrobe that can be considered year-round. And, of course, we know clothing merchants deliver seasonable goods of varying versatility, specifically for colder and warmer climes.

I have pulled out an autumnal flannel on a chilly summer night. However, a short-sleeved linen camp shirt on a warm January day where I live would look ridiculous. I try to bridge the distance with garments that can afford more seasonal coverage and the proper insulation or breathability.

That said, you can wear whatever you want whenever you want. It's all about the vibe you wish to give off. You will never get a tap on the shoulder from someone who would say, "Excuse me, sir, you really shouldn't be wearing that on a day like this."

When not dressing to impress in a business setting, joggers and T-shirts (S/S and L/S) fit the bill for me any day of the year.

 

[C MattssonJH]

Im a difficult size unfortunately. Also, what is your opinion on Dockers chinos, would they pair up well with a navy blazer?

The dockers chinos may or may not fit your body. That's the trouble with buying off the rack. If the fit is nice and not too baggy or too tight, then they're a good choice. Be sure to have them hemmed if they come in too long, depending on how you like your pants, this could be anywhere at your ankle to with a bit of a break.

 

[Concordia]

Im a difficult size unfortunately. Also, what is your opinion on Dockers chinos, would they pair up well with a navy blazer?

Probably more expensive but Ben Silver has a great line of chinos with different rises, pleats/plain, etc. Don’t rule out pleats, as they almost always drape better and survive motion, keys and wallet in front pockets, etc.

 

[Concordia]

One thing I have recently discovered is that wool makes very nice polos and t shirts. They need less washing, so you need fewer of them to last the week. Wool and Prince has the best all-season weave, and Sheep Inc is also very elegant. More money up front, but a few well chosen items will last longer.

 

[C MattssonJH]

Im a difficult size unfortunately. Also, what is your opinion on Dockers chinos, would they pair up well with a navy blazer?

 

[theox]

I think if I were just starting out from university I might hold off on chinos until I land a position in a company. I would be more inclined to go with wool or wool blend trousers matched with a blazer at first.
If your new company is more casual then dockers style trousers is the way to go but if your company is more conservative then dockers might be a bit out of line. The dark gray suit is perfect to start out with. Then you could add a navy suit if your company style includes suits.
As for shirts, once again, that would depend on the culture of the company. White and light blue are a good place to start. Be sure to get the right ties as well. I, myself, like light pink dress shirts. Look into patterns. Stripes and checks work well, too.
Finally, just be sure not to go ‘against the grain’. Be sure to stay in line with how your colleagues are dressed.
Best of luck!

 

[joele54]

A little more information from the OP would be helpful. What is your college major, or what is your intended profession, what industry? This would likely influence you type of dress. If it is a STEM profession, then jeans or slacks and a blazer will put you at the 90th per centile in dressing (I know, I am one). If this is for a business internship or job, e.g. sales or marketing, a bit dressier may be in order, especially if you will be meeting with customers, slacks and a nice sport coat perhaps.

Where do you go to college, where do you intend to live (assuming you know this)? A wardrobe that reflects the weather, such as New York for instance will have 4 seasons, with both hot summers and cold winters. Think southern California and you are going to want a lot lighter clothing.

Just things to take into account as you add to your new wardrobe. And definitely do not rush into it all at once.

As for chinos, if you are hard to fit and live in a large city that has a Bonobos store, you can go there and get fitted for chinos that are quite versatile, and do not break the bank. They don't sell the chinos in store, only for fitting. The Dockers, which I have worn, are generally large and baggy. The Bonobos have 5 or 6 fits from skinny (not recommended) to slim, to athletic, to straight leg. The Original chinos are 98% cotton and 2% elastane, not as stretchy as the 2.0 version, but offer a good silhouette IMO, and they have a large of selection of waist sizes and lengths.

 

[inanemiralioglu]

A little more information from the OP would be helpful. What is your college major, or what is your intended profession, what industry? This would likely influence you type of dress. If it is a STEM profession, then jeans or slacks and a blazer will put you at the 90th per centile in dressing (I know, I am one). If this is for a business internship or job, e.g. sales or marketing, a bit dressier may be in order, especially if you will be meeting with customers, slacks and a nice sport coat perhaps.

Where do you go to college, where do you intend to live (assuming you know this)? A wardrobe that reflects the weather, such as New York for instance will have 4 seasons, with both hot summers and cold winters. Think southern California and you are going to want a lot lighter clothing.

Just things to take into account as you add to your new wardrobe. And definitely do not rush into it all at once.

As for chinos, if you are hard to fit and live in a large city that has a Bonobos store, you can go there and get fitted for chinos that are quite versatile, and do not break the bank. They don't sell the chinos in store, only for fitting. The Dockers, which I have worn, are generally large and baggy. The Bonobos have 5 or 6 fits from skinny (not recommended) to slim, to athletic, to straight leg. The Original chinos are 98% cotton and 2% elastane, not as stretchy as the 2.0 version, but offer a good silhouette IMO, and they have a large of selection of waist sizes and lengths.

I intend to live in the city where my college is located. The city has all the 4 seasons, really hot summer days (it is now 91F or 33C) and cold winter days (28F or -2C). My major is Political Science and IR, I hope to do my internship on a company that has a foreign relations department or foreign trade. So according to your answer yes, dressing a bit dressier may be in order. For chinos, there isn't a Bonobos store in my country and the only known chinos store is Dockers, other brands have chinos aswell but they lack in quality or style. Also, what would you recommend if I plan to wear chinos for internship/work? Is navy blazer, shirt and a tie okay with a khaki chino?