Setting a New Trend

[Npollard80]

I have recently taken a position as the sales VP for a roofing company. The industry is usually filled with unkempt and poorly dressed guys. This is due I part to socioeconomics but also due to the demands of the job (climbing
Roofs, getting dirty, etc.) I would like to create a highly professional look for the role, but need very durable clothing.

What are your thoughts?

 

[madhat]

Duluth or similar heavy duty trousers and collared shirt with a "dress" work boot like an Alden Indy on commando or similar?

 

[johng70]

I wouldn't go much farther than madhat's suggestions. You don't want to alienate the people at your own company and dressing too formally creates a barrier between you and the other employees. You can have nice quality, well fitting clothes but still keep the formality level down. In addition to Indys, you can look at boots from Whites, Oak Street, Rancourt & Co and Allen Edmonds

 

[MrBorland]

I would like to create a highly professional look for the role, but need very durable clothing

A pair of Filson's Guide Chinos would be perfect. Very durable and versatile. I have several pair that I iron and wear daily with a blazer in business casual settings or out to dinner. The material is also very durable and dries relatively quickly, so I have another pair I wear when working, hiking and/or hunting. I pretty much live in these Guide chinos. Filson doesn't list the Guide Chino on their website any longer, but they come up on ebay now and then. I'm pretty sure Filson's Dry Shelter Cloth pant is their replacement. From what I can tell, there really isn't a difference, other than the name. You can likely find these on eBay as well.

As far as footwear, Alden, Oak Street, Rancourt and Allen Edmonds make a good boot (I have some Alden Indy's and OSBs), but I'm not convinced they have the durability you'd need (it didn't take me long to blow out a pair of Alden Indy 404s hiking in the Rockies). I'd look at White's. I have several pair and have been happy with their quality, fit and versatility. In particular, I'd look at their M&P boot, Kinney chukka, Semi-dress and/or their centennial hikers*. You can order any of these through Baker's - they've been a pleasure to deal with, and the boots are actually a wee bit cheaper than buying direct from White's.

Shirts? I'd recommend an Oxford shirt or some kind of buttoned active-wear shirt with hi-tech material. Oxfords, by nature, are more casual than dressy, and it's in their DNA to still look ok if they get rumpled a bit (I've worn mine hiking in the Alps, then just threw on a blazer for dinner). Stripes help hide the rumples, too. My personal choice for OBDs are those from Michael Spencer, but there are others, of course. Active-wear shirts like you'd see at REI are lightweight, durable, and can be surprisingly professional-looking. If you're going to spend time on hot roofs, they might be just the ticket.


* When considering the centennials, unless you're planning on using them for serious technical hiking, I'd recommend the Stowe instead of the Portland sole. The Portland is what you normally see the boot paired with, but those big honkin' lugs are generally unnecessary and make the boot a bit less versatile. In contrast, the Stowe is a bit less luggish, so they collect less mud, look more like a versatile casual boot than a dedicated hiking boot (while still being an excellent hiking boot). If you order them through Baker's, you can get them MTO.