Surviving until January...

[lockey2k]

So I've decided to enter a shopping holding pattern until the Barney's Warehouse sale in January. Currently my wardrobe consists of the following:

(a)2 suits (1 jacket can double as a blazer)
(b)2 blazers
(c)4 trousers
(d)1 dress shoes
(e)1 dress boots
(f)5 dress shirts.
(g)1 winter coat.

(h)Misc. clothes deemed "retired"

Can I make it to January on that alone for a 5/6 day week job that requires shirt+tie+jacket?

I'm thinking I'll pick up 3-4 more shirts, but otherwise pause to save up for January.

My theory is to build up a quality collection and get a few choice pieces rather than lots of mediocre pieces. (e.g. 1 quality canali sports coat > 3 CK sports coats).

Thanks in advance.

Locke

Edit: P.S. Other than C21, Filenne's, and Loemann's. Do any other places in NYC have good discount deals on clothes? I really like trying on clothes before I purchase (thus avoiding ebay)

 

[thinman]

You have a minimal rotation, assuming you have enough ties (about minimum 10) to give different looks. I'd recommend you buy 5 more dress shirts, at a minimum, so you're not doing laundry every week.

Once I've tried on a particular makers clothing and measured my best-fitting suit to established my size (both my measured sizing and manufacturer-specific sizing), I feel comfortable buying on ebay, with the usual caveats about sellers and their feedback. You may want to try the experiment once as a test. NWT trousers are especially easy since almost everyone knows his waist and inseam measurement and they come unhemmed (you might also want to know your preferred width at knee and cuff).

 

[mr monty]

You need another pair of dress shoes ASAP. If you can, maybe 2 pair.

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by mr monty

You need another pair of dress shoes ASAP. If you can, maybe 2 pair.

I'd agree with the comments about getting 1 more pair of dress shoes and some more dress shirts, but I would strongly advise another suit as well within a short time period, as you're going to get repetition quite quickly with that rotation. There's always the time-honored technique of trying on suits in stores and buying them on ebay, for more common items like RL and Corneliani.

 

[kitonbrioni]

Have you tried going to Jersey Gardens across the Hudson? Or Woodbury Commons about a hour north of NYC? There are buses to both leaving every hour. You could get shoes, shirts and even shoes to hold you over until January.

 

[Chase80]

I think it all depends on the color of the suits, because if it is black for example you could wear that a lot with different shirts and ties, but if it something a bit more bold of a color I think that would be hard to do.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Look at it this way . . . in the interim, if you begin to need something, you'll find out. Touch up, as necessary. I admire your discipline. You are wise, to wait for sales.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by lockey2k

Can I make it to January on that alone for a 5/6 day week job that requires shirt+tie+jacket?

I'm thinking I'll pick up 3-4 more shirts, but otherwise pause to save up for January.

So long as you're willing to rotate those two shoes religously, and they're not close to wearing out, you can make it (It's not something I would try). Especially if you can go casual and skip the jacket on fridays.

I do recommend picking up a few more shirts, and one more pair of shoes, if you can.

 

[chorse123]

Especially with only two pairs of shoes, I think you should look into filling out the wardrobe a little if you budget can handle it. The Barneys Warehouse Sale can certainly be good, but I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you sartorially starve yourself for that meal.

 

[lockey2k]

http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463596 http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463597 http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463598 http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463599 http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463600 http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463601 Caved today and bought a pair of D&G shoes. Not particularly dressy, but I think good for going out. Pics above. Apologies in advance for crappy camera. Random Q: Is $229 too much for a pair of D&G shoes? Both dress shoes and boots are being consistently rotated and have held up fairly well. Both are relatively new, so should hopefully survive the wear. Edit: p.s. anyone know a good cobler in NYC? I would like to add some extra soles to the new shoes so they don't wear as quickly. Also, what is the best way to care for a jacket? Edit: Suits are black w/ navy pin stripes and solid navy. Jackets are a navy with a muted pattern and charcoal with blue speckle.

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by Chase80

I think it all depends on the color of the suits, because if it is black for example you could wear that a lot with different shirts and ties, but if it something a bit more bold of a color I think that would be hard to do.

Trust me, you really really really really don't want to go there.

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by lockey2k

http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463596
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463597
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463598
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463599
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463600
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=463601

Caved today and bought a pair of D&G shoes. Not particularly dressy, but I think good for going out. Pics above. Apologies in advance for crappy camera.

Random Q: Is $229 too much for a pair of D&G shoes?

Both dress shoes and boots are being consistently rotated and have held up fairly well. Both are relatively new, so should hopefully survive the wear.

Edit: p.s. anyone know a good cobler in NYC? I would like to add some extra soles to the new shoes so they don't wear as quickly. Also, what is the best way to care for a jacket?

Edit: Suits are black w/ navy pin stripes and solid navy. Jackets are a navy with a muted pattern and charcoal with blue speckle.

I think the price is probably decent but I'm not sure you're going to get a lot of use out of those for business formal, but I suppose you know your workplace better than I. Seems a bit casual, but if it flies...

 

[lockey2k]

Originally Posted by drizzt3117

I think the price is probably decent but I'm not sure you're going to get a lot of use out of those for business formal, but I suppose you know your workplace better than I. Seems a bit casual, but if it flies...

So not going to fly in the work place, but they were so pretty and look so sad on the shelf all alone. I felt I was morally obligated to take them home.

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by lockey2k

So not going to fly in the work place, but they were so pretty and look so sad on the shelf all alone. I felt I was morally obligated to take them home.

Haha I know the feeling, they are cool looking shoes, I think they'd be nice with denim for activities where you weren't likely to encounter liquids. I wouldn't want to have to clean suede, even chocolate-colored suede heh.