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Moving to a northern city

Bibbs

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Background: I'm young and in college, 22, have a job at an ad agency in a big city which I start next fall. I am from the south, but summer in Maine, so I am used to all kinds of people . Normally dress very fratty/preppy, feel very comfortable in khakis and button downs. But I am moving to Chicago a) I will need warmer clothes in general and b) I have always felt out of place, my style is not exactly "urban" - lots of high-performance outdoors clothes etc.

So any general wisdom you can give on how to fit in the urban world, and also I have a couple questions -

Will I be out of place wearing something like this "http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?Gamma-AR-Jacket#" (black) out to bars at night? Or what should I get. I do not want a peacoat. And no I am not wearing a suit out to bars, my work environment is casual as well. Please give me your honest advice, I am not some dandy, just a normal guy.

Also, I am more a khaki guy , only jeans I've ever worn are like stonewashed Levis, not really "dress jeans" but I am worried that moving North I'm going to be forced to get a pair of dark jeans. Any advice on this front?
 

630

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Don't freak about "fitting in." If your style is one way, don't change it just to try and please some clubhead slutz in the Chi. The southern fratastic man isn't ideal in Chicago, but as long as you look presentable and well kept nobody is going to think, "Man that southern guy can't dress for ****!" Wear your polos and your khakis, but perhaps buy some stuff that is a little slimmer in fit. The Polo custom fit stuff should do you good.

BTW, I'm from the suburbs but go to school at the University of Tennessee. Where'd you graduate?
 

630

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PS, Chicago is different from New York. Midwestern cities aren't quite as uppity as NYC. Good luck with everything.
 

bure

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I'm not from the specific area, and neither are most people, but if it's just like any other large city, I would say get a nice wool coat. They are warm and might suit your style better than a tech jacket. Plus, that one you posted is ugly (by my standards).
 

slappysloopy

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Wearing activewear like that with khakis is fine for midwest. Honestly, most people don't care at all about style here. If you're going out to bars in the midwest, you'd fit right in but there's no reason not to get a nice parka or a peacoat. Whether you like it or not, peacoats are sexy. If you're looking to blend in then wear what you have but look around on here and find something that suits you well and you might surprise yourself nicely. Also talk to WMMK for what's popular in chicago as he live there and is a bit younger than you.
 

Bibbs

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Originally Posted by slappysloopy
Wearing activewear like that with khakis is fine for midwest. Honestly, most people don't care at all about style here. If you're going out to bars in the midwest, you'd fit right in but there's no reason not to get a nice parka or a peacoat. Whether you like it or not, peacoats are sexy. If you're looking to blend in then wear what you have but look around on here and find something that suits you well and you might surprise yourself nicely. Also talk to WMMK for what's popular in chicago as he live there and is a bit younger than you.
I guess I've always just though of peacoats as being effeminate...is there anything you can tell me to bust this preconceived notion of mine?
 

Francis91

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Originally Posted by Bibbs
Lincoln Park

I think with your current style you'll fit right in with the neighborhood you'll be living in. The bar scene around these parts don't have dress codes or anything so where what you like.
 

zacharydschroeder

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Lincoln Park is not a hard neighborhood to live in. You should have no trouble fitting in. Go with either the coat you suggested or a pea coat and you'll be fine. Also, while you're in the neighborhood, (I know this is a long shot, but) if you're at all into punk/metal, you should check out Metal Haven.
 

unicornwarrior

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Originally Posted by Bibbs
I guess I've always just though of peacoats as being effeminate...is there anything you can tell me to bust this preconceived notion of mine?

Well, seeing as peacoats have been pretty standard in military wardrobes (i'm sure it's not as common now), there's nothing really effeminate about it. Plus I always picture Captain Ahab in a peacoat (or something similiar) when he's searching for Moby Dick, and besides the obvious innuendo that might go with that, there's nothing gay about a boat captain killing a whale.
 

slappysloopy

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Originally Posted by Bibbs
I guess I've always just though of peacoats as being effeminate...is there anything you can tell me to bust this preconceived notion of mine?
James_Dean_01.jpg
It's not quite a peacoat (I think it's the overcoat he was wearing in another picture), but James Dean is definitely the epitome of manliness. Wearing it with the collar up may make you feel more like a badass manly man if that helps.
 

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