I hate guys clothes.

October 4, 2005 1:04 PM

Where do socially-left-leaning college guys get clothes?

I've decided that 99% of guys clothes seriously suck, and I can't seem to find the other 1%. I don't like polo shirts/buttondown dress shirts (a bit too straight&narrow for day-to-day stuff, I think), I don't like punk/skater/goth clothes, and I'd still like dress decently (some kind of quality is good). All the uniform, trendy, preppy shirts/etc are what I'm trying to avoid here. Specific stores or things to look for would be good. Bonus points if I don't have to drive more than an hour to get there (Eugene or Salem, Portland is a stretch).

posted by devilsbrigade to clothing, beauty, & fashion (43 comments total)

You could always make your own.

Are there specific things you want? Collars? Buttons? Certain types of fabric?
posted by bshort at 1:06 PM on October 4, 2005

Find people whose dress sense (or lack of) you admire and find out what stuff they wear. For me it's Steve Jobs. I'm always in black turtlenecks and jeans, even for business meetings. You can wear jeans 'smart' and dark colors up top help reinforce a smart, yet smugly casual, look.
posted by wackybrit at 1:09 PM on October 4, 2005

Have you been to thrift stores?
posted by Pollomacho at 1:11 PM on October 4, 2005

I thought it was rather obvious that they got them at thrift stores, the salvation army and urban outfitters.
posted by spicynuts at 1:13 PM on October 4, 2005

Where do socially-left-leaning college guys get clothes?

Target and Sunny's Surplus, mainly, but I speak only from personal experience.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:14 PM on October 4, 2005

Perhaps a socially-left-leaning college guy would enjoy american apparel [link to men's portion of online store]. The clothes are sweatshop-free, plain and attractive. You can visit their stores in Oregon next time you are in Portland, and soon, Eugene. IANAEmployee, I just happen to own a shirt of theirs.

Otherwise, does being socially-left-leaning make you feel like dressing a certain way? How does this fit into the equation?
posted by ArcAm at 1:15 PM on October 4, 2005

Many good suggestions in this thread.

You might try looking at foreign-owned chains like Zara, French Connection, and Club Monaco. Yes, they can be more expensive, and yes, they do tend towards a slicker eurotrashy style. But if you want basics like some black slacks or single-color shirts and sweaters, theirs are much more stylish and flattering than banana republic or the gap.

As far as getting there, I suspect that none of these have outlets near you (a quick check on the Club Monaco website indicated that Seattle was the closest store). You might try shopping online or, if finances permit, taking a vacation in the Bay Area.
posted by googly at 1:15 PM on October 4, 2005

When I was a kid, my family shopped at Marshall's and TJ Maxx. It wasn't hot-shit stuff, but it was fine with me. Don't know where they stand on the social/political scale, however.
posted by jonmc at 1:19 PM on October 4, 2005

A slightly related thread on finding good/cheap T-shirts.
posted by rolypolyman at 1:21 PM on October 4, 2005

I still shop at the aforementioned stores (or their equivalents) now. They've always served me well.
posted by jonmc at 1:21 PM on October 4, 2005

Well to make a statement, try go around naked ! Freedom my exposed ass.
posted by elpapacito at 1:22 PM on October 4, 2005

Well to make a statement, try go around naked !

and that statement is, "Help!"

I kid, I kid
posted by jonmc at 1:26 PM on October 4, 2005

Seconding the American Apparel suggestion. sweatshop free and all that...but the guy who owns it is a creep.
posted by skjønn at 1:34 PM on October 4, 2005

Zaras is great mall clothing, Kenneth Cole is tacky but you could survive on a desert island with it. You could also check out Hugo Boss or Helmut Lang.

Stay away from Brooks Brothers, natch.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 1:36 PM on October 4, 2005

Doesn't your town have independently owned clothing stores?

I end up buying too much from Gap, J. Crew, Banana Republic, etc. Most of the stuff falls apart a lot quicker than I'd like, although the gap pants usually last a little longer than the others.

I'd rather buy stuff from small independent boutique type places, but most are too expensive for me. I found some nice places in Seattle and San Francisco and the East Bay that I like, though, but most aren't very affordable.

Sometimes thrift stores are good, but ever since I got a horrible spiderbite trying on some cords at a thrift store I don't do that stuff anymore.

Have you checked out local consignment stores?
posted by luriete at 1:36 PM on October 4, 2005

I second the notion that it seems odd that "socially left-leaning" is supposed to have a fashion equivalent. If it does -- ugh.
posted by argybarg at 1:45 PM on October 4, 2005

BuyBlue could give you some tips on stores. As for styles, that's up to you. You can emulate what your friends wear, dress completely plainly, or come up with some style that doesn't offend you. I have to warn you though, it's not often you'll get complemented on your clothes when wearing a plain t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. But you're not going to alienate many people that way, either.
posted by mikeh at 1:46 PM on October 4, 2005

I have to throw another suggestion for combing thrift stores. There's just something about finding that one unique shirt, that no one else has. My first purchase at a thift store was exactly 10 years ago, a "Derby City South Truck Plaza" (truck stop) t-shirt -- I still wear it today, I wore it over the weekend! =P I agree, men's clothing is sparse, but many of the aforementioned stores are simply faux-vintage...

Although... vintage is almost too-fashionable nowadays =(
posted by jacobjacobs at 1:47 PM on October 4, 2005

Army-navy surplus stores, strangely enough. I go all weak in the knees when I see a guy who's dressed like a commando yet is leafletting for the Green Party.
posted by scratch at 1:52 PM on October 4, 2005

Al Gore does, too
posted by matteo at 2:20 PM on October 4, 2005

Of course it has a fashion equivalent. I can't think of any socially concious "left-leaning guys" buying fucking Nike, but this is a pretty out example, so I can see why it'd be difficult to come up with it.

You sound like an indie kid waiting to happen, really. More Salvation Army, thrift stores, and grandpa's closet in your life!
posted by hototogisu at 2:28 PM on October 4, 2005

If you want to go the used clothing route, you could try Buffalo Exchange. They have a store in Eugene, and I think they wash everything before it goes on the racks so, you know, fewer spiders.
posted by eckeric at 2:29 PM on October 4, 2005

I'm a girl, but I like what I find in skate and surf shops.
posted by Miko at 2:47 PM on October 4, 2005

Most all of the chain stores in your average mall have sale racks. Your success with this technique will be directly correlated to how average your build is.
posted by yerfatma at 2:49 PM on October 4, 2005

Urban Outfitters? Although I once saw an $80 jacket there that still had a tag from Goodwill or the Salvation Army on it... so it might be hard to justify that "thriftstore" look when you're paying a middleman...
posted by Robot Johnny at 2:57 PM on October 4, 2005

I go all weak in the knees when I see a guy who's dressed like a commando yet is leafletting for the Green Party.

Al Gore does, too

I wouldn't have thought his knees were flexible enough.
posted by jonmc at 3:10 PM on October 4, 2005

Whatever you do, don't wear one of these.
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:25 PM on October 4, 2005

How about JC Penny's workmen clothes catalog? You can get shirts, pants, jackets, and boots.
posted by inviolable at 3:29 PM on October 4, 2005

Does the poster mean to ask about fashion sense or about socially conscious clothing sources? I'm thinking the latter. If so, then check to see what locally made clothing you can obtain. You'll want to know that your local manufacturer doesn't use domestic sweatshops, though.
posted by acoutu at 4:58 PM on October 4, 2005

Order some blackspot shoes. They're expensive and squeaky, but they're the socially conscious alternative to Converse (since they were, sadly, bought out by Nike).
posted by Sara Anne at 5:05 PM on October 4, 2005

Urban Outfitters? Although I once saw an $80 jacket there that still had a tag from Goodwill or the Salvation Army on it... so it might be hard to justify that "thriftstore" look when you're paying a middleman...

I really doubt this. Only because as a large national chain I'm sure their inventory is controlled and managers cannot just go out and purchase items on their own. I'm pretty sure this is a marketing ploy.

What about local boutiques? Look for Rebel Yell, Holy Grail, and all those cool t-shirts that cost a bundle.

I'm guessing by socially-left you mean you want to buy ethical clothing. Most of the small run t-shirt prints are so small you can't really verify where the shirts themselves came from but I would doubt highly that they came from sweatshops.

Your options are really limited. Burberry polos are not overpriced and say "Made in London", I don't think there have been London sweatshops since 1856.

But then again what's your criteria. Trendy would push out all big name European designers and small boutique labels. No polo and dress-shirts eliminates everything else.

Now all you have are plain no label t-shirts. If you want to be socially conscious about it buy American Apparel, though one wonders how ethical exposing yourself to employees is.

Broden your criteria what you have is extremely narrow.
posted by geoff. at 5:06 PM on October 4, 2005

Urban Outfitters is a big Republican donor. Just so you know.
posted by klangklangston at 5:34 PM on October 4, 2005

As a fellow Corvallis-ite, I feel your plight. My only suggestion is to take a weekend and head to Portland. There are a host of small thrift stores, boutiques, shops, etc that cater to not-quite-formal yet still fashionable.
posted by asterisk at 5:38 PM on October 4, 2005

My socially-left-leaning college student son went for a year exclusively wearing either a) clothes he bought in India, or b) clothes he dug out of dumpsters the year he lived in New Orleans. He had a signature style that few dared imitate.
posted by LarryC at 5:58 PM on October 4, 2005

Opposite the top-hat and monocle store.
posted by holloway at 6:04 PM on October 4, 2005

I really doubt this. Only because as a large national chain I'm sure their inventory is controlled and managers cannot just go out and purchase items on their own. I'm pretty sure this is a marketing ploy.

Mmm, I believe it. Here's why. Urban started not as a giant national chain, but as a small-time and extremely funky boutique that sold just that: thrift-store finds and secondhands plus off-stock, overstock, and imports. On the company website they say " It all began with a vision and a small store in 1970. Situated in a Philadelphia row house several blocks from The University of Pennsylvania, the first Urban Outfitters revolutionized the fashion world by offering an eclectic and funky mix of merchandise for both home and wardrobe. "

Completely true. They only went big around 1990 -- don't know when the jacket was bought, but the story is totally plausible. Same thing done by Canal Jeans and Unique Boutique in NY - pawing through Salvation Army stores, finding the good stuff and retailing it for more.

When I lived in Philly, one of my friends worked for a woman who was a UO founder. Some deal about an ugly divorce and selling the company. She now runs a socialist not-for-profit.
posted by Miko at 6:51 PM on October 4, 2005

If you go to Buffalo exchange, skip the one in Eugene. It's set up as a female's store and has very little male selection; what's there is just a bunch of Jcrew and Abercrombie. Check out the Portland store instead, it's pretty good.
posted by Happydaz at 7:05 PM on October 4, 2005

As a socially left leaning recent college grad, I get most of my t-shirts and whatnot from an army surplus/work clothes/camping stuff store in Philly called I. Goldberg. I'll just walk in and buy a few black, brown, and earth-tone tshirts off of the rack. They're just plain pocketless solid color shirts and they cost about $7 each.
As far as jeans and pants go, I justify can my purchases at Banana Republic because I haven't found any jeans that fit me that well anywhere else. (I'm fairly small, 30-30, and I've noticed that a 30-30 pair of pants at Target or some other bargain place is cut for a very husky 30-30. It's as though they measure 32 inches and just name it something else. Much to my dismay, I've discovered that if I want a pair of jeans that's actually going to fit me, I'm going to have to fork over the money for them.) Contrary to luriete's experience, I've found that their jeans last a good long while. I wore a pair of BR jeans almost every day for a whole year (washing them, of course) and they held up fine. The only part that wore out is the back right pocket from where the corners of my wallet rubbed through.

I've also had good experiences with American made brands like Dickies and Carhart. Although they tend to be coarse, once you get through the lengthy breaking-in process, they'll be comfortable and durable.

I find that a dark logo-free shirt and pair of dark, ordinary jeans/slacks are a pretty good invisible uniform. I don't like it when my clothes are an obvious give-away about my opinions.
posted by Jon-o at 8:04 PM on October 4, 2005

My socially-left leaning collge undergrad brother wears basics like levis from the thrift store and shirts that he doctors up with homemade whales patches and things. Also seventies surf stuff like OP sweatshirts. Spend more money on fewer, better quality or more interesting things. It pays to hang out with hipster girls who love thrift store shoping-just drop hints like "by the way if you see any straight fit cords from the early eighties, size_, just go ahead and buy them for me". Or buy clothes that people have made themselves, or modified. Or DIY.
On the socially progressive side, it's going to be hard to buy new clothes made in the US. I have done some research into Gap, and they actually have fairly progressive practices overseas, perhaps because they have gotten a lot of flack prior. American Apparel has been mentioned, and I believe that Fruit of the Loom is made in the US. I'll check on that.
posted by slimslowslider at 9:48 PM on October 4, 2005

also try online shops!
Veer has fun typography-related clothes, Defunker has lots of fun, happy, sometimes-ironic, sometimes-not designs, and there's a million other examples I can't think of.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:34 PM on October 4, 2005

Urban Outfitters is a big Republican donor. Just so you know.

Do you have a source for this? Just curious.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:11 AM on October 5, 2005

Pollomacho: interview with Urban Outfitter's president Richard Hayne:

When PW asks Hayne about his financial support of Santorum, he initially denies it. And when presented with a computer printout of Santorum's campaign donors from the Center for Responsive Politics website--which cites a $4,650 contribution from Urban Outfitters--he responds: "I'll have to look into this. I don't think this is right." In fact, he and his wife have contributed $13,150 to Santorum and Santorum's Political Action Committee over the years.

Asked to clarify for the record whether he ever contributed to Santorum's reelection campaign, he counters, "I don't want to mislead you. Like many people, I have some affinity for Rick Santorum, and I have problems with some of his positions."

And where does Santorum's position on homosexuality fit in his comfort zone?

"I'm not going to comment on it," he says, irked. "I have my own opinion, but I am not going to share it. Our job as a business is not to promote a political agenda. That's not what we do. There are all kinds of political views held by my employees. Some would be horrified to learn that we contributed to Santorum's campaign, and others would be fine with it. We openly discuss and joke about our political differences."
posted by iviken at 7:08 AM on October 5, 2005

Wow thanks!
posted by Pollomacho at 8:30 AM on October 5, 2005