Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with apparel

How can a guy dress more sexy?

oxit — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:19:46 -0800

How can a guy dress more sexy? Being a guy I have a good understanding how women can dress more sexy, but for myself I have little clue. How do I dress more sexy for the opposite gender?

I have a decent wardrobe of things that I bought specifically for their looks and I do actively combine them so that they fit together and I supposedly look good. Still I wouldn't say it or I ever look sexy or hot.

If this is a stupid question, because (1) I already do look sexy, or (2) I have to behave sexy instead or (3) ... feel free to let me know, also.

[Background: Central Europe, 30-ish, average sporty, fashionable, and outgoing, healthy BMI]

Best winter boots for an urban teacher?

JoannaC — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:01:47 -0800

Best winter boots for a teacher who has to both get around the city without looking like a huge dork, and stand outside on the playground for long stretches with the kids? I'm in Canada (Toronto GTA) and winter is approaching. I teach in a small private school and have outdoor playground duty every single day. That is a lot of standing around outside! My more fashion-ish boots from last year did not hold up very well.

This year, I am giving in to nature and dressing appropriately. I want dry, warm feet. I want boots that don't leak. They must be moderately comfortable for walking (to and from subway/bus stop, to the store etc. note: I don't drive so I *will* be out and about in these) and high enough to keep my pants dry on unplowed streets. They must be suitable for both sport-like outdoor winter things and for something like playground duty where I'll be standing around. They must be under $200 (or so). And finally, I am okay with looking like *somewhat* of a dork, but if they are halfway decent-looking, that would be a nice bonus.

So, brands? Model numbers? Best prices? Where to buy in GTA? I welcome any ideas. I am really ready to invest in something proper that will last me a good couple seasons.

Cold Weather Running

hapticactionnetwork — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:29:44 -0800

What should I know about running in cold weather? What should I wear when I run in cold weather? (Specific brand recommendations and places to buy things in New York especially appreciated.) I recently moved to New York after spending my entire life in Texas and California, where the Winters are almost non-existent. I'm excited/apprehensive about dealing with my first Winter, and I'm trying to prepare.

I run two or three times a week, not usually more than 30/45 minutes. I'm not a very serious runner, but I'd rather not give it up when it starts to get cold. So: what do I need to know about running in cold weather? And, more specifically, what should I wear? (I'm a guy.)

I've looked at a bunch of websites, so I have an idea of general suggestions about types of clothing (layers, breathable material, etc). I don't know, however, where to buy good quality running clothes or any good brands. I'd really appreciate suggestions from people who don't have anything invested in what I ultimately buy.

Also: should I just give up and join a gym with treadmills over the winter?

A classic Michigan tee

Team of Scientists — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:50:08 -0800

I'm looking for a specific University of Michigan shirt, or another sharp looking one if you've got any recommendations. I'd like a classic-looking Michigan T-shirt. In particular, I'd like it to be:

-Blue
-With yellow details
-Sized medium

Specifically, I'd like this in a medium (or one that says alumni instead of football), or this. I actually bought the latter once before, but it was a lousy fit and uncomfortable to boot. I'd love to find the same shirt but made by a brand name. I think Russell used to produce them but I can't find one anywhere.

If anyone has any similar recommendations they would be welcome, or if you simply have a favorite college apparel web site then please let me know.

Will I turn my fancy suit into a clown suit?

abkadefgee — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:01:13 -0800

I'd like to buy a new suit. I'd also like to lose a lot of weight. Will the suit still look alright if I lose 60 lbs and have it altered, or should I just wait until I lose the weight? I recently started a new job and have some extra money to spend on some upgraded clothing. The suit isn't a requirement of my job, but I'd like to look extra sharp now that I can afford a suit that fits properly.

On the other hand, I'd also like to lose a fair amount of weight. I'm currently about 5'9" and 220 and I'd like to gradually get down to about 160. Obviously, if I lose that much weight, my current suit will no longer fit.

So, if I have a suit altered to fit me after losing 60 lbs, will it still look decent? Would a jacket/blazer/sport coat be easier to alter than the slacks? Or will I look like a mess either way?

If the answer is yes to the latter question, I'll keep my suit money in the bank.

How can a short but not skinny guy find the right t-shirts?

Ekim Neems — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:33:45 -0800

Where can a short but not super skinny guy get plain soft t-shirts in multiple colors? The smalls are always too small and the mediums too big! I've tried American and Alternative Apparel and their smalls are too tight around the chest & torso but the length is right. Their mediums are just the opposite, with the length being too long but the chest and torso just right. Once in awhile, I get an American Apparel printed tee in medium that shrinks to just the right length... but not always.

I've tried some Hanes and Fruit of the Loom, but I find the quality either too low or they don't come in more than a few colors.

Any ideas? Thanks!

dress to impress... nerds

Jon_Evil — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:01:09 -0800

where can I get a handkerchief and/or bowtie the color of MeFi links in New York City TODAY?

retail or wholesale?

abirae — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:36:11 -0800

How does American Apparel make money? A friend and I have a disagreement over this that basically breaks down to: retail or wholesale? As I understand it, they started out as t-shirt wholesalers and expanded into a retail empire. But where do they make the bulk of their revenue?

They charge much higher prices for their retail clothes than for their wholesale t-shirts, but maintaining storefronts must also be a costly undertaking. The higher overhead might cancel out the higher prices. They clearly have the money for major ad campaigns and numerous store fronts so they must be making money somehow, but I don't know how to find this information.

Of course, it's also possible that they aren't making money, or that one part of their business subsidizes other parts of the business. I know very little about garment manufacturing and retail, so I'm hoping that someone with a knowledge of the biz can clue me in.

How to not shrink 100% cotton American Apparel T's

huxley — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:23:34 -0800

I've only found help on how to Shrink stuff, not how to avoid it. So the American Apparel medium t-shirts are too big for me even after a wash, but their small shirts are perfect pre-wash. They are 100% cotton and I'm wondering what I can do to not have them shrink at all. Can I hand wash them gently with detergent and then hang dry? Any experience or anecdotes would be great!

Is the cultural dislike a briefs a factor important enough to make it worth my while to switch to boxers?

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:43:22 -0800

I am in my late twenties and like wearing briefs, though this is frowned upon. Is the cultural dislike of briefs a factor important enough to make it worth my while to switch to boxers? I tried wearing boxers but hated hated the loose sensation. Should I get used to the discomfort for the sake of respectability? (It seems to me that wearing boxers vs. briefs is the equivalent of having a good haircut vs. a bad one. Appearance does matter, though of course I do value comfort as well. That's why this is a dilemma for me.) P.S: I did receive negative comments about wearing briefs and many times at that.

I want cool shirts!

evil holiday magic — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:50:00 -0800

Where can I get some cool men's shirts? I've collected a few shirts I consider really cool and interesting, and I want more. I have a lot of regular work shirts, short-sleeved button-downs in conservative colors, etc., but I want a few more items that pop. Unfortunately, they're few and far between, usually the result of a thrift store run. Items I consider interesting include:

A DKNY faux-army shirt with tattered patches and grid-textured fabric.

A green dress shirt with faux double- collar and cuffs, and a giant friggin' silkscreen of a statue of Mercury on the front.

A black pullover made of a stiff textured fabric.

I'm interested in shirts with textured materials, or interesting construction (like reversed seams, frayed edges, etc.), or uncommon fasteners (buckles, laces, etc.). I'd also be interested in other interesting quirks of design and construction; preferably at reasonable prices.

Just what is with the chefs and the ugly pants?

iamisaid — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:02:40 -0800

Why is it that one often sees professional chefs outfitted in pants with ridiculous (some might say ugly) pattern prints such as these or these? Is there some logical explanation that I'm not aware of or do these chefs just have exotic taste in fashion?

Help me find the right laptop bag

AMP583 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:15:42 -0800

I'm in love with these bags but can't find one that fits my needs - help me find something similar to this thats fit for a laptop. I've conducted an exhaustive search online of mens messenger bags - i've also searched MetaFilter and none of the suggestions are quite right for me. I consider myself picky, maybe i just hate settling on things im not in love with.

I really like the style of bags by QWISTION but none of them fit my needs - they're either too big, too small or too feminine. I need a messenger like bag to carry my 15" MBP, a notebook or 2 and small things like an ipod, pens, etc. mostly to work. Typical shoulder bags look frumpy and/or aren't refined and classy enough. Leather bags seem too un-me/stuffy. So it seems a canvas, nylon, leather combo is a good fit.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

What are some good backpacks for petites (women's)?

jdruk — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:30:33 -0800

What are some good backpacks for petites (women's)? Hi all!

I'm having awful back problems from carrying a messenger bag with me everywhere, but when I put a normal backpack on my 5'1" body, I look like some sort of comic book turtle-villain.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a modern, stylish (not kids'!) backpack that is designed for a tiny person? Bonus points if it's under $75.

Any and all ideas much appreciated - Julia

I'm popular. Just not in North America.

913 — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:38:13 -0800

What are some fashion trends that are popular everywhere else but North America? It can range from clothing to apparel to jewelry.

An example would be the yellow Livestrong bands that blasted North America but didn't really have much of an effect on the rest of the world.

Trying To Find Evidence Of The Wendy's Jazz Cap

extraface — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:35:07 -0800

I'm looking for a photo of a Wendy's Jazz Cap, or even just first-hand recollections of them. These were apparently some type of multicolored painter's cap sold at Wendy's establishments in the late 80's(possibly 1988ish). There seems to be no trace of their existence online. Phone calls to the Wendy's Customer Service hotline have come back with a "try eBay" response. A few good but ultimately fruitless tries to track one down can be found on the comments to my blog. Any information, photos, or recollections would be very much appreciated.

poppin buttons

mistsandrain — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:06:34 -0800

Looking for shopping advice in DC for the post-partum body in transition.... I am enjoying this new va-voom figure (A cup to C cup) but most of my pre-pregnancy clothes don't fit at all (I was size 4-6)- or if they fit they don't look right or aren't comfortable (now I'm 8-10). I don't know how to shop for this new body and I'm going to need some good and patient customer service to help me spend my 1k budget and walk out with good career clothes (business casual for the most part).

I'm 37 and I like modern clothes and lean towards a mod look, but not too trendy/ fussy.

Good stores in the DC Met area?

Find me a hat like Ricky's argyle cap

matildaben — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:50:41 -0800

Where can I get a hat like the argyle cap that Ricky Lizalde wears on Project Runway? It's a kangol-style cap with a black/white/gray argyle pattern. I tried to find a picture of him online, but the one on the Bravo site has him wearing a different hat, and I don't have the technology to take a screencap from my TiVo.

The skinny on shirts for the skinny, please.

killdevil — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:14:07 -0800

Where might one find inexpensive, stylish button-down shirts if one happened to be a very skinny guy? I am 6" 1' and weigh about 155 pounds, give or take -- I wear size medium American Apparel tee shirts. Most button-down shirts I can buy off the rack are tailored for a huskier sort of guy than I happen to be.

I'm looking for shirts that can do double-duty -- semi-dressy work shirts when tucked in and worn with a belt, casual when untucked and worn with jeans or shorts. Recommendations? Shirts I can order online are preferred.

Need to be restrained...

cuddles.mcsnuggy — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:00:21 -0800

Anyone know where to find a size xl realistic straightjacket? I've done some searching thru Google and Ebay but haven't come up with much. I'm in need of a straightjacket. Ostensibly for Halloween (but there are those who might recommend it as more regular apparel). :-) What I'm hoping to find is a realistic replica - or genuine - straightjacket in the classical style with multiple buckles and straps. Old fashioned leather straps would be a bonus. Used but not icky/dirty is fine. The difficulty is that it needs to be a size xl-ish that would allow for the "chestal-region" roominess to fit a size 18-20 female. The common costume straightjackets found thru Google (the ones you can find anywhere right now) are not at all what I seek as they look too fake and cheap.

I prefer to spend under $100 but am flexible, and would rather not go the route of knocking on my local mental hospital's door to ask if I can buy one of theirs. I can sew but hope to find one ready-made if possible, and wouldn't even know where to begin to find a pattern so making my own is a last resort tactic only.

If anyone has suggestions I'd be ever so grateful!

How do I market and sell cuteness?

The Deej — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:20:12 -0800

I humbly and politely request your input on my forthcoming character-related logo wear apparel marketing. T-shirts, sweatshirts, keychains, hats, etc., featuring a character I created. I am going to be marketing a line of apparel and related items based on a "cutesy" character. The demographic will be teen girls, or women who are likely to have a visceral reaction to cuteness. "Awwww!!! That's SO cute!!!!!!" is the common immediate reaction when most women and all teen girls see this character. It's not a pre-existing character; it will exist solely to bring the joy of cuteness to the lives of millions. And to sell products.

So, even though I have some experience in marketing, I am looking for any further insight on undertaking such a venture, particularly personal experience and recommendations for silk-screeners and online sales systems. I am guessing any success this line might have would be related to "buzz" more than advertising, so if you have any personal stories about creating buzz around a product, that would be great.

Also, I am a realist and am not expecting to make some kind of huge overnight splash. Rather, I know that the best business plans follow the "slow and steady wins the race" mantra. Thanks all!

Pea Coat advice?

sandra194 — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 13:50:37 -0800

I love the look of the classic Pea Coat; but I have always heard that plus size women should not wear double breasted jackets or coats and all of the Pea coats that I see have the double column of buttons down the front. Does the accentuate the big-boxy look on plus size gals?

Miko Seeks Miko-Wear

Miko — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 10:53:05 -0800

Can you tell me which Shinto shrine in Kyoto attires the miko in these white coats with cranes printed on them? Here's another image, and another. It's possible they're not all from the same shrine. I'm interested only in the crane images, though.

Bonus points if you can find me a closer-up image of the crane, or a place to purchase the fabric.

This is one of those AskMe longshots, but I believe in the power.

Help Me Dress Like I'm Hip and Emo

JPowers — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 14:51:20 -0800

I'm looking for a bunch of really hip and (sorry I have to use this word) indie clothes and apparel stores that have a web presence. These are kind of the sites I'm talking about. What I don't want is sites like T-Shirt Hell or Busted
Tees. No college frat boy crap, nothing too cute or funny. The more abstract and (here comes another one) artistic the better. Any ideas?

Fashion for 18-26 year olds?

bamassippi — Mon, 22 May 2006 10:27:59 -0800

Anybody know of any good boutiques/clothing stores in major cities that sell hip, fresh apparel to 18-26 year old men and women? I'm looking for independant shops that sell tees and jeans like one might find in an Urban Oufitters store... but not corporate stores; indy stores with the newest, hottest fashions.

A link to a list of places would be ok - HOWEVER... I would like YOUR personal input.

What are YOUR favorite shops in NYC?
Where do YOU always shop when you are in San Francisco?
Etc.