Help me spend $300
September 14, 2009 1:00 PM Subscribe
I got a $300 gift card recently at work. I'd like to spend it on updating my wardrobe a little. Pretend I'm completely clueless (I pretty much am). Where should I go, and what should I buy? Can I do this with $300?
A few details:
1) I'm 24, male, 6' 3", and around 210 lbs. I'd like to lose a little weight, but I don't think I want to get much below 200.
2) My workplace environment is business casual.
3) There's not a lot of difference between "work clothes" and "casual clothes", for me. I have a whole lot of jeans but none fit particularly well, and I don't have a lot of shirts that are strictly casual. When I go home for the day I usually just change into jeans or shorts.
4) I need casual shoes and probably a new pair of brown oxfords or slip-ons for work.
5) I live in DC, and don't own a car, so ideally any store would be metro accessible. I could probably get to Tyson's without much difficulty though.
I tried to include all the relevant details. Thanks for your advice!
A few details:
1) I'm 24, male, 6' 3", and around 210 lbs. I'd like to lose a little weight, but I don't think I want to get much below 200.
2) My workplace environment is business casual.
3) There's not a lot of difference between "work clothes" and "casual clothes", for me. I have a whole lot of jeans but none fit particularly well, and I don't have a lot of shirts that are strictly casual. When I go home for the day I usually just change into jeans or shorts.
4) I need casual shoes and probably a new pair of brown oxfords or slip-ons for work.
5) I live in DC, and don't own a car, so ideally any store would be metro accessible. I could probably get to Tyson's without much difficulty though.
I tried to include all the relevant details. Thanks for your advice!
What about some Johnston Murphy shoes?
Banana Republic, J Crew and the like are also good for business casual.
posted by cestmoi15 at 1:23 PM on September 14, 2009
Banana Republic, J Crew and the like are also good for business casual.
posted by cestmoi15 at 1:23 PM on September 14, 2009
If you are secure in your fashion sense you can get a lot of bang for your buck at the various TJX stores. TJ MAxx Marshalls, etc.
posted by Gungho at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Gungho at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2009
Pants that fit well and are in good condition are the staple of any man's wardrobe. Period. No exceptions. (Okay, you could probably find some, but I help a lot of geeky guy friends shop and this is usually the first step.) Banana Republic sells excellent chinos and dressier pants, although they are pricey (at least as far as broke grad student budgets go, which is my frame of reference).
posted by Tesseractive at 2:02 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Tesseractive at 2:02 PM on September 14, 2009
With $300 at the Metro Center (not Georgetown) H&M, you can go far, though their clothes might be cut a bit thinner than what you need. The sales racks of Banana Republic and Express can provide you with a good business casual wardrobe at a good price.
The Comfort One and Walking Company chains, which seem to be ubiquitous in DC, appear to be running a big sale right around now, so this would be a good chance to take advantage of that.
If you're willing to make more of an effort to trawl through racks of clothes, then Marshall's up in Columbia Heights might be worth checking out, but you'll have to separate the good-quality business casual clothes from the junk.
On the other hand, I find the Filene's Basement stores here in DC are just about worthless, especially when compared to the selection at the Boston stores.
posted by deanc at 2:15 PM on September 14, 2009
The Comfort One and Walking Company chains, which seem to be ubiquitous in DC, appear to be running a big sale right around now, so this would be a good chance to take advantage of that.
If you're willing to make more of an effort to trawl through racks of clothes, then Marshall's up in Columbia Heights might be worth checking out, but you'll have to separate the good-quality business casual clothes from the junk.
On the other hand, I find the Filene's Basement stores here in DC are just about worthless, especially when compared to the selection at the Boston stores.
posted by deanc at 2:15 PM on September 14, 2009
Some department stores will give you a free appointment with a fashion consultant. That might be a good way to find out what looks good on you and fits your needs. And you aren't obligated to buy anything.
I would get:
1-2 pairs of really good, well-fitting jeans in dark denim. They should be nice enough to wear out at night.
or
Well-fitting pants that you can wear at work.
Accessories, like a fitted jacket and good shoes. Or a sweater!
Think about getting one complete outfit that also works with, and classes up, things you already have. Then you can supplement it over time.
You could budget roughly $100 for jeans (lower half), $100 for jacket (upper half), $100 for shoes (feet). If you have extra money from one of the purchases, get a belt for the jeans, a scarf or tie, or socks.
Save some money for tailoring...
posted by ramenopres at 2:59 PM on September 14, 2009
I would get:
1-2 pairs of really good, well-fitting jeans in dark denim. They should be nice enough to wear out at night.
or
Well-fitting pants that you can wear at work.
Accessories, like a fitted jacket and good shoes. Or a sweater!
Think about getting one complete outfit that also works with, and classes up, things you already have. Then you can supplement it over time.
You could budget roughly $100 for jeans (lower half), $100 for jacket (upper half), $100 for shoes (feet). If you have extra money from one of the purchases, get a belt for the jeans, a scarf or tie, or socks.
Save some money for tailoring...
posted by ramenopres at 2:59 PM on September 14, 2009
You are a young man. Please don't buy pants with pleats.
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 4:22 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 4:22 PM on September 14, 2009
Don't buy a Utilikit.
posted by MadamM at 6:28 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by MadamM at 6:28 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
Start with the suggestions at Esquire's $5000 wardrobe. Pick one or two that you like, and later you can build on those.
posted by tizzie at 9:23 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by tizzie at 9:23 AM on September 15, 2009
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