How can my business casual dress be more unremarkable?
December 17, 2009 12:36 AM Subscribe
Apparently, I'm "the guy who's always in business casual", to the point where people joke about the shirtsleeve tats I must be hiding and my room-mate was surprised to discover I actually owned T-shirts. What kind of outfits can comply with business casual but then, by taking off a shirt or untucking it, become more appropriate for a college student?
My everday dress is a button-down shirt in a drab solid color or with stripes, black or grey trousers, dull black leather shoes, belt, and no tie. How can I make that less noticeable without changing into new clothes? The scenario I'd like to happen is:
Adult: "Wang? He looked fine. A shirt and trousers, I think. Didn't really notice."
[ I step into a bathroom for a few minutes, possibly with a different shirt but nothing as bulky as a second pair of shoes ]
College kid: "Wang? He looked fine. A shirt and trousers, I think. Didn't really notice."
Someone once suggested that I embrace my business casual but make it "ironic." I don't understand how that would make me less memorable, but if someone would like to explain that with reference to actual articles of clothing I'd be willing to listen.
Oh, and I will not wear jeans, or expose my forearms.
My everday dress is a button-down shirt in a drab solid color or with stripes, black or grey trousers, dull black leather shoes, belt, and no tie. How can I make that less noticeable without changing into new clothes? The scenario I'd like to happen is:
Adult: "Wang? He looked fine. A shirt and trousers, I think. Didn't really notice."
[ I step into a bathroom for a few minutes, possibly with a different shirt but nothing as bulky as a second pair of shoes ]
College kid: "Wang? He looked fine. A shirt and trousers, I think. Didn't really notice."
Someone once suggested that I embrace my business casual but make it "ironic." I don't understand how that would make me less memorable, but if someone would like to explain that with reference to actual articles of clothing I'd be willing to listen.
Oh, and I will not wear jeans, or expose my forearms.
I'm confused: are you planning on changing clothes throughout the day? If not, I suggest wearing interesting/colorful shoes, or chuck taylor all-stars, with your normal clothes, to interject some individuality. Honestly there's nothing particularly bad about looking a little more grownup than a college student. If anything, you'll make a more respectful impression to your stodgier professors.
If you're going for the quicky change, you can try putting a tshirt on over your button-down (this look is a little difficult to pull off, it helps to roll up/bunch your long sleeves but you don't want to do that,) or you could switch your buttondown for a hoodie.
posted by Mizu at 12:53 AM on December 17, 2009
If you're going for the quicky change, you can try putting a tshirt on over your button-down (this look is a little difficult to pull off, it helps to roll up/bunch your long sleeves but you don't want to do that,) or you could switch your buttondown for a hoodie.
posted by Mizu at 12:53 AM on December 17, 2009
Maybe go with something sportier than dull black leather shoes, something like campers, that skirts the line between hip and business casual?
Also, what about wearing a henley or thermal long-sleeve T under the button down. Then, when you want to go informal, button the shirt down and roll up the sleeves. Voila! Less formal by a mile, but forearms still covered?
Also, Sweaters! The right kind of sweater really skirts the line between business casual and casual wear. Sweaters also have the benefit of covering your forearms while breaking up the monotony of button downs. Also, sweaters can be combined with button downs...
Just some thoughts. But I know feck-arse about clothes, so take it with a grain of salt.
posted by HighTechUnderpants at 12:54 AM on December 17, 2009
Also, what about wearing a henley or thermal long-sleeve T under the button down. Then, when you want to go informal, button the shirt down and roll up the sleeves. Voila! Less formal by a mile, but forearms still covered?
Also, Sweaters! The right kind of sweater really skirts the line between business casual and casual wear. Sweaters also have the benefit of covering your forearms while breaking up the monotony of button downs. Also, sweaters can be combined with button downs...
Just some thoughts. But I know feck-arse about clothes, so take it with a grain of salt.
posted by HighTechUnderpants at 12:54 AM on December 17, 2009
Instead of rolling up your shirt sleeves over a thermal/cotton undershirt, what about just changing the button up for a tee? Layering a great t-shirt over a long-sleeved undershirt is totally casual-wear.
posted by dazedandconfused at 1:15 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by dazedandconfused at 1:15 AM on December 17, 2009
Your thing is you don't want your clothes to scream 'business casual'?
On men, I like untucked button-down shirts. I think what you might need is to spend more money on clothing. Button down shirts that are starchy, stiff, shiny, or cheap looking scream 'middle-manager' and 'casual Fridays' and 'I bought it at TJ Max because I'm required to wear this crap for work'.
I think you want nice material, nice cut, contemporary colors, and a pair of hip black leather shoes which you are probably best off finding by asking some girl. Mr. Llama pretty much sticks to Docs so I never shop for him.
Avoid pants with pleats in the front. They're death for everyone.
I'm not totally sure if this answers your question.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 2:15 AM on December 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
On men, I like untucked button-down shirts. I think what you might need is to spend more money on clothing. Button down shirts that are starchy, stiff, shiny, or cheap looking scream 'middle-manager' and 'casual Fridays' and 'I bought it at TJ Max because I'm required to wear this crap for work'.
I think you want nice material, nice cut, contemporary colors, and a pair of hip black leather shoes which you are probably best off finding by asking some girl. Mr. Llama pretty much sticks to Docs so I never shop for him.
Avoid pants with pleats in the front. They're death for everyone.
I'm not totally sure if this answers your question.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 2:15 AM on December 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
I stick to cowboy shirts for the longsleeve attire. Are your slacks pleated? If so, find non-pleated slacks. Also, instead of dull-black leather shoes, you can search for leather shoes that are somehow "rugged". I have some Clark's like that, and I love them.
posted by molecicco at 2:46 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by molecicco at 2:46 AM on December 17, 2009
I'm also confused. Do you need to wear business casual to work and then go out in the evenings looking "fun?" Where do you work and what are the expectations for dress there?
In general, I'm fond (over-fond perhaps) of the unbuttoned collared shirt over a t-shirt look, which also happens to take care of your strange no-forearms policy. So I might wear a shirt like this one over a t-shirt with a nice pattern or graphic printed on it. We're talking interesting fancy shirts here, not plain solids or basic stripes. At work, you would wear the shirt buttoned up and tucked in, and after stepping into your phone booth, come out with the shirt unbuttoned, untucked, and perhaps with the sleeves rolled up a bit. Transformation complete. Or just wear the shirt open at work if it's that kind of place.
College students by and large tend to wear jeans a lot, so you can't really look the part without them. Again, I don't know where you work nor how people dress there, but there are many styles of jeans, and a nice pair of dark jeans can look quite professional. Hell, Steve Jobs sure can pull it off. Waist-up business casual (a fancy way of saying "wear a nice shirt and jeans, perhaps with flip-flops") has become fairly common on the West Coast (Silicon Valley especially) and is a nice way to bridge the two worlds.
posted by zachlipton at 3:10 AM on December 17, 2009
In general, I'm fond (over-fond perhaps) of the unbuttoned collared shirt over a t-shirt look, which also happens to take care of your strange no-forearms policy. So I might wear a shirt like this one over a t-shirt with a nice pattern or graphic printed on it. We're talking interesting fancy shirts here, not plain solids or basic stripes. At work, you would wear the shirt buttoned up and tucked in, and after stepping into your phone booth, come out with the shirt unbuttoned, untucked, and perhaps with the sleeves rolled up a bit. Transformation complete. Or just wear the shirt open at work if it's that kind of place.
College students by and large tend to wear jeans a lot, so you can't really look the part without them. Again, I don't know where you work nor how people dress there, but there are many styles of jeans, and a nice pair of dark jeans can look quite professional. Hell, Steve Jobs sure can pull it off. Waist-up business casual (a fancy way of saying "wear a nice shirt and jeans, perhaps with flip-flops") has become fairly common on the West Coast (Silicon Valley especially) and is a nice way to bridge the two worlds.
posted by zachlipton at 3:10 AM on December 17, 2009
Oh and for shoes, you want something like this Ben Sherman Men's Urban Slip On, which I just bought a couple of weeks ago. Quite nice. You really want it in black like mine, but I'm having a hard time finding that right now, so you may need to hunt around some (it's last year's style).
posted by zachlipton at 3:20 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by zachlipton at 3:20 AM on December 17, 2009
This time of year I'm sporting what a friend of mine calls "the professor:" a sweater over that short-sleeved button-up you're talking about, sorta casual, sorta not. I've noticed you can wear a sweater, especially a sweater that has a kind of collar - like a zip-up collar, say - over a t-shirt, especially a black t-shirt, and it really works as business casual quite nicely.
That could be a good solution - pull off the sweater and you're wearing a t-shirt.
posted by koeselitz at 3:31 AM on December 17, 2009
That could be a good solution - pull off the sweater and you're wearing a t-shirt.
posted by koeselitz at 3:31 AM on December 17, 2009
Slacks and a button-down always equal business casual? Sorry, but that's just wrong. It all depends on the type of pants, shirt and shoes as well as accessorizing and how you combine the pieces into a whole look. For example, please compare this and this. To my eye at least, these two outfits seem to have very little in common. I believe the latter look (by Corpus) would absolutely go well in both college and the adult world. Please ignore your college comrades who insist that a student should only wear jeans and t-shirts. Both are fine but there's no reason to limit your options to just those. Long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, blazers, creased slacks, chinos and such can all be worn in a youthful, quirky and relaxed manner.
Smart casual might be good search term for a sharply dressed student who is looking for more inspiration. The first result is this swanky pic of Pharrell Williams.
posted by Orchestra at 3:37 AM on December 17, 2009
Smart casual might be good search term for a sharply dressed student who is looking for more inspiration. The first result is this swanky pic of Pharrell Williams.
posted by Orchestra at 3:37 AM on December 17, 2009
wear exatly the same thing as you are now - but all black. you will then look totally like an arty college kid. - I"m serious.
posted by mary8nne at 3:56 AM on December 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by mary8nne at 3:56 AM on December 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Cords in black and/or a "dirty khaki" color can look pretty casual without being actual jeans:
Casual cords (also notice the shoes)
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:48 AM on December 17, 2009
Casual cords (also notice the shoes)
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:48 AM on December 17, 2009
Good advice on shirts already, but I would add to look for stuff like Marc Ecko that is NOT all crazed up - my husband has a couple ME Cut & Sew shirts that are all one color but have embroidery or whatever on them that has some visual interest. Look at urban labels, but be discerning - you don't want to be a poseur, you just want to find the cool stuff.
As for trousers - it's not clear, but perhaps expand your definition of trousers? Corduroys and more casual khaki pants are good to have in your wardrobe. You can easily start at the Gap, or check out Banana Republic's similar offerings.
In closing, I am not sure what your problem is with jeans, but if you can be persuaded otherwise, I would say that a great pair of jeans is a thing you need, and you should find a trusted friend to help you find the right pair of jeans. Lots of jeans are crap and look crap on, but a really good pair of jeans is a thing to behold.
posted by Medieval Maven at 4:54 AM on December 17, 2009
As for trousers - it's not clear, but perhaps expand your definition of trousers? Corduroys and more casual khaki pants are good to have in your wardrobe. You can easily start at the Gap, or check out Banana Republic's similar offerings.
In closing, I am not sure what your problem is with jeans, but if you can be persuaded otherwise, I would say that a great pair of jeans is a thing you need, and you should find a trusted friend to help you find the right pair of jeans. Lots of jeans are crap and look crap on, but a really good pair of jeans is a thing to behold.
posted by Medieval Maven at 4:54 AM on December 17, 2009
Once you graduate you're looking at 35+ years of soul-deadening work in some cubicle hell where you can dress like a chump and nobody will notice or care, except that if you look too good people will think you're interviewing and resent you. So good on you for making the most of the opportunity you've got, I say.
If people are making jokes about business casual, it's not because of the shirt and trousers per se, it's because you're not doing it right. Above posters are right about this, but some of the suggestions would be hilariously off in a business environment.
This is the knowledge I've gleaned, being stuck wearing business casual in a deeply fashion-backwards industry. To think of the years of my youth wasted wearing Dockers...
1. Shoes. Seriously. Real dress shoes that shine. These don't have to be Oxfords, you've got a lot of freedom here, but real shoes, not loafers, not those ungodly leather sneakery things, not the clonky things with huge rubber soles. Shoes like your grandpa would wear. And FFS keep them in good condition - learn to shine them, or have them shined (the best three bucks you'll ever spend). A snazzy, properly maintained pair of shoes is what separates the men from the boys, dress-wise.
2. Fit. Almost all dress shirts in your budget are one-size fits all, within the basic limits of neck width/arm length. So they're baggy, cut for middle managers who've spent 20 years eating donuts at their desk, who are the ones buying 90% of dress shirts. (Note - even if you're heavyset, as a young guy you definitely carry the weight differently than someone older). So: find something that is cut closer to your body. You won't find these in the dress shirt department at the department store; even the 'slim fit' shirts will give you enough extra fabric to sail away in a stiff breeze. You're better off looking at the (ugh) mall; for me the best fitting button-down shirts I've found at a reasonable price are at H&M of all places. Sadly, not dressy enough for my job...
Likewise pants. 'Regular fit' pants are designed to conceal; as a young guy you want pants that are slimmer, and, OK, I'll go there, make your butt look good. Again, these are hard to find these at the department store. Bring a female friend you're uninvolved with and who you trust, who will carry out the all-important butt inspection when you try things on.
Another poster mentioned cords. Sure, but the same rules apply.
And I hope I don't have to say this, but just in case: No pleats. NO PLEATS.
3. Colors. Like you, I hate color. What I've settled into is: white is OK, light blue is OK, pink if I'm feeling it, grays and ecrus. THAT'S IT. Unless you have a really good eye for color (hint, you don't), avoid earth tones. Patterns are tougher to call, but generally what looks good in an office doesn't work at a bar/club, and vice versa, nothing much to be done about it.
4. Sweaters. Yes. Thin and close cut, not big and bulky.
posted by a young man in spats at 5:40 AM on December 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
If people are making jokes about business casual, it's not because of the shirt and trousers per se, it's because you're not doing it right. Above posters are right about this, but some of the suggestions would be hilariously off in a business environment.
This is the knowledge I've gleaned, being stuck wearing business casual in a deeply fashion-backwards industry. To think of the years of my youth wasted wearing Dockers...
1. Shoes. Seriously. Real dress shoes that shine. These don't have to be Oxfords, you've got a lot of freedom here, but real shoes, not loafers, not those ungodly leather sneakery things, not the clonky things with huge rubber soles. Shoes like your grandpa would wear. And FFS keep them in good condition - learn to shine them, or have them shined (the best three bucks you'll ever spend). A snazzy, properly maintained pair of shoes is what separates the men from the boys, dress-wise.
2. Fit. Almost all dress shirts in your budget are one-size fits all, within the basic limits of neck width/arm length. So they're baggy, cut for middle managers who've spent 20 years eating donuts at their desk, who are the ones buying 90% of dress shirts. (Note - even if you're heavyset, as a young guy you definitely carry the weight differently than someone older). So: find something that is cut closer to your body. You won't find these in the dress shirt department at the department store; even the 'slim fit' shirts will give you enough extra fabric to sail away in a stiff breeze. You're better off looking at the (ugh) mall; for me the best fitting button-down shirts I've found at a reasonable price are at H&M of all places. Sadly, not dressy enough for my job...
Likewise pants. 'Regular fit' pants are designed to conceal; as a young guy you want pants that are slimmer, and, OK, I'll go there, make your butt look good. Again, these are hard to find these at the department store. Bring a female friend you're uninvolved with and who you trust, who will carry out the all-important butt inspection when you try things on.
Another poster mentioned cords. Sure, but the same rules apply.
And I hope I don't have to say this, but just in case: No pleats. NO PLEATS.
3. Colors. Like you, I hate color. What I've settled into is: white is OK, light blue is OK, pink if I'm feeling it, grays and ecrus. THAT'S IT. Unless you have a really good eye for color (hint, you don't), avoid earth tones. Patterns are tougher to call, but generally what looks good in an office doesn't work at a bar/club, and vice versa, nothing much to be done about it.
4. Sweaters. Yes. Thin and close cut, not big and bulky.
posted by a young man in spats at 5:40 AM on December 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
Oh and if you have Dockers save one khaki pair for summer and burn the rest. God put sheep here for a reason and that reason is wool pants.
posted by a young man in spats at 5:46 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by a young man in spats at 5:46 AM on December 17, 2009
House dresses in a way that I'd describe as ironic business casual, and I love it. A slightly rock & roll t-shirt under a partially unbuttononed shirt, these things are great together (you might go for a slightly more ironed shirt, but hey, your call).
I think a big part of whether you look like you're rocking the clothes you already own is how you wear them. People have covered a lot of the basics (for god's sake no pleats!), but if I'm reading your question right then you're just in classes right now and don't have to dress boring for anyone else's sake. If so, you should never ever ever tuck in a button-down, button it to within two buttons of the top, or leave the sleeves rolled down. Get some cooler shoes and you can probably go with most of what you already own.
Ideally, get someone with a strong fashion sense to take you shopping; you won't have to take all of her/his advice, but it's really helpful to have someone there, especially if you tend to get stuck in a rut.
posted by you're a kitty! at 6:10 AM on December 17, 2009
I think a big part of whether you look like you're rocking the clothes you already own is how you wear them. People have covered a lot of the basics (for god's sake no pleats!), but if I'm reading your question right then you're just in classes right now and don't have to dress boring for anyone else's sake. If so, you should never ever ever tuck in a button-down, button it to within two buttons of the top, or leave the sleeves rolled down. Get some cooler shoes and you can probably go with most of what you already own.
Ideally, get someone with a strong fashion sense to take you shopping; you won't have to take all of her/his advice, but it's really helpful to have someone there, especially if you tend to get stuck in a rut.
posted by you're a kitty! at 6:10 AM on December 17, 2009
I always wear a cool t-shirt under the polo shirt I wear to work, and when I leave work I pull the polo shirt off... You have to coordinate colors a little bit between the polo and the t-shirt, but it works pretty well.
posted by gregr at 6:23 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by gregr at 6:23 AM on December 17, 2009
Seconding young man in spats on fit: loose-fitting and baggy look biz-caž, where a slimmer fit may look more youthful and stylish. I'm no beanpole, so I assert that this applies even if you are not actually slim yourself: as long as your gut/breast is not puckering the buttons of your shirt, your shirt is not too tight.
Also, unbutton the top *two* buttons of your dress shirts.
posted by xueexueg at 6:31 AM on December 17, 2009
Also, unbutton the top *two* buttons of your dress shirts.
posted by xueexueg at 6:31 AM on December 17, 2009
Lots of good suggestions in here, but I have to ask -- why not expose the forearms? And why no jeans? The easiest way to make business/casual look less so is rolling up the sleeves...
posted by jckll at 7:01 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by jckll at 7:01 AM on December 17, 2009
My everday dress is a button-down shirt in a drab solid color or with stripes
there is no reason why you have to wear drab colors! go for something that pops, add a little life and spunk to your get-up. lots of stores seems to sell boring colors in the stores, but look online. i think the business casual look can look great when you look spiffed up, instead of blending in with the background.
spunk it up more and wear a sweater vest or a nice fabric vest (can even be grey) with your colorful shirt and a fun matching tie.
fun ties can also shake things up.
no need to change who you are, if that's what you like to wear, but you can add some zing to your outfits.
posted by anya32 at 7:58 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
there is no reason why you have to wear drab colors! go for something that pops, add a little life and spunk to your get-up. lots of stores seems to sell boring colors in the stores, but look online. i think the business casual look can look great when you look spiffed up, instead of blending in with the background.
spunk it up more and wear a sweater vest or a nice fabric vest (can even be grey) with your colorful shirt and a fun matching tie.
fun ties can also shake things up.
no need to change who you are, if that's what you like to wear, but you can add some zing to your outfits.
posted by anya32 at 7:58 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
I suggest you go the other way and instead of dressing down your business casual, that you embrace it and go towards business formal. Nothing is worse than the look of office workers who are so sloppy that they're just barely acceptable for work, yet still dorky looking in a casual context. I mean, picture the guy wearing baggy Dockers, chunky black "dress sneakers", and a tucked in blue polo shirt. You don't want to look like you work at Best Buy.
Listen to what a young man in spats said - pay attention to the fit of your shirts and the pants - especially the pants. Unfortunately it's very difficult to find slim fitting pants at reasonable prices, although I have had some luck w/ Club Monaco and sometimes Zara or very rarely BR - look for their "tailored" fit pants.
Yes to thin, close-fitting sweaters. H&M is selling some merino wool sweaters for a decent price that look pretty good. I also like their slim-fitting dress shirts.
And also, wear nice shoes - again, nothing is worse than the dress pants/ugly sneakers combo. Either dress pants/dress shoes or jeans/sneakers in my book.
If you unbutton the top of your dress shirts and wear an undershirt, try to wear a V-neck or perhaps a tank top style undershirt - there's just something about the "I'm showing off my undershirt" look that tends to look bad. Ditto for wearing a shirt unbuttoned entirely - you run the risk of looking like you just stepped out of 1992, especially if the top shirt is plaid.
posted by pravit at 8:06 AM on December 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Listen to what a young man in spats said - pay attention to the fit of your shirts and the pants - especially the pants. Unfortunately it's very difficult to find slim fitting pants at reasonable prices, although I have had some luck w/ Club Monaco and sometimes Zara or very rarely BR - look for their "tailored" fit pants.
Yes to thin, close-fitting sweaters. H&M is selling some merino wool sweaters for a decent price that look pretty good. I also like their slim-fitting dress shirts.
And also, wear nice shoes - again, nothing is worse than the dress pants/ugly sneakers combo. Either dress pants/dress shoes or jeans/sneakers in my book.
If you unbutton the top of your dress shirts and wear an undershirt, try to wear a V-neck or perhaps a tank top style undershirt - there's just something about the "I'm showing off my undershirt" look that tends to look bad. Ditto for wearing a shirt unbuttoned entirely - you run the risk of looking like you just stepped out of 1992, especially if the top shirt is plaid.
posted by pravit at 8:06 AM on December 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
And I'd also suggest you to try the dress shirt with cuffs folded up a couple times - looks pretty sharp in my opinion.
posted by pravit at 8:07 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by pravit at 8:07 AM on December 17, 2009
Response by poster: anya32: "add some zing to your outfits."
That's actually the opposite of what I want to do. I do not want to go from "that guy in business casual" to "that guy with the zing". I want my clothing to become as forgettable as possible.
jckll: "why not expose the forearms? And why no jeans?"
I'm sorry not to have been more clear about my motives, but I didn't want to pull out the long story. I was raised under a dress code that left me with some unusual notions of modesty. Now I get self-conscious when I know that strangers can see my forearms. I do wear T-shirts at home, and I even go shirtless at the swimming pool, but if I'm going out in public I'd prefer something with long sleeves over the T-shirt.
The jeans is just because every pair I've worn has given me a rash after several hours. I don't know any way to check for this in a fitting room, and I'm tired of returning things. This is why I asked about not-jeans trousers. I'll look into these chinos and khakis you mention.
posted by d. z. wang at 8:48 AM on December 17, 2009
That's actually the opposite of what I want to do. I do not want to go from "that guy in business casual" to "that guy with the zing". I want my clothing to become as forgettable as possible.
jckll: "why not expose the forearms? And why no jeans?"
I'm sorry not to have been more clear about my motives, but I didn't want to pull out the long story. I was raised under a dress code that left me with some unusual notions of modesty. Now I get self-conscious when I know that strangers can see my forearms. I do wear T-shirts at home, and I even go shirtless at the swimming pool, but if I'm going out in public I'd prefer something with long sleeves over the T-shirt.
The jeans is just because every pair I've worn has given me a rash after several hours. I don't know any way to check for this in a fitting room, and I'm tired of returning things. This is why I asked about not-jeans trousers. I'll look into these chinos and khakis you mention.
posted by d. z. wang at 8:48 AM on December 17, 2009
so this is just the clothign you wear around? there is no swapping between work and college invovled?
posted by mary8nne at 9:07 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by mary8nne at 9:07 AM on December 17, 2009
Alton-brown shirts. Biz-caz appropriate, and look awesome... I would go with knits over rayon.
If you need long sleeves, try long-sleeve T-shirts in various colors, and roll up your button-down shirt cuffs. A blazer would also work... unusual, adds a note of originality, and has pockets for cell phones and pens and business cards and junk.
As for shoes, go with colorful sneakers, or with boots - hiking boots or harness/engineer boots - and make sure they're well tended and not scuffed and ratty.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:09 AM on December 17, 2009
If you need long sleeves, try long-sleeve T-shirts in various colors, and roll up your button-down shirt cuffs. A blazer would also work... unusual, adds a note of originality, and has pockets for cell phones and pens and business cards and junk.
As for shoes, go with colorful sneakers, or with boots - hiking boots or harness/engineer boots - and make sure they're well tended and not scuffed and ratty.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:09 AM on December 17, 2009
I want my clothing to become as forgettable as possible.
There is no cloak of invisibility, and the two styles, business casual and college informal, are fundamentally at odds with one another. Your clothing will attract the notice of other people, it just will, no matter what. All you can do is try to leave a good impression and dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident... and if other people have an issue with it, fuck 'em. Can't please everyone.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:14 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
There is no cloak of invisibility, and the two styles, business casual and college informal, are fundamentally at odds with one another. Your clothing will attract the notice of other people, it just will, no matter what. All you can do is try to leave a good impression and dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident... and if other people have an issue with it, fuck 'em. Can't please everyone.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:14 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Yeah, also, the funny thing is that if you try to be forgettable, people will notice the effort. Believe it or not, but the best way to be forgettable is to look for the most common way that people around you are trying to be "unique" and copy that. So, you want forgettable? Buy all your clothes at H&M and American Apparel (H&M is affordable, decent, but kind of low quality. AA is more expensive, and similarly low quality, but they have some nice shirts and ok hoodies).
posted by molecicco at 9:33 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by molecicco at 9:33 AM on December 17, 2009
Re the rash from jeans: is it coming from the snap? I'm allergic to nickle and jeans always give me a rash on my stomach. If that's your problem, you can paint the back of the snap with nail polish.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:35 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:35 AM on December 17, 2009
Get some corduroys that fit you well and wear them with a long sleeved t-shirt, a long sleeved dress shirt or a hoodie, depending on the context. Nothing says "college student" like a hoodie.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 9:44 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 9:44 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you're a college student, business casual dress will never be unremarkable. The vast, vast, vast majority of college students don't wear button-up shirts every day, as I assume you've noticed. As such, the fact that you do will be seen as eccentric and worthy of comment. Sorry, but your goal here is completely paradoxical.
Procure some long-sleeved t-shirts. Problem solved.
Better yet, get past the modesty issues. Even if you dress it down a little, if it's 95 degrees outside people are going to make fun of you for wearing long sleeves, because that's uncomfortable. I'm sure you've experienced this in previous summers. I totally understand where you're coming from - I didn't wear shorts or skirts for a long time due to similar "I just feel creepy with bare legs" issues - but it actually feels really great to wear shorts and skirts on hot days. I still do feel a little weird about it, but having a little breeze on my calves makes up for the awkward feelings. Plus it's so nice not to have to field a half-dozen "Jesus, aren't you *broiling* in those pants??" comments every day all summer. Instead, you'll get one "Wow, D. Z. Wang, didn't even know you owned shirts with sleeves that short" and then people will stop noticing, because you're dressed like everyone else.
Of course, if you live someplace where it never gets above 80 degrees or so, maybe you're fine. But think about it. College is a time when you're allowed to experiment a little and people are rejecting all kinds of weird stuff they learned from their weird upbringings all around you. Ultimately, your desire to be wrapped from head to toe in clothes all the time and your desire for your wardrobe not to stick out like a sore thumb are at odds with one another. You need to pick one.
posted by crinklebat at 10:25 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Procure some long-sleeved t-shirts. Problem solved.
Better yet, get past the modesty issues. Even if you dress it down a little, if it's 95 degrees outside people are going to make fun of you for wearing long sleeves, because that's uncomfortable. I'm sure you've experienced this in previous summers. I totally understand where you're coming from - I didn't wear shorts or skirts for a long time due to similar "I just feel creepy with bare legs" issues - but it actually feels really great to wear shorts and skirts on hot days. I still do feel a little weird about it, but having a little breeze on my calves makes up for the awkward feelings. Plus it's so nice not to have to field a half-dozen "Jesus, aren't you *broiling* in those pants??" comments every day all summer. Instead, you'll get one "Wow, D. Z. Wang, didn't even know you owned shirts with sleeves that short" and then people will stop noticing, because you're dressed like everyone else.
Of course, if you live someplace where it never gets above 80 degrees or so, maybe you're fine. But think about it. College is a time when you're allowed to experiment a little and people are rejecting all kinds of weird stuff they learned from their weird upbringings all around you. Ultimately, your desire to be wrapped from head to toe in clothes all the time and your desire for your wardrobe not to stick out like a sore thumb are at odds with one another. You need to pick one.
posted by crinklebat at 10:25 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
One look that straddles the line: a button down shirt, an argyle v-neck sweater, a dark blazer, jeans, chuck taylor shoes. Sometimes this is worn with a hoodie underneath the blazer with the hood over the back collar for a more casual look, or change into leather shoes for bizcas. This can also work with other types of pants, but buy flat-front straight-leg not relaxed fit or anything with pleats.
posted by AlsoMike at 10:36 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by AlsoMike at 10:36 AM on December 17, 2009
I want my clothing to become as forgettable as possible.
Then there is one simple answer for you, that applies to all clothing types in all scenarios when this is the goal: wear what your peers are wearing. Look around at your peers, in-office and out, until you find a person whose clothes you never notice and whose clothes match your expectations for modesty. Buy similar (but not identically colored/patterned) clothes. Now you are exactly as forgettable as that other person.
Also note: the fastest path from business casual to casual is to wear a white or black cotton short-sleeve undershirt under a cotton long-sleeve button-down, preferrably with a subtle monochromatic pattern. In the office, keep the outer shirt buttoned and tucked in. When you get out of work, untuck and unbutton the outer shirt to reveal the undershirt underneath. That's all you need.
posted by davejay at 11:06 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Then there is one simple answer for you, that applies to all clothing types in all scenarios when this is the goal: wear what your peers are wearing. Look around at your peers, in-office and out, until you find a person whose clothes you never notice and whose clothes match your expectations for modesty. Buy similar (but not identically colored/patterned) clothes. Now you are exactly as forgettable as that other person.
Also note: the fastest path from business casual to casual is to wear a white or black cotton short-sleeve undershirt under a cotton long-sleeve button-down, preferrably with a subtle monochromatic pattern. In the office, keep the outer shirt buttoned and tucked in. When you get out of work, untuck and unbutton the outer shirt to reveal the undershirt underneath. That's all you need.
posted by davejay at 11:06 AM on December 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
A blazer or cardigan? Nice sneakers. Zip-up hoodies and t-shirts. Long-sleeved polos. New hipster-style glasses, if you wear them?
posted by beepbeepboopboop at 11:13 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by beepbeepboopboop at 11:13 AM on December 17, 2009
Oh, one more thing: your peers are teasing you because you're acting in a noticeable way, and that's what peer groups do: they attempt to pull you back in through teasing if you're not too far gone, and they ostracize you if you are. That they're teasing you about always wearing long sleeves tells you that you should focus on that aspect of your person instead of the clothes themselves -- even if the idea makes you feel immodest -- because it's obvious your peers are trying to correct your modesty settings as much as/more than your clothing settings.
posted by davejay at 11:20 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by davejay at 11:20 AM on December 17, 2009
Don't change yourself too much! I've always thought that button-down shirts (esp. with sleeves rolled up) and trousers look way better than jeans and T-shirts or other typical college wear. Maybe keep the style you are comfortable with, but just make sure whenever you add items that they look modern?
posted by Knowyournuts at 11:24 AM on December 17, 2009
posted by Knowyournuts at 11:24 AM on December 17, 2009
For the trousers, look for flat-front pants if you are wearing pleated pants. Flat-front pants are a little bit more casual and young.
A button-down shirt untucked and open with a t-shirt or any other knit-cotton shirt underneath will also look less . . . buttoned-up. A long-sleeved knit polo shirt also provides the same amount of coverage with less of an straight-out-of-the-office look. Slightly more colorful shirts also will help; a bright blue can still look businesslike without being boring. This time of year you can also add more brightly-colored sweaters or just wear a turtleneck sweater (if you can stand the feel of a turtleneck--I'm not a huge fan).
Bright colored shoes, like some red chucks or colored pumas, will lighten up an outfit.
Try not to worry about your dress code and how other people see it! It can be hard sometimes, but wearing what makes you feel comfortable is better than being uncomfortable to live up to someone else's standards. I don't like to wear shorts out unless I am engaging in some sport-like behavior, so I'll wear a skirt over a pair of shorts when I am going out to play volleyball or something, and then take my skirt off once I get to the wherever we're playing. It might seem weird to other people, but it makes me feel better.
posted by that girl at 9:38 PM on December 17, 2009
A button-down shirt untucked and open with a t-shirt or any other knit-cotton shirt underneath will also look less . . . buttoned-up. A long-sleeved knit polo shirt also provides the same amount of coverage with less of an straight-out-of-the-office look. Slightly more colorful shirts also will help; a bright blue can still look businesslike without being boring. This time of year you can also add more brightly-colored sweaters or just wear a turtleneck sweater (if you can stand the feel of a turtleneck--I'm not a huge fan).
Bright colored shoes, like some red chucks or colored pumas, will lighten up an outfit.
Try not to worry about your dress code and how other people see it! It can be hard sometimes, but wearing what makes you feel comfortable is better than being uncomfortable to live up to someone else's standards. I don't like to wear shorts out unless I am engaging in some sport-like behavior, so I'll wear a skirt over a pair of shorts when I am going out to play volleyball or something, and then take my skirt off once I get to the wherever we're playing. It might seem weird to other people, but it makes me feel better.
posted by that girl at 9:38 PM on December 17, 2009
Also, get pants that fit properly! Well-fitted looks a lot better than baggy for pants that aren't jeans. They don't need to be skinny or tight, just not too loose and gappy around your hips and posterior.
posted by that girl at 9:42 PM on December 17, 2009
posted by that girl at 9:42 PM on December 17, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by youcancallmeal at 12:44 AM on December 17, 2009