Help me find a new style
June 21, 2007 6:30 AM Subscribe
Help me find a new style
For the past 5 years I've been wearing a suit to work. In a few days
I'll be moving to a new company that is pretty hip and I am hoping to
update my staid wardrobe.
I am looking for fashion ideas that are somewhere between hipster and
banana republic. I don't want to be as bland as khakis and a polo but I
want something more professional then ripped jeans and a tight t-shirt.
I want to be comfortable meeting a client and then going to a rock show.
Any suggestions?
I am a skinny, late twenties male.
For the past 5 years I've been wearing a suit to work. In a few days
I'll be moving to a new company that is pretty hip and I am hoping to
update my staid wardrobe.
I am looking for fashion ideas that are somewhere between hipster and
banana republic. I don't want to be as bland as khakis and a polo but I
want something more professional then ripped jeans and a tight t-shirt.
I want to be comfortable meeting a client and then going to a rock show.
Any suggestions?
I am a skinny, late twenties male.
Best answer: I don't want to be as bland as khakis and a polo
Sport jackets and odd trousers. Occasionally with jeans instead. And worship at the altar of fit.
Seriously, it's a lot easier than you think it is. You need pants: maybe a couple pair of well-made, well-fitting, flat-front chinos, a couple pair of odd trousers (also plain-front, or a single reverse pleat), a pair of very dark straight-leg denim, and a pair of fine-wale, dark cords which you won't wear until the fall so you might as well buy them then.
You need shirts: Dress shirts with patterns, no tie. Rolling up the sleeves adds instant casual. Button-down oxfords and point collars work better than spread, which get too spread when they're left open. Slimmer is better, not too blousy. Polo shirts that fit well, worn untucked, so watch the length. Untucked shirts ought to fall somewhere around halfway down your fly.
Jackets: Your coworkers probably don't wear jackets but you're coming from suits so you'll feel more comfortable in them, so wear them! Don't try to wear a suit jacket as a sportcoat, though, that just looks like a sportcoat.
Shoes: Here's a chance to have some fun. Clunky wingtips, retro sneakers, Chelsea boots.
I don't think you need to "hip" yourself up anywhere near as much as you think, though. Even the people you work with wear different clothes to work and to a rock show. If you try to do otherwise you'll just end up with a bunch of clothes that you don't particularly like for either purpose. And after years of buying suits I wouldn't encourage you to jump into a style which will mean replacing your wardrobe annually -- there's no reason for it, and most people only do it because they don't know there's a middle ground between that and classic men's style.
(And I must once again pimp The Style Forum. Check out both the Men's Clothing and the Streetwear and Denim forums, especially the "What are you wearing today?" threads in each.)
posted by mendel at 7:02 AM on June 21, 2007 [12 favorites]
Sport jackets and odd trousers. Occasionally with jeans instead. And worship at the altar of fit.
Seriously, it's a lot easier than you think it is. You need pants: maybe a couple pair of well-made, well-fitting, flat-front chinos, a couple pair of odd trousers (also plain-front, or a single reverse pleat), a pair of very dark straight-leg denim, and a pair of fine-wale, dark cords which you won't wear until the fall so you might as well buy them then.
You need shirts: Dress shirts with patterns, no tie. Rolling up the sleeves adds instant casual. Button-down oxfords and point collars work better than spread, which get too spread when they're left open. Slimmer is better, not too blousy. Polo shirts that fit well, worn untucked, so watch the length. Untucked shirts ought to fall somewhere around halfway down your fly.
Jackets: Your coworkers probably don't wear jackets but you're coming from suits so you'll feel more comfortable in them, so wear them! Don't try to wear a suit jacket as a sportcoat, though, that just looks like a sportcoat.
Shoes: Here's a chance to have some fun. Clunky wingtips, retro sneakers, Chelsea boots.
I don't think you need to "hip" yourself up anywhere near as much as you think, though. Even the people you work with wear different clothes to work and to a rock show. If you try to do otherwise you'll just end up with a bunch of clothes that you don't particularly like for either purpose. And after years of buying suits I wouldn't encourage you to jump into a style which will mean replacing your wardrobe annually -- there's no reason for it, and most people only do it because they don't know there's a middle ground between that and classic men's style.
(And I must once again pimp The Style Forum. Check out both the Men's Clothing and the Streetwear and Denim forums, especially the "What are you wearing today?" threads in each.)
posted by mendel at 7:02 AM on June 21, 2007 [12 favorites]
I'm a huge fan of American Apparel's 50/50 crewneck t-shirts. They really aren't just normal t-shirts; they are extremely durable, cut very well, comfortable, and if worn well, can actually work very dressy. I will wear one tucked in to a pair of black slacks, and it looks great. They pair well to designer denim, too. I own 7, and they are actually the cornerstone of my summer wardrobe. You can get them for around $7 a pop on eBay.
posted by charmston at 7:53 AM on June 21, 2007
posted by charmston at 7:53 AM on June 21, 2007
Browse the photos at The Sartorialist. A lot of them are wearing business suits but there's also a fair amount of photos of stylish business casual. For ideas on the hipster side, try to pick up some elements from Face Hunter.
Keep the dress shirts and add casual jackets, pants, sweaters, and/or shoes to dress down. Skinny ties, vests, white white sneakers, and the whole vintage look are also very popular with the hipster crowd right now and can add a bit of casual style without losing too many professional points.
Some recent Sartorialist photos for inspiration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
A lot just comes down to personal taste.
posted by junesix at 8:29 AM on June 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
Keep the dress shirts and add casual jackets, pants, sweaters, and/or shoes to dress down. Skinny ties, vests, white white sneakers, and the whole vintage look are also very popular with the hipster crowd right now and can add a bit of casual style without losing too many professional points.
Some recent Sartorialist photos for inspiration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
A lot just comes down to personal taste.
posted by junesix at 8:29 AM on June 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for the responses. junesix nailed the look I am going for with her Sartorialist links.
I learned more about style in a few hours on styleforum.net then I have in my entire life. That link should be the default answer to any question about men's fashion.
posted by orlick at 10:21 AM on June 22, 2007
I learned more about style in a few hours on styleforum.net then I have in my entire life. That link should be the default answer to any question about men's fashion.
posted by orlick at 10:21 AM on June 22, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
And either smart trainers or shoes
posted by trampesque at 6:56 AM on June 21, 2007