Help the Style Impaired - Wardrobe Rebuild

[constant struggle]

Originally Posted by captainmo

501s are probably too tight. Maybe try 505 - straight cut, but slightly looser than 501.

Target is also good for cheap basics. I picked up some long sleeve Ts that are just like one I bought at J Crew, but for 1/3 of the price (good thing I got the JCrew one on sale).

isn't 501 and 505 same cut one with button fly one with zipper?

 

[zissou]

Originally Posted by Listi

@Willmagic: I have that American Apparel polo (edit: actually, mine is the pocket one, it looks quite similar though), actually have it on right now. I love the body of it, the small is sized almost perfectly for me (after hot washed and shrunk) and at it's price I'd say is definitely worth it... But it's far from the greatest polo ever. The sleeves are weird, they sort of flare out, the button placket is really long, which is fine when you're wearing it alone, but makes it a little odd for layering I find.
I love that AA pocket polo as well, but don't have the fit issues you have. I thin they are great layered under a hoody. There is a guy on Ebay who sells them, along with most AA basics, super cheap.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by Racove

Congrats on the weight loss. Truly amazing.

First things to replace: graphic tees, skull belt & oakleys. No skulls, no wings, no dragons, etc! You could replace all of these cheaply at target like for $100 total. get solid blank tees, a plain belt & some aviators. you'd look 100% better immediately. then just lurk & learn.

Plain white and grey t-shirts would be good first additions.

 

[heisenberg]

So, day 1 of "Let's Stop Dressing Like ****":

Taken out of rotation:
Skull belt
Green skull shirt
Black & Red "Gothic" Tee
Red tee with the faced skulls and the bird
Light brownish tee with random tattoo-like insignia
Green eagle

Workwear for today:
Attachment 16644
Attachment 16645

Chinos, plain belt, black B.Republic Polo. Polo's still ill-fitting but not much I can do about that.

So, specific questions:
1) Should I try to get jeans that fit like the chinos, or am I still off the mark there?
2) This belt beats the skull, correct?
3) For tees, do ribbed work alright, like the green one below?
Attachment 16647

Or should I stick with something simpler still, like the plain black?
Attachment 16646

I know that the fit on them isn't right, but I already had them in my closet. I didn't post them before because I never wore them.

In general - a step up from before?

When you buy your shoes a half size bigger, do you feel your heel slightly sliding out of the shoe?

I do indeed. I'm guessing that's bad.

Anything bold would be harder to mix and match with printed shirts and 9 times out of 10 blazers should never be the boldest part of the outfit.

Should I try thrifting for those, or should I be prepared to shell out a few bills?

(just like the brown Ecco's, only better no offense)

None taken - that's why I'm here!

I guess I can lurk a bit to try and answer this one, but how do I determine "better", aside from just brand name?

 

[Crakaveli]

much better. i think the chinos look fine. are they straight leg?

shave the goatee.

 

[Big Pun]

That green tee fits good. Your jeans should be a little tighter than those chinos. And nice belt.

 

[illegalcheeser]

How long does it take you to grow the goatee? If not long, try shaving it and seeing what it looks like. Clean-cut would be a good look on you IMO.

 

[JesseJB]

Vast improvement.

Congrats, you are in at least the 98 percentile of stylish people in America.

 

[heisenberg]

Goatee didn't take long. I'll shave it tonight and post tomorrow.

Day 1 Continued - Let's Not Look Like I'm on the Beach

The general consensus was Aviators. So, I went to Sunglass Hut and grabbed a few pics of a few different pairs. Thoughts?

A: Standard aviators, gunmetal, about $190:
Attachment 16732

B: Mosley Tribes - $275
Attachment 16733

C: Original aviators - teardrop in gold
Attachment 16734

D: Mirror aviators
Attachment 16735


My personal view: C and D are garbage. A is probably easier to work than B, plus they're cheaper.

Thoughts from everybody? Any of those look good? Should I scrap all of those and try again? Go for a different style completely? Try again without the goatee?

 

[JesseJB]

I like A

 

[lance konami]

The first pair of glasses look the best.

I predict you'll make incredible progress. But beware of a lot of the advice you get on this board because something funny happens after you've been fully assimilated into the styleforum cult...You realize that you suddenly look a hell of a lot better than before, but every single fit is boring as ****.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by lance konami

...but every single fit is boring as ****.

???

 

[Crakaveli]

Originally Posted by heisenberg

Thoughts?

A: Standard aviators, gunmetal, about $190:
Attachment 16732

do you want to spend $190? you can find aviator style sunglasses for much less.

 

[MiniW]

Nice first post, also congrats on losing weight.

Just wanted to throw out my 2 cents since a lot of good advice has already been given.

Since your body is still changing, I would hold off buying anything too expensive, like anything over $80. For example, APC's are notorious for stretching, and if you wear them enough, they won't fit once you lose the next 10-20 lbs. Now while they retail for $150, they can be had for 2/3 or 1/2 the price for slightly used ones on ebay if you are savvy with that. Plus button fly rocks, I prefer them to zippers.

This also applies to many tailored clothing and coats. I wouldn't invest in anything too nice until you are done with your weight loss. But once you are there, feel free to splurge, it'll be worth it.

What you can do immediately is get new shoes (cause your feet are probably not going to change in size). You said you live near a Nordstrom rack? I've been to one and they had lots of Allen Edmonds for something like $100 less than retail or 1/2 the price. They are really good quality dress shoes (from what I've heard) and you should find one in your size ASAP to replace the square toe shoes. And even though they have leather soles, they should be just as comfortable once broken in properly. Walk around the store in them (it's nordstrom rack, no one gives a ****).

Also sunglasses are one of those purchases that have the highest cost/value ratio. Meaning their price is often not justified. If you do find something you like, make a mental note of the brand and style number and google it when you get home. Often times, you can find them for a lot less on an internet wholesaler website. And if they are based in the U.S. they are likely authentic.

Hope this helps.

 

[MortyGras]

Actually i was always under the impression that white shirts made you look more tan? of course that doesn't apply if you look like a ghost..