How to figure out ones style

[inertxenon]

Hello,

I posted in the introduction thread but will basically be posting the same thing here.
I am 25 years old and finally decided to improve certain aspects of my life. I am at a point in my life where I want to finally settle down and do better. One of those aspects is my wardrobe. I have essentially been wearing the same kind of attire for the past seven years without much change.

I like the look of classic menswear but do not know where to start. I am a very simple person who does not currently wear complex patterns. Most of my current clothing is solid colors. Any kinds of information/reading is greatly appreciated as I really want to learn everything I can.

I have been told I have weird measurements which has put me off towards shopping for clothing as well.
Measurements (if they matter, I did them myself and I know isn't the best but it's all I got)
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 165 lbs
Neck: 15.5"
Shoulder: 19"
Chest: 38.5"
Sleeve: 22.75"
Jacket: 29"
Waist: 35.5"
Inseam: 31.5"

My budget is probably like $200 max per piece of clothing. I just got a new job that pays double what I used to make so I have some spending money.

Anything will be a huge help, thank you.

 

[breakaway01]

I don't think your measurements are super unusual. Have you noticed anything in particular about your build that is different?

When you write "I like the look of classic menswear", ask yourself very specifically what you like about it. Pick out some outfits that you like and try to copy them. It's totally okay to copy outfits -- just as most people learn to play instruments from sheet music instead of improvising from nothing.

Where do you live? When I was first starting to learn about menswear, I learned a lot from just trying things on. Thrift shops can be especially good for this, depending on where you live. Try things on as outfits, not as individual pieces. Since you're just trying things on, don't be afraid to attempt outfits that you're not sure will work. At first, just learn how to recognize if something fits or doesn't fit. Then try to pay attention to whether the different pieces go together and make a coherent silhouette. This requires patience and practice.

Don't buy things too quickly, and don't buy too many variations of the same thing. Your tastes will almost certainly change over time.

Maybe this is a lot to digest all at once, but I highly recommend reading these articles:

How To Develop Good Taste, Pt. 1 — Die, Workwear!

Marcel Duchamp once noted in a 1968 interview with Francis Roberts, “If your choice enters into it, then taste is involved—bad taste, good taste, uninteresting taste.” For those fortunate enough to live in post-industrial societies, where choices are now nearly limitless, taste is everything...

dieworkwear.com

How to Develop Good Taste, Pt. 2 — Die, Workwear!

Style is still something of an art and has not, in Bruce Boyer’s words, “descended to one of the sciences.” The process of developing taste is akin to developing a worldview or personal philosophy—it’s a highly subjective process not easily given to hard rules. But over the years, I’ve noticed...

dieworkwear.com

How to Develop Good Taste, Pt. 3 — Die, Workwear!

It has become fashionable to discuss classic clothing with the same cynicism once reserved for topics such as capitalism or the media. Across menswear message boards, posters frequently type out terms such as classic or timeless with alternating caps (cLaSsIc) or recurring spaces (t i m e l e s...

dieworkwear.com

How To Develop Good Taste, Pt. 4 — Die, Workwear!

Bespoke tailoring and the restaurant industry share something in that they both use the terms “back of house” and “front of house” to describe how their businesses are structured. “Back of house” refers to the behind-the-scene activities that customers typically don’t see, such as the cutters...

dieworkwear.com

 

[inertxenon]

I don't think your measurements are super unusual. Have you noticed anything in particular about your build that is different?

When you write "I like the look of classic menswear", ask yourself very specifically what you like about it. Pick out some outfits that you like and try to copy them. It's totally okay to copy outfits -- just as most people learn to play instruments from sheet music instead of improvising from nothing.

Where do you live? When I was first starting to learn about menswear, I learned a lot from just trying things on. Thrift shops can be especially good for this, depending on where you live. Try things on as outfits, not as individual pieces. Since you're just trying things on, don't be afraid to attempt outfits that you're not sure will work. At first, just learn how to recognize if something fits or doesn't fit. Then try to pay attention to whether the different pieces go together and make a coherent silhouette. This requires patience and practice.

Don't buy things too quickly, and don't buy too many variations of the same thing. Your tastes will almost certainly change over time.

Maybe this is a lot to digest all at once, but I highly recommend reading these articles:

How To Develop Good Taste, Pt. 1 — Die, Workwear!

Marcel Duchamp once noted in a 1968 interview with Francis Roberts, “If your choice enters into it, then taste is involved—bad taste, good taste, uninteresting taste.” For those fortunate enough to live in post-industrial societies, where choices are now nearly limitless, taste is everything...

dieworkwear.com

How to Develop Good Taste, Pt. 2 — Die, Workwear!

Style is still something of an art and has not, in Bruce Boyer’s words, “descended to one of the sciences.” The process of developing taste is akin to developing a worldview or personal philosophy—it’s a highly subjective process not easily given to hard rules. But over the years, I’ve noticed...

dieworkwear.com

How to Develop Good Taste, Pt. 3 — Die, Workwear!

It has become fashionable to discuss classic clothing with the same cynicism once reserved for topics such as capitalism or the media. Across menswear message boards, posters frequently type out terms such as classic or timeless with alternating caps (cLaSsIc) or recurring spaces (t i m e l e s...

dieworkwear.com

How To Develop Good Taste, Pt. 4 — Die, Workwear!

Bespoke tailoring and the restaurant industry share something in that they both use the terms “back of house” and “front of house” to describe how their businesses are structured. “Back of house” refers to the behind-the-scene activities that customers typically don’t see, such as the cutters...

dieworkwear.com

Thank you very much for the readings. I tried searching the forum for some posts about finding style but was unsuccessful.

In regard to my measurements, I've been told I'm too thin and long which made buying pieces like pants very difficult in person. I can sometimes find stuff online but then I don't know if I like it based solely on the photos.

I live in Buffalo, New York. I haven't looked into thrift stores but I will put that on my list of places to look into.

Thanks for the advice on buying things too quickly, I just bought like ten shirts because I liked one of them I already had plus they were on Black Friday sale. Might be returning them when they get delivered (assuming I even like them).

I start going into my office in December so trying to get some kind of wardrobe made by then but based on your response, I might be setting too short of a timeline for myself.

Thanks again.

 

[breakaway01]

Definitely check out O'Connell's since you're in Buffalo.

There is a big thread in Classic Menswear devoted to Spier and Mackay. IMO very good value at their price point. They are mostly online but they're based in Ontario and about to open a new showroom, which could be a pretty straightforward day trip for you. Call ahead to see when they'll be fully stocked, but I'd consider visiting to try on some of their models and see whether they work for your build.

What is your office dress code? Start simple - 'versatility' is IMO a little overrated but I'd start with a couple of OCBDs (oxford cloth button down shirts) -- pale blue solid, pale blue striped. Trousers you might have to buy in person. A basic tan cotton chino (avoid black/grey and IMO navy) and mid-grey wool trousers are pretty basic if you don't already have them.

 

[Hₑighthere]

In regard to my measurements, I've been told I'm too thin and long which made buying pieces like pants very difficult in person.

Your inseam doesn't seem very close to what I'd expect to see in a 'tall' size bracket, so my best guess is that perhaps you've tried shopping at places that don't carry much stock that isn't close to the average.

 

[inertxenon]

Definitely check out O'Connell's since you're in Buffalo.

There is a big thread in Classic Menswear devoted to Spier and Mackay. IMO very good value at their price point. They are mostly online but they're based in Ontario and about to open a new showroom, which could be a pretty straightforward day trip for you. Call ahead to see when they'll be fully stocked, but I'd consider visiting to try on some of their models and see whether they work for your build.

What is your office dress code? Start simple - 'versatility' is IMO a little overrated but I'd start with a couple of OCBDs (oxford cloth button down shirts) -- pale blue solid, pale blue striped. Trousers you might have to buy in person. A basic tan cotton chino (avoid black/grey and IMO navy) and mid-grey wool trousers are pretty basic if you don't already have them.

Appreciate the suggestion. My office dress code is probably considered business casual. I have to wear a button down long sleeve shirt (no tie required) with pants. Before joining this forum, I bought some 1MX shirts from Express because that's what I already had but looking at some OCBDs is probably what I'll do after returning them.

 

[inertxenon]

Your inseam doesn't seem very close to what I'd expect to see in a 'tall' size bracket, so my best guess is that perhaps you've tried shopping at places that don't carry much stock that isn't close to the average.

I just remeasured my in-seam and it's around 31.5" - 32". Based on what google returns, it doesn't seem "tall". I might be measuring it incorrectly because I'm doing it solo and not based on a pair of pants I already own. I'll measure those after work and see what they are.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

That's a hard one, because liking classic menswear could mean many different things. The best first step might be to identify cherished items in the wardrobe and color preferences.

 

[Scott_ColmoreTailors]

Hello,

I posted in the introduction thread but will basically be posting the same thing here.
I am 25 years old and finally decided to improve certain aspects of my life. I am at a point in my life where I want to finally settle down and do better. One of those aspects is my wardrobe. I have essentially been wearing the same kind of attire for the past seven years without much change.

I like the look of classic menswear but do not know where to start. I am a very simple person who does not currently wear complex patterns. Most of my current clothing is solid colors. Any kinds of information/reading is greatly appreciated as I really want to learn everything I can.

I have been told I have weird measurements which has put me off towards shopping for clothing as well.
Measurements (if they matter, I did them myself and I know isn't the best but it's all I got)
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 165 lbs
Neck: 15.5"
Shoulder: 19"
Chest: 38.5"
Sleeve: 22.75"
Jacket: 29"
Waist: 35.5"
Inseam: 31.5"

My budget is probably like $200 max per piece of clothing. I just got a new job that pays double what I used to make so I have some spending money.

Anything will be a huge help, thank you.

Don't trust those measures. They are a bit odd.

Unless you have t-rex arms like me and wear your jacket like a bum freezer.


As for finding your style. It's trial and error. Just be honest with yourself and what you are buying and why you are buying it.

Most guys don't know what they want. Figuring out what you want is the first and most overlooked step.