MarcoInaros Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 I have no fashion sense and I am afraid to shop on my own. Whenever I do I later regret it and return it, which is rediculous. I was wondering if anyone here can tell me the essential clothes I need as a man, and where I should buy them from. I have scoured the internet and I just get a bunch of trite sayings like "don't buy brand names" and "accessorize!" That doesnt help me at all! Thanks for any advice.
runner Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 its not what you wear, its how you wear it. you could spend $5mil on a wardrobe and still come out of the house looking like a dork ass moron (eg. most rap guy superstars, NBA athletes, etc.) some guys don't even comb their hair and still get laid left and right.
littlekitty Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 Many stores (not designer, just good department stores) will have a personal shopper/stylist available too. Often you don't pay any extra for the service and they will be able to help advise on what suits you and doesn't and could help you create a capsule wardrobe for yourself which you can build on as you better with fashion!
alphamale Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 Many stores (not designer, just good department stores) will have a personal shopper/stylist available too. yes, good advice LK
Author MarcoInaros Posted June 13, 2006 Author Posted June 13, 2006 Eh? I've never seen that. Which stores might offer a personal shopper? Maybe thats somehing that only exists in the UK.
littlekitty Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 Eh? I've never seen that. Which stores might offer a personal shopper? Maybe thats somehing that only exists in the UK. No I'm pretty sure you'll find it over there... I've seen it on TV in the States, and no doubt, like pretty much everything else here.. it probably started there...!! Ok this link might get removed pretty quickly, but Macys certainly does it, so no doubt other smaller ones will too! http://www1.macys.com/store/service/mba.jsp?keyword=personal%20shopper
jerbear Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 Some of those services are free. Men's warehouse for suits and business casual is pretty conservative (and boring) Brooks Brother's is conservative (and boring) Neiman Marcus & Macy's is pretty good for the price. I would not hide behind a designer becuase what could be spent on a jacket could be spent on a set; sometimes. Take some female friends to the outlets and let them pick things out for you, if you are adventurous, even let them pick your underwear or lack of one. (you might have to try a kilt on as part of the deal with them :lmao: )
Moai Posted June 13, 2006 Posted June 13, 2006 Think about the things you are into, and how to reflect that in your clothes. Check out what other guys are wearing, and pick out the things that you think look cool and wear that.
longlegzs80 Posted June 15, 2006 Posted June 15, 2006 I can share the same thing almost. But as someone already said it is how you wear it. Be confident as a starter and whatever you wear you would rock in. That is what I think. Be comfortable, be you. Look in magazines for men's fashion and see whats out there. Go window shopping and see what the style is and if you can make anything look good together. Hope this helps. P.S. Don't be a nerd hater.
paige367 Posted June 15, 2006 Posted June 15, 2006 Do you really dress like a nerd or is that just your perception of yourself. If you're comfortable and confident I'm betting you don't really look like a nerd.
westernxer Posted June 15, 2006 Posted June 15, 2006 take a female friend shopping with you.. Or a gay male.
Noos Posted June 15, 2006 Posted June 15, 2006 Take a well-dressed female with you. Consider your lifestyle and the places you will have to wear any purchases. Buy the best quality shows you can afford. Match your belt and your shoes. Buy a good leather wallet and a good watch. Do not wear short sleeve shirts - short sleeves are only suitable for t-shirts and golf shirts. Buy a good quality suede jacket or something similar. Ensure you have one pair of black jeans and one pair of blue jeans - Ralph Lauren does good blue jeans for fit. Ben Sherman does good casual shirts. Do not wear loafers - buy boots and lace ups. (Boots look funkier). Shop at a department store or the smaller specialist, funky boutiques. Don't be afraid to ask for help in boutiques - make the sales attendant work. Do not buy clothes off the Internet if you are not an experienced shopper. Do not wear "man jewellery". Only a watch and a ring are acceptable. Get a good haircut.
Author MarcoInaros Posted June 16, 2006 Author Posted June 16, 2006 I feel uncomfortable in almost everything I wear, and am also afraid that people will think that I look ackward and fashionally inept. I took a step forward yesterday though...Gap was having a sale and I bought some polos.
Touche Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 Polos are good. Now all you have to do is lose the black socks and sandals.
jerbear Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 Polos are good. Now all you have to do is lose the black socks and sandals. Get ride of scotch taped glasses. Switch from aviator frames to rimless or bottom rim (asian & european fashion), or go with contacts. Unless you swim, keep the leg hair.
Lonestar Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 Or a gay male. Yes, westernxer is available to go with you next weekend
westernxer Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 Yes, westernxer is available to go with you next weekend I hate shopping... GRRRR.
Author MarcoInaros Posted June 16, 2006 Author Posted June 16, 2006 What do you guys think about button down long sleeve shirts to wear in a casual atmosphere, like around town or at a bar? What about folding your sleeves up so they kind of look like a short sleeve shirt? Is that fashionable? I see it all the time. Should I get a few at Banana republic? They seem the nicest.
Noos Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 Don't wear casual long sleeve shirts with the cuffs buttoned. Roll the sleeves up to midway on your forearm but don't actually roll the fabric, fold it back. It is better to spend more money on a few pieces to get something that will last, maintain its shape and look good than to save money and buy lots of cheap clothes that won't look good after the first couple of wears or washes. i.e. Buy quality and wear to death rather than have lots of s*** clothes just for the variety. BR sounds good, go to Macy's, Neiman Marcus etc as suggested also.
j.carsey Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 These tips are sounding a bit ridiculous to me. Sure it is a good idea to take a woman shopping with you, without a doubt. But specifics of belts and shirts and all this... you can sum it up by saying, choose clothes that fit your body well, try on different things and go with whatever makes you look best. Basically the more effort you put into looking good, the better you will look. Keep the clothes clean and in good shape and wear them PROUDLY. One mistake I made for a long time was just wearing crap, older t-shirts, baggy clothes. You want to wear something that fits your body well. Being in good physical shape makes this easier, but being pudgy isn't a problem. There are plenty of fat women afterall who dress remarkably well and look fantastic. I remember back to school when I wore a school uniform. One thing I remember is we were taught to take pride in our attire, keep the shoes clean, shirts tucked, all that... but there was a point to it because when you dress yourself with pride and confidence you show a positive and strong side of yourself to the world.
Pendawn Posted June 16, 2006 Posted June 16, 2006 Start watching Queer Eye for The Straight Guy and listen to all Carson Kressley says. Wear clothes that FIT you (not baggy). If you are unsure of your clothing identity pick classics - polo shirts, cotton OXford shirts, good jeans, khakis, a blazer, black dress shoes and good casual shoes/sneakers. Then once you start to have confidence about who you are start mixing with things that are YOu (vintage rock t-shirts, hodded sweatshirts, denim jackets, gas station shirts, find what YOu like). Also pay attention - look at magazines which shows celebrities doing their own thing (ie when they are not acting/on stage) and see what they're wearing. See if you can get the essence of the look, without being an exact replica.
JohnM Posted June 17, 2006 Posted June 17, 2006 Head into a decent store, don't buy some cheap clothes. You usually get what you pay for and if you spend the extra money the clothes will usually be of a better standard and last you longer. No need to go overboard on designer gear but around £20 on t-shirts and £25 on jumpers is about right for decent stuff. Of the labels out there at the moment heres a few I'd suggest: Firebox, f***, French Connection, Ben Sherman, Boxfresh, Calvin Klein, Diesel and Billabong make some nice stuff. I'd say go with your own instincts and choose your own style but a second opinion is always good. Ask your sister (if you have one) to go along with you or even a friend. Make sure its someone who will actually give you decent feedback though.
phyrespryte Posted June 18, 2006 Posted June 18, 2006 Didn't you ask this before? Anyways here's your problem: I have scoured the internet and I just get a bunch of trite sayings like "don't buy brand names" and "accessorize!" Have you tried asking a person in um person? Like asking a salesperson for help? Or even asking one of your friends? I mean your description of a long sleeve button down shirt... It's frustrating b/c a basic item like that can be worn in different ways. You could wear it open with a graphic t-shirt underneath. Sleeves rolled or not. You could throw a blazer over it. Or wear it open with no t-shirt underneath for that greasy guido look. And then you need to consider what you're wearing on the bottom. Like if you choose jeans you've got to worry about fit, rise, and rinse. And what about shoes! And all of that is irrelevant because it's impossible for anyone to tell you online where to shop or what you need to have in your closet. Just go into a store that YOU like and ask for some help. You seem to want clothes for going out. Tell them that. Let them know that you don't want to spend a lot if you're on a budget. And ask them for different ways of wearing something. If something seems too crazy for you... Don't buy it. Make sure that whatever you buy you feel comfortable about it and you can see yourself wearing it more than once. Also just because you look great in something doesn't mean you'll feel comfortable in it. Like I know a lot of guys that look great in pink. They won't ever wear it though. So don't let yourself get caught up in the moment. Also if the sales people give you stuff to try on... Try it on. You don't have to buy it, but it will help visualize an outfit and give you ideas on what to wear and not to wear together. And it doesn't hurt to ask the sales person for their opinion on how the clothes look. They'll be able to help you out with any fit problems. But do remember that even though they say it looks good and you don't like it...don't buy it. It's all about what you like.
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