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Spring Fashion- Office/urban styles

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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Hey guys,

Just curious what sites you follow to get information on office styles for the upcoming year. I work in a place where I need to be quite up to date and when I look online mostly everything is telling me to either spend 300 dollars on a pair of chinos or dress in Burberry tinfoil.

I just want practical, affordable advice on what styles to look at. Are wing tips still in, etc. My daily dress is business casual.

Mar 25 2014 12:27PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7518 - Karma: 51,232
Go naked
Mar 25 2014 12:32PM
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Chunter
Posts: 2050 - Karma: 1,894
Click for larger image
Mar 25 2014 12:33PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Seriously? Where do you need to be so fashion conscious? I wear what I'd consider a modern business casual all the time and I couldn't tell you for the life of me what from last spring is out this spring.


Mar 25 2014 12:34PM
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JordanButtfart
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 3,027
Polo/ J Crew/ Cole Haan


Timeless.
Mar 25 2014 12:38PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
I am a big fan of Hugo Boss. Almost all of my work shirts are BOSS sharp/trim/slim/whatever they are called. They fit (me) awesome and come in a bunch of different colors and patterns. Sometimes you can find them at Nordstrom Rack for really cheap. Normally, they're a bit more expensive than J.Crew/Banana Republic, but definitely worth it. Their "sharp" trousers are nice as well, but you can't go wrong with J.Crew's Bowery pants for how cheap they are.

Business casual never really changes. Get some nice shirts in different patterns, flat front pants, and some v-neck sweaters and you're good to go. Maybe a couple blazers. Make sure you have socks/shoes/watches/belts to match the rest of your outfit. Easy peasy.
Mar 25 2014 1:20PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,348
Banana republic for all my dress clothes...almost my entire wardrobe is BR
Mar 25 2014 1:25PM
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
J.Crew factory
Mar 25 2014 1:26PM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,105
18 Things Beautiful Women Want to See Guys Wearing This Springhttp://www.complex.com/style/2014/03/what-beautiful-women-want-to-see-guys-wearing-this-spring/
Mar 25 2014 1:27PM
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Wiscy03
Posts: 18 - Karma: 17
I shop Brooks Brothers, J Crew, or Polo. They can get pricey but fortunately, they usually all have outlet stores. Plus, non of their stuff really goes out of style.
Mar 25 2014 1:34PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Fair point, but I work in a very trendy office at one of the top marketing companies in North America, and to look the role I prefer to be a little bit less conservative. Obviously not looking like a GQ runway model but in style colours, patterns, what have you.
Mar 25 2014 2:00PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
Suit Supply, affordable, well constructed, good materials, relevant palettes.
Mar 25 2014 2:11PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
I'd love some more opinions on this
Mar 25 2014 11:05PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Marketing in the fashion industry?

If not:

What did you do last year? Seriously if you're in a dress to impress environment and you have to even ask the question, trying to be exactly on point is most likely just going to get you laughed at. Don't worry so much about style (obviously don't forget about it) and just focus on getting some good quality clothes that fit well.

If you think your boss/client/coworkers are going to notice how 'this season you are' they're going to notice the quality 10x faster. I worked in several different jobs like that and even though I was the guy who probably cared least about that shit, I can look 2 guys dressed "business casual" reasonably estimate how much each one spent on that outfit. GQ models may be wearing gucci but its probably not off the rack.

Anyway my two admittedly completely uninformed cents would be that linen silk blends are the tits for a spring, I got a new 60/40 blazer last spring and it's pretty sharp. I think unaffiliated tailors are the best fucking bargain on the market right now (unless you're in NY, based on some of what my friends have told me NY tailors are on crack), go buy some good threads and take a magazine cut to of the style you like and bam you're in and out for $500 bucks and you'll look good.
Mar 25 2014 11:07PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Appreciate the input man.

I'm not in the fashion industry. But I do manage promotions for Labatt and Smirnoff. And someone looking trendy just inspires confidence. I see it in the executives every day.

Although you may be over complicating the question. I was more just trying to find some sources for good reliable resources that would have insight on ideas. I'm not planning on going and buying every piece of the centrefold. But if cotton blazers and chinos are what's good this year I'd like to pick some up.

My issue is I am not really attentive enough to follow it on my own. I don't want to go out and spend 200 dollars on shoes only to find out that they aren't popular anymore. Cause I wouldn't notice otherwise.
Mar 25 2014 11:20PM
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KingGeedorah
Posts: 890 - Karma: 1,576
What I got from that was: bucket hat, pink sunglasses, leather jacket, boyscout patches, and taylored sweatpants with a pair of sneakers and I'm gonna be swimmin in the poon.
Mar 25 2014 11:27PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
That list has to be a joke.. right? RIGHT?
Mar 25 2014 11:46PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
The completely rambling point I was trying to get across is I think well dressed inspires confidence more so than trendiness. For trendiness to inspire confidence you the other person to know what is 'trendy' is. Outside of the fashion industry that is pretty rare, on the other hand even fashion morons like myself can tell what expensive looks like and I think that is a better way to communicate confidence. Most 'trendy' people, like the executives you mentioned, only are trendy because some 20 something gay guy at nordstroms knows what trendy is, not because they spend their days reading GQ.

Of course this is all based on my experience in the financial services industry, for all i know, marketing could be completely different.
Mar 25 2014 11:49PM
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Black.Bird
Posts: 2566 - Karma: 684
You've come to the right place.
Check out brands like Saga, Jiberish, and especially FD Wear. They usually have sales in the spring time, which sounds like it's just for you.
Mar 26 2014 12:00AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
seriously though, find your nearest outlet stores, and go to the ralph lauren / nautica / j crew outlet. you will find so many shirts / pants / shorts for cheap.
Mar 26 2014 12:19AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
carhartts, boots and flannels

oh sorry i thought we were talking work wear
Mar 26 2014 12:27AM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Nope I went to college.
Mar 26 2014 12:37AM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
Loooool.
Mar 26 2014 12:38AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
me too
Mar 26 2014 12:41AM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Yeah that's cool. I was just being a smartass.

By the way, haven't seen you around much lately have I? Welcome back.
Mar 26 2014 12:43AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
nah just been workin a lot, spend a lot more time on tgr these days anyway
Mar 26 2014 12:47AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,638
reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice
Mar 26 2014 12:49AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
same. My cube-mate's mother works for gap corporate so everyone in our work group hits up the bi annual 50% off sale. almopst everything is BR cause its so damn cheap!
Mar 26 2014 1:00AM
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AFD
Posts: 27 - Karma: 31
From what Im getting you're wanting to inspire some kind of confidence based on what you're wearing.
Wear clothes that fit well and you are comfortable wearing. If you're confident about it they will be too.
Find a good tailor! Use them for everything! <this is a must
Also don't try too hard.
My 2 cents.
Mar 26 2014 6:40AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
OR.

If you have no shame, Pinterest has a "Men's Fashion" board. Rather than being full of a bunch of bros who try to look like CEOs, it's full of a bunch of chicks who post outfits that make their panties drop. It also has a bunch of stuff that is not the most expensive you can find.

Express is kinda my go to. It's very midline on the price and they ALWAYS have crazy deals if you sign up for their mailing list.
Mar 26 2014 10:36AM
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Shifties4Dayz
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 553
Cole haan FTW. Even tho their docksiders are $300
Mar 26 2014 11:02AM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
http://styleforum.net

^^incredibly better then reddit or pintrest. You'll actually pick up some new ideas there opposed to a bunch of people posting pictures of themselves in the same outfits they see in a lookbook magazine. The average age is probably well in its 30's too. Not a bunch of bros. There is a classic mens wear forum and a street wear forum. And the street wear isnt what most of the kids on here consider street wear...
Mar 26 2014 1:18PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
style forum and Ask Andy About Clothes, though ask andy is real quiet these days, but style doesn't change much so the information is still relevant.

Best piece of advice you'll get is to buy the nicest staples you can, and get all of them tailored. spend more, buy less, think more about each item you're purchasing.

for a business casual wardrobe you'll want..

2x navy jackets, look for more textured fabrics. 2 button notch lapel, lapels not too narrow and not too wide
4x trousers in gray, lighter shades work best, get a tapered no-break hem
2x trousers in tan, again lighter shades
10x shirts, mainly light blues and light greens, one or two white. OCBDs, Poplin, look for texture to keep your shirts from being too formal
as many fucking ties as possible, repp ties, solid textured ties, foulards, stay away from paisleys and shiny silk ties, too formal looking.
either a fucking pile of navy calf high socks, or get foppish and get a pile of variously striped socks to have some pop at your ankle.
brown oxfords, plain toe
brown bluchers, half brogue
brown chukka/desert boot
your existing wardrobe for weekends.

with the above you can rotate a ton and have a lot of variation, always have 5 shirts and 3 pants at the ready, swap between jackets every other day and drop off 3 pants, a jacket, and 5 shirts at the dry cleaner on friday.

Mar 26 2014 2:05PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Jesus christ where did you copy and paste that from, I swear the dime a dozen douchebags who look like they went to Men Warehouse with that exact list are exactly what the OP is trying to avoid looking like.

Also, unless it's required, don't wear a fucking tie.
Mar 27 2014 12:21AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
When OP does choose SS, do ask them to lower the closing button by about 500 inches.
Mar 27 2014 12:07PM
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,131
awful advice, that would make the jacket far to long
Mar 27 2014 3:36PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,401
"Urban Style"?

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Mar 27 2014 3:41PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
I have to disagree with you. while not hyper-fashionably cut or continental in fit, I think the suit supply collection has found a balance between style and fashion while remaining extremely affordable, and the in house tailors at their stores tend to have an understanding of how the modern man wants their suit to fit, unlike the old asian women who contract with places like nordstrom or mens wearhouse. Keep in mind that the suit supply customer is usually a person of reasonable means who want's a better wardrobe than what they can find at a fast fashion spot like topshop/zara or the local suit store like K&G or mens wearhouse (speaking for American customers; Obviously you have better options at your disposal in Europe)

to the guy who replied to me and said I copy/pasted, go fuck yourself and then learn how to dress well. I didn't copy paste, that's a fucking perfect shopping list that will keep anyone looking proper but not douchey for years to come. I doubt you've ever been in a business casual environment, but I can guarantee you that about 90% of the business casual crowd are rocking fucking vertically striped shirts from hugo boss or another nordstrom stocked brand, which IS a douchey look, unlike the solid OCBD/poplin shirts I suggested which are understated and classic.
Mar 28 2014 4:27PM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
Your high school is showing.
Mar 28 2014 5:57PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
They should still lower the closing buttons, maybe the American fits are different (I doubt it) but the closing button is just too high, for the price I will recommend the tits out of them, it's just one little annoyance that could be so easily changed. I have always recommended SS by heart, but 90% of the time the closing button should be lower. They have come a long way though, back when SS was just a small Dutch company their closing buttons could almost choke you.
Mar 28 2014 6:42PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
I dunno, every jacket I have from them, the closing button hits about a handwidth below my sternum, which is lower than where my blackfleece jacket closes, and about equivalent to my dior two button. but to each their own right?
Mar 29 2014 12:00PM
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