Mens Fashion for beginners

**msanjelpie** · July 29, 2009, 08:58 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

T-shirts and jeans for casual weekends or after work

Polos and khakis for casual workdays

Slacks and button up shirts for blue collar workplace or church

Suit and tie for court / interviews etc...

Lots of guys I know have girls pick out their clothes. (i.e. friend / sister / wife / mother)

Don't shop at expensive clothing stores... Walmart and Target have terrific clothes at reduced prices etc...

**JulieB** · July 29, 2009, 09:02 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Take a friend (someone you consider well-dressed) male or female - a second opinion is priceless. You could also look around & see if you can find other guys with similar body type & see if you like what they are wearing.

**Whatsername** · July 29, 2009, 09:39 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

I think it also helps to stop and think about what styles you like. What catches your eye, what honestly appeals to you? What kind of an image do you want to portray?

For a long time, I wore big and baggy clothes. Not my style really but I didn't know what else to wear and felt a certain amount of comfort in hiding myself in clothes. I am trying to learn what I really like. I now try not to buy clothes simply because they fit me or because of the price, but I look for things that fit me AND I like them.

I think taking someone with you is a great suggestion. Good luck!

**Ohbehave007** · July 30, 2009, 04:18 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

I buy my boyfriends clothes for this exact reason. Of course he makes it clear that he will not wear pink or bright "girly" colors. He likes wearing black. Black black black black. On his off work days he usually wears either blue jeans or black jeans with a t-shirt. On work days he wears suits (I sneak in pink or blue butten ups sometimes...he is color blind!). That is basically all he wears. If he needs a more casual/chic look he puts on his good bluejeans with a white button up and a v neck sweater (this look I really like).

Like said above I would ask a friend you think dressing nicely and have them come with you.
Yeah clothes are expensive, but good ones last a longtime. Walmart has good thing and also the salvation army does too...

**neutronnorman** · July 30, 2009, 04:18 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

"...Lots of guys I know have girls pick out their clothes. (i.e. friend / sister / wife / mother)..."

No, No, NO! They'll dress you up like a Bozo...seriously, take a couple of ladies with you and they'll give you an "honest" opinion. But usually, wear what feels right for you. Unless I'm formal, I'm usually wearing shorts and a tee-shirt.

**Slapshot** · July 30, 2009, 06:12 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Like my old way of dieting, I have two types of wardrobes - "on" and "off." I'm in a suit and tie 5 days a week, so when the weekend hits, it's either jeans/t-shirt or cargo shorts and a t-shirt. I really dress like a bum on the weekends, but my family understands because I'm in a suit 50-60 hours a week. As my wife says, "you know, wearing a [XYZ] watch looks kind of silly with a 19 year old t-shirt from college."

That being said, now that I've dropped 50lbs, I'm much more "fashion" conscious on the weekends and find myself taking a little more time to look presentable. Collared golf shirts, khakis, etc.

**Empyre** · July 30, 2009, 07:40 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Right, I have been told that I dress like a bum for some time now but being overweight gives you the perfect excuse to wear baggier clothes.

I've always put comfort infront of style. I can't imagine myself ever being in a suit,it would be a very surreal experience for me. My "suit" has usually been sweat pants/shorts and a T-shirt. << thats my comfort zone and straying from that is daunting.

I wanted to be able to go on google and see if I could find types of dressing that I can use as a template to copy. Though when I try that I find that mens fashion means either dressing up as

1.James Bond (A suit)
2. Underwear Model
3. boyscout

I'm looking for something between a t-shirt and anything involving a vest. Straying from bum-type clothing ( shorts/T-shirt) is very unnatural for me.

msanjelpie really broke it down for me, though now I have to research what a polo and slacks are.

**DuchessOfDork** · July 30, 2009, 08:43 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

My fiance wears a t-shirt and jeans every day, but he looks really nice in them because they're good t-shirts from Macys and nice jeans (with no holes in them!). Now, if you want to look more put together, but you want to be COMFORTABLE, I would recommend linen shirts. Linen shirts feel like you're wearing nothing at all. Slacks are a little thick and heavy, but you could easily wear a linen shirt with some jeans. Here's a few examples:

Blue Striped Linen Shirt - Macys
White and Blue Linen Shirt with Designs - Macys
Green Linen Shirt - Target
Dickies Pocket Pants - Target

Hope that helps!

**Empyre** · July 30, 2009, 09:31 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

what pants go with the 2nd shirt option you have? Would it be the dickies?

Who makes great jeans? I like calvin Klein's cause the fabric is extremely thin and light so it doesn't way me down. Got them at Tj Maxx for 20 a pair. The bad thing about jeans is that usually the fabric is thick and heavy and can really weigh me down.

I really like INC brand, I have a couple of their shirts in my closet that I haven't worn in ages.

Is there anywhere to go to get INC for cheap? I'll have to use the internets.

**DuchessOfDork** · July 30, 2009, 10:53 AM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Well it isn't the brand that you want to look for, it's the cut. Straight-leg jeans look MUCH better than the cheap-o jeans people usually buy, and this is how you know; hold them up. Do they get smaller at the ankle? If they do, DO NOT BUY THEM. Jeans tapered at the ankle look horrible on EVERYONE. They're like... mom jeans. Straight leg and boot cuts are your best bet.

Here's some good jeans:

Straight Leg - Macys
Boot Cut - Macys

Those types of jeans will look good on everyone.

Stay away from brightly colored jeans, like, those light blues.. those are usually only good on skinny girls and really skinny dudes. XD

**not2late** · July 30, 2009, 12:45 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Quick story about having the "women" buy clothes for you.

I worked for a doctor who was a fashion disaster. It was to the point that his wife gave up on him. But his daughters didn't: they couldn't stand the thought of their dad looking like a mess. So they would look at magazines, print ads, tv, movies, etc. for things that they thought were trendy/fashionable and would look good on their dad.

He was a very good doctor: very thorough, very knowledgeable, very intelligent. But he couldn't figure out what clothes went with what shoes and what socks, etc. Therefore, his daughters devised a no-brainer system: they marked all his clothes with numbers. So a #1 shirt, went with a #1 pants, #1 socks, #1 tie, # 1 jacket. All he had to do was match numbers.

He was the best dressed doctor in the hospital, thanks to his daughters---and no, they didn't dress him like a dork.

But do as the others suggested: ask a friend who is well-dressed for a second opinion on your clothes. In fact, you can even have them look through your current clothes to see if anything is okay (that will cut on expenses.)

The other thing is to do what Dr. K's daughters did: look at print ads, tv, movies, etc. See what the men are wearing and try to match up your clothes to that.

Also, see if the weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal still has their men's fashion column. They used to give "best buys" tips on coats, jackets, suits, shoes, etc.

**Empyre** · July 30, 2009, 01:31 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Yup I'm thinking INC shirts with those dickies...should prolly wear slacks but I don't think I'm old enough to wear them yet.
I'm a bit short at 5.7-5.8 so I have trouble length 30 jeans being alittle too long for me so I have to mod the boots of my jeans. maybe dickies will be a little more forgiving.

Duchess: Was reading your blog, my sister does web design/maintenance. Went to school for 2 years and started at 3M on contract. Shes been there a year now and still making about 11.50 an hour but they offered her a diff position and possibly a pay raise. Shes not sure if she wants to continue in the field or branch out. Hopefully she can pull 13 an hour which where she lives is enough to get by.

Your voice kinda reminded me of Evanescence's voice a bit. Would be interesting to hear you do something along that vein. Though I'm more into Andriod Lust or Dark Sanctuary as far as female singers.

Thx all for the help.

**msanjelpie** · July 30, 2009, 01:33 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Men's Polo Shirts

Men's Khakis

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Men's T-Shirts

Men's Sweat Pants

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INC mens shirts

jeans Calvin Klein

**DuchessOfDork** · July 30, 2009, 01:36 PM

Re: Mens Fashion for beginners

Ehehe.. I'm not a big Evanescence fan, but I appreciate the sentiment. If you search Blood Corps on iTunes you'll be able to see the songs for my band's EP.

As for your sister, yeah, I got a 4 year degree and my first job was more than enough to get by. Unfortunately, it's been lay off after lay off.. and now that I have more time at home (ARG) I can dedicate some of that time to helping my new husband with his wardrobe! He's not too tall either (5'7") so I know how it is. I'm only 5' myself!

By the way; when it comes to polo shirts, I'd avoid the ones with the stripes that go from side to side, they make a dude look bigger. Also, my husband says that knit polo shirts are itchy and hot. And please don't wear sweat pants unless you're working out. They're a fashion disaster.

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Mens Fashion for beginners

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