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Apparently I am clueless! Help me.
Dress me. Please for the love of god!
My female coworker seems to think my wardrobe is somewhere between lame and cool. I have put this off for too long and I need to figure it out.
Need to buy some new shirts, jeans, maybe some casual shoes/boots for when outside of work.
I am 35, 6'1 with an athletic to average build. Although I will admit my hips and calves are thicker than most guys, very annoying but I was born like that...so "skinny" type jeans are prob out of the question. My hair color is bordering between light brown to red.
I dont have any gay male friends to help me shop, so please women of TN I need your input. What attire for men are you attracted or not attracted to? Are there certian name brands, styles I should be looking for? Dont want to take out a 2nd mortgage so would need some practical ideas. Also please dont dress me like Justin Bieber or The Situation.
As always, thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
Re: Apparently I am clueless! Help me.
I have do's and don'ts. Personal preference only and some may like these, but as for me:
Do: very slightly boot cut jeans. Make sure they sit on your natural waist - not below and make sure they kiss the tops of your shoes with just a little bit of slack. I think the fit is more important than the actual brand, but I love Rock & Republic on men (very nice to the buttocks area) and Levi's actually have some nice new styles.
Don't: "dad jeans".
Do: long sleeved button downs - again: fit is key. Make sure the shoulders fit and always keep it tucked in. I don't particularly like plaid, but that's just me. Solids are always nice and classic as are gingham or checks.
Don't: What I refer to as "Homer Simpson shirts". Short sleeved button downs are so sloppy no matter who is wearing them. Matt Groening put him in that outfit for a reason!
Do: understated shoes. No laces. Just need one black and one brown pair. Make sure you have a leather belt in each color too. I'd shy away from boots unless they're of the cowboy variety.
I used to love to shop at Nordstrom Rack for my XH. Designer jeans are half the price than at the regular Nordstrom. Not sure if you have one near, but it's worth looking into.
Good luck!
Hey JM! Don't you have any female friends that can take you shopping?
With your build/age, I would stay away from skinny jeans but a boot cut style might work for you if you calves are thicker. Stay away from anything that screams 1980's (i.e. high waisted, acid wash, really light wash, etc). BF is a few years younger than you but shops at Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, Kohls. He wears either straight cut or boot cut jeans. For tops he buys thermals, button downs (stripes not plaids lol), sweaters, etc.
If you have an athletic/average build, don't buy anything too baggy. Then you just look sloppy. It should be fairly well fitted, but not tight. Hope this helps!
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
All of this, please and thank you!
Thanks a bunch!
Yes I do have some female friends that would love to help me shop, but they are all in relationships and would feel wierd asking them.
Your BF and I sound like wardrobe twins...I also shop at EB and Kohls and buy the same style of clothes. So maybe I am not as clueless as I thought..lol
No Hawaiian shirts, no jorts, and no Abercrombie graphic tees (those should be reserved for teens and young 20s only...and I'm being generous here). For the love of all that is holy, just say no.
Personally, I like a man to dress like he just walked out of a Sperry ad. I'm not overtly preppy, but I really like it on men. I think it's because I grew up in Florida.
While we're on the subject, what kind of footwear should a 65-year-old man wear with jeans? My dad needs help y'all.
So, my preference is a man in straight leg non-dad jeans in a dark wash, although I have been enjoying the dark gray washes. I personally find light colored jeans to be dated. My guy looks great in J.Crew straight leg jeans and some Levi's. I like a guy's jeans to be a little snug (but not tight) through the hips and butt area, but loose (but not flaring) through the lower leg. If you go to a Levi's store, or other jean type place, they will usually have employees skilled on helping you find the right fit for you.
Stay away from any pants with pleated fronts. It's not a good look on anyone IMO. Also, skinny jeans are a bad look on most men.
Really, I think if you looked in a J. Crew catalog, you'd see what I think men look good in, with one caveat. J. Crew skews heavily hipster-ish at times. I'd stay away from any look that has cuffed/rolled up pants paired with saddle shoes, or toggle button sweaters. The looks that have soft-t-shirts layered under a button-up shirt and/or sweater, usually look good. You can also see this look at Banana Republic, although you certainly don't have to shop at either of those stores to achieve it.
All of this. I will add one more Don't: Dragon shirts. The buttom downs that have the goofy patterns on the back and coming up over the shoulder. There's usually some kind of bling on them too, but not always. I don't think it sounds like your style to wear them, but they're just terrible.
Or maybe you are just saying that he is a bad dresser, LOL! Well, he is a bit more metro than Eddie Bauer but I work there part time so he doesn't resist the discount. In regards to Eddie Bauer, stay away from anything lumberjack-ish. No flannel shirts, no denim jackets with sherpa linings, etc. I just buy him the graphic thermals and some of the casual botton down shirts. I DO really like their boot cut jeans though.
Also, agree with Bowies, STAY AWAY from ambercrombie, American Eagle, Aeropostle, Hollister etc. J Crew is also a nice option as well.
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
I agree with all the PPs. I'll only add that I love when a guy wears boxer briefs .. I know that's underwear.. but just thought I'd throw that in for $hits and giggles.
Bowies: my 70 yr old dad wears slippers with everything.. does that help?? LOL
Oh yeah, how could I forget? NO ED HARDY (or the knockoffs). I will personally drive up to Iowa and shank you if you leave the house dressed like a tool.
This, this, this. And ditto PPs on the no lumberjack-ish stuff.
Personally, I love dark jeans on a guy that fit well through the hips and butt (mmmmm...). For dressier work clothes, I like jewel-toned button-down shirts (deep reds, greens, blues, black, etc.), rather than pastels...I think they look much more modern.
<a href="http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad259/laurens1122-bfp/?action=view
Just say no to pleated pants as well. If you have any in your work wardrobe please toss them and go directly to Macy's or Marshall Fields for flat front pants.
I love the half zip sweater/sweatshirt tips that RAlph Lauren and Jcrew have. You can later then with tshirts or button ups for casual and pretty looks, respectively.
Dark wash jeans only. Show off that booty in ones that hug (but don't Saran wrap) your bum. Just becuse you don't want to look like you're on Jersey Shore doesn't mean baggy tshirts. Gap has some fitted ones that can show off those guns a little without making you look Like a tool. Baggy shirts that you're wearing now (guessing you are bc you lost weight) will make you look heavier by swimming on you.
If you ask a girl at any store (Jcrew, gap, EB) they will be more tha happy to dress you I'm sure. Also, make sure you have good socks. None of those faded black tube socks and no white socks with black shoes! Also since you're a red head, earth tones will look good on you. Stay away from super bright colors, pinks and reds.
Dont even think of wearing your cell phone clipped to your pants either!
I am confident that you can keep your shank at home Bowies. I just had to google Ed Hardy...def not my style.
Mint you didnt mention a cowboy hat, boots complete with spurs, and an aligator skin belt with a buckle that is bigger than my head. You changing your taste in men?
I think that a little baggier jean on a guy always looks nice. Get some dark wash for dressier occasions and lighter wash for casual. Cannot go wrong with the button downs and a few t-shirts (that are NOT too tight) for every day wear. A couple of sweatshirts and zip ups are also good for casual (I'm not sure of brands to tell you though). I happen to think that designer jeans look great on a guy. The guy I went on a date with was wearing Rock & Republic and they looked really nice. A couple of higher end ball caps are good too.
I'm not sure about dressing up (like REALLY dressing up). I am a fan of khakis and leather shoes (brown and black) or black slacks with a sharp looking belt and a button down. Nice blazers always look really smart too. You could always post this on the fashion board-they're great for suggestions.
Not sure what this means? Just a photo of myself?
Sperry Top Siders
LOL, he doesn't like them. Take the man to a shoe store and he gravitates to all-white sneakers. He's supposedly willing to take suggestions these days (since he realized he looks like a nursing home resident), but he's picky. Sooooo picky.
These times a gajillion!!!!!!!
And please also no tucked in shirts outside of work. TIA!
Outfit of the day....so yup, so we can all get a feel for your build and current style
I think it depends on where you live, your age and the kid of girls you are attracted to. I say that because a lot of these "dos" are not what I find attractive.
I prefer straight leg to boot cut -- if the guy has skinny legs, the boot cut can just look like bellbottoms on him.
I think long sleeve button up shirts look like they are trying too hard, unless they are coming straight from work. But then again, I live in a very casual beach city.
I don't agree that short sleeved button downs are "sloppy." I think in certain work environments, they are perfectly appropriate. And there are certain brands that look rugged outdoorsy (like North Face or Columbia), and can be very hot.
I think Cowboy Boots look silly on anyone who isn't actually a cowboy, but Kenneth Cole makes some nice men's dress boots that are great. I also think a pair of flip flops and converse-type shoes are a must for a more casual look. BF and I both discussed "dress code" before our first date and both wore shorts and flip flops. A year and a half later ...
I guess my point is, everyone has their own style and preferences. As long as you don't look like a slob or like you are trying to dress 10 years younger than you are, it really shouldn't matter.
Gotcha. I am wearing a mask for a Mardi Gras themed party this Sat, so I may be able to post one that does not show my face after this weekend. Still trying to stay somewhat anonymous.
Yup that's what it is. You could always just take a pic of yourself from the neck down in a full length mirror. I think it would be easier to suggest clothing if we know what your body shape is.
<a href="http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad259/laurens1122-bfp/?action=view
Just crop your head off!
I have to say that if a man is wearing good clothes, it's really attractive for me.
This one is a good style for your build I Think:
American Eagle has very good jeans IMO. The cut is great, the price is right (under $50) and they are good quality.