So I wake up this morning and get ready to go to Galveston. I open my closet and realize I have exactly zero summer clothes in my wardrobe. So, I ask for your help in bringing sexy back. Where do you guys shop for your clothes most often? (stores/malls, online, etc) What is your body type and how does that effect your shopping habits? (M, L, wirey, broad, etc) Have you ever sought help shopping? (girlfriends, personal shopper, etc) How did that work out for you? (fist fight, total embarrassment, etc)
Steve and Barry's is great for T-Shirts. 2 for 15 dollars. Macy's is good for any other type of clothes.
Old Navy is the definition of affordable. I used to go to Urban Outfitters (aka half the material, double the price, and I don't even find their stuff funny or stylish, never really did) when I was a freshman in college but now (five years later) I pretty much stick to dress shirts of any sort just because I want to feel like I'm making some attempt at maturing. But I refuse to tuck! I still have the scraggly toothpick look from college though, I could really use a shave more often and I'm trying to gain weight (like 15-20 lbs) after running a marathon last month.
I do the extremes pretty well, i.e. casual stuff and suits, but I am by no means a paragon of fashion. Its the in-between stuff I really struggle with, i.e. anything remotely trendy to wear anywhere remotely trendy. I'd be in trouble if I had a date that required anything....remotely trendy. So I took a friend-girl shopping with me. I gave her a budget, told her I'm hopeless, and gave her one simple command: "Dress me." She's not exactly a professional personal shopper, but she may as well be. I think she majored in fashion design or something....either way, the girl knows how to dress and more importantly for me, knows how to dress men. I came out really, really, happy. And looking pretty damn good, if I may say so myself. So if you're hopeless like I am, find a girl who knows what looks good, knows you well enough, and do what I did. Then buy her lunch. Cuz, you know, she did you a favor and its the nice thing to do and all. As for my body type, I'm 5'11", and right around 200lbs. I'm not in great shape, and carry my weight right around my gut. Fortunately, I'm also big-chested, so shirts that fit me well make me look a lot bigger/muscular than I really am. I was a regular gym-rat for well over a year, but this last year has involved school more than anything else, and I no longer have access to a gym. I guess what I'm saying is that I do still have some size, particularly in my chest, and that hides the weight around my gut rather well depending on what I'm wearing. Here's what I know and where I'm pretty comfortable dressing myself: Wal*Mart: I couldn't care less about any stigmas associated with Wally*World. I've bought many cheap t-shirts and shorts here. Old Navy: cheap; casual. Target: Not quite as cheap; casual. Aeropostale: I love this store. I swear to god every time I walk past the Aeropostale at Memorial City mall, they're having a 50%-off sale on something. I've bought cargo pants and shorts there, t-shirts, etc. and always walk away rather amazed at what I got for the price. I suppose their style may not be for everyone, but they're great for fairly cheap, casual-type, summer clothes. Hope that helps. I'm entirely too long-winded.
I feel you man. I don't know a thing about clothes. Things tend not to fit me well, because I'm tall and skinny. Most medium t-shirts barely hit my waist and larges look really wide on me. If anyone has a solution to this, let me know. I just want some stuff that fits me alright, trendiness doesn't really concern me. I actually try to avoid being too trendy. I have found that button downs tend to fit me better than T-shirts and polos, but I can't wear them all the time. 15 1/2 34/35 is a good fit.
Mlwoo's guide on how to not be prole: Wear solid color collared shirts. Doesn't have to be any particular brand, just a good knit material. If it's a button-down, make sure your collar actually buttons down. Nothing looks more stupid than some jackass with an American Eagle shirt with the collar sticking all over the place. Button it down and look sharp. If it doesn't have collar buttons, get rid of it. Vertical stripes on any kind of shirt are an absolute no-no. Wear some loafers if you're going out to a social event unless it's outdoors or a pool party or something. (Leather flip flops will work then) No graphic tees. Period. No graphic button downs or polos either. Anything with a giant dragon, skull, or scorpion plastered on the side of it is a sign you are a tool and need to be punched. If you're going to put product in your hair, which is not recommended, don't spike it up and look like an assclown. No cargo shorts or jorts. Wear a nice pair of khaki shorts of various tame colors. No graphic shorts. Make sure they do not go below your knees. Pleats are preferred. Do not wear any bracelets, livestrong, wwjd or leather metro wristbands. They have no point and look bad. No necklaces. Unless you have some sort of chain or something that is religious. Just make sure it isn't visible. If you're wearing khaki pants, tuck in your damn shirt. You look stupid. No earrings. If you have any questions, please ask me. I will be glad to help.
Do you wear Jeans? If you get t-shirts, what type? I'm not a big fan of all the graphic stuff either. Also, do you have a particular brand of polo that you like?
Jeans are jeans really. I will get Levi's or wranglers. No cowboy cut, but not pre-ripped and faded either. I wear a lot of Ralph Lauren, but you can get similar shirts without the horse at Target or wherever. I generally have LaCoste, Ralp Lauren, and Vineyard Vines polos. My t-shirts are generally from random stuff I've been to over the years. Don't really wear them unless I'm playing sports or lying around the house.
I'm just trying to give quality advice on how to dress. You don't have to take it. Where all the graphic tees you want. I can't stop you.
My biggest problem shopping is that my body type is extremely hard to fit. I am very broad shouldered, but I have a short torso (meaning a shirt that fits my chest/shoulders never fits my waist) ... my thighs/upper legs are very long so finding shorts that work is almost impossible... i need a good tailor, anyone have a reference?
mlwoo is passionate about his clothing. I normally take your posts with a grain of salt, but you appear to be serious about this, so I'll give you props. Some of it makes sense. Some of it I'm flexible with. You probably won't look as good as me when you turn 40. That's ok. As long as you accept yourself for who you are, you will go places.
