OCI/callbacks/etc Men's Clothing Mega-thread Forum

[PennBull]

Question for those of you well-versed in Allen Edmonds shoes.

I know BB has and AE line. Are these the same as AE Park Avenues?

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Allen-Edm ... &cgid=0522

I ask because I have a coupon for 40% off a single item at BB, and I could thus save money on Park Avenues, but I want to be sure they're the same thing.

TYIA.

yeah they're the same, just branded differently

[JasonSehorn]

Is going to the J. Crew route the best option? They have suits, sport coats, blazers, and dress shoes.

[FSK]

Is going to the J. Crew route the best option? They have suits, sport coats, blazers, and dress shoes.

They're stupidly overpriced for the quality if you pay full price.

[PennBull]

Is going to the J. Crew route the best option? They have suits, sport coats, blazers, and dress shoes.

their Ludlow line is lauded as being shockingly good for the price given their good fabrics and excellent construction. Won't go on sale much, if ever (sometimes they'll put a weird pattern or fabric on sale)

For their other things, I recommend going the sale route, as they're still good quality but prolly not for retail price.

Their factory lines don't suck.

[Anonymous User]

What colors/patterns should I be getting for dress shirts at a business casual firm (open collared shirt with wool-ish slacks and dress shoes)?

[Tiago Splitter]

What colors/patterns should I be getting for dress shirts at a business casual firm (open collared shirt with wool-ish slacks and dress shoes)?

Doesn't matter. You can go with just about anything that works with your pants.

[JasonSehorn]

Thanks for the replies. Next question about that same route is ties. . . They only carry thinner ties. Are thinner ties okay for the big law setting, or do you need the normal width ties?

[ymmv]

What colors/patterns should I be getting for dress shirts at a business casual firm (open collared shirt with wool-ish slacks and dress shoes)?

Colors depend on your hair/eye color and skin tone. So many options for patterns - really hard to go wrong with tattersall, hairline stripes, gingham, and simple checks.

[mu13ski]

Thanks for the replies. Next question about that same route is ties. . . They only carry thinner ties. Are thinner ties okay for the big law setting, or do you need the normal width ties?

The Tie Bar by far is the best place for ties. http://www.thetiebar.com/

[Tiago Splitter]

good lord don't get a brass buttoned blazer unless you want to look like a prep school goober

(such blazers are nice and can be worn appropriately but at a firm you will look like a prep school goober)

*Shrug.* I've seen so many people at firms wearing these. Idk, I just want something to wear with biz casual shit when it's chilly. I hate doing the suit minus tie thing. Those jackets mu posted looked cool.

The thing about most summer jobs is that chilly isn't a problem. In like 90% of the country you'll be happy to never have to wear a jacket.

[ymmv]

good lord don't get a brass buttoned blazer unless you want to look like a prep school goober

(such blazers are nice and can be worn appropriately but at a firm you will look like a prep school goober)

*Shrug.* I've seen so many people at firms wearing these. Idk, I just want something to wear with biz casual shit when it's chilly. I hate doing the suit minus tie thing. Those jackets mu posted looked cool.

The thing about most summer jobs is that chilly isn't a problem. In like 90% of the country you'll be happy to never have to wear a jacket.

I nearly froze to death last summer. Local thermostat control is never a guarantee in life. Also nights, waterfronts, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Where's a good place for business casual slacks? I don't know where to start with any of this.

[KM2016]

Where's a good place for business casual slacks? I don't know where to start with any of this.

Nordstrom Rack. Stick to wool/synthetic wool materials in colors like navy, gray (dark or light), olive, khaki, and brown.

[mvp99]

Where's a good place for business casual slacks? I don't know where to start with any of this.

Nordstrom Rack. Stick to wool/synthetic wool materials in colors like navy, gray (dark or light), olive, khaki, and brown.

Normal Nordstrom slacks are $155 minimum. I think its possible to get good (not awesome) 100% wool slacks for less than $100.

http://www.landsend.com/products/mens-p ... /id_200237

these will need some moderate to major tailoring at your local shop but the $155 pants will need tailoring anyway.

[Anonymous User]

Where's a good place for business casual slacks? I don't know where to start with any of this.

Nordstrom Rack. Stick to wool/synthetic wool materials in colors like navy, gray (dark or light), olive, khaki, and brown.

Thanks.

How important is the wool thing? In other words, color aside, is something like this out of the question? https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/prod ... color=GREY

[mu13ski]

As far as the sportcoats...thoughts on these:

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... water-grey

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... /B9668.jsp

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... t-charcoal

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/pr ... =186124002


Versatility is key. I'd love something that I could wear for happy hours with some dress pants or chinos and then possibly dress it down to wear with nice jeans at night.

[shouldershoulders]

How are these for a NY business casual firm?

https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/pan ... /47475.jsp

[mvp99]

Where's a good place for business casual slacks? I don't know where to start with any of this.

Nordstrom Rack. Stick to wool/synthetic wool materials in colors like navy, gray (dark or light), olive, khaki, and brown.

Thanks.

How important is the wool thing? In other words, color aside, is something like this out of the question? https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/prod ... color=GREY

So wool usually looks better, its more formal, usually does not have an unwanted shine, and it feels better on your skin. Buying cheap polyester pants is like putting water bottles for pants. You can get 100% wool pants or something similar for $60-100, so why buy polyester?

[mvp99]

How are these for a NY business casual firm?

https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/pan ... /47475.jsp

Would you wear a suit in that color? if yes, then buy it. Biz casual in NYC is probably equal to formal minus the suit jacket and tie (i.e. err on the side of being formal when doing biz casual). So if I wouldn't wear a suit in that color, then I won't wear the pants in biz casual. I don't want to make a fashion statement but simply blend in..

PS no socks? yizus..

[shouldershoulders]

How are these for a NY business casual firm?

https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/pan ... /47475.jsp

Would you wear a suit in that color? if yes, then buy it. Biz casual in NYC is probably equal to formal minus the suit jacket and tie (i.e. err on the side of being formal when doing biz casual). So if I wouldn't wear a suit in that color, then I won't wear the pants in biz casual. I don't want to make a fashion statement but simply blend in..

PS no socks? yizus..

Yeah I wasn't thinking of any particular color. Would probably go with "dark charcoal," though, which seems suitably formal. I meant to ask whether those were the right "type" of pants / whether they're too slim.

Will def be wearing socks.

[5ky]

How are these for a NY business casual firm?

https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/pan ... /47475.jsp

Would you wear a suit in that color? if yes, then buy it. Biz casual in NYC is probably equal to formal minus the suit jacket and tie (i.e. err on the side of being formal when doing biz casual). So if I wouldn't wear a suit in that color, then I won't wear the pants in biz casual. I don't want to make a fashion statement but simply blend in..

PS no socks? yizus..

Yeah I wasn't thinking of any particular color. Would probably go with "dark charcoal," though, which seems suitably formal. I meant to ask whether those were the right "type" of pants / whether they're too slim.

Will def be wearing socks.

All of those colors are more than acceptable. Not too slim unless they don't actually fit you.

[mvp99]

As far as the sportcoats...thoughts on these:

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... water-grey

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... /B9668.jsp

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... t-charcoal

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/pr ... =186124002


Versatility is key. I'd love something that I could wear for happy hours with some dress pants or chinos and then possibly dress it down to wear with nice jeans at night.

Looks fine to me although if you're into this kind of "sport coats" you might as well wear a suit jacket you already have. For me a true sport coat is at least lightly patterned and its color is not a traditional suit color (that's what makes it less formal). But you can wear that grey with a contrasting pant and I'm pretty sure it'll look fine.

[MCFC]

Are button down collars too casual for business casual in NY?

[mvp99]

Are button down collars too casual for business casual in NY?

I think button down collars are fine and might even look better than some non-button down dress shirts in some situations. e.g spread collars when unbuttoned look pretty bad sometimes..

[FSK]

As far as the sportcoats...thoughts on these:

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... water-grey

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... /B9668.jsp

https://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing ... t-charcoal

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/pr ... =186124002


Versatility is key. I'd love something that I could wear for happy hours with some dress pants or chinos and then possibly dress it down to wear with nice jeans at night.

Looks fine to me although if you're into this kind of "sport coats" you might as well wear a suit jacket you already have. For me a true sport coat is at least lightly patterned and its color is not a traditional suit color (that's what makes it less formal). But you can wear that grey with a contrasting pant and I'm pretty sure it'll look fine.

oh god never wear a suit jacket as a sport coat. Its so obvious. THe differnce isn't just color. ITs fit & constructino.