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So my firm has a 'khaki/polo' or 'business casual' policy during the summer months. Unfortunately, my informal wardrobe needs updating. Any thoughts on the most professional/best work attire?

Button down long-sleeve shirt (polo on Fridays, depending on what everyone else wears), no tie
Khaki pants w/ Belt
Boat shoes / Loafers / Dress shoes with socks

Should be fine

duckmoney wrote:Button down long-sleeve shirt (polo on Fridays, depending on what everyone else wears), no tie
Khaki pants w/ Belt
Boat shoes / Loafers / Dress shoes with socks

Should be fine

Definitely... I guess I should have specified, though. I was also curious as to specific brands or styles to look for. It seems like Banana would be a safe bet, but I never find what I want in there...

jchoggan wrote:

duckmoney wrote:Button down long-sleeve shirt (polo on Fridays, depending on what everyone else wears), no tie
Khaki pants w/ Belt
Boat shoes / Loafers / Dress shoes with socks

Should be fine

Definitely... I guess I should have specified, though. I was also curious as to specific brands or styles to look for. It seems like Banana would be a safe bet, but I never find what I want in there...

Try J. Crew, Ralph Lauren(the outlet store is great for basics), Brooks Brothers, etc.

I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

Johnston & Murphy used to have really good men's business casual shoes, IIRC. They're having their end of season sale. There clothes are super hit and miss(mostly miss) but for shoes/accessories(like cufflinks) they're great.

Consider investing in some well tailored slacks. Go with lightweight wool that you can wear year round. They look better than khakis.

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pu_golf88 wrote:I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

JCrew sucks for the following reasons.... most of their clothes are just standard, basic textiles. It's the marketing and damn canoe boats hanging on the ceiling that dupe people into thinking JCrew gear is anything other than generic textiles made in Taiwan.

Brooks Brothers is actually good quality that warrants the price, IMO.

lolschool2011 wrote:

pu_golf88 wrote:I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

JCrew sucks for the following reasons.... most of their clothes are just standard, basic textiles. It's the marketing and damn canoe boats hanging on the ceiling that dupe people into thinking JCrew gear is anything other than generic textiles made in Taiwan.

Brooks Brothers is actually good quality that warrants the price, IMO.

The thing about J Crew is that they have GREAT sales. You just don't pay full price. When I buy things there on mega sale, I don't care if it is a "generic textile made in Taiwan."

eandy wrote:

lolschool2011 wrote:

pu_golf88 wrote:I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

JCrew sucks for the following reasons.... most of their clothes are just standard, basic textiles. It's the marketing and damn canoe boats hanging on the ceiling that dupe people into thinking JCrew gear is anything other than generic textiles made in Taiwan.

Brooks Brothers is actually good quality that warrants the price, IMO.

The thing about J Crew is that they have GREAT sales. You just don't pay full price. When I buy things there on mega sale, I don't care if it is a "generic textile made in Taiwan."

You might as well shop at the Gap or Old Navy instead of JCrew, unless, like you said, you buy anything from JCrew only on an extreme sale. I'm talking 70% percent off+

eandy wrote:

lolschool2011 wrote:

pu_golf88 wrote:I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

JCrew sucks for the following reasons.... most of their clothes are just standard, basic textiles. It's the marketing and damn canoe boats hanging on the ceiling that dupe people into thinking JCrew gear is anything other than generic textiles made in Taiwan.

Brooks Brothers is actually good quality that warrants the price, IMO.

The thing about J Crew is that they have GREAT sales. You just don't pay full price. When I buy things there on mega sale, I don't care if it is a "generic textile made in Taiwan."

This. And many J Crew stores give an additional student discount...! It's not advertised but if you ask in store you'll most likely get it, even on top of sales. I used that to all hell in UG. I think it's something like 20% maybe.

Edit: J Crew =/= Old Navy

lolschool2011 wrote:

eandy wrote:

lolschool2011 wrote: JCrew sucks for the following reasons.... most of their clothes are just standard, basic textiles. It's the marketing and damn canoe boats hanging on the ceiling that dupe people into thinking JCrew gear is anything other than generic textiles made in Taiwan.

Brooks Brothers is actually good quality that warrants the price, IMO.

The thing about J Crew is that they have GREAT sales. You just don't pay full price. When I buy things there on mega sale, I don't care if it is a "generic textile made in Taiwan."

You might as well shop at the Gap or Old Navy instead of JCrew, unless, like you said, you buy anything from JCrew only on an extreme sale. I'm talking 70% percent off+

JCrew fits me better than the Gap, so I usually shop there. Large Tall ftw!

krad wrote:

eandy wrote:

lolschool2011 wrote:

pu_golf88 wrote:I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

JCrew sucks for the following reasons.... most of their clothes are just standard, basic textiles. It's the marketing and damn canoe boats hanging on the ceiling that dupe people into thinking JCrew gear is anything other than generic textiles made in Taiwan.

Brooks Brothers is actually good quality that warrants the price, IMO.

The thing about J Crew is that they have GREAT sales. You just don't pay full price. When I buy things there on mega sale, I don't care if it is a "generic textile made in Taiwan."

This. And many J Crew stores give an additional student discount...! It's not advertised but if you ask in store you'll most likely get it, even on top of sales. I used that to all hell in UG. I think it's something like 20% maybe.

Edit: J Crew =/= Old Navy

Maybe the comparison was exaggerated, but J Crew still seems like basic textiles sold at an absurd premium b/c of the pretense added to it by their marketing. Alas, this is what retail is all about though, right? Selling an "image." I like quality way more than labels. In fact, I hate wearing anything with a visible logo.

pu_golf88 wrote:I love J Crew. For casual pants, I think it's the essential chino?, you can specify your inseam and cuff lengths. Now there's no need for a tailor.

If you're thinking Brooks Brothers, look tonight. They have a sale going on that ends today.

I like J Crew for casual polos. Not so sure about their pants, though.

Thanks for the note on Brooks Brothers... just bought a couple non-iron chinos online (their shirts are the best, so I figured I'd give them a shot). We'll see how they do.

I bought 4 new Cashmere v-neck sweaters from Macys that were marked down from $150 to $60 bucks. I highly recommend checking those out.... very versatile and look good w/a button down and tie underneath.

lolschool2011 wrote:I bought 4 new Cashmere v-neck sweaters from Macys that were marked down from $150 to $60 bucks. I highly recommend checking those out.... very versatile and look good w/a button down and tie underneath.

Sounds awesome... but probably not the best idea in 105-degree heat. Probably good for other SAs though.

duckmoney wrote:Button down long-sleeve shirt (polo on Fridays, depending on what everyone else wears), no tie
Khaki pants w/ Belt
Boat shoes / Loafers / Dress shoes with socks

Should be fine

I think a tie makes all shirts look better so I'd go with it even though it isn't mandatory.

Lacoste and Burberry. If you game the sales you can get them for a very reasonable price too.

Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren are the most "business-y" of the business casual. A button down from either is a perfect business casual look.

romothesavior wrote:Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren are the most "business-y" of the business casual. A button down from either is a perfect business casual look.

The problem is that they aren't really flattering on all body types. If you have a narrower frame, going for a European designer is the way to do it.

lolschool2011 wrote: Maybe the comparison was exaggerated, but J Crew still seems like basic textiles sold at an absurd premium b/c of the pretense added to it by their marketing. Alas, this is what retail is all about though, right? Selling an "image." I like quality way more than labels. In fact, I hate wearing anything with a visible logo.

This is true. Ditto on logos, for sure.

My SO, his father, and my father all wear a lot of Brooks Bros and mostly buy during sales; they've had a lot of good to say about BB. They are all 6'2"+ and larger, though...

romothesavior wrote:Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren are the most "business-y" of the business casual. A button down from either is a perfect business casual look.

+1. Can't go wrong with either.

A&O wrote:

romothesavior wrote:Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren are the most "business-y" of the business casual. A button down from either is a perfect business casual look.

The problem is that they aren't really flattering on all body types. If you have a narrower frame, going for a European designer is the way to do it.

The slim fit BB shirts are pretty good for this, and the Nordstrom trim fit non-irons are comparable and have a more European fit (though they don't last quite as long). You can also get your shirts tailored for pretty cheap, depending on where you go.

Even the slim-fit BB shirts are parachutes on a lot of people.