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

[sprezz]

tldr the carlyle's lack of a captoe decoration lets them play both up and down the formality scale from a PA. if you would ever be comfortable wearing a black PA, you should also be comfortable wearing a carlyle. it's the perfect OCI shoe because it works just as well with a suit but it works better along the fringes (e.g. pants + sportcoat for cocktail hour or the rare non-sandals quinn interview)

you asked a few q's so for completeness: the AE leathers on these options are the same calfskin, so no worries about one being shinier than the other; you can dictate their shininess with conditioner, polish, etc. and about balmoral vs blucher - basically, look to the bottom of the eyeholes that the laces go through. here's a picture that pretty much covers it. it's just one of many factors that determines a shoe's formality, but it's probably the second most prominent (to shoe color). balmorals tend to call for suits; bluchers tend to call for less.

with a plain toe shoe though - buy shoe trees!!

[PennBull]

I think the vamp is a more recognizable characteristic but that's just me

[chrisbru]

I really just don't like bluchers for whatever reason. And definitely do not ever like them with a suit. I won't even wear bluchers with jeans unless they are suede, but that's totally a personal opinion thing of course.

My point - the Carlyle looks awesome.

[1l2016]

I recently got this shirt as a gift in blue, not light blue (I couldn't find the exact shirt on the website, but the pattern is exactly the same, though in a different blue). Is the shirt OCI appropriate? I'm pretty broke and hoping to not have to dish out any more money on a plain white shirt. I just bought a pair of Park Avenues, which really hurt, but hopefully worth it. Thanks!

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Non-Iron- ... &cgid=0203

[Cellar-door]

I recently got this shirt as a gift in blue, not light blue (I couldn't find the exact shirt on the website, but the pattern is exactly the same, though in a different blue). Is the shirt OCI appropriate? I'm pretty broke and hoping to not have to dish out any more money on a plain white shirt. I just bought a pair of Park Avenues, which really hurt, but hopefully worth it. Thanks!

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Non-Iron- ... &cgid=0203

so it is pinstriped in a darker blue with a button down collar?

Do not wear that to a job interview, go to your local Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack, pay $35-40 for a plain white dress shirt without a button down collar.

[FredJones]

Anyone have thoughts on JCrew factory suits?

http://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing/ ... _name=navy

[First Offense]

I recently got this shirt as a gift in blue, not light blue (I couldn't find the exact shirt on the website, but the pattern is exactly the same, though in a different blue). Is the shirt OCI appropriate? I'm pretty broke and hoping to not have to dish out any more money on a plain white shirt. I just bought a pair of Park Avenues, which really hurt, but hopefully worth it. Thanks!

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Non-Iron- ... &cgid=0203

so it is pinstriped in a darker blue with a button down collar?

Do not wear that to a job interview, go to your local Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack, pay $35-40 for a plain white dress shirt without a button down collar.

Did that today - Nordstrom is having a sale and got two trim fits for 42 bucks a pop.

[shock259]

Ok - thinking I'm going to go with a navy for my second suit. Been shopping around a little and found this on sale: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/boss-hugo-b ... it/3638204

I've also got a $100 Nordstrom gift card, so the suit would basically be ~$450.

My first suit is also a Hugo Boss that I bought about 2 years ago. It's a 38R in the dark grey. It fit me pretty well right off the rack, but I recently lost quite a bit of weight on the waist, so I had to have tailored last month. Now it is super slim, and I really like the look and feel of it. The quality seems good to me, but I admit that I am no expert (at all). Anyway, here's the link to the first suit: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/boss-hugo-b ... it/3080085

Any thoughts? What's the reputation for Hugo Boss suits in the general community? Anything I should be concerned about? Thanks!

[Cellar-door]

Ok - thinking I'm going to go with a navy for my second suit. Been shopping around a little and found this on sale: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/boss-hugo-b ... it/3638204

I've also got a $100 Nordstrom gift card, so the suit would basically be ~$450.

My first suit is also a Hugo Boss that I bought about 2 years ago. It's a 38R in the dark grey. It fit me pretty well right off the rack, but I recently lost quite a bit of weight on the waist, so I had to have tailored last month. Now it is super slim, and I really like the look and feel of it. The quality seems good to me, but I admit that I am no expert (at all). Anyway, here's the link to the first suit: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/boss-hugo-b ... it/3080085

Any thoughts? What's the reputation for Hugo Boss suits in the general community? Anything I should be concerned about? Thanks!

Boss are decent though usually really overpriced. $550 isn't that bad for one, I like the Hart Shaffner Marx suits better for that price personally, but they are definitely a fuller cut so if you like slimmer it might not be a good choice.
If you live near a Dillards swing by there on your way to Nordstrom, I saw Hickey Freeman suits (not close to my size unfortunately) at my local store last week for $600 after their 50% off sale (not sure if it is still going on), and they are a better quality suit than Boss or the low-end HSM.

[slayerhn]

.

[LRGhost]

They're fine, I just the red is a bit bright.

[slayerhn]

They're fine, I just the red is a bit bright.

Mine are a darker red (I wouldn't call them burgundy or anything, though), was just trying to find the closest thing.

[shock259]

Just bought a Hugo Boss dark blue suit for ~$450! Not bad! And free tailoring on it! I went down to a 36R and it fits nearly perfectly. Just getting a little bit taken out at the waist. I feel like a supreme badass in it. Really happy with this purchase. Also, snagged a bunch of dress shirts for cheap (~$30 each). And socks. And a few ties. Good haul today.

[txdude45]

Anyone have thoughts on JCrew factory suits?

http://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing/ ... _name=navy

I have a few of these. They're a little tighter in the shoulder than I'd like, but are of surprising quality. Haven't had mine tailored, but will probably take the thighs out a bit due to my body type. Other than that, they're perfectly good rotation suits.

[shock259]

Can we go over the rule for overcoats, suits, and color matching? I've googled around a bit but haven't found much info, other than there doesn't really seem to be much of a strict rule.

I have a charcoal suit and a navy suit. And then a lot of different grey trousers for business casual. What color overcoat would be best for my situation? I'm thinking grey or black. Is it ok to wear a grey or black colored overcoat with navy trousers? Are there any other things to consider? Recommendations on places to pick one up?

Thanks!

Edit: No idea on the quality of this, but looks tempting: http://www.jcpenney.com/clearance/50-75 ... 24910C.tif

[FSK]

Can we go over the rule for overcoats, suits, and color matching? I've googled around a bit but haven't found much info, other than there doesn't really seem to be much of a strict rule.

I have a charcoal suit and a navy suit. And then a lot of different grey trousers for business casual. What color overcoat would be best for my situation? I'm thinking grey or black. Is it ok to wear a grey or black colored overcoat with navy trousers? Are there any other things to consider? Recommendations on places to pick one up?

Thanks!

Edit: No idea on the quality of this, but looks tempting: http://www.jcpenney.com/clearance/50-75 ... 24910C.tif

I think a grey overcoat matches everything....black has always seemed stodgy/funeralish to me. As always, fit is equally important to color - and is tricky with top coats. I recoomend J-Crew Peacoats, though they're not available in store right now. The quality is good for the price (especially if you can nab it on sale), and the fit is great.

[Danger Zone]

If you're getting a topcoat for a suit, you should get one that's at least 3/4 length. A peacoat over a suit jacket looks whacky. The rest of the advice above is credited though.

[shock259]

Thanks guys!

One more: I actually have a black peacoat already. It's wool, in great shape, and fits really well. Unlike most peacoats, it is 3/4 length (comes down to about mid-thigh). Just slightly below my suit jacket. Would this be considered too informal of a coat for a professional setting?

Here's what it looks like: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/pr ... =932453012

[dkb17xzx]

Question: is it better to wear a black striped suit (very thin stripes, bit "shiny," tailored) over an ill-fitting charcoal suit? After reading the threads, I bought a charcoal suit (Jos A Bank Signature) a couple days back -- had time to get the pants altered but not the jacket. It's a not a really bad fit but i'm naturally very skinny and so shoulders are a problem.

Note to others -- do not buy a Jos A Bank signature suit, ever. You're better off flushing your money down the toilet.

also.. are these good shoes?: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BECI6EK/ref ... B00BECI59G

[PennBull]

Question: is it better to wear a black striped suit (very thin stripes, bit "shiny," tailored) over an ill-fitting charcoal suit? After reading the threads, I bought a charcoal suit (Jos A Bank Signature) a couple days back -- had time to get the pants altered but not the jacket. It's a not a really bad fit but i'm naturally very skinny and so shoulders are a problem.

Note to others -- do not buy a Jos A Bank signature suit, ever. You're better off flushing your money down the toilet.

also.. are these good shoes?: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BECI6EK/ref ... B00BECI59G

If you're a skinny guy get a j crew Thompson fit from j crew factory; maybe won't be perfect but it'll be way way way better than your current options

Or a ludlow but I'm guessing you want the cheaper option

Those shoes are fine but if I were you I'd rather spend another hundred bucks and get so,me Park Aves

[BVest]

Question: is it better to wear a black striped suit (very thin stripes, bit "shiny," tailored) over an ill-fitting charcoal suit? After reading the threads, I bought a charcoal suit (Jos A Bank Signature) a couple days back -- had time to get the pants altered but not the jacket. It's a not a really bad fit but i'm naturally very skinny and so shoulders are a problem.

Note to others -- do not buy a Jos A Bank signature suit, ever. You're better off flushing your money down the toilet.

also.. are these good shoes?: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BECI6EK/ref ... B00BECI59G

The real lesson there is don't buy a suit with an ill-fitting coat. Did you try it on?

As far as the shoes, they'll serve you well. If you're interested in leather soles, though, consider the Cole Haan Caldwell.

[1l2016]

Are brown shoes with a charcoal suit OCI appropriate? Or should I keep in more conservative and stick with black shoes?

[PennBull]

Are brown shoes with a charcoal suit OCI appropriate? Or should I keep in more conservative and stick with black shoes?

Why are you asking? Do you not own black shoes? Is OCI tomorrow so that you can't go buy black shoes?

[chrisbru]

Are brown shoes with a charcoal suit OCI appropriate? Or should I keep in more conservative and stick with black shoes?

Just wear black man.

[dkb17xzx]

Question: is it better to wear a black striped suit (very thin stripes, bit "shiny," tailored) over an ill-fitting charcoal suit? After reading the threads, I bought a charcoal suit (Jos A Bank Signature) a couple days back -- had time to get the pants altered but not the jacket. It's a not a really bad fit but i'm naturally very skinny and so shoulders are a problem.

Note to others -- do not buy a Jos A Bank signature suit, ever. You're better off flushing your money down the toilet.

also.. are these good shoes?: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BECI6EK/ref ... B00BECI59G

If you're a skinny guy get a j crew Thompson fit from j crew factory; maybe won't be perfect but it'll be way way way better than your current options

Or a ludlow but I'm guessing you want the cheaper option

Those shoes are fine but if I were you I'd rather spend another hundred bucks and get so,me Park Aves

So... the black suit is definitely out? Yea i just the sale at nordstrom - im gonna go pick up the park aves: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmon ... origin=pla-- these, right?