Comments on: The Wardrobe: Version 1.1

By: InfoMofo

InfoMofo — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 15:12:17 +0000

I have a very nice reversible belt from Ferragamo that I got a few years back and I still use as my only work belt. You have to pop a latch to actually remove the buckle itself, so it’s not quite as easy as the reversible Mickey Mouse belt buckle that I had when I was 7.

I’m right with you on being sick of blazers in general. Every jerk in Brooklyn overdid that last year.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:02:05 +0000

Why no love for black pants? They’re a versatile color that goes with just about anything - light, dark, any color out there. I wear them at least 3 days a week. Before you ask, yes, I own multiple pairs.

By: Dave P

Dave P — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:11:22 +0000

5 shirts is not enough if our man is wearing them to work every day. I don’t know about y’all, but my laundry place takes 2-3 days to get shirts back, so I’d be at the dry cleaners at least twice a week. With 10 shirts you can just go once a week with a full week’s worth, and you have a buffer if you don’t pick them up right away.

Also add another pair of jeans — Saturday AND Sunday, after all.

And I don’t know how we are handling seasonal stuff, but I wouldn’t be able to handle summer without at least one pair of cargo shorts.

By: macgoo

macgoo — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 07:30:07 +0000

Damn thats pretty close to my wardrobe at the moment!

By: Ranazar

Ranazar — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 03:36:57 +0000

Q. Why just three pairs of pants?

A. Well, we’re going really bare-bones here and counting the suit pants, you should be able to wear each pair a couple times between washes and still get the week.

A piece of advice I’ve gotten from those who presumably know better is that you should never wear your suit pants on their own. The idea being that if you wear the pants more often than the jacket, eventually the pants get lighter in shade than the coat, and the suit no longer appears to quite match.

Personally, I’d add a second pair of jeans. You can get some very dressy pairs which would go equally well with a shirt or a T.

By: Boris Ruffly

Boris Ruffly — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 03:25:04 +0000

With socks, I match my shoes. Same with belt, which is why I don’t think just one brown belt is going to “cut it,” as they say.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 03:15:45 +0000

A couple of things, and a bunch of them have been said, so i’m just throwing in my vote with them:

–socks–
I go for dark socks in general, however i’ve been told and i can understand that for suits and “Fancy pants” you want them to match the pants. (Think of the old guy with the grey slacks and white socks showing…)

–belt–
* There are decent reversables out there. I have a real good Nautica from Marshals. You pull out the buckle slightly, twist it around, and voila it’s reversed–you’ll see no seams.
* After i was told your belt should match your shoes, i noticed that i looked funny wearing brown belts with black shoes, and so did others.
* I’d go a basic black and basic brown
* Oh no! There are also fancier belts, they’re slimmer. grr

–blazers–
* These are fun, these are versatile. I hate blue blazers, and I hate brass buttons. So i do my own style.

–basic wardrobe arguments–
I totally understand your concept of a wardrobe at its most basic, and used as a *base*. I also think i see where other people are trying to go.
Can I suggest maybe building a slight spectrum then?
1. Basic-level wardrobe: at it’s most basic. one pair of socks per day style concept
2. Comfort-level wardrobe: now you can pad out slightly without going too far, a pair of socks a day, and an additional pair per weekend night.
…get the idea?

sorry for the essay.

By: Jim Top

Jim Top — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:05:41 +0000

I personally match my shoes. I think it depends though if you match your legs it makes your legs tall, match your shoes and it makes your feet big.

So its really what your trying to go for.

By: Caffiend

Caffiend — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:29:49 +0000

I’ve heard that you should match the socks to the pants. Light socks for khaki’s…

But most guys don’t. I notice that alot of guys match the shoes.

By: Jim Top

Jim Top — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:59:59 +0000

Old Navy had some really nice Navy Blazers without the nasty gold buttons. I actually bought both their navy and their green blazer (as I have a few black shirts that look good with a green blazer and khaki pants)

By: Calaverius

Calaverius — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:35:07 +0000

Sock rules:
No 100% synthetics, buy cotton, wool, cashmere etc.
No “athletic/tube socks” outside the gym.
No white socks outside the gym.
Colored socks can work to match your shirt, tie, etc. but know you’ll be making
a “statement” if you do.
Generally, dark socks, of good quality, can go with anything.
Some people (girls I know) say dark socks and white sneakers look weird, but I disagree.
Most of these girls also think if you have white sneakers, and let’s say jeans, you shouldn’t wear socks. This also applies to loafers/driving shoes/boat shoes, prepare to be criticized by stylish women if you wear socks with these.
I personally hate the way shoes feel without socks, but that’s just me.
No socks with sandals.
Also, never hesitate to throw away socks past their prime. If they look old in any way, chuck em’ and get new ones. Same goes for underwear. (assuming you even care) Girls notice that type of shit and tell all their friends about it.

By: _Jon

_Jon — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 19:36:06 +0000

The Basics:
Socks: More dark, less light (like 10 & 4).
Briefs: Boxers aren’t the best for everyone, but “tidy-whities” are definately bad.
Suit: Good.
Shirts: 6+. You don’t want to be the “Blue shirt on Monday” guy. Eight gives you an optimal rotation.
Ties: 6+. See “Shirts”, above.
Slacks: Good.
Jeans: Good.
Casual Pants: Good. I suggest dark color.
Belt(s): 2 or reversible.
T-Shirts: 5. Recommend Wife Beater or V-neck. If you loosen your tie & collar, it isn’t good to show off your under-shirt. Why 10 if everything else here is only one week? (Except socks which need to be coordinated correctly with the outfit.)
Shoes: Good. Make sure they are flexible and comfy. With laces is best - can be loosened.
Sneakers: The bigger the feet, the darker the color.

The Fall:
All are good except that long coat and scarf implies “Winter”, which requires gloves and a hat. People from the upper plains stay warm by wearing warm stuff.

Syntax:
Do not put periods(.) at the end of bullet-point items unless you have formed a full sentance. See above. It looks stupid.

Language:
“A. Oh fuck right off. ”
– f-ing hilarious. This motivated me to make this review / comment.

By: Andrew White

Andrew White — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 19:31:04 +0000

Okay: socks. What are the rules with socks? Help me break out from my all-dark-grey funk.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:40:34 +0000

Here’s a decent cashmere blue blazer w/o the ridicculous Judge Smails buttons:

[url]http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=1000&pcount=&Product_Id=239330[/url]

“It’s easy to grin, when your ships come in . . . “

By: Scott_335

Scott_335 — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:38:41 +0000

Remember people, this is supposed to be “basic”. I would not wear a blazer ever in my current job, nor on a date. I would, however, wear a pair of doc martens to a show, which most people would not have a use for. See?

By: Calaverius

Calaverius — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:35:03 +0000

Light socks????

For what? Maybe going to the gym, otherwise there’s no excuse. It’s a bad look.

By: c0bra

c0bra — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:12:21 +0000

“Jeans or khaki’s look like they’ve been worn after just a few hours.”

Actually I find that the wrinkles from being thrown on the floor work out after wearing them for those few hours :P. I do like to have multiple pairs of jeans, though. For work, mostly.

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:21:36 +0000

Alright, you’re all about to sway me on the blue blazers. Can anyone recommend one that doesn’t have the creepy gold buttons?