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Inbetween attire?

RS

RS

Aug 27, 2000
2,881
38
Cleveland, OH
#1
It has become very apparent that I need some type of clothing that falls between home gear (t shirt/jeans or shorts) and work clothes (tie, shirt, slacks or suit) but I can't find anything that appeals to me. No offense to anyone, but I am not a fan of polos or those plaid short sleeved collared button down department store shirts. Other options?
 
#7
You may want to look into some just general button-ups in good colors. I'm also not a fan of the bland, flannel patterned short sleeve shirts. A lot of them are cut like a moo-moo too. My advice would be to hit up a TJ Maxx or Ross' and see what catches your eye. My first philosophy of style is "fit, fit, fit." Nothing ruins what could be a perfectly great outfit than a shirt that's a size too big or wearing pants/jeans that have a wide cut in the hips with a fitted shirt resulting in a pair shape.

I also generally loathe the polo shirt. I do have a couple, but they have a modern, fitted cut and aren't meant for business casual affairs. I've always wore button ups when the situation calls for business casual. I've also avoided Izod because to me it screams "I'm a middle-management drone and this is what I wear on the weekend." No offense to anyone wearing Izod stuff or who works in middle-management. :P

Also, don't be afraid to hit up the thrift stores. I have an awesome pair of Dockers chinos that I scored from Goodwill for like $4.
 
#8
Those "general button up" shirts are not (in my eyes) substantially different than a collared dress shirt other than a pattern or that the material feels different, so I feel I might as well just wear my work shirts/pants. Those types of shirts with jeans or more casual khakis work for many people, but not me.

I hear you on the izod, ralph lauren, nautica, etc. polo gear. Think I'd rather be dead than caught in the yuppy/middle mgmt look.

*Yes, I realize I am picky as hell.
 
#9
Well, I guess I should have stated: I was thinking of more fashion-forward clothes with the button ups - stuff like Calvin Klein, John Varvatos (if you can find a good deal on it), etc. Macy's used to carry a label called International Concepts that I really liked, but they seemed to have scaled back the IC stuff in favor of the (IMO) more boring Alfani line. Although the first suit I ever bought was an Alfani suit. Not a bad suit for the hundred bucks I paid for it, but I wouldn't wear it to an important event.
 
#11
that's kind of what i have to wear to work.

what about a plain collared shirt or long-sleeved t-shirt, dark jeans or black trousers, and desert boots.

i spent a long time fighting the collared shirt, but it is in fact a Good Thing. generally flattering on most guys, in fact it can hide a multitude of sins. just don't tuck it in.
 
#14
RS said:
Maybe you it on something. It isn't so much about me in the end, I suppose. I just hate feeling uncomfortable in clothes, esp. went it is not dictated by work/business norms.
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i know what you mean... when it's the weekend (or really anytime), i just want to wear scruffy jeans and my favourite t-shirt which is now mostly holes.

...that said, i don't know about you but i'm 34 now and i work in an office. i don't stay up all night anymore (much).

i think the thing is to find some clothes that are just a *tiny* bit more smart, but that you still like. i even did a gig in a collared shirt the other day... that was a step forwards!
 
#15
knumbskull said:
that's kind of what i have to wear to work.

what about a plain collared shirt or long-sleeved t-shirt, dark jeans or black trousers, and desert boots.

i spent a long time fighting the collared shirt, but it is in fact a Good Thing. generally flattering on most guys, in fact it can hide a multitude of sins. just don't tuck it in.
Click to expand...

No black pants. Yes, the collared shirt is the basic building block of looking good. I disagree about the untucked look, usually just looks sloppy IMO.

knumbskull said:
i would respectfully vote against this ;)
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Likewise, but he nixed everything else. I was talking along the lines of flannels, and classic colors, just a more overt pattern.

RS said:
Maybe you hit on something. It isn't so much about me in the end, I suppose. I just hate feeling uncomfortable in clothes, esp. went it is not dictated by work/business norms.
Click to expand...

A good OCBD isn't uncomfortable, especially with a nice soft collar. A blue OCBD is the absolute pinnacle of casual shirts.

Unless you just wear a sweater all year, there isn't much between an OCBD and a tee.
 
#20
I think you are left with the Seinfeld "Puffy Shirt":

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Or the Charlie Sheen bowling shirt:

two_and_a_half_men__3_.jpg
 

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