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My sig-o could use some new clothes. He's still wearing his jeans and tees to work now that he's gotten promoted to middle management, and I'd really like him to look the part.
Where do you recommend shopping for business casual clothes for a guy about 30? He's mentioned that he'd like to learn to surf, so anything with an island-y or coastal feel gets bonus points.
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He's used to it. He'll complain a bit because it's different and then wear the clothes without giving it another thought.
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He needs at least one suit, but two would be better. Even if he doesn't wear it daily, he will need them eventually for most management jobs.
I would recommend a dark gray suit.....it is formal enough for anything, but you can wear bright colors with it to make it less formal.
The actual definition of business casual changes depending on the workplace....at corporate headquarters it means actual dress slacks and a sports coat. At some places it means shirt and tie, and others it means slacks and a polo shirt.
What does he do for a living?
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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He's the ops manager for the newspaper. He's in charge of everything that happens at night after the paper gets off the press until it reaches folks' houses. He still helps out throwing papers since they're short a district manager, so I don't want anything too fancy for daily wear.
I was thinking more like polos and khakis, but I'd like something a little more interesting that that. That's the business equivilant of jeans and a tee shirt, in my totally biased opinion. It'd be ok, but I'd like something better looking than ok.
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JCPenney has some nice, comfortable slacks called "Stafford-Ease". They have a waist that stretches, but isn't visible, and the slacks are comfortable for moving around. They are dress casual, but can also be dressy.
I would recommend dress shirts as well, but he wouldn't have to wear a tie with them. That way he has all the dress shirts he needs for dressing up, but doesn't feel stifled on a day to day basis.
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I don't know they are called, but those black vests that go over white dress shirts can look really nice on certain people. (especially if he's really pale, or even just white.) Think of the things that you would picture somebody in a symphony wearing.
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Once again, the Stafford Super Shirt is great if he ever needs to button them up and wear a tie...they have invisible elastic on the top button, so they don't strangle you when you need to dress up.
Can you tell I used to sell men's suits for Penney's before they promoted me? Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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How do the other people in middle management at his company dress? Every corporation has its own culture. There are places where even the CEO doesn't wear a suit except perhaps to stock holders meetings.
Its worth finding this out. He's not going to be comfortable with the change under any circumstances and if he's dressed more formally than his peers it will be even worse.
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I would recommend strongly against Banana Republic. I bought some business casual clothes from them several years ago - not cheap stuff - and it all wore out from regular, daily use in several months.
Very poor quality.
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If you're looking for something funky, fashionable and not too expensive, then I'd take a look at Ben Sherman. If he's been able to get away with tshirts and jeans, then some of their trousers and button-up shirts will make him a lot more presentable, but still let him feel a little casual and stylish.
They do nice suits and shoes too.
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quote:I don't know they are called, but those black vests that go over white dress shirts can look really nice on certain people. (especially if he's really pale, or even just white.) Think of the things that you would picture somebody in a symphony wearing.
You mean a waistcoat?
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I'll second the Ben Sherman — they are some of my favorite clothes that I own, though most of it is pretty casual.
Posts: 1810 | Registered: Jan 1999
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This kind of sweater seems fairly popular among middle managers at my company. It's a VERY relaxed atmosphere when it comes to the way people dress. I would imagine that if he's getting away with wearing t-shirts to work, the boyfriend is also working in a really relaxed dress code situation. Wearing this kind of sweater with jeans is very casual - not "dressed up" but looks a little more professional than wearing a t-shirt or a cheap cotton polo.
I actually think the Dockers brand of shirts has some really good options - along with some bad ones - here's a good one somewhere between casual and dressy.
Flat-front corduroy or khaki pants are a step up from jeans without looking as stuffy as dress slacks, IMO. And I think pleated pants look like dress slacks even if they aren't supposed to. And they make me think of golf and Lumbergh.
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I've found the dress slacks and dress shirt without a tie to be a pretty good compromise between looking professional and not feeling too stuffy. Dress slacks (the right ones) are actually more comfortable than most Docker-type khakis, IMO, and the dress shirt gets you through the wide variety of situations you'd be in as a manager without ever feeling over- or under-dressed. And you can still manage to look fairly hip with the right colors and cuts (I haven't quite nailed that part yet, but I'm working on it). I suggest either having the shirts fitted, or buying a size smaller than the "comfortable" size so the shirt is more form-fitting. This is to avoid that balloon look when a dress shirt is tucked in. For example, I tend to look for size XL in shirts, but the right dress shirt in size L actually fits me better, as long as it's still long enough on the sleeves and waist.
Hair and shoes are also important. If he hasn't settled on a good-looking, maintainable hair style, now's the time. And the right kind of shoes, ones that look dressy and trendy while remaining very comfortable, make a huge difference. I recommend something along these lines in dark brown or black.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Wow. I really disagree with you guys on the Ben Sherman stuff.
And I'm worried about my taste since I'm drawn to the stuff on the Dockers page that Charlie Harper would wear.
His haircut's perfect, but you're right about the shoes. He'll need a new pair between sneakers and dress shoes.
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You can't go wrong with chinos and a plain polo shirt.
Nobody got fired for wearing a suit to work (not including astronauts and deep-sea divers, I know, I know...)
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If polo shirt is the level of formality, and you want something a little different, try Banana Republic.
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When you are looking at dress shirts, nothing beats the standby white with a butten collar. Lands End has one that has been $20 for ever. This one always looks nice. It is comfortable enough to use for pajamas. (or to lift and carry while wearing it.) And it has been in style almost as long as I have. You could buy two or three, without breaking the bank. I guarantee they will get worn.
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Ah! Land's End! Thanks for that. I was trying to think of the name of the store and kept getting hung up on LLBean.
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quote:Nobody got fired for wearing a suit to work.
I doubt anyone got fired solely for wearing jeans and a tea shirt to work.
But I suppose what you are really claiming is that dressing more formally than others is never a professional disadvantage. In my experience that isn't always true. In many place, more formal dress is interpreted as a sign that you are putting on aires or that you are stiff and unapproachable. Someone who wears a suit when no one else does can be seen as being out of touch with the workers and unwilling to pitch in and get their hands dirty. This is a cultural issue and it is very important to understand what certain types of dress mean within the particular subculture in which you work.
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I currently buy my work pants from Gap. They seem to hold up well (I burn through pants rather quickly, actually) and offer a reasonable selection of colors and styles.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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Always check the discount racks which will be hidden somewhere in the suits section. There is usually one rack somewhere that has the 'old' merchandise on it. I have several pairs of $125 or more dress pants that I picked up for $10 to $20. I think a lot of it depends on where you work, so Rabbit is correct about the culture in the workplace. A newspaper may be less formal but he may want to move up which may be more formal. Just unbuttoning the top button of a shirt and tie combo does make for a more relaxed feel while still giving the more formal feel
Posts: 1918 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Like I said, a suit might make you feel overdressed, but dress slacks and a dress shirt (no tie, top unbuttoned) are a pretty good all-purpose combination that feels neither underdressed nor overdressed whether in a management meeting or "on the floor." And you can make that combination as conservative or hip as you like.
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