Help the sartorially impeded

[Reardy Mister]

Chaps I start a new job on Monday on Lower Thames street and am in desperate need of a new work wardrobe. Dress code for the new office is Business Casual. I am thinking a bunch of fitted shirts, a few pairs of chinos/slacks/whatever and a some honey leather brogues with matching belt. I dont have David Gandy's looks or David Beckham's budget in fact I have no affiliation with any Davids, nor is it my name. But I will pay a little more for quality and decent fit. Just not loads. Somewhere between TM Lewin and Drakes. But closer to TM Lewin.

Any recommendations appreciated as I'm new to buying clothes in the city.

[Grey Ghost]

TM Lewin currently offering 5 shirts for £100 from memory, M&S do a good range of casual trousers these days, Loakes for shoes if you want a pair that last and are happy to pay a little premium - http://www.loake.co.uk/byrange/web-exclusives.html

Also, as you are on Lower Thames Street you'll get to visit The Oyster Shed - http://www.oystershed.co.uk/

Good beer choice, half decent food and some decent scenery when the weather picks up

[Goaty Bill 2]

Get yourself over to Jermyn Street and have a wander around.
Business casual is technically speaking not quite as casual as chinos in many places.
More of 'sports' jacket with trousers, collared shirt, but often sans tie.
That said, standards have declined considerably over the years, and the best advice I think is (if you haven't already done so) to make detailed enquiries with your new employer.
Assuming you have met your new manager, that's a good person to ask as a start, but not just what they wear, what the 'average' is or appears to be around the office and in your team.
Don't spend too much initially as you may have to adjust a bit, once you've had a look around.

The better men's stores in Jermyn Street will be able to tell you precisely what is correct 'business casual' and what is not.
New and Lingwood, Turnbull and Asser, Hawes and Curtis are good for jackets, trousers etc.
Charles Tyrwhitt and Hawes and Curtis offer spectacularly good value for off the shelf shirts (5 for £100).
Shoes are a 'what you want to spend' thing. Endless top shoe makers. Barker probably being the best 'bang for your buck', where decent looking and good quality shoes can be had for as little as £150 depending on your taste / requirements.
Of course, Loakes are a good, slightly less expensive option, while not sacrificing much (if any) on quality.


Regarding my advice to 'ask the boss';
There is an old adage; Don't dress for the job/position you have, dress for the job/position you want to be in. (though not Batman, Superman btw )

1) I have had a couple of managers who have dressed more as though they were seeking demotion, so that person may not always give the best advice after all.
2) While it's probably better to dress a bit above the average, don't go too far over the top (formal) as some may consider it disrespectful to colleagues.


Expect an avalanche of replies

[Mutley]

My office operates Business Casual, to them it means you wear a suit but no tie unless meeting clients.

[schmunk]

I am today in London wearing business casual.

Loake brown brogues, a belt from India* and Charles Tyrwhitt shirt and chinos.

I have tried all of the cheap shirtmakers and find CT (non-iron, slim / extra slim fit) to be the best. Note 'Classic' / 'Regular' fit shirts tend to be marquee-like, from all vendors.



* the country - don't go searching for a shop...

[mark_m135]

It will vary by company as said above, but my experience* American companies tend to be more Chinos and a shirt, whilst European companies are smarter trousers, shirt, jacket but no tie.

That said, the first few days, wear a suit and no tie, you can easily take off your jacket if that's the thing, or after a few days swap to some chinos, and shoes based on what your colleagues wear.

• I've worked for 3 us companies and 3 European and this has held for them.

[Adam B]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

There is an old adage; Don't dress for the job/position you have, dress for the job/position you want to be in.

true

Far easier to just buy standard suits and shirts and not wear a tie IMHO, thereby avoiding chino fashion hell, and it makes life far easier dressing in the morning

[Goaty Bill 2]

mark_m135 said:

That said, the first few days, wear a suit and no tie, you can easily take off your jacket if that's the thing, or after a few days swap to some chinos, and shoes based on what your colleagues wear.

Adam B said:

Goaty Bill 2 said:

There is an old adage; Don't dress for the job/position you have, dress for the job/position you want to be in.

true

Far easier to just buy standard suits and shirts and not wear a tie IMHO, thereby avoiding chino fashion hell, and it makes life far easier dressing in the morning

Good advice above IMO. For my own part tend towards the jacket and trousers approach in general as it gives more flexibility for business casual and smart casual.
Having at least one decent lounge/business suit is essential though.

The thing that one must never stint on is shoes / shoe care. They make or break whatever you are wearing.
We (nearly) all of us have to live within some kind of budget. But no matter how cheap your shoes are; keep them spotless, polished and well soled.

Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Wednesday 6th January 18:41

[Goaty Bill 2]

Apparently avalanche prediction is more difficult than I was led to believe.

In any case; congratulations on the job, and have fun in the sales.

[Grey Ghost]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

Apparently avalanche prediction is more difficult than I was led to believe.

I expect using the word "sartorially" in the thread title took out 99% of PH's current flock of contributors

[uk66fastback]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

We (nearly) all of us have to live within some kind of budget. But no matter how cheap your shoes are; keep them spotless, polished and well soled.

Never a truer word spoken. You never get a second chance to make a first impression or however the bks saying goes. NO excuse for shoes which haven't been polished. An old boss of mine would wear a suit with trainers round the office. Gout was his excuse.

I see young 'uns (-25) with these pointy shoes that'd take your eye out in tight suits with 30" waist trousers, and the shoes look fked at the tips. Shame, as 'the modern look' - beard/stubble, decent suit, has never been easier to acquire.

[Simond S]

I fond Lewins shirts much better quality that Tywhritts. I still have shirts from 10 years ago, although I do only wear them once a month.

I'd agree that business casual is more business and less casual. Suit with decent shirt but no tie and decent shoes. Loakes or Barkers are a fair balance between cost and quality. a couple of pairs of each should see you through the net few years.

[Goaty Bill 2]

Grey Ghost said:

Goaty Bill 2 said:

Apparently avalanche prediction is more difficult than I was led to believe.

I expect using the word "sartorially" in the thread title took out 99% of PH's current flock of contributors

And yet, intentionally or otherwise, it appears to have attracted those that might offer good advice from genuine experience.
(IMO it's always good advice when I broadly agree with it )

Based upon the prices and style of some of the contributors shoes in the Show us your new shoes thread, I really expected a better turn out.
Surely all those people with £600+ per pair shoes aren't all wearing them with designer jeans and chinos?

uk66fastback said:

I see young 'uns (-25) with these pointy shoes that'd take your eye out in tight suits with 30" waist trousers, and the shoes look fked at the tips. Shame, as 'the modern look' - beard/stubble, decent suit, has never been easier to acquire.

Getting on the train in the morning makes me want to cry at the condition of many (most?) men's shoes.
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing trainers with a suit, even from station to office, no matter how far I had to walk.

As you say, it's never been easier. Twenty years ago, as a visiting consultant, I would never have considered wearing less than a good suit. These days a decent designer sport jacket and tie, and one can often be the best dressed man in the office. (I always check client dress policy before my first day in their office)

[Grey Ghost]

Goaty Bill said:

Based upon the prices and style of some of the contributors shoes in the Show us your new shoes thread, I really expected a better turn out.
Surely all those people with £600+ per pair shoes aren't all wearing them with designer jeans and chinos?

£600 for a pair of shoes...........

£600 these days for me would be 2 pairs of Loakes, 5 shirts from Lewins with cuffs and a couple of ties and 2 or 3 pairs of smart trousers from somewhere, or possibly a sale suit also from Lewins.

I'm clearly getting old

[Reardy Mister]

Lots of good tips here chaps, many thanks. I'm going to stick with suit trousers, shirts and my trusty Jeff Banks Derby shoes (criminally uncomfortable as too narrow - I thought they would loosen up) for a day or three whilst I get the lie of the land, then go shopping.

The title was a carefully cast lure