Office Job Wardrobe
Discussion
I've been wearing the same 3 suits and 12 shirts for about 5 years now, only retiring the shirts when they're more grey than white, and am starting to realise I need to refresh my wardrobe slightly.
My office dress code is shirt-without-tie and currently I have a pair of black shoes, 3 suits (1 dark grey, 1 light grey, 1 dark blue) and some shirts which on the whole could do with being replaced although two or three still look decent. All of the above was purchased at Next, generally adding 1 suit every couple of years with an extra shirt or two each year.
I've got about £150 to spend (=/- 10%) and come to PH for your various inputs on where that money would be best spent for best value/longevity without looking (too much) like a very recent graduate.
My office dress code is shirt-without-tie and currently I have a pair of black shoes, 3 suits (1 dark grey, 1 light grey, 1 dark blue) and some shirts which on the whole could do with being replaced although two or three still look decent. All of the above was purchased at Next, generally adding 1 suit every couple of years with an extra shirt or two each year.
I've got about £150 to spend (=/- 10%) and come to PH for your various inputs on where that money would be best spent for best value/longevity without looking (too much) like a very recent graduate.
romeogolf said:
I've been wearing the same 3 suits and 12 shirts for about 5 years now, only retiring the shirts when they're more grey than white, and am starting to realise I need to refresh my wardrobe slightly.
My office dress code is shirt-without-tie and currently I have a pair of black shoes, 3 suits (1 dark grey, 1 light grey, 1 dark blue) and some shirts which on the whole could do with being replaced although two or three still look decent. All of the above was purchased at Next, generally adding 1 suit every couple of years with an extra shirt or two each year.
I've got about £150 to spend (=/- 10%) and come to PH for your various inputs on where that money would be best spent for best value/longevity without looking (too much) like a very recent graduate.
That's an OxymoronMy office dress code is shirt-without-tie and currently I have a pair of black shoes, 3 suits (1 dark grey, 1 light grey, 1 dark blue) and some shirts which on the whole could do with being replaced although two or three still look decent. All of the above was purchased at Next, generally adding 1 suit every couple of years with an extra shirt or two each year.
I've got about £150 to spend (=/- 10%) and come to PH for your various inputs on where that money would be best spent for best value/longevity without looking (too much) like a very recent graduate.
anyway - not sure £150 is going to get you very far other than a few new shirts
LivingTheDream said:
romeogolf said:
I've been wearing the same 3 suits and 12 shirts for about 5 years now, only retiring the shirts when they're more grey than white, and am starting to realise I need to refresh my wardrobe slightly.
My office dress code is shirt-without-tie and currently I have a pair of black shoes, 3 suits (1 dark grey, 1 light grey, 1 dark blue) and some shirts which on the whole could do with being replaced although two or three still look decent. All of the above was purchased at Next, generally adding 1 suit every couple of years with an extra shirt or two each year.
I've got about £150 to spend (=/- 10%) and come to PH for your various inputs on where that money would be best spent for best value/longevity without looking (too much) like a very recent graduate.
That's an OxymoronMy office dress code is shirt-without-tie and currently I have a pair of black shoes, 3 suits (1 dark grey, 1 light grey, 1 dark blue) and some shirts which on the whole could do with being replaced although two or three still look decent. All of the above was purchased at Next, generally adding 1 suit every couple of years with an extra shirt or two each year.
I've got about £150 to spend (=/- 10%) and come to PH for your various inputs on where that money would be best spent for best value/longevity without looking (too much) like a very recent graduate.
anyway - not sure £150 is going to get you very far other than a few new shirts
£95 = 4 new shirts.
£80 = 2 new trousers.
£65 = 1 pair of oxfords (they were from M&S, do I need to go to the council thread now).
These are decent quality, but not top shelf. Fortunately for my job I don't have to be properly suited and booted, just be presentable enough if clients come to the office so no tie, jacket and what not.
The minimum amount I'd expect to spend on a suit is £250 and that's a starting point. I'm not sure you'd get much at Next for £150 these days, Next is good for reasonably priced bedding, but I've always found that their clothing feels cheap (lots of polyester).
Charles Tyrwhitt and similar retailers is a good starting point although I've heard grumblings about the longevity of CT's stuff lately so others might have some alternatives. Sign up for their mailing list and you'll be notified when they're having a sale.
captain_cynic said:
Charles Tyrwhitt and similar retailers is a good starting point although I've heard grumblings about the longevity of CT's stuff lately so others might have some alternatives. Sign up for their mailing list and you'll be notified when they're having a sale.
Helpful, thanks!romeogolf said:
Timmy40 said:
This being Pistonheads you're going to get told that £150 won't even buy you half a set of cuff links.....
Yes, but for every pompous t
t there'll hopefully be someone helpful!I don't dress up for work anymore but when I did;
Good shirts - Joseph Turner, Charles Tyrwitt. Turner was never the height of fashion but it was well fitted and hard wearing. (like a decent shirt since it was the bit most people saw over the desk.) Van Heusen non-iron shirts were also a fave. To get them looking well they did need ironed but they didn't crease much when worn.
Suits - M+S outlet, again not fashionable but serviceable. They sell trousers and jackets separately so you can buy a couple of pairs of trousers (since they wear out faster than the jackets) for each jacket and mix and match sizes to suit yourself if you have an odd shaped body (short legs here)
Shoes - I wore Doc Marten shoes all through school and into my first office jobs. Never got to grips, literally, with leather soled Oxfords etc. Always considered them the male equivalent of high heels. Stylish but you don't want to walk far in them.
A rather low rent list but that's my style.
Oldandslow said:
I think your ratio is slightly optimistic.
I don't dress up for work anymore but when I did;
Good shirts - Joseph Turner, Charles Tyrwitt. Turner was never the height of fashion but it was well fitted and hard wearing. (like a decent shirt since it was the bit most people saw over the desk.) Van Heusen non-iron shirts were also a fave. To get them looking well they did need ironed but they didn't crease much when worn.
Suits - M+S outlet, again not fashionable but serviceable. They sell trousers and jackets separately so you can buy a couple of pairs of trousers (since they wear out faster than the jackets) for each jacket and mix and match sizes to suit yourself if you have an odd shaped body (short legs here)
Shoes - I wore Doc Marten shoes all through school and into my first office jobs. Never got to grips, literally, with leather soled Oxfords etc. Always considered them the male equivalent of high heels. Stylish but you don't want to walk far in them.
A rather low rent list but that's my style.
That bit in bold is a decent point. I have a habit of making the shirts that require minimal ironing my favourites! Any good non-iron suggestions are welcomed (although experience says even these need a quick once-over).I don't dress up for work anymore but when I did;
Good shirts - Joseph Turner, Charles Tyrwitt. Turner was never the height of fashion but it was well fitted and hard wearing. (like a decent shirt since it was the bit most people saw over the desk.) Van Heusen non-iron shirts were also a fave. To get them looking well they did need ironed but they didn't crease much when worn.
Suits - M+S outlet, again not fashionable but serviceable. They sell trousers and jackets separately so you can buy a couple of pairs of trousers (since they wear out faster than the jackets) for each jacket and mix and match sizes to suit yourself if you have an odd shaped body (short legs here)
Shoes - I wore Doc Marten shoes all through school and into my first office jobs. Never got to grips, literally, with leather soled Oxfords etc. Always considered them the male equivalent of high heels. Stylish but you don't want to walk far in them.
A rather low rent list but that's my style.
Will definitely be looking at Charles Tyrwitt as a few have mentioned that - Just need to work out my sleeve size as have never considered it before!
I've just bought a load of new shirts from Hawes & Curtis, they regularly have 15% or 20% off codes, got 4 shirts for £96 last month with a 20% code (4 for £120 normally).
They seem well made and cut to me, longer in the body than TM Lewin and Charles Tyrwhitt which always annoyed me with their shirts.
They seem well made and cut to me, longer in the body than TM Lewin and Charles Tyrwhitt which always annoyed me with their shirts.
Suiting that is affordable but above the level of Next etc. is the likes of Charles Tyrwitt, TM Lewin, Moss Bros, etc. Probably expect to spend in the region of £200-300 for an entry level suit (I usually aim to spend £150-200 in a sale). In an environment where you have to wear suits, the thing that will make you stand out is fit. Get your suits tailored to you, and you will look miles better. A £200 suit and a trip to your tailor will likely look better than a £500 that hasn't been tailored.
I'm another CT shirt fan. Must have 10 or so of them and tend to buy another 4 non-iron jobs each year for about £100 and chuck any shabby ones out. Do you need a full suit? I've got a couple of nice suits but have just been wearing smart trousers with a decent shirt for the last few years. Rarely feel the need for a suit jacket. If it's cold, a smart woolen jumper does the trick.
Lots of these threads about and all end up with the same result.
Plenty (including myself) recommending CT/TM Lewin shirts and ties for value for money. The only work shirt I own, very affordable and brilliant quality. Also suits are very good for a work suit at around £300. All my shirts and ties from TM Lewin! Plenty of patterns and brighter colours if feeling brave/wanting to brighten or freshen up the wardrobe!
Plenty (including myself) recommending CT/TM Lewin shirts and ties for value for money. The only work shirt I own, very affordable and brilliant quality. Also suits are very good for a work suit at around £300. All my shirts and ties from TM Lewin! Plenty of patterns and brighter colours if feeling brave/wanting to brighten or freshen up the wardrobe!
Recently bought a formal shirt from here Hemden.de a bewildering array on offer, extra long/short sleeves, powerfully built options etc. Also got a £400.00 suit from here for £180.00 with first time buyer discount code Brook Tavener Not sure if it is a £180.00 suit to begin with but, English woven cloth and I'm happy with it.
https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/men/clothing/suits+ta... Piece Suits%3A&page=0#
Why pay over the odds for a suit? They occasionally sell Brioni suits. Do a bit of research on the brand's of course. Some are rubbish but others are good quality but not well known here hence the lower price.
Edited by Supercilious Sid on Wednesday 9th May 18:31
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