Clothes conundrum - what to wear?

LegacyUser

This might sound stupid, but it is a PI for me, because it seems to be something that has held me back for years and I didn't realise it.

I don't know how to dress.

I am a bit reserved generally. I have always dressed very conservatively. Shirt and tie person, and plain slacks. Shoes. I have dropped wearing a tie over the last few years, except for work, etc. I have never wore jeans in my life. I had a pair when I was younger, and found them uncomfortable. But underneath, I suppose they didn't fit with my reserved self image.

Girls have told me I dress far too formally. It puts people off, it seems. Even though it's what I am most comfortable in. I am in the process of reinventing myself, and my look needs to be more casual and relaxed. Does that sound stupid?

I don't know what to buy. I won't be a slave to labels. I want to go into Dunnes and buy some cheap and good value clothes. But I want to stop buying safe shirts and slacks, and buy clothes that will give me the more casual and relaxed look that I seem to have missed for years.

I'd love to hear from both guys, but particularly girls, what looks good, and what to avoid. I'm sure it would be a help to others too, to have some guidelines. It would certainly give the confidence a boost to look good. I'm 38, average height and weight, if that's important?

Zaph

To be honest, while you may feel that this is a personal issue, it really isn't, it's more an issue for the Fashion & Appearance forum. However you won't be able to post unregged over there, so your choices are that I move this thread with your OP, although any repolies would have to be under your regular username, or you start a new thread over there yourself. Just let me know which you'd prefer.

LegacyUser

Fair enough, I figured it to be a PI because it has a direct impact on my self confidence and relationships, in the same way someone else might have weight issues, or personal hygiene, or other issues that hold them back. I have no particular need to reply to the thread, I was just looking for any suggestions that might appear, so if it were possible to take the thread across to F&A as is, then many thanks for that.

vicecreamsundae

pfft, i wrote a big reply without reading the whole thing, and assuming you were female.
i was suggesting going to style advisors, which a lot of big chain stores offer free these days, but i only know of them in female stores.
i would call into or phone a few unisex stores [debenhams, BT, topshop/man] and ask about a style advisor/personal shopper service. basically they'll take you around and figure out what suits you and all that.

or if you have any friends whose style you admire [male or female] ask them to come shopping with you. try on loads, even if you're skeptical, but dont feel pressured to buy something you don't like.

Zaph

Moved from PI

forestfruits

you need to go and try different clothes on, if your not happy with jeans maybe try cords- less formal than slacks but not as casual as jeans. Find a mens wear shop on a quiet day (mornings are best), you can then at least get a bit of advice you wont even have to leave the changing room if its quiet enough they will bring the clothes to you.

lordgoat

Pick someone you know and like what they're wearing and ask where they got it. If you don't want to ask directly just and tell them you like it, 9 times out of 10 they'll say where they got it.

baby and crumble

You say you don't like jeans but want to step away from formal trousers- how about chinos & dockers type trousers? They can be dressed up or dressed down, and they look great.

Option 1- The Gap

Option 2- The Gap

Option 3- Arnotts

Far as I know Arnotts have a personal shopper service and I doubt it's just for girls...

Also, I highly recommend looking at a few of the style blogs etc for guys- GQ for example is pretty good. Now, a lot of the stuff there is American, but I think it'd kinda suit what you're after. Casual without being sloppy.

Hope this helps.

addictedtoshoes

Go to Indigo and Cloth on South William Street, it's downstairs on basement level, it's the best men's store boutique in Dublin by far. Their website is www.indigoandcloth.com. They are not really cheap but not overpriced either, I think if I was a guy I would spend a bit more on clothes because you'll always have them whereas when we buy clothes we usually only wear them for a season.

LC_ugh

Go for some smart denim jeans (dark colour), a short sleeved shirt since that is what you are used to, but to make it casual either add a comfy hoody, or wear a tshirt under your shirt and have the shirt open