Some suggestions for menswear

eviltimeban

I've decided to update my wardrobe quite considerably. I have a fair idea of where I am going to go and what I am going to get, however I thought I'd throw open the case for suggestions in case there's somewhere / something I am missing, or just haven't thought of.

This is my wishlist:

1. Trousers
- Khaki / cream chinos (slim)
- navy trousers (slim)
- brown trousers (slim)
- slim jeans (dark navy)

2. Tops
- Navy sweater (v-neck)
- grey sweater (round neck)
- one other brightly coloured sweater (colour tbc)
- chunky cardigan / zip up top
- cable knit / arran polo neck

3. Shirts / tees
- a few casual check shirts / denim shirt
- short sleeved floral / print, 50s-style shirts
- A variety of polo tees (Paul Smith, Penguin etc)
(I'm pretty OK for tees in general)

4. Shoes
- Chunky boots (brown)
- Desert boots (dark brown)
- 'Driving shoe'-type shoes (green / navy / burgundy)
- Suede loafers

5. Jackets
- Sports coat / blazer (open to colour)
- Tweed / check blazer
- Navy trench coat / mac

And a few accessories like scarves, leather gloves, etc.

So I know there's a lot there. My budget isn't massive (and I won't be getting everything at once!) so I'll be looking mid-range, and I'm happy to go anywhere from M&S to Topman to Reiss to BT2 to River Island and back again.

Also open to second hand / vintage / charity shops, or online (though my preference would be to try stuff on).

If there's any little gems of places that are under the radar, or good website, or anything, I'd love to hear about them. Note: my next birthday is the big four-oh, so...

ComputerKing

OK iI'm just going to give a few general type brand recommendations and a few recommendations on colour and where to get stuff as your list seems pretty solid.

1. I'd recommend dockers for the chinos and I'd also recommend you get a pair of olive ones as well as they are really versatile. For the jeans I'd say go for Levis if your into them you could get yourself a nice pair of raws.

2. I'd recommend looking around BT, BT2, House of Frasier etc. and see what catches your fancy as I can't really recommend any specific brands.

3. Shirt wise I like TM Lewin myself I also find Tommy Hilfiger are great for shirts as well. For Tees I'd recommend going to shops like Top Man, H&M and Uniqlo and just try to avoid anything with big prints on them.

4. I don't really know what your looking for when you say chunky boots but I find Red Wings are great for boots. For desert boots I find Clarks are the vest from what I've tried. I'd also recommend you get a pair of wingtips in brown and a pair of black Oxfords I'd recommend Allen Edmonds. As for the other shoes I can't reccomend anything as I don't wear loafers.

5. I'd recommend you get a tweed sports coat and a navy blazer. I find that BT stock some great ones. As for the trench coat I'd reccomed Burberry if you can afford it.

6. I'd also say make sure you have a good suit that fits you well.

Accessories: I'd make sure you have a few nice watches. Belts make sure you have ones to match your shoes that are real leather and a few others. A nice pair of leather gloves are great I find as well as scarf's. Depending on your look I'd say have a few different pocket squares as well as bow ties and ties make surd you have a few knit ties. A good pair of cufflinks are also a must. A leather wallet and travel bag is also another must. Also make sure you have a few good fragrances for different occasions. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses as well.

That's all I can this of at the moment for accessories I didn't really give any brands or shops as it all depends how much you want to spend on them. The only other advice I can really give that I can think of is don't buy it all in one go and to make sure that everything fits perfectly if not get it tailored. I know my post is a bit all over the place I'm on mobile sorry. But if you have any questions ask me.

eviltimeban

ComputerKing wrote: »

1. I'd recommend dockers for the chinos and I'd also recommend you get a pair of olive ones as well as they are really versatile. For the jeans I'd say go for Levis if your into them you could get yourself a nice pair of raws.

Thanks, yes I'll check out Dockers. Do they make a slim fit? Last thing I want is baggy chinos. I noted all the trousers in Zara, H&M etc were all slim fitting. Which is good. Levi's are great - I have a pair of 519s. I have loads of jeans, Diesel etc, but I want to get away from them and look at trousers.

ComputerKing wrote: »

4. I don't really know what your looking for when you say chunky boots but I find Red Wings are great for boots. For desert boots I find Clarks are the vest from what I've tried. I'd also recommend you get a pair of wingtips in brown and a pair of black Oxfords I'd recommend Allen Edmonds. As for the other shoes I can't reccomend anything as I don't wear loafers.

I'm OK for shoes but I suspected Red Wings would be a way to go - thanks. And I'll also consider Clarks for the desert boots, I was thinking of a few other brands, Pretty Green do nice ones too but I can't try them on as nowhere stocks them here.

ComputerKing wrote: »

6. I'd also say make sure you have a good suit that fits you well.

Accessories: I'd make sure you have a few nice watches. Belts make sure you have ones to match your shoes that are real leather and a few others. A nice pair of leather gloves are great I find as well as scarf's. Depending on your look I'd say have a few different pocket squares as well as bow ties and ties make surd you have a few knit ties. A good pair of cufflinks are also a must. A leather wallet and travel bag is also another must. Also make sure you have a few good fragrances for different occasions. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses as well.

Yeah I'm OK for suits and ties and shirts and watches and sunglasses - I'm all over that. It was more to get suggestions for casual / smart casual wear that I may not have thought of. So actual brands and shops (away from what I can find on Grafton Street).

Thanks, I'll take Dockers and Red Wings and see how I get on!

Electric Boobs

J. Crew
Roberto Cavalli

eviltimeban

Electric Boobs wrote: »

J. Crew
Roberto Cavalli

Can't buy them over here though.

Electric Boobs

eviltimeban wrote: »

Can't buy them over here though.

I buy them online.

Pop in to Brown Thomas on Grafton Street. It's the only place I'm willing to shop in that's not online, or abroad

eviltimeban

For the amount of stuff I want to get, BT is out of my price range for the moment. I would love to get armfuls of stuff there, but alas... I can't.

I'll be going high street, thrifting, TK Max perhaps, and some online.

If there's any good sites then, let me know. Asos or M&M style.

(PS I thrifted a Hugo Boss wool tie today for €8 in the Harlequin!)

bnagrrl

I reckon you'd get a lot of that stuff in the GAP, particularly the slim fit trousers, sweaters and shirts you've listed.

Have a look around Debenhams and House of Fraser too.

Aldo had suede loafers during the summer, you might be able to get them on sale now.

Massimo Dutti or Zara for blazers.

eviltimeban

I find Dutti stuff very short... I'm 6'5" so need a long fit.

M&S actually normally have pretty nice blazers, esp the "boating" style ones. I'd love a patch pocket number in maybe hopsock or linen.

As an aside, one thing I can't find here are double breasted suits... M&S used to do them but not anymore. Could get on, say, SuitSupply, but I'd really rather try it on first.

W123-80's

I wouldn't rule out Paul Costello in Dunnes. I picked up the desert boots below.
Real nice boots and very comfy.
They are great with slim jeams and/or Chinos

http://www.dunnesstores.com/paul-costelloe-living-men-suede-boots/shoes/dunnesstores/fcp-product/9734214?colour=brown

ComputerKing

If your on a budget I'd recommend you look at Uniqlo and H&M as well as Zara and maybe Topman.