Need to build a work wardrobe for DH
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Anonymous
DH is an attorney but doesn't usually look like it, refuses to ever go shop for clothes unless they are for skiing  but had an "a-ha" moment the other night when we were at an event for a friend's company and actually paid attention to how people were dressed. He just changed jobs and is more in a position where he is working on bringing in new clients, so he needs to start dressing like a grown up. His last suit purchase was almost 6 years ago. His shoes are falling apart. He has decent ties (because I can buy those--nothing to try on!) but tends to stick to the same type.
So. . . he has announced that he's going shopping this weekend, yea!! What are the basics he should start with? He doesn't have to wear a suit to work everyday, so I'm guessing a couple of suits (solid charcoal, navy?) and several pairs of pants (so he's not wearing the suit pants and wearing them out, like he has always done in the past) are a good start, plus brown and black shoes. Does that sound right? Honestly, most of what he has been wearing need to just be tossed out. He's lost 10 lbs lately and hopes to keep on that path, so we don't want to go all out just yet. Caveat: we no longer live in DC but in a medium sized city where so-so department stores and Jos. A Bank are pretty much it for shopping options. No time right now to drive to the big city closest to us, so that's what he has to work with. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Does he need suits or can he get away with pants and sport coats? If he doesn't have to have suits I'd go with pants and sport coats as it looks more fashionable and gives a lot more flexibility. |
Anonymous
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is there a Banana Republic in your town or nearby? I might start there for some basic, stylish Business Casual--pants, shirts, and sweaters.
sounds like your DH needs suits though. does he need to wear a suit every day? He should have at least 3-4. I would have a good charcoal one, a navy one, a black one, etc. It's fall/winter now so 1-2 wool suits would be good, but an all-season material would be even better. Do you have a Nordstrom that is within 2-3 hours of you? you could order a bunch of stuff online and just return what doesn't fit..... |
Anonymous
| How about Costco? They have some decent branded shirts/khaki's like Calvin Klein. Or, Marshalls/TJ Max or Ross are sometimes good too. |
Anonymous
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Go to Tyson's Nordstrom and ask for a personal shopper and they wil lspend as much time with you and it is well worth it. Yes the clothes are more expensive but they stand by everything and have a great selection.
BTW most law firms have agrements with some stores for personal shoppers to come to the office |
Anonymous
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http://www.economist.com/node/18483423
"Rob Nelissen and Marijn Meijers of Tilburg University in the Netherlands examined people’s reactions to experimental stooges who were wearing clothes made by Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger, two well-known brands that sell what they are pleased to refer to as designer clothing. As the two researchers show in a paper about to be published in Evolution and Human Behavior, such clothes do bring the benefits promised: co-operation from others, job recommendations and even the ability to collect more money when soliciting for charity. But they work only when the origin of the clothes in question is obvious." |
Anonymous
I agree with this. Have a personal shopper help at a high end dept store in your area. I really like Nordstroms. He/she will be prepared for his appointment and will have a good variety of stuff to try on and will give advice on basic wardrobe staples and help put together a respectable business, business casual, and weekend wardrobe. It is very important for an attorney to be put together so this will be a good investment for his career. It will also make the task a lot less daunting and WAY less time consuming since you are starting from scratch. |
TheManWithAUsername
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There are Asian tailors who periodically come to the U.S. and set up shop for a few days in big cities just to take measurements and display fabric choices. Then they return to have the stuff made. You end up with tailored suits and shirts cheaper than off the rack.
I highly recommend it - tailor-made will change his life. For about 2 hours effort and less than $1,500, he'll be totally set with business wear. Don't underestimate places like Simms (sp?). "Last year's fashions" doesn't mean nearly as much for men's clothes. |
Anonymous
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Get what you just need now. Then go to New York or where every and get things taken care of. The good stores will make Jos. A Bank seem like Walmart. Stores like this http://marios.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/fall_2011_edit.pdf
Great store, but it is in Seattle. |
Anonymous
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Get what you just need now. Then go to New York or where every and get things taken care of. The good stores will make Jos. A Bank seem like Walmart. Stores like this http://marios.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/fall_2011_edit.pdf
Great store, but it is in Seattle. the sweater vest on page 5 is what a gay man would wear in 1984. also I think I had the turquoise dress on page 9 as my prom dress in 1987. that said, the labels for the suits are what you want: hugo boss, zegna, and ralph lauren black label are beautiful. I believe there's a hugo boss store in Tyson's II, but again, you could order if in your size from Nordstrom.com and have it tailored locally or return it via mail. |
Anonymous
| Can you find a good tailor in your area that could measure your husband properly? Once he gets his correct measurements it will be SO much easier to shop for clothes. Men's clothing is simple (unlike women's) but if he is wearing the wrong size (which he clearly is if he's lost 10 pounds) then no matter how nice the clothes are they still won't look right. Try to find a place that has unfinished pants and a tailor on site that will finish them for him. Baring that make sure to get measured before buying anything. Also, wrinkle resistant shirts are your friends and good quality shoes can last for 5 years (i.e. spend a lot on them). |
Anonymous
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You know what is humorous about this thread? The number of people who didn't read the last paragraph the OP wrote.
They don't live in our area....Sending her to Tysons isn't an option. |
Anonymous
| get some nice non-iron shirts from Brooks Brothers--they often have sales online. watch the sizing/fit of any new purchases carefully and make sure that your husband is buying the right sleeve and hem lengths. good luck! |
ThatSmileyFaceGuy
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Buy the shoes first, he will need them to get the pants properly hemmed. The same goes for undergarments.
As to where to buy them from, a basic suit in any fine fabric will do, however they wil need to be tailored to your DH's body. I've had Sears off the rack suits and jackets properly tailored that I've been asked where I had it made. |
TheManWithAUsername
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Re the tailoring I recommended, I should have specified that it makes the biggest difference in the shirts. As TSFG said, he'll have suits off the rack tailored anyway. (I still think the Asian tailored suits are a great buy, though.) |