Wardrobes

[Vahz]

So, we all know that clothes make the man and thus, gets the attention of the ladies. My question to you is if you have a particular brand that you're loyal to?

So far, I've dumped out my college frat boy wardrobe (which was pretty late coming since I'm 28 years old) and started to snap up varies items from Kenneth Cole, Andrew Marc, and Jos Bank but my friends don't believe there is any way I can justify paying $70 for a shirt, $80 for slacks, and $400 for a jacket.

I just seem to like the clean and sleak feel of Kenneth Cole and Andrew Marc. Are they overrated? Is there a brand that you like which is high quality but also a bargain?

[maogirl]

your friends must be poor if they think kenneth cole is expensive.

[silkie]

Stop looking at brands and make your own style. Yeah, more expensive brands might be better fitted, but ultimately it is how you put it together that counts.

[Vahz]

It's not that they can't afford it but rather that they feel it's a waste of money. Sometimes, they joke how I'm a label whore and buy things from Kenneth Cole just because of the name.

They rationlize that you can get clothes that look very close but for a fraction of the price such as The Gap. The shirts and pants almost look the same but are about 30-50 rather than 80-120.

[evil_FUX]

You do sound like a label whore.

[Vahz]

I don't necessarily buy something just because of it's label but rather anything that looks like a particular style. This is why I've found a very close match between Kenneth Cole and Andrew Marc.

To be honest, I'm not very picky and I'm not going to wander around to find new stores. This is the whole point of my thread in trying to figure out what other outlets are out there that piques your interest.

[atlasien]

I would never shop at the Gap, it's too expensive.

Try buying used Kenneth Cole on eBay.

[minbo]

Have you also looked at some of the online discount retailers like bluefly?

[Vahz]

Wow, Bluefly is great. Thanks.

I've tried Yahoo shopping as well since it offers good deals as well but I just figured out that it may not be a good idea for me to expand my wardrobe at the moment because of my weightlifting schedule and I don't want to "outgrow" my clothes just yet.

[silkie]

Nothing wrong with KC or AM (I do have a problem with Jos Bank, because they project such a facist conservative image in their designs and their commercials?). BUT, to call someone a "label whore" with these brands are like calling a VW enthusiast label whore. Nothing wrong with the way they are built, but not exactly couture. In other words, if someone wants to be conscious of labels, at least go for something that really sticks.

No, I am not saying this to be mean. I am far from being a fashion nazi, and I get my shit from shittier places than the GAP. But I just want to let you know this before you go blurting to a prospective pick-up and make a fool out of yourself by saying kenneth cole is and Joseph A. Banks as "label." Most women knows what's up and will laugh in your face.

[silkie]

On a more constructive note, these are not exactly couture also, but they look good on a well built person-- try:
Agnes B.
J Lindeberg
Prada (at least in their Soho NYC flagship store)
Toggs- a Soho store, is a hit or miss, but there are some great finds there. The Men's store is closed, but I think their women's store still carries some men's stuff.
Not sure of the name, but there is a place 1 block east of bertuccis pizza at spring and mott that sells custom fitted shirts for $800+ a piece.

I've only listed Soho stores, but for the more adventurous stuff someone might help you with other neighborhoods. Perhaps Chelsea also, where there are plenty of stores targeted towards gay men. Also, there are many obscure designers who have some really cool shit that you should not pass up.

But again, the most stylish people I know are the ones who are able to put shit together themselves from random stores. I know a guy who got a crap load of GAP women's pants that fits really well for a really good price. But again, are you out to look good, or are you out to get brands to brag about? depending on your answer, you will have to go to different stores.

[Vahz]

Nothing wrong with KC or AM (I do have a problem with Jos Bank, because they project such a facist conservative image in their designs and their commercials?). BUT, to call someone a "label whore" with these brands are like calling a VW enthusiast label whore. Nothing wrong with the way they are built, but not exactly couture. In other words, if someone wants to be conscious of labels, at least go for something that really sticks.

No, I am not saying this to be mean. I am far from being a fashion nazi, and I get my shit from shittier places than the GAP. But I just want to let you know this before you go blurting to a prospective pick-up and make a fool out of yourself by saying kenneth cole is and Joseph A. Banks as "label." Most women knows what's up and will laugh in your face.

What kind of clownshoe goes around bragging about the brands? I'm just looking for a particular style and KC and AM seem to fit the profile.

Wait, he bought womens pants?

[JadeDragon]

But again, the most stylish people I know are the ones who are able to put shit together themselves from random stores.

I totally agree with this. I really dislike looking at ensembles that look to have been bought off the mannequin from one store without any thought to mixing-and-matching. It just looks lazy, and it makes the wearer seem unimaginative.

I once saw this cute Japanese boy with dreads and wearing a silk-screened wraparound skirt walking down Chapel Street (a fashionable area) in Melbourne about two years ago. Now that was eye-catching and impressive. I totally would have asked him out if I hadn't been courting my boyfriend at the time. =P

[minbo]

If you work out a lot you really get stuck as far as fitting most off the rack designer good made for emaciated eurotrash/metrosexuals. Flat washboard stomach? Great. Got a reasonable gluts or thighs from squats then all of a sudden a lot of pants in your size waist now look like really bad booty hugger bell bottoms. Have a nice set of delts then the shoulders of a lot of jackets are tight for your chest size.

As for Prada, I'm not a fan. Some of their styling is OK, but their choice of materials are hella annoying to wash. Dry clean only, hand wash and lay flat to dry. Rub gently with a freshly washed and talc'ed babies bottom, ages 1 day to 6 months only.

[silkie]

I once saw this cute Japanese boy with dreads and wearing a silk-screened wraparound skirt walking down Chapel Street (a fashionable area) in Melbourne about two years ago. Now that was eye-catching and impressive. I totally would have asked him out if I hadn't been courting my boyfriend at the time. =P

Sounds really rad! The cool thing is, the men who I've seen that wears long skirts usually ends up exentuating their masculinity. If only wish I have the built and the attitude to get away with that look.


Wait, he bought womens pants?
Well, just because it is women's pants does not mean it has women's pants literally written all over it, or a giant flower patch on the side (though that's pretty cool too-- Maogirl- brings to mind that Japanese store in TST HK with the Red communist poster).

Until my friend point it out to me, they looks like Mens Diesel Jeans. He gets the large straight cuts, high rise, and that fits a guy perfectly.

Look Vahz, from your previous post you sound like you work in the financial industry in NY, and thus I would not expect anything too outrageous for you (I am only generalizing since my cousin is a successful analyst and he wears some pretty nifty shit). Perhaps then you can just do something to accessorize yourself, like a pair of shoes with really usual style and/or color.
There is a store near the intersection of Houston and Elizabeth call United Nudes, who is asscociated with TerraPlana a couple of stores down. United Nudes is the brand that is famous for their Mobeus Strip heels, while Terra Plana is the men's brand. The former store manager from Terra Plana was wearing these prototype navy blue sneakers that I was drooling over. I don't know if they end up producing them, but anything else from that store will go well.

[blockthebox]

Not sure of the name, but there is a place 1 block east of bertuccis pizza at spring and mott that sells custom fitted shirts for $800+ a piece.


Is this the store run by that Korean designer? There's also that store on Crosby just south of Houston. I forgot what it's called, but I think they do bespoke menswear. And let's not forget Tom Ford!

Speaking of labels, I'd fill my closet with Vivienne Westwood and Comme des Garcons if I could.

[silkie]

Is this the store run by that Korean designer? There's also that store on Crosby just south of Houston. I forgot what it's called, but I think they do bespoke menswear. And let's not forget Tom Ford!

Speaking of labels, I'd fill my closet with Vivienne Westwood and Comme des Garcons if I could.

Not really sure what the store is, but it is a pretty small joint about 600sf or less. Perhaps that's the store on Crosby you are refering to. I think it is an English brand. All I know is as soon as I get the vibe that I cannot afford it, I just gave a quick thank you and ran out. But their stuff looks really fabulous from what I remember. It is really hard to find a well fitted suit these days. I think bespoke is the way to go, and for cheapies like me the best way is to bring a sample to China and have it made in different fabrics.

And yeah, Comme des Garcons is pretty rad, though whenever someone mentions it, I always think of the vagina store design in Chelsea-- diller and scoffidio design I believe...

http://archiguide.free.fr/PH/EtUn/NYo/NewYorkComDGarconsFuSy.jpg

[Vahz]

What's a "wraparound skirt" look like?

[minbo]

It's easier to get away with a skirt as a guy when there is a "traditional" dress that has a skirt like component, such as a kilt for Scots or Sarongs (or Sarong type of outfit) in South/South East Asia and Africa. I know that it's a robe, but the Kimono/Yakuta that is worn in Japan is a lot closer to a dress than most male westerners are comfortable to be walking around in public wearing.

There was a show a while ago at the Metropolitan Museum of Art called Men in Skirts that explored that side of male fashion. For western style most items seemed to be based off of a kilt or cassock.

[maogirl]

If you work out a lot you really get stuck as far as fitting most off the rack designer good made for emaciated eurotrash/metrosexuals.


which is why boys with nice bodies shouldn't be allowed to wear anything more than a pair of white briefs and a cig.



I once saw this cute Japanese boy with dreads and wearing a silk-screened wraparound skirt walking down Chapel Street (a fashionable area) in Melbourne about two years ago. Now that was eye-catching and impressive. I totally would have asked him out if I hadn't been courting my boyfriend at the time. =P

next time you see a cute japanese boy with dreads, hit him up for his digits on my behalf.

[Kuroyama]

Vahz, dresshowyalike.

I went through a thing where I tried to copy Jet Lis look from Cradle to the Grave, and Romeo Must Die. It was masculine, but understated. The pieces looked basic like you could swap out jeans, or khakis, or cords, or a button down shirt instead of tee, or...? Also,

The more pieces match in your wardrobe, the less time you have to spend thinking about how to put something together in the morning. Before my Jet Li phase was a polo shirt phase. khakis and polos of a myriad colors. But everything matched. All I had to do was find something clean.

spend your money on shades, or watches. Just my .02

Oh...and aloha shirts. big, bright, floral!! Definitely not understated... but sometimes ya just gotta. With a lit cigar... and a single malt scotch watching ponies run at Del Mar...

I need to buy new clothes, but Im hampered by my body size. I have to buy online.

[blockthebox]

And yeah, Comme des Garcons is pretty rad, though whenever someone mentions it, I always think of the vagina store design in Chelsea-- diller and scoffidio design I believe...


Ha, yeah, that store is totally unreal. I think maybe the other store we're both talking about is this one, which I thought did custom suits: http://www.refinery29.com/travel_and_guides/NYCmen_05.php?levelID=2

[minbo]

which is why boys with nice bodies shouldn't be allowed to wear anything more than a pair of white briefs and a cig.

We don't all live in a hot, muggy sub-tropical location! Just think of the horror of being able to see the shrinkage when winter rolls around. And the frostbite...

[maogirl]

We don't all live in a hot, muggy sub-tropical location! Just think of the horror of being able to see the shrinkage when winter rolls around. And the frostbite...

then wear a fur coat over the briefs :P