Fashionistas - RL Fashion Advice, Please.

Its hard for me to admit, and I know I'll be opening myself up here to all kinds of comments, but I hope it will be mostly positive. I'm 6'4", 30-ish male looking to refresh his wardrobe. I'm at a junction in my life where I'll be starting anew, moving downtown and doing (hopefully) more interesting and social things.

Problem is, my wardrobe hasn't expanded from the basic jeans-and-tshirt variety for some time now, and I'm in a rut, frankly. I want to look good, but without going overboard. I don't dare ask a sales clerk at some trendy store to help me, because then I'll just get saddled with a bunch of junk to boost their store comissions

So I turn to you, the designers and fashion-mavens of SL.

You are good at what you do, and of course, you don't have to waste time trying to help me out, but I really hope you will.

I'm looking for suggestions on overall looks. Weblinks encouraged, specific images even better. I want to have a varied number of sources so I can synthesize a new look and still have it be true to myself.

General categories:

"Going Out - Casual" -- this is intended for general club use, but I'm not a fan of being entirely monochrome, so I'd like to mix it up with some color, somehow. Jeans being a primary factor most likely. I just want to look cute

"Daily Wear - Casual" -- just my out-and-about kind of look. I'll be living right in the middle of Chicago somewhere, so I'd like to get some pointers on this. Jeans and tshirt work, I guess, but I'm looking for more personality.

"Formal..." -- not sure how to bundle this up, but I'm looking to get a few things that will enable me to be a bit more dressy. I'll need help with this one, I'm sure. *sigh*

"Workout Wear" -- I've been working out and enjoying the results, but I feel that my gear is just tired and made for a few sizes too big now...what is cool in this area? I don't know if I want to be wearing brightly colored clothes, just something that is comfortable with some sense of style.

So, big order, I know...if anyone has ideas, thanks...I'm in the midwest so I just want to focus on things I can get locally, although notable exceptions I'll try my best to obtain. I plan to have a good amount to spend on this, but I need to furnish a place, so I can't go overboard

Help me fashionistas, I don't want to resort calling a TV Makeover show. *ack*

P.S.( Some suggested a full body shot, but I do have my face pic in my 1st life profile. Brown hair, blue eyes...fair skin...if that helps. Thanks again.)

From a prep's point of view... this is what I think you should be looking for. I'm a fan of banana republic, mexx and the gap.

Here are some men's boots that I like. Good with jeans, this is casual stuff. There some decent looking dressier mens shoes there too.
http://www.aldoshoes.com/aldoshoes/Shoes_and_Accessories/MensCasualBoots.aspx?SKU=265-201-97&CurrentPage=1

Striped shirts! - to get away from all black.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/visual_index/visual_index.htm?cs_catalog=BR%5FHoliday2%5F2004&cs_category=102301

Casual pants and track pants
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/visual_index_enhanced/visual_index_enhanced.htm?cs_catalog=BR%5FHoliday2%5F2004&cs_category=1031

I like the shoes and the three button blazer in this. (dressier, business casual kinda stuff)
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/visual_index/visual_index.htm?cs_catalog=BR%5FHoliday2%5F2004&cs_category=101602

Bootcut jeans - i like the ones in the middle (stress free boot cut whiskered)
http://www.gap.com/asp/dept_index_all_paging.asp?wdid=1700

And a checklist...
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/visual_index_enhanced/visual_index_enhanced.htm?cs_catalog=BR%5FHoliday2%5F2004&cs_category=1004

So how much are you willing to spend?

I'm willing to go the distance for a full wardrobe. I'm allocating at least 1k or so (depends on where I go) for it, maybe more. I don't want to put a figure on it right now, I just want to get some good input.

Thanks Ingrid

"Fashionistas" is an award winning porn movie.

Ah....that....helps...er, no.

*shrug*

umm ... I think no guy should ever not have a well made white shirt. Looks good for casual, is handy for work too.

From a punks point of view.

Go to pac sun.

Hi Maxx,

Actual brands/designs I may not be much help with but how clothes fit I can give a few words about. If you are heavyset, don't wear pants with pleats or oversized clothes. These things, while seeming to be hiding this only serve to make the person look even larger.

If you have a more muscular build, find a higher quality men's store with a tailor to help you fit your pants properly. When men work out, their legs get decidedly bigger then their waists and it's hard to find pants off the rack.

For the winter I would recommend a couple of nice, well fitted, ribbed sweaters in solid colors. I'd have to see your skintone before I could determine what colors would be complimentary.

jmho

Pleats aren't good on anyone I think. I'm not sure why someone ever invented them.

maxx....are you preppieish...urban...goth ...i can help you more if i knew what your preference is....i can help a lot too

Thanks again everyone.

As to my preference, I'm not really preppy, just into urban/casual with a slight flair towards clubbing - which has never really died for me I used to do the black and more black clothes thing, but it is really old to me now. Looking for something decidedly hip that isn't out of the pages of the GAP, you know? I like the the idea of the sweaters Trin, thanks

I'm not heavyset, I do have muscular legs so tailoring may be necessary as you suggested, maddy.

Anything else is truly appreciated

Thanks.

hi maxx

tip #1- try not to use more than one strong color in an outfit. there's a fine line between spiffy and strange, and its usually drawn at the nuetrals...some men can pull off a lot of bright colors with panache, but they are rare. unless you know you can, proceed carefully.
When youre actually in the store looking at an item, but arent sure if the color suits you, instead of holding it up to yourself under the store lights take it as close to a window as you can. many of the lights used in stores are a.) unflattering and b.) change the appearance of the actual color of your skin AND of the garment. (been burned by this once too often)

tip #2- avoid trends. nothing wrong with buying a few eyecatchingly trendy items, but comprising your entire wardrobe of them is going to result in needing a whole new wardrobe in less than a year. ouch!!!

tip #3- cost-per-wearing. it pays off in the long run to spend the money on a quality garment. the price may be higher in the short term, but every wearing you get out of it lowers the cost-per-wear amount. a well constructed and classic shirt might last you years if you take care of it- a cheap shabbily-contructed garment is going to fall apart in a few months. well contructed = good thick seams, silky linings (this helps your garments move easily over one another), VERY firmly attached buttons and heavily-reinforced buttonholes, fabrics that are likely to hold thier shape after washing or dry cleaning a few times (as little spandex or rayon as possible)...theres much more to this, but thats all i can think of at the moment.

tip #4- a good suit. go somewhere where you can get it tailored to fit you exactly- there is nothing in this world sexier than a man in a great suit. They are also practical, as you can wear the pieces all together or individually with the other items that make up your wardrobe. one in a light color and one in a dark color would be good. when youre looking for a suit, make sure that you choose one whose pieces are attractive on thier own merits, in addition to looking great when all worn together.

tip #5- accesories. dont be caught pulling a ratty wallet out of a meticulously tailored pocket. a nice watch (hi francis) is always a good accesory as well. And men who wear jewelry are HAWT. As are guys in trenchcoats, wool is always a good choice for those


So far as a great place to go to get an idea of what you like-
overstock.com has a great selection of designers and some really great prices. even if you are shy of ordering clothing online, its a fabulous resource for determining your personal style.

Personal Opinion- These menswear lines produce some of the best blend of style, quality, and economy:
Ferre
Prague
Ralph Lauren
Dolce and Gabbana

The most important thing to do in all this is to figure out what you like, what catches your eye, and what you FEEL attractive and confident in. Your personal style isnt something you recreate every time you shop, but rather your compass that directs you to the items that you will love, and will love you back

Thats all i can think of at the moment. I hope that helps!
*hugs* and best of luck with your shopping

Wow, that just reinforces my admiration of Nephi's mad skillz and dope knowledge.



HAHAHAHA... 'nuff said.


Post some pics of fashionable RL you if ya wanna when you're suited in your new outfits, Maxx! Avatar eye for the builder guy!

R O T F L M F A O O M G iamgointodie.

that was WAY too clever torley

Buy grey wool suit. The jacket and trouser combination will be nice and you can accessorize a number of ways. Nothing like a nice grey blazer with your classic t-shirt and jeans look to create your own trendy style.

Likewise, you can wear the trousers and a nice dress shirt open with no tie for a very casual evening look.

Buy ties. They can change your entire outfit. I personally buy lots of the cheapest ties I can find. Too many people go with the basic patterns. Live a little. People will like it.

Get a nice leather jacket. It goes with everything. I like brown but you can choose black if you must.

2 pairs of leather shoes. One professional, one casual. Again, black or brown will do.

Buy a nice watch. It will make a difference.

8 dress shirts. 3 white, 3 blue, 2 bold colors. Do not buy shirts with buttons on the collars or with collars differently colored from the shirt unless you are heading to a Sopranos audition.

Jeans are khakis are nice. Pleats are the devil as someone else mentioned.

Above all. Keep your own style. At the end of the day that will be most important.

I recommend buying more jeans and t-shirts! Er, no wait... I'm thinking of my wardrobe. Actually, don't ever take RL fashion advice from me. The first time my last girlfriend spent the night at my house she couldn't go to sleep unless I closed my closet door. The things hanging in there were simply too hideous.

Thanks to those that gave advice, I applied some of it already and I am seeing positive results. The final push for total wardrobe replacement won't happen for a bit (I don't believe in escalating credit debt, lol) 'till I get some cash together.

I'll let you know how that goes - I really appreciate the help

Have a great holiday season.

P.S.(If inspiration strikes and you remember this thread, I'm always open for more suggestions.)