Post: #1

I usually wear a solid colored button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans. Right now I'm rolling with Express shirts and Levi/Guess Jeans.

Paul Janka is an acquaintance of mine though, and he recommended Dolce & Gabbanna shirts and Diesel Jeans. I need some new clothes, but I don't know if I want to drop $200-$300 for each new piece.

Do you guys think there's a significant difference in quality?

Post: #2

You can look good in just about anything if you know how to suit it to your physical build, skin complexion and overall swag.

The only thing I do not recommend is wearing these shirts that make you look like a walking billboard for Diesel, Armani ,or any of these designer brands. It screams "look at me, I need desperate attention".

The best thing you can do is go to the mall and get girls involved! Nobody can tell better you how you look, or could improve your look than these girls working at shops, they truly do know how to hook shit up, so USE THEM!!!

example:

I went to a mall looking for a cool shirt to put on with a skinny tie I have, and I picked one the finest sales-floor girls I could find - damn she was fine!! after all, girls like her are ultimately what I want to attract, right?

So, she took one good look at me, and suggested something I would have NEVER tried, she took out a fitted white, V-neck shirt, and threw on a skinny black tie on me, with a cool pair of dark, shiny blue denim jeans...VOILA!

Unfortunately she was a newlywed, and was not up for hanging out, BUT I did bang a French girl wearing that outfit that same day!

Mixx

Post: #3

I bought a pair of very good knockoff diesel jeans in Bangkok several years back. You wanna know how many girls have commented on them? One. And she was a friend at that.

If you actually like a particular brand and enjoy their selection, by all means get it you can afford it. But as far as impressing girls goes, I think you hit the law of diminishing returns rather quick. Being a label whore to impress women isn't worth it. You can look impressive with a second or third tier brands.

Post: #4

What a good tip Mixx, never thought about this shit.


To the OP - If you have the means and you can afford it, pay for it. But i wouldnt pay 200 dollars for a tshirt, i recently bought timberland tshirts for 50 dollars each and they look really good.

Post: #5

One pro of the designer clothes is the quality of them, the feel, colour and fit just looks better.

I'd spend the money on timepiece items, but not something that would go out of style or not last. Think of it in terms of price per wear. Say you pay 200 for a shirt and wear it 50 times a year thats only $4 for every time you wear it. Also like the G always says spend the money on a custom fitted suit.

Bottom line, make sure it looks good on you and no amount of money can make up for a lack of fashion sense.

Post: #6

Try them on back to back, and see if you can tell the difference.

There are two kinds of high end clothing companies - I'll call them brands and makers. The brands make bold pieces that quickly go out of fashion. They are expensive, and spend heavily on marketing. You pay for the fact that Prada is a household name, and Corneliani is not. Sometimes these items are banal and expensive, like an ARMANI EXCHANGE t-shirt and are clearly meant for people who like to whore out the fact that they're wearing Armani, as Mixx mentions.

The makers make pieces that can cost just as much or more, but the quality of materials and workmanship is higher. Their profit margins are thinner, and they spend more on labor and materials for an item of the same price. While the brands will contract much or all of the making of their clothing out, the makers will make everything in house. The pieces tend to be more conservative, though some are quite bold in their own right, without ever becoming faddish and dated. To get the highest level of quality from the craftsmen, you usually have to go custom. Either way, the vast majority of people have never heard of these makers, unlike the designer brands.

Of course, often the brands have their clothing made by these makers, but that usually entails a markup over what you'd otherwise pay. Sometimes the brands order in such volume that they can get lower prices wholesale, and have the item on sale at the season's end for cheaper than you could get it direct from the maker. Polo's English and Italian shoes on a good sale are an example - you couldn't get these cheaper directly from the maker.

Here's a great guide to developing your own style: http://www.kinowear.com/blog/science-of-style-stage-1

I don't really recommend asking women for advice, but if you do, only ask attractive women. There's a strong correlation between attractiveness and style among women. And ask the kind of women that are into you, because the woman may just try and craft you into something you're not.

Post: #7

(11-29-2011 11:54 AM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Also like the G always says spend the money on a custom fitted suit.

Agreed. If you're shopping on a budget, you'd do better to invest in a nice, custom suit.

Don't buy something just because it has a nice price tag or fancy name attached to it. Buy it because you genuinely like it and will get a lot of use out of it.

And yeah, always bring girls shopping with you... they'll give good input and it makes for a solid date.

Post: #8

I'm a cheap bastard by nature and always looking for the best value. I find it ridiculous that there are standard t-shirts going for $50 or more these days.

However, I have had good experiences with designer stuff and I think it can be worth it.

One of my first times was on a cold day I was stuck without a jacket. Only one shop was open and it was a boutique with very expensive stuff. My freezing ass hating doing it, but I ended up having to buy a designer jacket from them. Two things I learned from this. One, clothes can get you lots of great attention. This jacket, which I didn't really think was all that when I bought it, got EVERY SINGLE GIRL who saw it to coo. It was amazing. I never would have predicted that because my sense of fashion was pretty limited at the time (I don't mean names - I mean what looks good and not). It wasn't the name of the brand, it was the style of the jacket. Everyone loved the shit out of it. Two, I had people telling me how awesome it was for damn near 10 years and asking me where I got the new jacket. The thing looked new for that long. It was 5 to 6 times what I had intended to spend but it looked amazing from day 1 to year 10. If I had bought just the normal jacket I had in mind when I went shopping, I would have spent much less, but it would not have looked anywhere near as good (just a run of the mill coat) and it would have looked old and worn after just a couple of years.

Another time was when a gf gave me a designer shirt. I was used to buying shirts for $40. I didn't know what she had given me other than hey, it looked like a pretty nice shirt. One day I realized while shopping that she paid over $150 for it. Blew my mind. I thought what a waste of money. But that shirt still looks amazing and it's been over 12 years. The color, the style, everything about it. And it still looks new. It fits a lot better too because it's tapered. All my other shirts never lasted for more than about 2 or 3 years and even then they never look as good. Having to replace your stuff three or four times ends up costing nearly as much or more and it looks crappy the whole time.

I hate having brand names plastered all over me so I stay away from those, but if you find something that fits you well and has style to it, then designer brands often fit better, hold their color longer, feel much nicer to the touch and because they last so long, end up costing not all that much more per wear.

These days I would rather buy quality stuff and have less of it than to buy cheap clothes and have more. But you have to learn to look for the quality when you buy it. I wouldn't pay $200 for a shirt just because it's a designer name, but if the quality is good, the style is nice and it fits great, then it's worth it IMO.

Post: #9

Don't label whore for the sake of label whoring. I DO believe in getting GOOD pieces for your wardrobe, but don't make it totally about cost. I have pairs of Stitch's, True Religion, WESC, Sevens, Levi's and Gap Jeans. I'm a collared shirt, jeans and casual shoes guy. See the way Anthony Bourdain dresses? That's how I've dressed for years. I've expanded beyond the white shirts though...HA HA! I have different washes in jeans - I have some darker washes, which I prefer because they're more versatile. I have a couple that are lighter washes, and also a pair of destroyed jeans, which I patched on the reverse side (I wear these when I really want to look like a bum...HA HA!). I have a couple of pairs in black also. Over the years, Levi's have probably been my big go to. I think a man should have a couple of pairs of expensive jeans in his closet, but they don't ALL have to be. Get what fits you right, because the different makes don't fit everyone the way they should.

In the last few years I've gone to more striped or patterned shirts to pair with jeans, and occasionally I'll even wear a french cuffed shirt with them. Sweaters work nicely too - I have some v-neck lambswool, or I'll go with cardigans. I've also started accumulating different blazers/sportcoats to pull together that dressy/casual look. And living in the Northeast, I don't like big, bulky coats, so I prefer to layer. Sweaters and jackets help me do that.

I think the make of shirts you get is more important than the jeans, in that shirts will take far more washings than jeans will. A good shirt will hold up longer.

While I like certain labels, I don't like paying label prices. Over the past few years I've joined some shopping sites which have the real deal, but severely marked down. I suggest you join these:

Gilt Groupe (http://www.gilt.com) and its spin-off site, Park and Bond (http://www.parkandbond.com) a full-priced site, but can help with different looks you might want to put together, then find something comparable at a lower price.

HauteLook (http://www.hautelook.com)
Jack Threads (http://www.jackthreads.com) this site is more casual/street
Beyond The Rack (http://www.beyondtherack.com)

I also scour the sale pages of Gap.com, BananaRepublic.com, jcrew.com and Express.com looking for pieces that have been marked down. I rarely pay full ride for anything. You don't really have to to get nice gear.

Post: #10

@Mixx,I'd have to disagree.I don't shop in malls and every time I remember I've been trying clothes on,the girls tell me it all looks amaaaaazing on me and then start giving me even more clothes to see me in them.I guess that's the price of having model looks.
Somebody mentioned Armani Xchange,which is high street and not designer.Diesel also make great jeans,but are a high street brand.Their limited edition collections are designer.
Also considering price,the malls aren't your best options,regardless that they'll be doing some solid sales in the coming weeks.I'd prefer not to give out my exact tactics,because this would be self-sabotaging myself,but I'd just say the best way to get a bargain is ebay.Similar to when you're buying an airline ticket,to get a great price,patience and flexibility are key.
For jeans brands I'd recommend you APC,Diesel,Acne.And no,buying an expensive pair of jeans won't skyrocket your confidence.For this,you'll need a custom suit

Post: #11

I don't think its really about the name of the clothes, the stuff that usually looks best is either custom made or tailor to certain alterations.

I'm big mixing articles of clothing that I buy from specific retailers (or thrift shops).

When it comes to fashion, esp on a budget i'm a huge fan of these guys.

http://streetetiquette.com/
http://inspiration.streetetiquette.com/

The thing where cats go wrong is that they feel they're rocking the name instead of owning the look that they want to create. In life we are always creating and I consider fashion as an extension of your personality/travels/interests etc.

I see it as working on art or a craft, it takes a while before you can get it down to where you like it.

Post: #12

Personally, I feel like a fool if I spend an exorbitant amount of money on clothing that I know I could get (at similar quality) for cheaper elsewhere. Labels are for women.

Post: #13

I'd only consider spending big on items where the price = quality and longevity, things like jeans and suits. Other then that a t-shirt is a t-shirt

Chef In Jeans
A culinary website for men

Post: #14

trends come and go, pay for well made, well tailored, timeless. I don't care what anybody says, a $300 pair of jeans with expensive runners and 150 dollar tshirt still make you look like a kid unless you're a rapper, you want to look the part dress the part. There's lots of cheaper names that are good quality and you get the right fit and you'll look great, better than ill fitting expensive clothes with labels flashing across them.

Post: #15

If you have the money then spend it on good quality clothing, cheap clothes are for the most part cheap.
Why I tend to buy good quality (designer) clothing is because I hate to see anyone wearing what I have on.
If you are starting out begin with the basics, do not buy stripes or patterns because those styles come and go.
I don't wear jeans to often but I agree on getting a nice pair, for me I like Gstar but I have seen alot of Levi's which I think will do the job.
The most important part of any outfit is the shoes and belts, always buy the most expensive shoe you can afford. Women notice it right away and bad shoes hurt your feet.

Post: #16

To clarify, buying "label" or designer gear isn't about SHOWING the label for me. I hate what I call "billboarding" or advertising to everyone what make of clothes I have on. I've always shied away from gaudy designs or large lettering. I get clothes that may be from a certain designer, but unless you pull back the collar or look inside, you won't know who made it. With jeans, the stitching on the back pocket gives it away, but short of that, I've always preferred more basic, understated gear. As rudebwoy touched on, the accessories matter. Obviously, whatever you get should fit you properly. It shouldn't be hanging off of you, nor should it restrict normal movement.

Post: #17

(11-29-2011 08:53 PM)Chad Daring Wrote:  I'd only consider spending big on items where the price = quality and longevity, things like jeans and suits. Other then that a t-shirt is a t-shirt

Exactly, I have no problem dropping cash on timeless essentials

Nice hand crafted shoes

Raw denim Jeans

Custom fitted suit

Well made jacket


Treat these pieces nicely and you will have them for decades

Post: #18

I always pay up for jeans. So much of it depends on body type, but a cheap pair of jeans have nothing on a $180 pair of Diesels. The Diesels are solid -- you can wash/dry and beat the shit out of them and they still look good. Levis are good and they have their place, but I always end up paying up for jeans.

Post: #19

Jeans are a great investment if you find a pair you like. You can rock a good pair of jeans 2 or 3 times a week for a few years easily

Post: #20

Personally, I think nice clothes are worth the money, but they're an investment, and often you got to expect to spend even more on dry cleaning, (is what I'm coming to realize).

I certainly think it's wack when people label whore and wear t-shirts with huge Armani logos, etc. on them. Those people normally look trashy, and like they're trying too hard (jersey guidos).

I think sometimes the difference between a 200 pair of jeans vs. an 80 pair of that jeans is not that big to justify the difference. I saw a really dope pair of Diesel jeans at Nordstrom that would def be the dopest jeans I'd have ever owned, but I was detered by the $200 price tag. I had that same issue with 7 for Mankind, instead I ended up buying a nice pair of pants from Hugo Boss from $115 and a pair of Calvin Klein jeans for $40.

I really like Lacoste and normally just bought their clothes, when I shopped for nicer clothing. Recently, I bought a bunch of stuff and got killer deals from Kenneth Cole, I'd recommend that to guys who have a decent bit of money to spend, but can't break the bank.

For guys on a budget, I'd recommend Perry Ellis.

For guys with a fat bankroll, I really like Burberry and Hugo Boss. Really, if I could I'd buy most of my clothes from Hugo Boss.

Post: #21

Designer shirts generally fit very well, have nice designs, and are made from good material. That's their value, really. Not the logo.

Post: #22

Scattered thoughts:

Top quality clothing usually doesn't even flaunt a label, or it's really understated. What's higher value, having a dope outfit with an obscure (ie, small production/custom) label, or wearing the same Diesel/armani/whatever shit that EVERY dude wears? Women notice, trust me.

Personally, I hit Nordstrom Rack, boutique sales, and second-hand clothing stores. The Rack is for basics (some jeans, socks, etc.), the second two are for finding unique and otherwise expensive clothing for cheap.

There's probably no easier way to up your game then dressing well. It really is awesome that 90% of guys dress like shit, because the rest of us have a huge leg up before even stepping in the door.

About 5 years ago, I bought 3 pairs of jeans: Simon Miller ($350 jeans I got for $160 at a boutique clearance), Sevens (~$100 at the Rack, not sure what retail would be), and Banana Republic (~$80). They all were nice-fitting, good-looking jeans that I'd often get compliments on. However, the BR ones wore through the crotch recently and I had to toss them. The other two pairs have just gotten better with age. Great ROI.

Post: #23

Its all about the style and fit. First figure out what works for you in terms of the 'look' then buy the shirt and get it fitted by a tailor. If money is not an issue, get custom made shirts and suits.