Need help building a fresh wardrobe (college student)

[jplus]

Hi all, I'd like to start getting more fashionable. I haven't bought clothes since high school, and it was mostly LRG and random Karmaloop stuff. I'm now 21 and I want to start dressing more my age, but I don't exactly have deep pockets and all since I'm a college student.

What brands should I be looking out for? I've heard that Banana Republic and Express are quality brands with reasonable prices. I have also heard H&M, but I live in a remote city in Alaska, and I don't think they have an online store. Please keep in mind everything will strictly be ordered online.

I'm about to cop a pair of Nudies jeans, which will be my first pair of quality jeans. Is there anything I need to know exactly?

Are there any staple pieces that I should acquire first? I'm new to this whole thing, so the help would be much appreciated. Thanks all.

[po_boy_fuuma_hatesbargerz]

buy good shoes – alden or trickers

buy normal base layers, like american apparel.

spend all your money on quality outerwear like temple of jawnz.

the end

[bill]

welcome to super(trash)future

[DüM]

xy's advice is good.

don't cop nudies. they're whatever whatever, but they're so distinct with that ugly back pocket. if you're copping one pair if good jeans I'd get something more low-key. APC's are the obvious budget choice.

[OkayOkay]

I'm gonna go ahead and stand up for Nudie. They're a completely fine and respectable brand, people hate cause they got "popular", but the structure of the brand, their commitment to organic production and fair wages are totally respectable. If you are turned off to the orange back pocket detail just get the tonal stitch. I really don't follow the reason people hate on them other than bandwagoning. Unless I'm missing something.

If you want no back pocket detail at all, look at Crate also. American made, vintage selvage denim. $110 retail.

[Denton]

the tonal stitch is still pretty distinctive. i dunno why other people may not like it but i'm not big on the showiness of em. also you can get much better quality for the price. a.p.c., 3sixteen, rogue territory, etc.

i've probably seen this question ~1 trillion times in magazines like gq and details and such. i'd leaf through and find some stuff that appeals. i'd also go for polo or j crew rather than banana republic or express.

also you registered in 2008 but this is your first post? weird.

[DüM]

yeah for the regular dude wearing distinctive jeans very often is weird.

nudie, like any other brand, has a look attached to it and this is where the hate comes from. unless they're hella mint.

[Mr HaGa]

Wait this is the trash and people are talking up Nudie and jcrew?

[Denton]

oh sorry by "polo" i meant "kateuptontits.gif" and by "j crew" i meant "kag"

[OkayOkay]

My rule of thumb for menswear is keep it simple. If this is the guy's first leap into better brands he's obvs not gonna drop $500 on some Trickers. Go with solid fitting basic tees, add in some simple wovens and some core fleece pieces. I think a solid starting lineup would be:

Crate blank tees, bunch of colors - $25 ea

W+H or Reigning Champ Fleece - $120ish

Raw denm: APC, Nudie, Crate...whatever. Spending over $200 is kinda silly unless you really care that much.

Like XY said, a good technical jacket. For the price, Patagonia is a good bet. $150 buys you a great piece from a great brand, reliable and they back up the warranty,

Shoes...I say keep it simple. If you want to get into bucks or a saddle shoe and have the cash...sure...McNairy, Trickers, whatever. If you're keeping the price lower, Bass is fine. Gravis actually put out a really solid looking buck this season at $70. Just figure out what's important to you in a shoe and go from there.

[Mr HaGa]

But he lives in Alaska, I say invest heavy footwear and outerwear. Get some decent chinos and jeans too. And some buttondowns. Can't do it without buttondowns.

Or, get all Iron Heart errythang

[akuma no uta]

Dude has been a member for 3 years before his first post. This is an amazing example of what more people should do.

In all honesty man, if have to suggest J. Crew, they have pretty good fits, and are totally inexpensive. They also run awesome deals every weekend, where you can order from their outlet stores online.

Then buy a TOJ.

[OkayOkay]

aha, overlooked the Alaska part. Yeah, def swoop on a solid jacket. If you snowboard also, Burton's AK line is really well built and can double as street/riding. Pricepoints from $250-$600ish.

[borkborkbork]

went into a j crew the other day, current season stuff is great, i could easily build an entire wardrobe from one store. not imaginative but super versatile, easy to mix and match, etc.

[lerrr]

agree buttondowns ftw, you can just wear whatever tees you already have underneath and pick some new ones up as they present themselves to you

this time of year on I'm startin to rock the longjohns and wool socks as well

stay cool but stay warm (;

[crissyw]

you could definitely build a wardrobe from j.crew (or any other brand for that matter) but it's gonna depend on how the guy actually looks.

ie: i can't imagine a stocky chunky guy in jcrew.

i wouldn't buy nudie, not just because of the hype-hate but just because their material isn't a thick nor sturdy as something like iron hearts or even skulls/pbj.

[mago_san_2d_god]

nudie jeans fit like azz man...

go with APCs

[jplus]

Thanks all for the replies.

After seeing the other jean recommendations here, I'm really liking Rogue Territory jeans. I'm also interested in APC, where's the best place to order their stuff online?

How do people usually go about ordering Reigning Champ and W+H stuff? I can only see their blogs and W+H doesn't seem to have a webstore. Do you have to contact them? Sorry for being so noob at this.

I will definitely check out J. Crew, I actually have a couple polos from them already.

[gettoasty]

Here is a list to start you off, all the online stores + more:

TBS

tresbienshop.net

4Horsemen

AlohaRag

Alwaysnever

Antomioli

APC

Barney's

Blackbird

Blanc&Noir

BlueOwl

Brigade

C'H'C'M'

Coggles.com

Frances May

Gravitypope (20% off)

Happy Socks

Hunting&Collecting

LVR

Lyle&Scott

Lyonstate

MAAS & Stacks (Up to 30%)

Maison Martin Margiela e-boutique (50% off)

Mrporter

NeedSupply (Free shipping)

Norse Store

Oki-ni

OC

Paul Smith

Project No.8 (Up to 35%)

Roden Gray

Stel's (40% off)

TheCorner

UNIONMADE

WrongWeather

Yoox

URL

http://www.projectno8.com/t/categories/sale/

http://www.studiohomme.com/en/soldes

http://www.endclothing.co.uk/sale

http://www.layerslondon.com/ (50% off)

http://www.oipolloi.com/ (Up to 70%)

http://www.finisterreuk.com/technica...parel/mens.php

http://stockroom.inventorymagazine.com/products

http://jonathanandolivia.com/home.php (Up to 50%)

Other

Sneaker/shoes,

http://www.ubiqlife.com/Default.aspx (And apparel)

http://www.bowsandarrowsberkeley.com/home.php @ Berkeley

http://www.primitiveshoes.com/brands.cfm?Brand=Nike%20SB

http://extrabutterny.com/shoe_store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=57

http://www.thepremierstore.com/products.cfm?CatID=8

http://www.timlittle.com/shop/?jssCart=02a9bd10ec12d107e8d0c428906329e9

[OkayOkay]

I'd wait on Rogue Territory. I went through the line and tried most of it on, and wasn't impressed with the fits...hopefully a few more seasons will dial it in. W+H and Reigning Champ can be ordered from Nomad(Toronto?), Havenshop.ca, or Roden Gray. I've gotten really good service from Roden before, but all 3 are solid.

[conqueror]

what is your height/weight? post a pic of a du you think looks 'cool' or you'd wanna dress similar to.

[jplus]

I'm about 5'7~8 at 150 lbs currently. Here's a picture of me:

I don't really have any particular style in mind, just clothes that fit me well, but not too snug. I currently wear Levi's 514's and I don't mind the fit. I don't like skinnies, though. I appreciate everyone giving solid brands for staple pieces.

I'm thinking about getting a pair of APC New Standards. It'll be my first real pair of demin. Should I really wear them every day for 6 months straight, before the first wash?

Thanks again all, cheers.

[akuma no uta]

Go read the denim forum before asking any questions.

[spaces]

ya.

get some new standards, go to a thrift store or buffalo exchange, dat shit cray.

get a pair of converse purcells too.

[sunkenshoes]

+++ supreme dior vans +++

you know the drill

[borkborkbork]

Yeah, keep your NBs. Just cop some raw denim, oxfords, 60/40 parka. Clean, crisp, a bit generic, but it'll do the job and polish up your current look without you feeling like you're wearing someone else's clothes. Plus you'll get mad rep from the denim bros

If you want to step your game up from those basics, do it with accessories - chunky scarf for the fall, leather bracelets, nice natural leather belt, a nice wristwatch, a canvas/leather tote bag, or a nice backpack...

The most important thing is that you burn that lanyard in a fire.

[ninetynine]

Don't layer a t shirt under a polo shirt, ever.

Don't wear seafoam green with pre washed blue jeans unless you want to look like you play ultimate frisbee

Don't randomly place black shoes on any outfit because it doesn't match

You can keep a relaxed style, just make sure you have some guidelines to go by.

I'd recommend finding out what colors look good on you first, and don't be afraid to let a little chest hang out of the shirt, 95% of the time you'll look like a huge dork if you wear an undershirt with a collared shirt.

[Whodinihimself]

I'm about 5'7~8 at 150 lbs currently. Here's a picture of me:

I don't really have any particular style in mind, just clothes that fit me well, but not too snug. I currently wear Levi's 514's and I don't mind the fit. I don't like skinnies, though. I appreciate everyone giving solid brands for staple pieces.

I'm thinking about getting a pair of APC New Standards. It'll be my first real pair of demin. Should I really wear them every day for 6 months straight, before the first wash?

Thanks again all, cheers.

Buy higher-quality jeans. Raw (or one-rinse) denim would be a good start. APC's denims are nice enough, but you could probably find a cheaper pair of raw denim at The Gap that fit just as well. Don't wear a crew neck t-shirt under polo (or any collared shirt for that matter......unless you're wearing the collared shirt fully unbuttoned). A V-neck undershirt is fine if it doesn't show.

[Gatefold]

just get one brightly coloured silk zoot suit and you're set for a wardrobe

[Mr HaGa]

I think it's really great that people are actually and genuinely trying to help this guy instead of burning him. supertrash has a human side...