Serious business (casual)

[broneck]

Just got a new job in an office at a bank...it's seriously casual (like realistically until I put together a more suitable wardrobe I'm going to be rocking jeans tees and dunks...its that laid back) but I'm getting input from others that despite the ease and comfort, dressing up slightly is an important step towards advancement along a potential career path.

I'm not exactly ready to start shopping at the mall and wearing square toes from aldo and slacks from Sears, but I also don't want to just dress down my suits either.

So basically I'm looking for some ideas on how to put together a slim and relaxed casual fit (khakis, polos, middle of the road shoes, etc) and not look like a douchebag.

Pics and links are greatly appreciated (and I'm on a budget, not a strict one, but I'm not gonna be dropping cash on Jil Sander or Dior anytime soon, so keep that in mind )

[englandmj7]

Go to Zara or H&M. Buy some slim fit dress shirts/slacks and a suit.

For shoes, buy some Allen Edmonds/Aldens on e-bay.

[corporategrunt]

I realize I have written about it many times in regards to biz casual, but do consider Brooks Brothers' non-iron dress shirts (I am starting to feel like their fucking sales person - I ain't). They are currently going for $150 for 3, and they have both normal and slimcut options. You can just wash and hang (possibly minimal ironing) and it's good to go.

One of the biggest pain in the ass about dress shirts is the dry cleaner cost and the stress. cleaners around my way charge an arm and a leg for dry clean or wash and press. Plus, some of them just do lousy jobs not quite getting the neck and cuff part clean enough. I had a dry cleaner that STAPLED the fucking id tag onto the neck tags of my shirts - every morning as I was rushing to get out of the apt, I had to spend an extra minute getting the staple out, I was leaving the apt with murderous thoughts each day.