Dressing like a grown-up

[BoylenOver]

Now that I'm a college grad, ready and eager to venture into the professional world, I could really use some tips on how to dress like a grown-up.

What constitutes "business casual"? I've always been under the impression this was slacks and a nice collared shirt (I predominantly wear polos), but I've heard from a few internet friends who are very fashionable that polos are only worn by douchebags.

Also, my casual wardrobe is made up entirely of clothes promoting sports teams, with many of them being a size too big. How should an adult dress casually?

Thanks.

[il Padrino Ute]

I tend to believe that business casual would be slacks (not khaki or Dockers, but nice slacks), a dress shirt without a tie and a sports coat. I have worn a nice polo a few times, but I prefer the dress shirts.

I'd suggest you go someplace like Mens Wearhouse and talk to someone there to help you.

Oh yeah - no white socks.

[TripletDaddy]

Polos and khakis are pretty rare at my office. Business cas would be nice slacks and a button down shirt with no tie, no coat.

People do wear golf shirts, but usually when they are going golfing with a client.

I have never seen sports related clothing worn at my office.

[Clark Addison]

I work at a very large (but shrinking) bank that is business casual. Peoples' dress varies a bit among different departments, but in general, it agrees with what others have been saying. Some people wear polos, but it is rare, and somewhat looked down upon. Most people wear button down shirts, either with or without a sports coat. No one wears short-sleeved button down shirts, so I don't know what to do with my old mission wardrobe.

Slacks are somewhat preferred over khakis/Dockers, but it is not a big deal. Most people, including me, will wear khakis/Dockers sometimes.

Until you become familiar with the company, I would stick with slacks and button down shirts, and leave the Ute gear in the closet. No one likes that crap.

[Donuthole]

I suggest you go someplace like Mens Wearhouse and talk to someone there to help you.

Skip Men's Warehouse and go straight to a Ross, TJ Maxx, or Burlington Coat Factory. There you can find a large assortment of virtually the same dress slacks you'd get at Men's Warehouse for less than half the price. It's a great way to build up a business casual wardrobe on a budget. They also usually have some decent button ups.

A few tips and personal preferences:

1) Button-down collars are a) annoying and b) dorky. Skip them altogether.

2) Stick to flat-front slacks. While I'm not 100% anti-pleat like Triplet, I don't like them unless you are wearing them with a jacket. So they are a business casual no no, in my book.

3) Polos are casual, not business casual. Same with khakis and (vomit) cargo pants. And if you find any dress slacks with cargo pockets, buy them just for the novelty factor (a guy in my ward has some of these and they are sooooweeet-to mock, that is).

4) Keep your button-down shirts fairly simple. A pinstripes are ok (not my personal fave, but acceptable) a subtle check or plaid is ok. Solid colors are ok. I try not to buy anything too "crazy" because chances are i'm going to need to wear it with a tie and/or jacket at some point.

5) For about $25 you can buy 3-4 "assorted packs" of dress socks at any of these stores. Having socks that clash is no longer acceptable.

[landpoke]

Business casual means a nice pair of creased Wranglers and a shirt from which the sleeves have not been removed.

[Donuthole]

Business casual means a nice pair of creased Wranglers and a shirt from which the sleeves have not been removed.

Thow on a bolo tie and you've got yourself some Sunday-best!

[il Padrino Ute]

Skip Men's Warehouse and go straight to a Ross, TJ Maxx, or Burlington Coat Factory. There you can find a large assortment of virtually the same dress slacks you'd get at Men's Warehouse for less than half the price. It's a great way to build up a business casual wardrobe on a budget. They also usually have some decent button ups.

This is actually good advice.

I like Mens Wearhouse because they send me a lot of gift certificates.

[BoylenOver]

2) Stick to flat-front slacks. While I'm not 100% anti-pleat like Triplet, I don't like them unless you are wearing them with a jacket. So they are a business casual no no, in my book.

3) Polos are casual, not business casual. Same with khakis and (vomit) cargo pants. And if you find any dress slacks with cargo pockets, buy them just for the novelty factor (a guy in my ward has some of these and they are sooooweeet-to mock, that is).

Thanks for the tips. What's the difference between khakis and slacks? I've always considered khaki to be a color and not necessarily a type of pants. Is there such thing as a tan pair of slacks? Is it based on the fit?

[TripletDaddy]

Skip Men's Warehouse and go straight to a Ross, TJ Maxx, or Burlington Coat Factory. There you can find a large assortment of virtually the same dress slacks you'd get at Men's Warehouse for less than half the price. It's a great way to build up a business casual wardrobe on a budget. They also usually have some decent button ups.

A few tips and personal preferences:

1) Button-down collars are a) annoying and b) dorky. Skip them altogether.

2) Stick to flat-front slacks. While I'm not 100% anti-pleat like Triplet, I don't like them unless you are wearing them with a jacket. So they are a business casual no no, in my book.

3) Polos are casual, not business casual. Same with khakis and (vomit) cargo pants. And if you find any dress slacks with cargo pockets, buy them just for the novelty factor (a guy in my ward has some of these and they are sooooweeet-to mock, that is).

4) Keep your button-down shirts fairly simple. A pinstripes are ok (not my personal fave, but acceptable) a subtle check or plaid is ok. Solid colors are ok. I try not to buy anything too "crazy" because chances are i'm going to need to wear it with a tie and/or jacket at some point.

5) For about $25 you can buy 3-4 "assorted packs" of dress socks at any of these stores. Having socks that clash is no longer acceptable.

I prefer flat to pleat, but i am not completely down if others go pleat. they just arent my style. but as I said before, if you are bigger, do NOT wear pleats. they just needlessly accentuate the weight.

i try to avoid button down collars, as well. I like collars with stays in them. The button down collars always wear unevenly over time. That means that after washing the shirt about 10 times, the collar has started to curl up in the back (no matter how often you iron it), while the collar tips stayed buttoned down in the same position. Makes it impossible to wear a tie without seeing the tie poking out of the collar on the back of your neck. drives me nuts.

clashing socks....yikes. I agree...just go buy some of each color for a few bucks at walmart. Buy a brown and a black belt. Old Navy has some decent "dressy" ones for about $12 or so.

FYI on the brown.....don't wear light brown socks with darker shoes unless you are about to go onstage opening night as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man.

I love colors. In fact, I try to avoid plain white dress shirts whenever possible, with a few exceptions. Boylen, you are already sorta thin, so skip the pinstripes and wear solids. Also, if you are feeling really spicy, get your shirts tailored. That is a pretty sweet touch for an extra $10 or $15.

[il Padrino Ute]

Thanks for the tips. What's the difference between khakis and slacks? I've always considered khaki to be a color and not necessarily a type of pants. Is there such thing as a tan pair of slacks? Is it based on the fit?

I use khaki as a generic term for Dockers or others that are similar. I'm guessing that Donuthole does the same.

[landpoke]

Thow on a bolo tie and you've got yourself some Sunday-best!

Maybe for rich folk. Us poor working folk just knot a clean bandana around our neck.

[cougjunkie]

[TripletDaddy]

Thanks for the tips. What's the difference between khakis and slacks? I've always considered khaki to be a color and not necessarily a type of pants. Is there such thing as a tan pair of slacks? Is it based on the fit?

the dockers thing is the thick cotton pants look.

slacks look like suit pants or most dress pants that do not fall into that dockers category.

another thing I have seen with IT guys that rock dockers...they wear those weird no-lace mocassin type sneakers. so freaking fugly.

[Donuthole]

Thanks for the tips. What's the difference between khakis and slacks? I've always considered khaki to be a color and not necessarily a type of pants. Is there such thing as a tan pair of slacks? Is it based on the fit?

Good question. Khakis as I used the term is referring to the material --usually 100% cotton. Slacks are usually wool, polyester, or a poly-wool blend of some sort. Wool looks the nicest but is dry-clean only. Polyester is an acceptable option, however, and can look almost as nice if properly laundered and pressed. Don't be fooled by navy "khakis," i.e. 100% cotton navy pants. They will only look good for the first couple washes, and then will look faded and cheap.