Haberdashery Noob

[Dantheman]

I've been active in many aspects of B&B forums. I've enjoyed discussing cigars, whisky, coffee-makers, grinders, and roasters, outdoor products, being a contributor, and of course our beloved shaving gear of all kinds.

What I haven't done is mosey over to this section as I figured it really wasn't for me. I live in Fla where cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops is quite often my attire after work and on weekends. For work, I sit in a cubicle most of the day and pretty much limit my attire to a polo-type short sleeved shirt(solid, boring color) and either a pair of standard khaki pants with loafers or sometimes jeans with sneakers.

So my wardrobe is mondane and unexciting, but I've been OK with that. I don't consider it sloppy, it's a neat appearance- but I've never been one to spend a lot on clothes or worry with what Brand/Label my shirt has. I do like to look professional and "put together" but again, clothes are not a top priority.

My wife and I like to travel, as we don't have kids, so we have the opportunity to do so. To finally get to my point- we've booked a 7-day cruise in November. We've taken these before, but for this one, I ordered a hat from PanamaBob for the trip. Here it is:

http://store.panamas.biz/cuenca/caballero-2/

1 Cuenca Caballero Grade 6 Llano, 7 1/2

I measured my head several times to ensure I get the proper size. I hope I measured properly. I watched a couple youtube videos in how to do so. Since I don't own a nice hat, I wasn't sure what size. I also researched the difference in Brisa and Llano weave and determinded that Llano was what I'd like. I found that Llano,was more of a herringbone weave and a better quality weave than Brisa. I hope I've chosen correctly. Also, in my reasearch, I found that the higher the grade, the better quality the hat. Higher grade means more weaves per square inch. As you can see I went with Grade 6 out of 22. I figured I'd start somewhere near the botto for a first, entry-level hat as I'd hate to spend a bunch on a hat, then either not like it, have it fit wrong, or just pick completely wrong. So I thought $50 was a good starting point.

The site says it takes 6-8 weeks to receive, so I'll wait with anticipation until ot arrives. i've not told mymwife yet that I've ordered this, I think she'll like it.

In the meantime I plan to get a few new shirts/outfits that will look apprpriate with this new clothing venture for me.

I welcome anyone's comments.

Thanks again to the B&B community for all the input, advice, and information you all provide. This site has been quite a pleasant surprise as I only joined to get information on a Frank's Shaving set I shelled out $45 for on the Bay- which I thought was a fortune for shave gear at the time-(now more than 20X more invested)

So thanks!!

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Welcome Dan, lots of good stuff here but whatEVER you do, avert thine eyes from "Watch Ya Wearing" listed as a sticky above. Some serious coin there and gorgeous stuff.

 

[alex2363]

I've been active in many aspects of B&B forums. I've enjoyed discussing cigars, whisky, coffee-makers, grinders, and roasters, outdoor products, being a contributor, and of course our beloved shaving gear of all kinds.

What I haven't done is mosey over to this section as I figured it really wasn't for me. I live in Fla where cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops is quite often my attire after work and on weekends. For work, I sit in a cubicle most of the day and pretty much limit my attire to a polo-type short sleeved shirt(solid, boring color) and either a pair of standard khaki pants with loafers or sometimes jeans with sneakers.

So my wardrobe is mondane and unexciting, but I've been OK with that. I don't consider it sloppy, it's a neat appearance- but I've never been one to spend a lot on clothes or worry with what Brand/Label my shirt has. I do like to look professional and "put together" but again, clothes are not a top priority.

My wife and I like to travel, as we don't have kids, so we have the opportunity to do so. To finally get to my point- we've booked a 7-day cruise in November. We've taken these before, but for this one, I ordered a hat from PanamaBob for the trip. Here it is:

http://store.panamas.biz/cuenca/caballero-2/

1 Cuenca Caballero Grade 6 Llano, 7 1/2

I measured my head several times to ensure I get the proper size. I hope I measured properly. I watched a couple youtube videos in how to do so. Since I don't own a nice hat, I wasn't sure what size. I also researched the difference in Brisa and Llano weave and determinded that Llano was what I'd like. I found that Llano,was more of a herringbone weave and a better quality weave than Brisa. I hope I've chosen correctly. Also, in my reasearch, I found that the higher the grade, the better quality the hat. Higher grade means more weaves per square inch. As you can see I went with Grade 6 out of 22. I figured I'd start somewhere near the botto for a first, entry-level hat as I'd hate to spend a bunch on a hat, then either not like it, have it fit wrong, or just pick completely wrong. So I thought $50 was a good starting point.

The site says it takes 6-8 weeks to receive, so I'll wait with anticipation until ot arrives. i've not told mymwife yet that I've ordered this, I think she'll like it.

In the meantime I plan to get a few new shirts/outfits that will look apprpriate with this new clothing venture for me.

I welcome anyone's comments.

Thanks again to the B&B community for all the input, advice, and information you all provide. This site has been quite a pleasant surprise as I only joined to get information on a Frank's Shaving set I shelled out $45 for on the Bay- which I thought was a fortune for shave gear at the time-(now more than 20X more invested)

So thanks!!

Welcome to the Haberdashery, i love the hat, its worth the money....why havent you told your wife?

 

[Dantheman]

"Why haven't you told your wife?"

Waiting till I get it. Surprising her with it. She'd never think of me buying a hat of this type. Can't wait to get it.

 

[rearviewmirror]

Welcome aboard Dan! One of the most important things to remember about clothing, which you've already addressed, is fit. A low price shirt that fits your body correctly will always look better than a more expensive shirt that needs to be tailored.

 

[strop]

Great choice. Just be careful wearing it out on deck underway. I've never had a hat that could stay on in that kind of wind. I'd hate to see a new hat sailing off the stern of the ship!

 

[Boro62]

In the meantime I plan to get a few new shirts/outfits that will look apprpriate with this new clothing venture for me.

So what new shirts and outfits are you looking at? btw nice choice on hats!

 

[alex2363]

Welcome aboard Dan! One of the most important things to remember about clothing, which you've already addressed, is fit. A low price shirt that fits your body correctly will always look better than a more expensive shirt that needs to be tailored.

I always follow that perspective on fit, for me its better that they fit proper than price. I always prefer a lower priced $300 Diesel jeans [ they are pre washed and broken in from Italy] Than a pair of stiff and expensive $400 Affliction jeans that dont fit right. The Afflictions are more popular but the Diesel just fits better.

 

[alex2363]

Great choice. Just be careful wearing it out on deck underway. I've never had a hat that could stay on in that kind of wind. I'd hate to see a new hat sailing off the stern of the ship!

Good advise

 

[Dantheman]

So what new shirts and outfits are you looking at? btw nice choice on hats!

Well, not really sure yet. I'd imagine some shirts that would be appropriate for a cruise. Shirts that are more casual and not quite so conservative.

 

[Doc4]

Where's the cruise? If somewhere warm, I can't help but think that a few nice linen shirts and pants would be about perfect.

... I always prefer a lower priced $300 Diesel jeans [ they are pre washed and broken in from Italy] Than a pair of stiff and expensive $400 Affliction jeans that dont fit right.

I get a chuckle out of $300 jeans being "the inexpensive ones ..."

 

[Boro62]

Where's the cruise? If somewhere warm, I can't help but think that a few nice linen shirts and pants would be about perfect.

I was thinking along the same lines, if its a tropical place a nice Guayabera might be a good fit with some linen pants.

 

[alex2363]

Where's the cruise? If somewhere warm, I can't help but think that a few nice linen shirts and pants would be about perfect.



I get a chuckle out of $300 jeans being "the inexpensive ones ..."

Doc, in reality i always get them at 50 percent discount, i always look for the sale date.

 

[andrew98]

Doc, in reality i always get them at 50 percent discount, i always look for the sale date.

Even so. I buy $30 Levi's, which fit fine and last years. I can see the appeal of Spendy-Jeans AD, though. I'd like a nice pair of straight leg or maybe even slightly tapered leg made in the US jeans.

I really like the hat the OP selected. I'm in a similar boat with the clothes I wear now and the clothes I'd like to wear moving forward. It's been hot here, and I've found that cotton button up short sleeve shirts (mine are from the J. Crew or Banana Republic outlet and fit really well) are much more comfortable than polo or t-shirts. They're thinner material and breathe really well, probably because of all the airflow caused by the button front.

I wear those un-tucked with khaki or gray shorts for a casual look. I could tuck them into chinos if I were having a nice lunch with my squeeze at the weekend, I suppose. My button ups are mainly white with either stripes or a fine grid pattern, usually blue or red and blue patterns. I'm looking into the idea of pairing some boat shoes, sans socks, with the shirts and shorts. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be considering boat shoes.

Have fun on the cruise!

-Andy

 

[Dantheman]

Thanks, gentleman. You've goving me a few good ideas. Some linen shirts would be great. And some nicer, age appropriate shorts-no cargos. This is a great start. Thanks!

-the boat shoes are also something I've never thought of, but may be a great option.

 

[Doc4]

Doc, in reality i always get them at 50 percent discount, i always look for the sale date.

At $150, for me they're still "the expensive jeans".

Thanks, gentleman. You've goving me a few good ideas. Some linen shirts would be great. And some nicer, age appropriate shorts-no cargos. This is a great start. Thanks!

-the boat shoes are also something I've never thought of, but may be a great option.

For the linen shirts, consider if you want to wear them tucked in or untucked. (Linen shirts tend to be unruly when tucked in, and better when untucked, IMHO.)

If untucked, make sure you get straight-bottomed shirts that are not too long. Look like the guy on the right ...

... and whatever you do, don't look like this guy:

 

[oc_in_fw]

I get a chuckle out of $300 jeans being "the inexpensive ones ..."

I coughed up my spleen.

 

[Boro62]

I coughed up my spleen.

are you sure the coughing isnt from hanging out in the BL so much

 

[oc_in_fw]

are you sure the coughing isnt from hanging out in the BL so much

Well, there is that since I do inhale about half the time (hence my sig line)