It is my understanding that style comes at a price. Often, but not always, increased quality equals increased cost. I understand and respect that.
As it applies to my specific situation: I am trying to improve my look as they say. I work in sales for a large device manufacturer. I spend my days visiting surgeon offices, operating rooms (changing into & out of scrubs), hospital administration offices, corporate board rooms, steak house dinners, etc.
Slowly but surely I am trying to improve my style of dress. For quite some time, my daily dress was often very similar: grey slacks, blue Oxford shirt, neck tie, brown leather Doc Marten slip on loafers, casual brown leather belt. Often my blue off the rack sport coat was left in the car unless I was heading into a meeting. I wore a corporate logo jacket and carried a corporate logo Ogio nylon messenger bag.
Recently I purchased a few pair of shoes from Johnston & Murphy. I understand they aren't the AE that many here in the Hab are sporting, but for me they are a big step up. I replaced my corporate coat with a wool Ralph Lauren overcoat along with a few scarves. I saved some pennies and ordered a Saddleback Briefcase (Thin) for daily carry. I switched from wool navy knit cap to an Irish wool cap and occasionally wear a fedora. I've added some bow ties into the rotation and ordered a few pocket squares.
That said, I feel like I have so much further to go and I certainly don't have an endless supply of funds. I am also outfitting a wife and three kids. (The teenager is impossible and quite expensive.)
So my question is: where should I go next? And how can I do so on a limited budget? Are there areas where I can save a little and still improve on style? Are there areas where there should be no compromise?
A special note about shoes: I often change out of my shoes into blood proof OR shoes. When I do this, my "dress" shoes are left sitting on the floor in an open locker room. I'm a bit nervous about having expensive shoes stolen from an inner city hospital locker room. That said, I still want to step up the style from my Doc Marten loafers.
I also need specific advice on slacks. Currently I usually wear slacks from the rack at resellers like TJ Max or Marshall's. Not uncommon for me to wear Perry Ellis slacks off the rack. These don't hold up well and don't necessarily fit too well. I'd like to purchase 2-3 new pair of slacks to get started. Any advice on where to buy? Should they be tailored?
I also think its time to buy a new suit and a sport coat or two. I would like to buy a three piece suit. Any suggestions on suit & sport coats? Pretend as if I currently have nothing and want to start to build a decent wardrobe. What are the staples that I should start with, understanding that I am operating on a budget?
Sorry for the extremely long thread. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
As it applies to my specific situation: I am trying to improve my look as they say. I work in sales for a large device manufacturer. I spend my days visiting surgeon offices, operating rooms (changing into & out of scrubs), hospital administration offices, corporate board rooms, steak house dinners, etc.
Slowly but surely I am trying to improve my style of dress. For quite some time, my daily dress was often very similar: grey slacks, blue Oxford shirt, neck tie, brown leather Doc Marten slip on loafers, casual brown leather belt. Often my blue off the rack sport coat was left in the car unless I was heading into a meeting. I wore a corporate logo jacket and carried a corporate logo Ogio nylon messenger bag.
Recently I purchased a few pair of shoes from Johnston & Murphy. I understand they aren't the AE that many here in the Hab are sporting, but for me they are a big step up. I replaced my corporate coat with a wool Ralph Lauren overcoat along with a few scarves. I saved some pennies and ordered a Saddleback Briefcase (Thin) for daily carry. I switched from wool navy knit cap to an Irish wool cap and occasionally wear a fedora. I've added some bow ties into the rotation and ordered a few pocket squares.
That said, I feel like I have so much further to go and I certainly don't have an endless supply of funds. I am also outfitting a wife and three kids. (The teenager is impossible and quite expensive.)
So my question is: where should I go next? And how can I do so on a limited budget? Are there areas where I can save a little and still improve on style? Are there areas where there should be no compromise?
A special note about shoes: I often change out of my shoes into blood proof OR shoes. When I do this, my "dress" shoes are left sitting on the floor in an open locker room. I'm a bit nervous about having expensive shoes stolen from an inner city hospital locker room. That said, I still want to step up the style from my Doc Marten loafers.
I also need specific advice on slacks. Currently I usually wear slacks from the rack at resellers like TJ Max or Marshall's. Not uncommon for me to wear Perry Ellis slacks off the rack. These don't hold up well and don't necessarily fit too well. I'd like to purchase 2-3 new pair of slacks to get started. Any advice on where to buy? Should they be tailored?
I also think its time to buy a new suit and a sport coat or two. I would like to buy a three piece suit. Any suggestions on suit & sport coats? Pretend as if I currently have nothing and want to start to build a decent wardrobe. What are the staples that I should start with, understanding that I am operating on a budget?
Sorry for the extremely long thread. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
