Stuff I Wore Last Week

Work has been incredibly busy with renewal coming this week. Anyway a little of what I wore last week.

Details

Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Navy/Blue Windowpane-$$$ via Michael Andrews Bespoke

Shirt: SuitSupply White Dress Shirt-$39 via SuitSupply (outlet pick up)

Tie: Conrad Wu Navy/Brown Geometric-Gift

Pocket Square: Merona White Cotton via Target

Jacket: Stafford Brown/Blue Windowpane via JCPenney-$15 (no alterations needed)

Shirt: LandsEnd Light Blue Oxford "UPCHS" Shirt-free (Thanks to the school!)

Pocket Square: The Tie Bar Light Blue/White "silk"-$12 via The Tie Bar 

Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Gray Prince of Wales-$$$ via Michaels Andrews Bespoke

Shirt: SuitSupply Light Blue L/S Does Shirt-$39 via SuitSupply

Tie: Faconnable Green Grenadine-$35 via eBay

Pocket Square: The Tie Bar White/Navy Tipped via The Tie Bar

Suit: Indochine Light Gray Prince of Wales-$300 via Indocino

Shirt: SuitSupply White/Light Blue Stripe via SuitSupply (outlet pick up)

Tie: Stafford Nav/White Polka Dot via JCP

Pocket Square: The Tie Bar White/Navy Tipped via The Tie Bar

WDIWT

The one Indochino Suit that fits properly...

It took some tailoring, literally having it done multiple times but this is by far the best of my Indochino suits of the 3.

Details:

Suit: Indochino Prince of Wales MTM-$350 part of a 3 piece (plus tailoring cost)

Shirt: SuitSupply Blue French Cuff-$30 (outlet pick up)

Tie: Facconable Green Grenadine via eBay-$35

Pocket Square: Light Blue/Paisley White Silk Pocket Square-$12

Shoes: Same as yesterday

WDIW...10/23

Think Pink

Suit: SuitSupply Blue Plain purchased in Milan-$299
Shirt: ModernTailor White/Pink Stripe MTM-$40
Pocket Square: White/Navy Tipped, The Tie Bar-$8
Tie: The Knottery Navy/Paisley-$35
Shoes: Meermin Museum Calf Austerity Brogue MTO on the Park Last

WDIW 10/19

I lost my voice today but at least I looked good doing it.

Details:

Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Gray Suit (part of a 3 piece)-$$$

Shirt: SuitSupply Navy/White Stripe via eBay-$20

Tie: The Knottery Knit Tie-$35

Pocket Square: J. Crew Liberty "Bandana" $9.50 (I suggest searching bandanas in the women's section, many make great pocket squares)

Shoes (not pictured): same as the last few days-Meermin Museum Calf Captoes $260

WDIW...Oct. 17

The temperatures have dropped so flannel can finally come back into the rotation.

Details:

Suit: SuitSupply Havana Burgundy Flannel (3 pc, no vest today)-$299 via SuitSupply Outlet

Shirt: SuitSupply Blue Line Shirt White-$39 via SuitSupply Outlet

Tie: The Knottery Wool Navy/Paisley-$35

Pocket Square: J. Crew Factory Navy/White Polka Dots-$8

Socks: Uniqlo Cotton-3 for $9 deal

Shoes: Meermin Linea Maestro Museum Calf Captoes MTO-$260

WDIWT 10/16/17

Details:

Suit: SuitSupplyBlue Havana via eBay $100 plus Alterations

Shirt: SuitSupply White/Blue Strie via eBay $20

Tie: Eidos Napoli Brown Grenadine via eBay $60

Pocket Square: J. Crew Linen Pocket Square $9.80

Shoes: Meermin Museum Calf (not pictured) $260

WIDW...Thursday 5/15 Suited Up

Took out my first bespoke out for a spin last week.

Details:

Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Gray Holland & Sherry via Michael Andrews Bespoke (part of a 3 piece suit)-$$$

Shirt: Alfani White/Navy Micro-Gingham L/S Dress Shirt via Macy's-$12.50

Shoes: Meermin Mallorca Brown Calf Doublemonks via Meermin Mallorca- $210

WDIWT...4/8/14 Layered Pinstripe

I haven't worn this suit since the first time I wore it here but I decided to bust it out today. The suit is from SuitSupply, is quarter lined and half-canvassed. I got a few compliments on the suit today.

Details:

Suit: SuitSupply Gray/White Wide Pinstripe via SuitSupply Outlet-$259 plus $80 in alterations

Sweater: Gap Light Gray Cardigan via Gap Factory Store-$15

Shirt: Van Huesen White/Light Blue Micro-Check L/S Dress Shirt via JCPenney-$10

Shoes: Brooks Brothers by Allen Edmonds Newmok/Neumok Snuff Suede Wingtip via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$135

WDYWT-Meet the Teacher Night (Mixing High & Low)

Today was Meet the Teacher Night so I decided to wear my Michael Andrews Bespoke suit for the occasion. Frankly I'm getting tired of my male co-workers saying something snarky whenever I dress with a shirt and tie or a suit, it's not my fault that you're self-conscious about how you look...just saying.

Nonetheless just because you're wearing an expensive suit, it doesn't mean that everything else must be super expensive too. This is the ultimate mix on high end (Bespoke Suit) and low end (shirt, pocket square, tie bar and tie, and some would argue the shoes and watch too). Just because the suit was a couple grand doesn't mean that everything else needs to be as well.

The shirt, tie, tie bar and pocket square were no more than $16 together (bought separately) and the shoes and watch were no more than $120 together.

The Outfit for Today:

The Breakdown

Suit: Bespoke Suit via Michael Andrews Bespoke ($2000+)

Shirt: American Living Purple Check JC Penney's ($9.72)

Tie: eBay No Name Brand via eBay ($1)

Tie Bar: eBay No Name Brand ($3 or $4)

Watch (not pictured): Kenneth Cole Brown Leather Band via Nordstrom Rack ($40)

Pocket Square: Pierre Cardin via Marshalls ($.50, pack of 4 for $2)

Shoes: Florsheim Lexington via Florsheim.com (Gift but were on sale for $80 at the time)

Don't Be Cheap...on Everything...

The goal of this blog is to inspire people to dress better while not spending a lot of money. From tips to where to shop to sales going on now.

However, there are a couple of items that some times you just need to spend the money on. One of these is a suit. Have I found a suit that fits me well and just needed minor alterations, off the rack and for a great price? Yes (Navy Calvin Klein 2 Button for $75; future post later). But...this is extremely rare.

If you can invest in a suit, literally INVEST in it. Buying a well made, properly fitted suit, is an item that can and will last you years, and I mean years. Go to the MTM (Made-to-Measure) route if you can. MTM route takes a pre-existing pattern of a suit and cut the length of the jacket, sleeves, bring in the waist to fit you. Or go the much better yet more expensive route Bespoke. If you're hard to fit like me this is your best bet. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Hell yes!

Who do I recommend? Michael Andrews Bespoke in New York City. (More on them soon)