[Closed] Work attire - suits?

You want one of these...

http://www.betabrand.com/mens-business-suit-onesie-hybrid.html

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Perhaps.

Disclaimer: I have not worked in an office for the last four years...

Couple of suits. 2 pairs of trousers for each.

Suit onesie...how the hell do I get into the thing

4 on rotation, 2 have spare trews.

No tie required, but I wear one.

Double cuffs are OOOOOuuuuuttt for me as they remind me of Spivvy BankerTypes and the world has moved on since that lot.

Bregante - Member
Couple of suits. 2 pairs of trousers for each

Perhaps start of with less expensive suits and then, if you're getting the wear out of them and job does require suits, buy something a bit better.

Oh, and Charles Tyrwhitt non-iron shirts FTW.

Couple of suits. 2 pairs of trousers for each

+1

Probably 3 suits, maybe 6-8 shirts, and a similar number of ties. Black shoes will go with any colour suit, brown won't. Same with black or dark grey socks. A boring black belt. You can build up a wardrobe from there as needs be, but IMO this is a safe (albeit conservative/dull) starting point.

You could get away with less but having a decent amount of clothes means ironing less often, and less trips to the dry cleaner.

Obvious advice: a cheap suit that fits is a lot better than an expensive one that doesn't.

So I'm not expected to be seen in a different one every day of the week - that's a relief!

Say for example I went for 2 suits with spare trousers - I'm guessing navy and charcoal are the only acceptable colours?

And shirts - anything other that white/pale blue?

And shirts - anything other that white/pale blue?

Just avoid loud, same with the suits - at least initially - and you won't go far wrong.

Get machine washable suits - next, etc do a line of perfectly good ones for c.£80

Ball ache to iron but if like me you have small children essential

Turn up on the first day / week in your suit and have a look how other people are dressed. Don't try and double guess in advance.

I tend to buy a suit with 2 or 3 pairs of trousers (M&S make this easy for example). I keep the jacket and some ties in a cupboard in the office (useful to have a suit bag for this, usually free when you buy the suits)

I have M&S machine washable suits after getting fed up of dry cleaning bills. 2 pairs of trousers with each as suggested.

I've worn a suit pretty much every day at work for the last +25 years.

I've 4 on rotation at anytime, along with a dozen shirts.

Never bothered with the 2-pairs of trousers method, for me you only need that if you are a Rep and getting in/out of cars etc.

Black shoes, worn until they are past it then replace - same with belts and buy a large pack of identical black socks.

And if you ever go to the Far East, stock up 🙂

Always buy socks with something on them to make pairing them up easier.

There is nothing worse that trying to use the length of the cuff at the top or the weave of the cloth to find a pair!

Always buy socks with something on them to make pairing them up easier.

Wise advice: it's a bit of a first-world-problem, but M&S (and others) sell socks with patterned coloured toes and heels (invisible with shoes on) which make life a lot easier!

*looks at t-shirt and jeans combo he is wearing*

I do like working in academia sometimes.

I laugh in the face of your jeans and t shirt while I wear my shorts and flip flops.
Edit, no doubt the next poster will be nude or in a gimp suit.

Shirts?
Go plain, blue or white or blue or white or blue. In that lot there are a variety of shades, just make sure they fit you right. Don't go all skinny/slim fit if the bottom button near your belt is popping, likewise anything baggy will look shite.

Steer clear of stripy white collar affairs.

I've been in suits most of my workig life (not any more hooray)

M and S is fine for daily workwear especially their Sartorial range of shirts which are very well made and last brilliantly. I'd suggest Loake shoes as a compromise between cost and quality (you can have Loakes factory resoled for 70 quid, typically I get through 3 soles before the uppers die).

Well worth paying for a couple of bespoke suits for important meetings or client facing situations you can get tailored suts for 350-500 or made from scratch for around 600+.

Personally I prefer a very dark suit, white shirt, plain single colour tie, black shoes as it saves me thinking about what to wear.

I really mean it about the MandS shirts much better than anything I've tried over the years.

Avoid TM Lewin shirts unless you love ironing and then looking like you don't own an iron 10 minutes later.

*looks at yellowed y-fronts and biscuit crumbs on dressing gown*

I do like working from home sometimes.

Well worth paying for a couple of bespoke suits for important meetings or client facing situations you can get tailored suts for 350-500 or made from scratch for around 600+.

Worth it once you've been there a while and got a feel for the place. But not for the first week!

I laugh in the face of your jeans and t shirt while I wear my shorts and flip flops.

Shorts, trainers and T-shirt here. I only wear the gimp suit on dress down Friday.

I've worn a suit pretty much every day at work for the last +25 years.

I've 4 on rotation at anytime, along with a dozen shirts.

Never bothered with the 2-pairs of trousers method, for me you only need that if you are a Rep and getting in/out of cars etc.

Black shoes, worn until they are past it then replace - same with belts and buy a large pack of identical black socks.

+1

footflaps - Member

I laugh in the face of your jeans and t shirt while I wear my shorts and flip flops.

Shorts, trainers and T-shirt here. I only wear the gimp suit on dress down Friday.

Is confuzzed... shirley WFH days mean you are dressed in lycra and out riding..

Least, thats what I do. 8)

Been suited at work for nigh on 30 years but have changed to type/numbers to reflect different jobs/employers as expectations do vary a great deal.

The advice above to start out with a couple (relatively) budget ones from Next/M&S with spare trousers is a good call. This is my default plus a better quality one for more important meetings or formal (but not black-tie) dinners etc and a properly nice one for special occasions.

As has also been said, black shoes, black or grey socks and white or blue shirts with reasonably plain ties.

Once you settle in you'll get a feel for what is generally ok so you can tweak if necessary.

Double cuffs are OOOOOuuuuuttt for me as they remind me of Spivvy BankerTypes and the world has moved on since that lot.

This ^^ too, although some nice, simple cufflinks are a good finishing touch.

Shorts, trainers and T-shirt here. I only wear the gimp suit on dress up Friday.

FTFY

Reiterating a lot of what is above, start with 2 suits (1 Navy, 1 grey) and add another when you fancy. I don't have 2 pairs of trousers as I tend to get bored of the suit before I wear them out. I make sure I have 1 "best" suit that gets worn sparingly, this often gets relegated to general use when I buy a new suit.

Re. shirts, buy 4 or 5 and add to them as and when you see fit. Plain white, plain blue and plain pink are your go to options, I think a touch of pattern (light check or puppy tooth perhaps) is best if you're wearing them without a tie, plain if worn with. Again, I make sure I have a "best" shirt, generally plain white, that I wear for meetings and interviews. Make sure they're well fitted and clean, grubby and baggy shirts just look crap.

Sock, get plain black or plain blue, ideally with a pattern on the sole to enable matching. I like an occasional pair of bright socks but I like to match it to my tie.

Shoes, black Oxfords, Derby's or semi-brogues are smart and will go with any suit. Add something in oxblood or dark brown if you desire. Make sure they are clean and polished at all times and ideally have a leather sole and if they not, make sure the rubber sole is thin. Few things destroy a look more than dirty shoes with thick leather soles.Make sure your belt matches your shoes as well.

Is confuzzed... shirley WFH days mean you are dressed in lycra and out riding..

Nope, in the office.

I am generally the scruffiest person though.

Excellent advice - thank you all

So based on the above, my shopping list to start..

1 dark grey and 1 navy suit from M&S/Next with spare trousers
5 shirts blue/white
Pack of black socks
Black shoes

After that I'll see how it goes - I was always going to need new black shoes, trousers and some new shirts anyway

It depends how swish you want to be. John Lewis basic suit is an incredible piece of fabric engineering. It's not nasty feeling, it's cool and comfortable, and uncreasable. Not only are the trousers machine washable but THE JACKET IS TOO!

And it's only £130.

Avoid TM Lewin shirts unless you love ironing and then looking like you don't own an iron 10 minutes later.

I wear TM Lewin non-iron shirts, and I haven't ironed a thing since I bought them! Joy!

[Hijack] What's the feeling on grey suits and brown shoes / belts? This opens up a load of dress options for me with out having to take a extra shoes on trips. /Hijack

Where will you be working? At my place, if you rock up in normal conservative business attire, you better be on the board or you'll look rather odd.

Anyway, the key to looking good in a suit appears to have been missed entirely so far. Make sure it fits! There are loads of great visual guides to suit fit online. The basics are, no gap at the back of the collar, you should be able to o grab the bottom hem of the jacket, shoulders the correct width etc. when you get it off the peg. The find a good alterations place, get the legs and arms taken to the right length, and have the cuff buttons moved. As a rule, a 100 quid suit that's been picked carefully and had 50 quid spent on alterations will look better than a 400 quid plus suit that's straight off the rack.

And for the love of god, get some tan English made brogues. Nobody should wear black shoes unless they're an accountant or in black tie.

Always buy socks with something on them to make pairing them up easier.

Always buy a fortnight's worth of identical socks to make pairing a non-issue.

I **** hate suits, such old fashioned thinking - and frankly people in suits make me question their abilities.

I subscribe to this too. My argument is that I'd rather be good at my job than look like I am, and if people want to judge me on my attire it's their loss.

+1 for shorts,t shirt an flip flops or 510s....

Got some nice riding shorts that look smart just shower an add pants an t shirt job done.

I look like a bouncer when I wear a suit tbh 🙂

No to brown shoes and suits!! Go for oxblood if you must but suits and brown shoes should be verboten.

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if people want to judge me on my attire it's their loss

That does not apply to consultants and contractors 🙂

Damn, I work for the Government and we wear tees, skinny jeans and hoodies all day.

So based on the above, my shopping list to start..

1 dark grey and 1 navy suit from M&S/Next with spare trousers
5 shirts blue/white
Pack of black socks
Black shoes

Don't forget some pants.......... Your suit will thank you for them.....