Professional Dress Help

[berserkbishop]

I think they would. I've been looking for an excellent pair of wingtips that I could afford. It never occurred to me to look for a pair that's already been broken in.

By the way, not to increase your stress or anything, but it occurred to me that there's something else that will serve you well in DC: an excellent haircut.

Washingtonians are a completely different breed. A few weeks ago, my office affinity group attended a cocktail party here in Cincinnati where someone from a major PAC headquartered in DC was going to speak. Without knowing who he was, it was easy to pick him out of the room.

I'm not exactly saying they're clones or anything, but...

Regards,
Rex.

I took about 5 inches off of my hair about a week ago. dont know if my profile shows it very well, but heres a pic of my hair currently.



I dont know that it is an "excellent" haircut, but it is an improvement in professionalism over my old shaggy hair. I will trim it a bit shorter right before I leave.

BB

[JerseyLawyer]

A leather sole is thinner and more elegant, and therefore dressier, than a rubber sole. Of course, there's also a greater possibility of slipping (if you buy new leather soled shoes, after you make sure they fit, wear them outside and scuff up the soles a bit on the sidewalk so you get some traction. New ones are slick! Try them on on the carpet first, though, because they have to be like new to send them back if they don't fit.)

Wingtips are slightly less dressy than cap toes. The general rule is that the less broguing (holes punched in the leather) a shoe has, the more formal it is. You'll notice that tuxedo shoes are very plain, for example. However, wingtips are a standard for business wear, and you'd be just fine with them. If you ever become president and need to wear a morning suit, though, you'll need the plain oxfords.

[ThreadBbdr]

BB, I noticed the haircut - your look is totally different now! I like it and it makes you look older as well as more professional. And it sets off your jawline in a way that your old haircut didn't. Good choice.

Re suits. A very subtle dark charcoal pinstripe is a very classic suit, As is a high quality solid black. Those are the only two non uniform suits that JC owns. He has white (several), blue with white collar, and cream on white pinstripe shirts plus three colored shirts with coordinating ties (black, electric blue and burgandy). Those last three are for socializing and church, but not business, though.

While you'll need to look good and can use this time to start your work wardrobe, just don't spend a ton of money on it. Remember, after November, your opportunities to wear civilian suits will go WAY down. JC's civilian suits mostly live in the closet here and he wears his Class A's or Dress Blues. He says that dockers and a sports jacket have pretty much covered anything his uniforms don't.

He cleans up well, and so do you.

[sharpdressedscot]

Holy crap, you look like a different person with that haircut!

Looking sharp, but what about the belt?

[Panache]

I like Navy Blazer. It is a very versatile jacket because you can wear gray, charcoal, tan, khaki and brown Trousers with it. It is a neutral colour... You can also consider a pair of brown shoes when wearing a navy blue blazer and tan trousers...

I'm with Raphael on this one. You still need a suit, but the Navy Blazer is the gentleman's version of the lady's "little black dress". It is a fashion must.

Cheers

Jamie

[Raphael]

Washington is a place with power brokers and your clothes need to to reflect that. Aside from the colour adivse, make sure your clothes fit. Don't be afraid of using a tailor to give your suit a more tailored fit. When your clothes fit, you look like you are in charge.

Most shirts work with your outfit. Make sure that you don't wear a tie with a short sleeves shirt. you will look like a used car salesman or Homer Simpson. Even Homer got into hot water once with his tie and short sleeves shirt.

I am also not a fan if tie with button down collars. I don't like the look because the buttons make that area too busy. However, it will fit it with a blazer and trousers look.

Dockers are a man's best friend as we can wear them anywhere we go. Get a couple of pair for those casual outtings.

I think you are ready to go with what you have. Just pay attention to what people of your age are wearing and expand your arsenal from there.

Now that you have clothes for work, what about casual outtings?

[ozone]

H.S. Trask...best dress shoes ever....and they hold up after YEARS of abuse. Also made from bison leather; tough stuff that bison leather.

here's a link:

http://www.hstrask.com/Display_sub_c...&Sub_Cat_ID=14

BTW, you can often find HS trask on DEEP discount on sierratradingpost.com

[Jack Daw]

I think this is my last question. . . Maybe. . . Would wingtips be as appropriate as a cap toe oxford. I am asking because I have seen some pretty good deals on high quality used shoes, but rarely in cap toes.

Yup! Wingtips are very nice as a dress/business shoe!

[McMurdo]

Wingtips would be very appropriate, have at it.

[berserkbishop]

I'm with Raphael on this one. You still need a suit, but the Navy Blazer is the gentleman's version of the lady's "little black dress". It is a fashion must.

Cheers

Jamie

Panache, I have a Navy "Mani" by Armani blazer and a upscale all wool department store suit in navy with dark pinstripes. I figure all i need now would be a black blazer, or black suit. . . .

BB