dressing down (extremely casual) but still looking good. it's possible, right?

[mascaraasnake]

I'm going to college at the moment and am in between weights, so I'm putting a lot of thought into my eventual wardrobe overhaul. Dressy casual, business, formal...all of that stuff I can usually figure out pretty easily, and it's not hard to find advice on that.

My problem is with figuring out everyday plain-jane casual dress. I want a style that won't look like I'm overdressing, but that blends in. Jeans and a t-shirt just won't cut it for me anymore. Does anyone have any general advice (or know of any good reading materal) on dressing down?

 

[adamjaskie]

I've got some lightweight cargo pants (without rediculous numbers of pockets or huge bellows things; just an extra pocket on the side of the left leg and no crease). I'll wear them with a button-down shirt, either an off-white linen shirt, a very small lavender check, a light pink, white oxford with vertical blue-grey stripes, very heavy white oxford with a high collar, etc., open-collar, with a blue or black blazer. I wear this with sneakers or loafers, or sometimes boat shoes. I'll usually include a pocket square (cotton; I'm not a fan of silk pocket squares).

Also jeans, the same shirts, and a khaki linen/cotton blazer seem to work well.

But I would have gotten mocked by my friends if I wore that at school.

 

[MPicciotto]

My casual wear is typically Heritage Khaki "khakis" from L.L. Bean, boat shoes and Cubavera or Havana Shirt Company shirts like the ones on this website:

http://www.shushans.com/havanashirt.html

Matt

 

[jgilbert]

Will have to agree with MPicciotto, you can do a lot with Khakis. Polo, sweat shirt, sweater you name it and you can do it.

 

[DerMann]

Most of the clothing sold by LandsEnd is VERY good. From their suits to their bathing suits.

Most of their clothing is casual, but it's a smart looking casual that doesn't look sloppy. They have cargo pants which are essentially their chinos with a pocket on the right thigh.

Most of their clothing can be had for a very decent price, and they usually do free hemming and cuffing on pants (down to 1/4"). They also have overstocks where one can find some pretty ridiculous deals.

 

[tonyb]

You're "between weights," you say? Going from larger to smaller, I presume?

A good thrift store could be your friend. I put the qualifier in there because some thrift stores are clearly better than others. At least that's true out here. At some I routinely find very nice attire in fine condition at low prices. At others, not so often.

 

[MPicciotto]

DerMann,

You are right about the quality and price. Nearby to me is an L.L. Bean outlet. I like the "Heritage Khaki" color. If you look on the website its very brown like. But in person they are just a darker, deeper khaki that I happen to like quite a bit, they look almost like WW2 British Khaki.

Matt

 

[DerMann]

LL Bean is pretty similar to LandsEnd, if a bit more geared toward the outdoorsman. If I recall correctly, they have an online overstock/outlet as well, but nowhere near the size of LandsEnd.

I do wish there was a LandsEnd outlet near me. There's one in Wisconsin, and I did patronise it on my trip to Green Bay.

 

[John in Covina]

Khaki pants or dockers and a golf shirt or even a Henley shirt.