How to dress to feel as confident as I do in a suit, but without a suit? (colored, head)
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That's a bit of a strange question so let me clear it up: I feel god damn awesome when I wear a suit. I just got one this past week, tailored and everything. I'm a chubby guy and a lot of clothes like t-shirts and what not don't really flatter my form. Polos are pretty decent as are button-downs. Anyway, I put on the suit today just to make sure everything fit and I felt like a million bucks. If it wasn't 90F outside I would have just worn it all day. I hate to sound vain but I really looked damn good, or at least I thought so. And that sort of confidence shines through in whatever else I do. I've worn suits a few times before (classy events, a job interview, high school graduation) and I felt very confident each time.
That being said, I'm a college student at a big public university. I would stick out like a sore thumb if I dressed like I was going to work at Goldman Sachs each day. I really like how I feel when I wear suits though.
How do y'all suggest I strike a balance between looking and feeling professional without seeming too stuffy? I've never been one to dress up, my go-to clothes are a pair of jeans and a t-shirt (usually with something on it). If I wanna look a little better I wear a polo or a button-down, especially in the fall and winter. I think it's partly because I feel comfortable in those clothes and I've been wanting to give the impression that I'm a very down-to-earth individual. Unfortunately I'm growing up, and soon I'll be entering the workforce, and I think I need to look a little more put-together without sacrificing that casual feel.
Oh and if it matters, I'm 20 (21 soon) years old. Most kids at my college dress pretty casually, in a classroom you'll see everything from sweatpants and sweatshirts to slacks with shirts tucked in, and occasionally some suits (usually on days when recruiters are on campus).
How about a nice Robert Graham dress shirt and tailored pants? I feel pretty confident in that when I don't wear a suit. If you want more casual, replace the pants with dark jeans.
I understand what you are talking about except I'm a woman.
I love wearing heals, dresses, and skirts. I wish I could every day dress in Bebe and Marciano clothing but I'm also a full-time student at a 4 year college. I'm 23, a little older than most of the students but still.
My college has a reputation for everyone dressing the same "j crew with a hangover" style.
So, if I dressed that way I would probably seem like I was trying too hard.
I don't have an answer for you. All I know is I always dress down at school, I don't want to appear too flashy. The way I go to school is never how I like to go out on my free time. If I go out later with friends most of whom already graduated I'll stop at home and put on a nice pair of heals.
Even when I run errands I like to look good.
Maybe if you got a part-time or internship at a company where suits were worn you would have a reason to wear it?
A fitted blazer will make just about anything look good. I often wear suits for meetings & interviews but when I can get away with it, I'll throw on a blazer, cami and some pants and I'm ready for the day.
1) Loose 25 lbs. No excuses and no more "chubby guy" nonsense. If you have a beer belly in your early 20s, just imagine what you would look like when you turn 35. no suit will ever save you. hit the gym, you will thank me later.
2) Hip teens do not wear jeans . get some casual pants instead. a good alternative to jeans are blue/navy striped khakis.
3) Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and some other stores of similar caliber have some very nice dress shirts. Good quality polos would probably do the trick as well.
4) no hats, no graphic shirts (i.e. affliction, tapout, ed hardy and other embarrasing garbage), get yourself a nice watch within $700-1000 range. no facial hair.
Most ppl on this board are an older over 30 demographic (myself included), so it's probably not the best place to get advise. My main suggestion is to get in shape & lose that gut. Take advantage of your university's health club. It's one of the best perks of being a college kid. Also, make nutrition & eating well a priority. So many of my friends gained 10~20 pounds in their mid to late 20's because they ate anything & everything they wanted. Ramen, pizza, pasta, sliders, beer aren't the breakfast of champions and you'll eventually pay for it once your metabolism slows. Lastly, for style/fashion tips head over to the MFA style board: Clothes Make The Man
Other than tumblr or blogs, that subreddit is probably the premier source of helpful hints for 20-something professional/preppy dress. One caveat is that they emphasize a very slim trim cut, with the assumption that every guy is as thin as Joseph Gordon Levitt.
1) Loose 25 lbs. No excuses and no more "chubby guy" nonsense. If you have a beer belly in your early 20s, just imagine what you would look like when you turn 35. no suit will ever save you. hit the gym, you will thank me later.
2) Hip teens do not wear jeans . get some casual pants instead. a good alternative to jeans are blue/navy striped khakis.
3) Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and some other stores of similar caliber have some very nice dress shirts. Good quality polos would probably do the trick as well.
4) no hats, no graphic shirts (i.e. affliction, tapout, ed hardy and other embarrasing garbage), get yourself a nice watch within $700-1000 range. no facial hair.
5) ??? Go pants shopping and try on some pants and expensive jeans also--look for the best fitting brands you can and stick with those--the reason you love that suit is the fit but some jeans will also make you feel really good b/c of the fit. Those jeans with stretchy stuff in them tend to bag out at around 2:00 pm on so avoid those if you can.
6) PROFIT!
Profit? Oh yeah and echoed here on losing the weight--everything fits better when you do.
Honestly, I don't even see why you can't just rock the suits like you want to. I remember a guy in my political science course who was always dressed sharp. I'm talking fitted blazer with a pocket square, bright colored button-down, starched trousers, and polished loafers. Hair combed back nicely. One day I just had to tell him that I just loved the way he dressed because he stood out, in a good way, from the crowd.
I went to a big public university as well and yeah, most people dressed down...way down...and he exuded so much confidence. Could have been like you in that he just felt better in a suit or dressed up in general.
1) Loose 25 lbs. No excuses and no more "chubby guy" nonsense. If you have a beer belly in your early 20s, just imagine what you would look like when you turn 35. no suit will ever save you. hit the gym, you will thank me later.
2) Hip teens do not wear jeans . get some casual pants instead. a good alternative to jeans are blue/navy striped khakis.
3) Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and some other stores of similar caliber have some very nice dress shirts. Good quality polos would probably do the trick as well.
4) no hats, no graphic shirts (i.e. affliction, tapout, ed hardy and other embarrasing garbage), get yourself a nice watch within $700-1000 range. no facial hair.
5) ???
6) PROFIT!
I agree with the loosing weight part but have to disagree with the "hip teens do not wear jeans". I see even stylish and well put together men in their 40's wearing jeans and making it work. It's a casual thing. Maybe it's a regional thing, but people can always dress jeans up with a nice blazer.
Honestly, I don't even see why you can't just rock the suits like you want to. I remember a guy in my political science course who was always dressed sharp. I'm talking fitted blazer with a pocket square, bright colored button-down, starched trousers, and polished loafers. Hair combed back nicely. One day I just had to tell him that I just loved the way he dressed because he stood out, in a good way, from the crowd.
I went to a big public university as well and yeah, most people dressed down...way down...and he exuded so much confidence. Could have been like you in that he just felt better in a suit or dressed up in general.
I wonder how a woman could go about dressing a bit nicer than others without seeming like she is trying too hard. I much rather go to class in a pencil skirt with a nice blazer and tucked in button down, a dress, or jeans with a blazer but I feel like women are judged much more harshly/negatively than men for standing out in a homogenous environment.
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. get some casual pants instead. a good alternative to jeans are blue/navy striped khakis.
