ils thread for general menswear and men's clothing ish

Warmer climate in much of the US, maybe?

i'm not a guy but I assumed it was because of i) nipple coverage ii) chest hair coverage iii) too much temperature variation between buildings/outside iv) save the armpits of nicer shirts or iv)easier to change out of business clothes later

The lovely Emma B (French) thinks undershirts are weird. I’m American and wear them all the time. I feel like they help keep my real button-down shirts cleaner longer. And then I wear them as pajama tops! So versatile. Now you know my whole routine. I should have live-journaled this.

yeah warmer climate is a strong possibility, but a significant fraction of the people who wear shirts to work in the UK commute on the tube, which is hotter than the sun iirc.

I've worked for a couple of weeks at two offices in canary wharf and I really do think most men wear an undershirt of some kind under their button downs. I really think it would've been noticeable if they didn't.

hmmm, i see they used to just wear a vest/tank top.

My impressionistic memory of UK business menswear 1996-1999 was that there were way more spread collars there (relative to point collars and button-down collars). Also UK men's ties had way bulkier knots (presumably Windsor and half-Windsor).

I didn't undress any businessmen (as far as I remember) so I don't know what they had on underneath.

i don't think it's necessary to take a hard and fast position on undershirts, but in the winter they can be an extra layer and in the summer they can keep your real shirt dry if you tend to sweat and have to spend time outside. i do loathe exposed undershirts which almost never look nice, and advocate the v-neck if you usually have your top button undone.

i have observed what i would term an NYC young professional bro thing where guys wear tight-fitting, fine cotton solid dress shirts without an undershirt and find it to be a weird and tacky choice.

I liked undershirts when I was thin. They made me look bulked out and strongish. When I got chobbo they just accentuated the insulation around my torso, and pressed against the optimistically low-numbered waistband of my trousers.

American here and can’t imagine not wearing a button up without an undershirt. For me it’s mostly because I run warm and almost always feel the need to shed layers. A button up with no undershirt is a commitment. Plus, what Tracer said about needing to wash them less often. I think I traded button ups for hoodies for the office around the time I hit 40.

same for me and underpants. i run warm and almost always feel the need to shed layers. trousers without underpants is a commitment.

what do folks around here think about loafers as office wear? Obviously they are "acceptable" but I can't decide if they're a step too far into dockers land. I'm sort of looking for something that's in that zone of the casual side of dressy.

i have some brown suede brooks bros loafers that dont look too cell phone holsterish. i think it's the shiny pleather on cole haan-type loafers that gives off that vibe. suede lets you dodge the whole question.

if you want to go full douchebag do what the europeans do and wear suede Tods to work. pair with salmon chinos, a big silver diving watch and a sweater loosely tied around your shoulders. only $475.

https://cdn-images.farfetch-contents.com/13/58/67/35/13586735_21589824_480.jpg

do it

um, I ordered some Kirkland t shirts and while they were indeed good quality, they were extremely baggy and tent-like with very roomy sleeves. Too much material in all for me - I prefer something a bit more fitted (but not super tight). Might suit other people.

um, I ordered some Kirkland t shirts and while they were indeed good quality, they were extremely baggy and tent-like with very roomy sleeves. Too much material in all for me - I prefer something a bit more fitted (but not super tight). Might suit other people.

the collar is perfect though

I’m sorry dude!

nothing ventured nothing gained, I'll send em back. US cuts tend to be a bit bigger than UK so maybe if I'd ordered a smaller size they'd been fine

excited to see people importing costco own brand to the UK

Lol bought Hanes xl three pack recently in us which are my new favourite tee shirts

Siri register usadiabetescoreimports.co.uk

I went through a phase where I was super into hanes black tees. That was years ago so IDK if they're they same today, but I may try based on plax's post

Hanes has been v high qual for a v long time ime. just a question of whether you like the fit.

If I could choose a perfect white T:

- slim fit (but not like a super-tight muscle fit)
- longish, but not longline like a dress (little bit showing under the jumper hemline)
- shortish sleeves with regular, not dropped, shoulders
- doesn't go see-through when you put it on
- round crew neck, not too loose, with a thick neckline

that sounds pretty close to what Bennetton does

i shall investigate

look at this dickhead

https://gb.benetton.com/short-sleeve-t-shirt-white-3U53J1F15_101.html

that;s close to perfect - thank you!

Clicks 'buy'... Ermm, they want £10 to ship a £16 t-shirt?

I used to be whatever about t-shirts, but I've been trying to pay more attention over the last couple of years. I've been back to wearing heavy flannel shirts open in the last 6 months particularly, so I like having a few that work with them.

For basics, I tend to like a heavy, slightly coarse, maybe slightly boxy t-shirt. So Hanes beefy t or Russell, bought from wherever's cheapest.

Used to love the American Apparel Hammer T. Just ordered a Gildan Hammer T which might be the same? At £4.26 I can afford to experiment.

Fancier: I wait for the sales and try to find the heavier velva sheens at >40% off. Love how the colours fade.

For lighter or finer cotton, I've got a couple of white uniqlo supimas that are good as basics, and at the nice end a couple of Askets. I'd recommend them - they're high quality, good range of fits (they do lengths as well as sizes) and are making the ethical effort with traceability etc. Have also ordered a sunspel from the final-reduction sales, so I'll see how that goes.

American Apparel tees are p good

i rly like the sunspel tees but they’re pricey.

oh and yes i really like uniqlo tees as well.

uniqlo supima tees and jcrew are good as far as tees that can be had for like $11 imo

yea i don't really wear anything else from jcrew but i have been buying their broken-in & garment-dyed tees for about 15 years

yeah I like those too (J Crew)

i wear american apparel tri-blend.

Clicks 'buy'... Ermm, they want £10 to ship a £16 t-shirt?

^me after every post on this thread since moving to Canada

So, I finally bought an S.N.S. Herning "Stark" cardigan (navy) after wanting one for at least ten years. It's amazing. The guy at the shop told me that S.N.S. Herning is having a hard time producing high numbers because they can't find people who have the expertise or interest to maintain the machines they use. I found this sad.

photo?

just google it. i did and wow, that cardigan is not fucking around.

https://i.imgur.com/8osWMWe.png... it’s obv not me, but I’m not much of a model.

The thing is basically a coat. I’m hoping because it’s wool it will breathe well and be wearable as a jacket on crisp spring and fall mornings. Not to mention my overly cold office floor.

I wear espadrilles to the office ( the rare occasions I go to one) however i am a contractor to startups and DNGAF, although I have worn espadrilles and a suit and it looks good. If you are spending more than 15euros on a pair of espadrilles you are doing it wrong.

Loafers are terrible especially with tassels but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear them to the office.

I have had an SNS herning sweater since a trip to Copenhagen a few years back. It is fantastic, really hard wearing. Looks great either casual or under a suit.

re: espadrilles any brand recommendations? they’re all pricey in the states, but am traveling soon.

I've ordered from ropey soles a couple of times and will buy again when the latest ones are trashed. First ones were a bit loose, but happy after going down a size.

I think the tassel loafers are great FYI. Here’s a nice article that makes a good argument for them in black (legit a good look imo and it keeps them ‘smart’):

https://dieworkwear.com/post/126598307359/the-sophisticated-black-loafer/amp

The = that

The last lot I got I ordered from France and clearly I am doing it wrong because i paid 21€90

Lasted a couple of summers though.

https://www.maisonespadrille.fr/traditionnelles-cousu-main