yeah kenneth cole has some good shoes. i have these and they were like $80.

Yup, gospel.

Also...

No french cuffs sans tie.
No tab-collar sans tie.
Buy and use collar tabs.
Never, ever wear solid socks. Socks and ties are the two of the few chances you have of expressing any creativity/individuality--don't waste 'em.

I pretty much do all of these on a daily basis, save the matching-socks-to-pants thing. Then again, even though I wear a collared shirt almost every day, I usually just wear a pair of black Saucony's that I've been wearing the crap out of lately. My dress shoes are reserved for interviews only, and are a pair of Doc oxfords or a pair of dress shoes I picked up at Payless 3 years ago...

That being said, I'm looking for some more cheap dress shirts - last time I tried to order some off the 'net, I accidentally ended up with a shiny green one and one of the blue suede variety without realising it.. Any suggestions?

...or you could always go with these dress shoe wonders...

I've done pretty well at Lands End outlet for shirts and biz-cas slacks. Rumor has it there's a Brooks Bros. outlet in NC somewhere that's got killer prices.

I hope so....or else I might just go with this...

OPA would be proud of this thread. Holla at your folks, Chris.

Yo postmersh, do you guys have K&G mens outlet out there? It skews a little bit to the urban side (they sell the Trajic Johnson & Michael Irvin collections), but they have killer deals on button up dress shirts, and if you browse a bit other stuff as well.

Corey, I agree with everything, except buttondown collars and ties. I just plain don't like spread or point collar shirts. Spread are better, but I wear buttondown collars almost everyday, except when I wear cuff links.

Of which I have about 3 nice pairs, 2 of which are my grandpas. Billze, I would disagree with socks. I almost always wear solid socks. Blue w/blue suits, gray with gray.

Oh, and "wacky" ties = DEATH. Rep ties or business. I wear a lot of striped ties, but American flag ties, disney ties, or even J. Garcia ties = amateur hour.

A good pair of cufflinks are the best "show" item you can have. I received a pair of Bulldog cufflinks for Christmas that rule. I have also seen GA Lt. Gov. Mark (FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT) Taylor wear some red/white/blue striped ones that say "Vote Democrat" on them, that I considered "getting him for"

you know I'm with you on this one.



my mom just gave me a pair that belonged to my grandfather. can't wait to rock them at this wedding I'm going to in a couple weeks. (haven't got to wear a suit in a while)

Someone really needs to find that pic of Shmoo with the Superman dress shirt or tie. Maybe it was both, I can't remember.

I'm not a proponent of "wacky" by any means. But you'll look a helluva lot sharper with patterned socks (my faves are martini glasses) and a not-run-of-the-mill tie. In summertime, you can't beat the Liberty floral-print linen ties, they dominate.

I'm with you on the socks. I think its harder to find ties that are NOT over the top, yet not so....Young Republican.

But, to each his own, right?

I prefer blue or gray wool/cotton Polo socks, and J. Banks ties.

Favorite shirts in general are the stiff-collar, no-button ones. Especially with just a touch of poly in the blend for a hint of shine / wrinkle resistance. Look for the "wrinkle resistant" shirts most big companies offer these days. They're very forgiving of the mongerous lifestyle, as long as you don't use fabric softener / dryer sheets... they destroy the magical properties.

I never knew that dryer sheets "killed" the wrinkle-resistant properties...
no wonder my shirts keep coming out wrinkled...

and, try as I might, I've never gotten the hang of ironing...

I have a maroon one of these, and though I get many compliments on it, from the opposite sex even, I hava hard time finding the right times to wear it, and I always look like a fucking club bouncer when I try to pair it with a tie.

I wil also say one of my fave casual looks is tan suit pants (NOT KHAKIS) and a tan/grean sort of houndstooth plaid jacket. Paired with loafers, a shirt sans tie, and you look ready for a fine cocktail hour. Gives off a look of debonair nonchalance that we should all be striving for.

Oh, and I am sure many will disagree, but I NEVER get on a plane w/o at least a sports coat. Sometimes it is dressed down with jeans and even flip flops, but it gives the impression that you are a man who is GOING somewhere, not just some schlub headed to Branson. Same goes for casinos, but in casinos I tend to go full suit, most times my Stones-concert ensemble. A fine look, and again it shows you care, and there on BUSINESS, not just to cadge free beers at the $5 blackjack table.

This is the way I was raised, and it's how I raise my family. In my romantic world, flying is still something at which to marvel, something to respect, and something to consider special--especially if you intend to sit up front.

Yup, there's a coating on the fibres of stain/wrinkle resistant clothes, and softeners break it down. They're supposed to warn you when you buy it, but they never do.

you people are fucking nuts.

Every girl's crazy 'bout a... oh nevermind.

Since, as most now know, I am HUUUGE. I ALWAYS ask for an upgrade, and have on 3 or 4 occasions received one from a sympathetic check-in person. I am always amazed at the fattasumusses sitting in 1st wearing fucking warm up suits and the like. Have some respect for air travel, sure, but have some fucking respect for yourself.

Then, of course, I start monging on the drinks, cranking the tunes, and making eyes with the flight attendants 8)

I thought of this thread this weekend when I bought some emergency dress shoes for a graduation I didn't realize I was going to. Got some nice basic Cole Haans:


Anyone know where the best place would be to get those shoe things that keep shoes from getting those creases near the toes?

i hate graduations.

shoe trees? walmart or targe got the cedar ones; grab yourself a polishing sponge for quick touchups why you at it.

Yea, that's what I was looking for. I do have a polishing spunge, but I think I need a new one. Thanks.