[archon]

I just recently got a big promotion and a decent increase in salary. I have been getting by with my current wardrobe for the last few months, but it is starting to get stretched out and increased wear is showing on some of my older suits and shirts. I am also having to repeat wear many of my fewer nicer items due to business needs and I think people are beginning to notice. So, in short, I need my wardrobe to move up to the next level.

Here is a quick rundown of what my closet looks like:

Suits
*JAB (Signature or Joseph line)
*MW (paid about $350, label came off at dry cleaner)
*(2 suits purchased in England at standard men's store. Nice suits but not sure of the overall quality of the label.)

Sportscoats
*Navy Ralph Lauren Blazer
*Black JAB Traveller Blazer
*Assorted MW Sportscoats

Shirts
*BB non-iron MTM
*BB non-iron off the rack
*Ralph Lauren Polo label
*6 bespoke shirts
*Banana Republic (largely for casual wear though)

Pants
*BB chinos
*BB gabardine trousesrs
*JAB
*all flat fron

Shoes
*Bostonian
*Pronto Uomo (from MW)
*AE

Sportswear
*CK merino wool sweaters
*RL Polo cotton sweaters
*Macy's cashmere sweater
*BB polos
*Banana Republic sweaters

By day, I am either in a suit, odd trouser and sportscoat, or just trouser and button down shirt. By night, I am usually in BR jeans, shirts, sweaters, etc. On the weekend, I am usually in chinos and polo or button down shirt.

So, I need advice on the best way to attack my up wardrobe upgrade. What areas should I concentrate in first? What labels should I ditch? What labels should I upgrade with?

I spend probably $4,000-5,000 annual on clothing which should give you an idea of what price points and labels I can afford. During the initial upgrade I can go in for a little more though.

Your help is appreciated!

 

[medhat]

If by your list you really have 4 suits, it would probably be reasonable to add 2-3 more, you do have a generous annual budget. Also makes sense to replace the "too worn" items first, especially shoes that are visibly worn, or anything other item too frayed or shiny. If your intent is to move "upscale", you may want to start with shoes, as they're relatively more noticeable when you move up in quality (you can "cheat" more with suits when they are well-tailored). An example would be to pick up a few staple pairs the next AE Shoe Bank sale (or on the web).

For me, I usually spend my bucks annually on replacements and slight adjustments to the overall wardrobe that reflect current trends (like collar shape, 2 or 3 button suits, different color schemes), but I'm kinda boring that way.

 

[brokencycle]

Get a couple new pairs of shoes. Then replace whatever is worn out. After that add two to three shirts, a suit or two, and maybe a few new ties.

 

[Rossini]

If by your list you really have 4 suits, it would probably be reasonable to add 2-3 more, you do have a generous annual budget.

+1 on the suits.

What was the men's store in the UK?

I would ditch the non-iron shirts and upscale with something English or Italian.

Definitely more shoes.

You don't mention ties?

 

[Fuzzypuppy]

I just recently got a big promotion and a decent increase in salary. I have been getting by with my current wardrobe for the last few months, but it is starting to get stretched out and increased wear is showing on some of my older suits and shirts. I am also having to repeat wear many of my fewer nicer items due to business needs and I think people are beginning to notice. So, in short, I need my wardrobe to move up to the next level.

Here is a quick rundown of what my closet looks like:

Suits
*JAB (Signature or Joseph line)
*MW (paid about $350, label came off at dry cleaner)
*(2 suits purchased in England at standard men's store. Nice suits but not sure of the overall quality of the label.)

Sportscoats
*Navy Ralph Lauren Blazer
*Black JAB Traveller Blazer
*Assorted MW Sportscoats

Shirts
*BB non-iron MTM
*BB non-iron off the rack
*Ralph Lauren Polo label
*6 bespoke shirts
*Banana Republic (largely for casual wear though)

Pants
*BB chinos
*BB gabardine trousesrs
*JAB
*all flat fron

Shoes
*Bostonian
*Pronto Uomo (from MW)
*AE

Sportswear
*CK merino wool sweaters
*RL Polo cotton sweaters
*Macy's cashmere sweater
*BB polos
*Banana Republic sweaters

By day, I am either in a suit, odd trouser and sportscoat, or just trouser and button down shirt. By night, I am usually in BR jeans, shirts, sweaters, etc. On the weekend, I am usually in chinos and polo or button down shirt.

So, I need advice on the best way to attack my up wardrobe upgrade. What areas should I concentrate in first? What labels should I ditch? What labels should I upgrade with?

I spend probably $4,000-5,000 annual on clothing which should give you an idea of what price points and labels I can afford. During the initial upgrade I can go in for a little more though.

Your help is appreciated!

Like some of the other posters, I'd be inclined to start with the suits and shoes first. I too started out with Bostonians, and now I wince at how my feet suffered for years in the name of a budget.

AE shoebank offers some great deals on incomparably better shoes than Bostonian at a similar price point.

Check out some of the NYC/PHilly custom tailors. You should be able to get good quality custom suits from an LS Mens or Mr Ned for less than $850.

 

[archon]

Why trash the non-iron shirts?

I know some people on this forum knock them because of the feel. But, I find if you put them through a hot wash and use fabric softeners they become very comfortable.

Personally, I find them very useful in that after a 12 hour day they still look fresh. I have Italian milled fabric bespoke shirts I will wear when necessary. But, for day to day office wear I don't think anything beats them.

Plus, I save about $350 on dry cleaning a year that I roll back over into my annual clothing budge.

 

[Fuzzypuppy]

Why trash the non-iron shirts?

I know some people on this forum knock them because of the feel. But, I find if you put them through a hot wash and use fabric softeners they become very comfortable.

Personally, I find them very useful in that after a 12 hour day they still look fresh. I have Italian milled fabric bespoke shirts I will wear when necessary. But, for day to day office wear I don't think anything beats them.

Plus, I save about $350 on dry cleaning a year that I roll back over into my annual clothing budge.

I'm with you on this one. My closet is all BB non-irons. They work for me nicely. The laundering and ironing (especially when traveling) requirement make my other shirts a distant second choice for me.

 

[suitsyousir]

Here are recommendations if you don't want to wait for the next sale season.

Suit sources:
- Baroni gets good reviews on the site. I'm not sure if the 150's fabric would withstand everyday wear and tear over several years, though.
- J. Press (some of their suits may still be 50% off on sale. Call each store and ask about your size. In my experience, it's best to buy one up with them, e.g. 42L to 43L, 36 waist to 37).

Shirts:
- TM Lewin still has shirts for 25 GBP and four-for-20 with promo code RBS, which minus VAT works out to $38.16 for 1-3 or even $30.52 if you buy 4+ shirts. With four or more, the shipping is also worth it. Buy 1/2 collar size up.

 

[vwguy]

I also say upgrade your suits and shoes first & ditch those items that are visibly worn.

Brian

 

[Tonyp]

I just recently got a big promotion and a decent increase in salary. I have been getting by with my current wardrobe for the last few months, but it is starting to get stretched out and increased wear is showing on some of my older suits and shirts. I am also having to repeat wear many of my fewer nicer items due to business needs and I think people are beginning to notice. So, in short, I need my wardrobe to move up to the next level.

Here is a quick rundown of what my closet looks like:

Suits
*JAB (Signature or Joseph line)
*MW (paid about $350, label came off at dry cleaner)
*(2 suits purchased in England at standard men's store. Nice suits but not sure of the overall quality of the label.)

Sportscoats
*Navy Ralph Lauren Blazer
*Black JAB Traveller Blazer
*Assorted MW Sportscoats

Shirts
*BB non-iron MTM
*BB non-iron off the rack
*Ralph Lauren Polo label
*6 bespoke shirts
*Banana Republic (largely for casual wear though)

Pants
*BB chinos
*BB gabardine trousesrs
*JAB
*all flat fron

Shoes
*Bostonian
*Pronto Uomo (from MW)
*AE

Sportswear
*CK merino wool sweaters
*RL Polo cotton sweaters
*Macy's cashmere sweater
*BB polos
*Banana Republic sweaters

By day, I am either in a suit, odd trouser and sportscoat, or just trouser and button down shirt. By night, I am usually in BR jeans, shirts, sweaters, etc. On the weekend, I am usually in chinos and polo or button down shirt.

So, I need advice on the best way to attack my up wardrobe upgrade. What areas should I concentrate in first? What labels should I ditch? What labels should I upgrade with?

I spend probably $4,000-5,000 annual on clothing which should give you an idea of what price points and labels I can afford. During the initial upgrade I can go in for a little more though.

Your help is appreciated!

SHOES!

You should have 1 pair of black, 1 bordeaux or similar shade for navy suits, 2 pair of Dark Brown, 2 pair of a lighter shade of brown such as a Chestnut or pine color. The lighter brown should be at least one loafer/slip-on. Black captoes, Brown at least one captoe and one derby,

Next add at least 2-3 suits of the super 100-120's. Don't go much higher in thread count. You will need a durable suit fabric.

Shirts, I am not a BB non-iron fan. Unless you are always traveling, why so many non iron shirts? Get good egyptian or sea island cotton shirts. stick w/ you Bespoke maker and add a few more.

As for slacks, BB makes a nice slack for the money. Have at least one flannel in a medium Gray.

Ties? How many do you have?

 

[Penang Lawyer]

Go with two new pair of business shoes. Consider going the MTM route and include Paul Winston in NYC as well as the others mentioned. If you are headed up the corporate ladder good fitting clothes will always be an asset.

 

[archon]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I will incorporate all of them into my new wardrobe inventory and wish list.

I like the BB non-iron MTM because they fit well, wear well, and save money. At almost $2 a shirt at my local dry cleaner, they almost end up paying for themselves. Also, I tend to put in long days at the office and I like having a crisp shirt for those end of the day meetings or evening dinner outings. I know some people on this forum knock them, but I really don't see a downside for simple day-to-day office wear.

As for ties, I have about 25 but that area needs to be updated. Most were purchased from places such as TJ Maxx or Macy's on sale.