Oh no. I don't believe a suit would be appropriate for IT. I can understand the "too many compliments" thing. For business casual wear I suggest button-down shirt in white and blues, pants and loafers or bluchers. As with anything else, fit will be the determining factor of whether or not you are well-dressed.
Wardrobe Makeover - Blazers, Sport Coats and more
Hello All,
I probably "wised up" and decided that I need a complete wardrobe makeover.
About Me: I am 36, Work in Information Technology in middle management. Generally work about 12-14 hours a day mostly dealing with IT Manager, Architects and Engineers (Fellow Geeks like me). At work most of coworkers are dressed in semi-formal (Dress Shirts, Dress Trousers and Leather Shoes) and few wear a blazer or sports coats. There are some weekly meetings with the business users, executive management and some vendors where suits/blazer/sports coats are seen.
Measurements: 40R suits fit me well. 5'8"/165Lb and size didn't change much over last 10 years (+- 5Lb)
Location: Long Island, New York
My Wardrobe: So far I have mostly dress shirts/pants and 5-6 custom suits ( - Made in India). I moved here from India about 12 years ago but had some recent suits still done there (made to measure). I never had a concept of coordinating my wardrobe and most shopping was done out of necessity (If you know what I mean).
Being in Technology, here results are more valued than dress but I would still like to start dressing smart. So far I have been very successful in delivering the results and need your advice on look part. I need something durable, comfortable and professional without going super expensive. Also Suits may be "Too Formal" if the environment I work in. Tried my current suits in office and got "too many compliments" :-(
Sorry if I came as too naive but could certainly use some advice. Also if you are recommending something, I would appreciate if you could include a link.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Ritesh
I probably "wised up" and decided that I need a complete wardrobe makeover.
About Me: I am 36, Work in Information Technology in middle management. Generally work about 12-14 hours a day mostly dealing with IT Manager, Architects and Engineers (Fellow Geeks like me). At work most of coworkers are dressed in semi-formal (Dress Shirts, Dress Trousers and Leather Shoes) and few wear a blazer or sports coats. There are some weekly meetings with the business users, executive management and some vendors where suits/blazer/sports coats are seen.
Measurements: 40R suits fit me well. 5'8"/165Lb and size didn't change much over last 10 years (+- 5Lb)
Location: Long Island, New York
My Wardrobe: So far I have mostly dress shirts/pants and 5-6 custom suits ( - Made in India). I moved here from India about 12 years ago but had some recent suits still done there (made to measure). I never had a concept of coordinating my wardrobe and most shopping was done out of necessity (If you know what I mean).
Being in Technology, here results are more valued than dress but I would still like to start dressing smart. So far I have been very successful in delivering the results and need your advice on look part. I need something durable, comfortable and professional without going super expensive. Also Suits may be "Too Formal" if the environment I work in. Tried my current suits in office and got "too many compliments" :-(
Sorry if I came as too naive but could certainly use some advice. Also if you are recommending something, I would appreciate if you could include a link.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Ritesh
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
If you'd like to wear a jacket to work, get a navy blazer. A brown corduroy jacket would be nice in the colder months, as would a brown plaid or a gray herringbone tweed.
Khaki cotton trousers and lightweight light gray wool slacks for year-round, tan/forest green/navy cords and light gray flannel trousers for winter.
For shirts, I'd suggest oxford cloth shirts with buttondown collars (the much-vaunted OCBD) -- Brooks Brothers makes nice ones. White, light blue, pink or yellow if they flatter you, and blue/white or red/white stripes.
Loafers or bluchers, in a few shades of brown, would cover you for shoes.
Khaki cotton trousers and lightweight light gray wool slacks for year-round, tan/forest green/navy cords and light gray flannel trousers for winter.
For shirts, I'd suggest oxford cloth shirts with buttondown collars (the much-vaunted OCBD) -- Brooks Brothers makes nice ones. White, light blue, pink or yellow if they flatter you, and blue/white or red/white stripes.
Loafers or bluchers, in a few shades of brown, would cover you for shoes.
I believe Youthful Repp-Robate has your optimal wardrobe nailed. Both my brother-in-law and my daughter are "geek tenders" and with an ensemble like the one he describes, you should be the best-dressed (but not over-dressed) man in the office.
Just this morning I got rid of most of my blue jeans because they were either worn out, faded and/or full of holes so I will keep just one pair and opt for a more casual/professional attire like dress pants and dress shirts when I go out. Maybe I'll look into sport coats too, not sure yet. Growing up it was mostly t-shirts and jeans then when I became an adult it was a more casual look.
Ritesh,Hello All,
I probably "wised up" and decided that I need a complete wardrobe makeover.
About Me: I am 36, Work in Information Technology in middle management. Generally work about 12-14 hours a day mostly dealing with IT Manager, Architects and Engineers (Fellow Geeks like me). At work most of coworkers are dressed in semi-formal (Dress Shirts, Dress Trousers and Leather Shoes) and few wear a blazer or sports coats. There are some weekly meetings with the business users, executive management and some vendors where suits/blazer/sports coats are seen.
Measurements: 40R suits fit me well. 5'8"/165Lb and size didn't change much over last 10 years (+- 5Lb)
Location: Long Island, New York
My Wardrobe: So far I have mostly dress shirts/pants and 5-6 custom suits ( - Made in India). I moved here from India about 12 years ago but had some recent suits still done there (made to measure). I never had a concept of coordinating my wardrobe and most shopping was done out of necessity (If you know what I mean).
Being in Technology, here results are more valued than dress but I would still like to start dressing smart. So far I have been very successful in delivering the results and need your advice on look part. I need something durable, comfortable and professional without going super expensive. Also Suits may be "Too Formal" if the environment I work in. Tried my current suits in office and got "too many compliments" :-(
Sorry if I came as too naive but could certainly use some advice. Also if you are recommending something, I would appreciate if you could include a link.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Ritesh
It sounds like your office dresses more nicely than most.
You seem to have enough suits, dress slacks and dress shirts.
I would, then, add:
Sport Coats
These can go over dress slacks, chinos, corduroy pants or jeans.
Summer/Spring: Navy Blazer (brass/gold buttons), Grey herringone sport coat, tan linen/poplin sport coat, blue seersucker sport coat.
Fall Winter: Navy Blazer (same one), Grey herringbone sport coat (same one), Dongeal or Harris Tweed sport coat (color of your choice. Brown/Olive), Camel Hair Sports Coat
Shirts
Oxford Cloth button downs: Blue, white, university stripe. They are still smart, but casual. Correct neck and sleeve length in case you want to wear them with a tie.
Pants
All Season: Chinos. In colors like Khaki, dark/british khaki, stone, olive
Winter: Corduroys (8 or 11 whale): tan, brown, light grey, olive, burgundy
Pocket Squares
Experiment with them. They make any sport coat or suit "smart". White linen, silk, wool.
Best of luck.
Ritesh was last seen here in 2015...and made all of 2 posts!
Lon Gisland can be hot and muggy in the summer, just like the city with less grit. I'd skip a herringbone for summer and get a wool/linen or wool/silk/linen blend in a light tan glen plaid. Working in IT, if you want to "casual up" your look while wearing jackets, consider an unlined and unstructured twill. Murray's has nice examples. LI is "close enough" to NE that you can sprinkle in a bit of the Vineyard and not raise eyebrows. (I used to live in Manhasset).
GM Gents. The IT department where I'm employed thrive on the concept of appearance. You look good you feel good and are seen as someone that knows what they're talking about. Either a suit and tie or trousers, shirt and tie is a weekly wardrobe. Fridays are optional.
Thought's
Thought's
GM Gents. The IT department where I'm employed thrive on the concept of appearance. You look good you feel good and are seen as someone that knows what they're talking about. Either a suit and tie or trousers, shirt and tie is a weekly wardrobe. Fridays are optional.
Thoug
Excellent advice.Lon Gisland can be hot and muggy in the summer, just like the city with less grit. I'd skip a herringbone for summer and get a wool/linen or wool/silk/linen blend in a light tan glen plaid. Working in IT, if you want to "casual up" your look while wearing jackets, consider an unlined and unstructured twill. Murray's has nice examples. LI is "close enough" to NE that you can sprinkle in a bit of the Vineyard and not raise eyebrows. (I used to live in Manhasset).
Long Island, eh? A long time ago I used to spend a week on Fire Island with my family in the summers. Recently had a day trip to the Vanderbilt museum and then lunch in Hungtington.
Hello All,
I probably "wised up" and decided that I need a complete wardrobe makeover.
About Me: I am 36, Work in Information Technology in middle management. Generally work about 12-14 hours a day mostly dealing with IT Manager, Architects and Engineers (Fellow Geeks like me). At work most of coworkers are dressed in semi-formal (Dress Shirts, Dress Trousers and Leather Shoes) and few wear a blazer or sports coats. There are some weekly meetings with the business users, executive management and some vendors where suits/blazer/sports coats are seen.
Measurements: 40R suits fit me well. 5'8"/165Lb and size didn't change much over last 10 years (+- 5Lb)
Location: Long Island, New York
My Wardrobe: So far I have mostly dress shirts/pants and 5-6 custom suits ( - Made in India). I moved here from India about 12 years ago but had some recent suits still done there (made to measure). I never had a concept of coordinating my wardrobe and most shopping was done out of necessity (If you know what I mean).
Being in Technology, here results are more valued than dress but I would still like to start dressing smart. So far I have been very successful in delivering the results and need your advice on look part. I need something durable, comfortable and professional without going super expensive. Also Suits may be "Too Formal" if the environment I work in. Tried my current suits in office and got "too many compliments" :-(
Sorry if I came as too naive but could certainly use some advice. Also if you are recommending something, I would appreciate if you could include a link.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Ritesh
All of the above is great advice, but to give more specifics, how much are you looking to spend (overall or on individual items)? Being near NYC you have access to a plethora of amazing clothing stores of a variety of cost and focus.
Why are you all responding to a decade-old thread started by someone who only posted twice and was never seen again? 
ActuallyI was adding to a conversation with recent posts. It is a relevant topic today.Why are you all responding to a decade-old thread started by someone who only posted twice and was never seen again?
Honestly, because I completely missed that 😅Why are you all responding to a decade-old thread started by someone who only posted twice and was never seen again?
If I wanted to do a wardrobe makeover, I would have to see if my clothes still fit me.
It would be interesting to empty my closet of blazers and wool slacks and dress shirts and just start that closet up again! No, no, no!
Well, I've been pondering this decision for a few weeks now, and with the plethora of Memorial Day sales finally decided to take the leap away from suits, and just purchased a nicer "unstructured" blazer. Full disclosure, this is not my first, but the other ones I own are (IMO) quite a bit more casual, but also I have to acknowledge in my work environment I think 0% of men (coworkers or clients) I work with have any idea at all, and roughly 50% of the women would notice. My suiting will have to be relegated to the back of the closet until trends change (and if they change back towards suiting). This new jacket is a lighter (non-navy) blue, and the fabric is VBC so I do have high hopes. Just returned from a week in London, where I wanted to see how workwear had changed (if at all) across the pond. The short jacket trend is fully in place there, and if memory serves I actually think it was a thing there before it ever came over to the states. The much narrower pant legs were still familiar from the last time I visited, and ties are nowhere to be found outside of the City (of London), their business district. But compared to DC, where I do most of my work, there seems a lot more tie-less suiting, hence my desire to get the new jacket, although blazers/sportcoats seemed a distinct minority in London, everything was mostly a variation of a navy suit. So presuming my new jacket passes muster, it'll get paired with a variety of slacks in different colors, so between 2 sportcoat/blazers and maybe 4 pairs of pants I'll have a solid week of options for work.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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