Outfit Of The Week 8/11/24 – 8/17/24
You know, sometimes I get a little pang of nervousness that the outfits I feature in my “OOTW” articles, especially the ones I wear to the office during the summer, are going to come across as a little boring to you.
The reason why is because I don’t really own that much clothing. Sure, I have more stuff than the regular guy, simply because I like clothes more than the regular guy. But as “menswear” guys go my closet is pretty lean.
That can sometimes seem like a problem since I create weekly content that’s focused on my clothes. The fact that I don’t buy new stuff (really ever) means I need to be a bit more creative than someone who just buys a ton of crap and posts about their new purchases.
I imagine some people would be tempted to embellish in this space a bit, in order to keep things fresh and interesting. The reason I DON’T do that, is because I think it’s worth it to see how clothing items are used over and over again, not only to create new outfits, but to reinforce the notion that you CAN wear something a bunch of times and not get tired of it. In fact, wearing something many times, in many different situations, creates real connection and appreciation for our clothes.
It helps menswear seem a bit more accessible for the average guy if he sees someone like me wear the “same old thing” and not feel the urge to constantly buy, buy, buy. It shows that, yes, you can get by just fine with a suit or two, a handful of jackets and trousers, and a couple pairs of shoes.
At this point, you’re all well-aware of my “in the office” formula. In the summer, my go-to trousers are my khakis from Lands’ End and my loafers from G.H. Bass. My jacket-and-shirt combination is some form of “navy blazer and OCBD”.
The centerpiece of this outfit is my navy blazer from Suit Supply.
Eagle-eyed readers will notice that this is not the same navy blazer from Brooks Brothers I usually wear to the office. This Suit Supply piece is one I usually reserve for date nights with my wife when we visit my in-laws. I actually keep this blazer at their house so I don’t have to travel with it.
What I love so much about this blazer is how light it is. It’s totally unlined and is practically see-through when you hold it up to the light. This makes it ideal for summer, business casual outfits, especially when in the office because I don’t feel the need to take off the jacket once I arrive (given how light it is). It also has natural shoulders and patch pockets which are fun little details that I don’t have on any of my other jackets.
The shirt I chose to wear was my blue-and-white, wide striped, OCBD from Brooks Brothers. The pattern on this shirt is a nice change of pace from the regular white or light blue oxfords I usually wear.
The pocket square was a yellow and blue square from Charles Tyrwhitt. The color of this square works particularly well in the summer, so I wanted to make sure I gave it some playing time.
I think this outfit is a great example of how to look good on a modest budget with items purchased new from relatively low-cost retailers. Often, I see advice on the internet that states that one of the best ways to get quality clothing for cheap is to thrift or go vintage. That’s fine for some, but I don’t have the time for that and I’ve never really liked the idea of wearing someone else’s old stuff.
No, I prefer to buy things new. I DON’T like to pay an arm and leg for them, though.
If you look at my entire outfit, these are the places I bought all my stuff from and the prices I paid…
Khaki pants – Lands’ End ($50)
Shoes – G.H. Bass ($100)
Oxford Shirt – Brooks Brothers ($50)
Blazer – Suit Supply ($250)
Belt – Men’s Wearhouse ($30)
Pocket Square – Charles Tyrwhitt ($25)
Most of these items were on sale when I bought them. As you can see, none of these items broke the bank and I was able to put together a handsome, timeless, office-appropriate ensemble for right around $500.
Would I love a closet full of bespoke clothes? Sure. But that’s just not reasonable for regular people like you and me. But that doesn’t really bother me all that much because I don’t feel like I NEED that to enjoy clothes in general.
Yes, I do enjoy wearing my $50 Lands’ End chinos, thank you very much. Would I enjoy wearing a $300 pair that was made just for me? Yes. But probably not an extra $250 worth.
So, if you’re feeling like my “OOTW” articles are getting a little repetitive, know that there is a method to the madness and a reason why I choose to show similar things over and over again. Also, rest assured that things will start to heat up (sartorially speaking) once the cooler temps roll in. But you already knew that.
Have a wonderful weekend!
