4/06/09 - Monday

Shirt: Izod / Tie: Claiborne / Belt: GAP / Pants: Dockers Collection



- Another average outfit. I feel like it gives off a retro vibe for reasons unbeknownst to me. This is probably due to the tie. Got it from my dad and i must admit that I haven't worn it in forever.

The socks are fire. Got them on sale at Banana Republic. The material feels great although I'm not buying the "6-12" sizing on these. I have size 11.5 feet and I feel like if I had to engage in a sudden move like say, pivot away from a co-worker next to the copier or spin off of the lady about to spill her cup of coffee my toes would bust through the front portion of the socks.

4/03/09 - Friday

Shirt: Ralph Lauren polo / Pants: Calvin Klein



Polo shirt (plus) Khakis (minus) the usual beer gut = Anorexic corporate goon.

The color of the polo would be considered too bold for most corporate heads, I would recommend going with either soft-colored pastels or white/black polos.

4/02/09 - Thursday

Shirt: Calvin Klein / Tie: Geoffrey Beene / Belt: GAP / Pants: Perry Ellis



I really like this outfit. The shirt fits well and so do the pants. Let see: On paper this doesn’t seem very original (understatement of the year): The ubiquitous, corporate-issue baby-blue shirt (fits the bill like a G.I.) and khaki slacks.

Here’s what separates it from the crowd, though: texture, texture, texture.

There are 3 “dimensions” for a shirt: color, pattern and texture. I view the first 2 items as "2-D", whereas texture for me is "3-D"… the end result is that texture can make an otherwise plain (at first glance) white dress shirt downright intricate and allows for greater creativity when one is confined to basic, corporate friendly colors and patterns.

4/01/09 - Wednesday

Shirt: ??? / Tie: Geoffrey Beene / Belt: GAP / Pants: Brandini



These pin-stripe pants are a welcome change to my khakis-arsenal. A plain white dress shirt and “presidential candidate” tie (co-worker’s comment, not mine) round out the look. I don’t think I paid more than $10 for the tie, by the way.

Outfit is meh. Alright, but not stellar, in my opinion. You are going to have days/outfits like that though.

3/31/09 - Tuesday

Shirt: BCBG//Attitude / Tie: DKNY / Belt: GAP / Pants: Michael Brandon



The pictures don't do this setup justice. For one, the little fluer de lis logos on the tie are actually purple (in the photos they came out looking light blueish or lavender, depending on your degree of color blindness).
Anyway, the setup was created somewhat out of necessity, as there were only so many ties/pants in my clothing arsenal that would work with the "busy" shirt. I therefore had to base the applicable tie/pair of slacks off of the shirt. This may be something to think about for those relatively new to the corporate dressing game. Some people can compile entire outfits in their head, others need to build their outfits in stages in their head, yet others need to actually throw on the clothes before they can make a decision on whether the outfit is a "go." I don't really have a set method, I have utilized all 3 approaches before.

That said I like how it all come together and will definitely wear this outfit again in the future.

3/30/09 - Monday

Shirt: Ralph Lauren / Tie: Jos A Bank / Belt: GAP / Pants: Perry Ellis



Very comfortable outfit. Tie includes both colors found on the tie, which should satisfy the if-the-colors-don't-match-your-outfit-is-trash corporate crowd.

Don't know if I like the shirt's button-down collar in this setting though. I always viewed them as the equivalent of velcro shoes in elementary school. A way for those too lazy or incapable of tying their shoes to get by, lol. As in you didn't have enough time to iron your shirt's collars properly and you need to tie them down so that they don't flap up.

Hyuks, jokes aside, I do like button-down dress shirts when wearing vests, V-neck sweaters or cardigans. Personal preference. This is due to the fact that I like keeping the shirt's collar tucked when wearing the aforementioned clothes. The buttons help keep the collars under control.

3/27/09 - Friday

Shirt: Company Polo / Tie: Old Navy / Belt: GAP / Pants: Michael Brandon



Casual Friday might as well be called polo Friday for the fellas at the office. Please note that if you are interested in corporate longevity/upward mobility you should probably resist the temptation to take the term "casual Friday" literally and simply roll up to work in your "bench-team gear"(ex. that pastel-pink polo that was once actually red). Just a thought ;-)

Here I simply paired the company-issue off-white polo with these nice, black pinstripe Roundtree/Yorke pants I got at Ross. The pin stripes are subtle. The look was completed with a black belt (no 6-sigma) and black dress shoes, which resulted in a casual, yet still professional-looking ensemble. Something you would see, say Tiger Woods wearing on a golf course. Had to go crazy with the socks though. It's a personal preference, so I wouldn't recommend it for everyone.

3/26/09 - Thursday

Shirt: Jos A Bank / Tie: Perry Ellis / Belt: GAP / Pants: Calvin Klein



Quadrille-rule shirt + khaki slacks & a tie that changes hue (think candy-coated paint on a car) depending on where the light hits it? Game Over. This is one of my all-time favorite 'fits. What else can I say: It keeps calling my name and I keep going back to it.

3/25/09 - Wednesday

Shirt: Jos A Bank / Tie: Old Navy / Belt: GAP / Pants: Perry Ellis




I'm loving the Old Navy skinny ties! I got them on sale for $7. But they look so good that its border-line disrespectful. I'll calm down now, lol.

I generally like pairing the pants I'm wearing with plain ( i.e. non-pattern shirts). Prior to today I had never tried out this combination but I'm liking it so much I might have to select this again someday.

3/24/09 - Tuesday

Shirt: Arrow/ Tie: Hardy Amies / Belt: GAP / Pants: Perry Ellis Portfolio



My hand-me down outfit, Lol. I received the shirt and tie from my dad back in the day. I have to credit my dad for some of the solid (as in stylish) shirts and ties he has given me over the years. Many of them are classic pieces that I still rock to this day. He recently gave me the matching pocket square for the tie. I'll have to wear it the next time I don a suit. The olive colored pants are a welcome change to the typical khakis and also compliment the shirt.