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A General Store for the everyday man
A General Store for the everyday man
For me...I couldn't wait to return to dinners with friends. Let's face it, anything goes now but if it's a special night for a Birthday, Anniversary or a more classy restaurant, take a bit more time to think about your attire. There are so many options for guys out there now. If you're a jeans guy, switch it up and grab a pair of 5-Pocket Chinos by Nifty Genius. They have the same cut of a jean but look the part of a chino...they include a bit of stretch and feel so much better than any jean could plus look a hell of a lot nicer.
That doesn't mean that you can't wear jeans to a nice dinner. Choose a darker wash, or a white or black jean. Our denim company, Ace Rivington offers a dark wash in a slim or athletic cut. A nice roll of the cuff can finish off a look...I do a tight roll for Spring/Summer based on the style of shoe I'm wearing. For Fall/Winter, if you're wearing a boot, you can do a heftier rolled cuff.
A finishing touch of a blazer turns up the style notch. Wear it over a polo or dress shirt or even a casual plaid shirt and you will be noticed. I keep a few solid color choices in my closet but also have a couple fun pops of plaid blazers. Just remember that there are different weights of fabric and certain fibers for each season. Some wool blends are great for year round but you would never wear a velvet sportcoat in Summer or a seersucker or linen blazer in Winter. Feel free to ask us any questions in regards to season choices. A great Summer option is a light tan sport coat. This one from Nifty Genius is a classic and also has an optional waistcoat and pants that match.
Accessories add that cherry on top but could be overdone if you let it. Always match your shoes and belt...the shade of leather doesn't have to be exact but as close as you can get it. Yes guys, you have to buy more than one belt. Also, don't wear a thick-width belt with a suit or nice Summer season outfit...always go for a thinner width...if it's classic, you can carry over to wearing it with jeans, chinos or shorts...I wear mine year round.
Let's face it, all offices are different with their dress code. Best rule of thumb that I've always been taught is you should at least dress as well as your boss. If he's in a suit, he's going to notice that you are wearing one as well and be impressed, even though it may not be asked of you. If your friends at work give you shit, remember, you're there for your career, not theirs. If your boss is into wearing louder plaids or stripes on his suiting, then go for it. If you have the confidence and the style expertise to match shirting and ties with a louder suit, by all means. A pocket square always adds a nice touch but this is not the time to be over the top.. A nice conservative straight edge fold would work out best, providing a touch of color to your suit pairing. The tie does not have to be an exact match, just flirt with the color of the tie and pocket square.
Most offices are going to go with the khakis and a nice shirt dress code. If you haven't bought "khaki's" lately...better called Chinos...a lot has changed. There are a ton of colors now (stay neutral for work), great fits and some stretch. Personally, I'm not a fan of the commuter pants that are all the rage with gym brands. To me they look like you should be on the golf course, not the conference table. Here at the shop we offer an array of chinos from Nifty Genius and O.N.S. Clothing. These are a great fit and won't let you feel like you're wearing a brown paper bag. As for dress shirts, there are suit shirts and then there is a casual cousin, usually with a button collar or a single pocket. I am a HUGE fan of the oxford cloth shirts by O.N.S. for their fit and even an appropriate fit to untuck (but only in the most causal of office environments). Oxford Cloth shirts are very utilitarian in a very sturdy fabric...Dress it up with a tie and a blazer, untuck over a pair of shorts with the sleeves rolled up or take it to the beach over a tank top.
If you are in the most casual of office spaces, it doesn't mean you should look like a slob. Your fit should be important even if it's a T-shirt, hoodie and jeans. Once again, O.N.S. is a leader in this comfortable but well fitted styling. Their village crew T-shirts are the best out there in fit, colors and washability. Their crew neck sweatshirts and hoodies are top notch as well and will be a comfortable choice. Being a classic solid color, it will become a staple to your wardrobe. If you need to dress it up a touch, throw the oxford cloth under and roll the sleeves up with the shirt color contrast showing.
We've been waiting for a while to congregate with friends and family. Celebrate that special wedding or attend a nice party. Guys, this is your time to shine and show off a bit. Time to pull out the nice watch, spray your favorite cologne and put on your dancing shoes. Onto clothing, a classic but fun seersucker suit, or a brighter color chino...how bout a tie that shows off your style or being playful with a fedora. I tend to go for classic styles so this is when I'd go for a nice seersucker suit paired with a nice pair of driving mocs. I would include this with a classic dress shirt in a slimmer fit and flash it up with a bow tie, my pick is a handmade feather bow tie by Brackish. They take 5-7 hours to make each one and they are a work of art. Trust me, you can pull it off.
Of course, you have your own style and we're here to help accent that. If any items listed are sold out or not in your size, just message us at ShopSamson@gmail.com. We are always updating sizes or awaiting our new collections coming in. I look forward to seeing you soon at the Emporium or visit us at SamsonMensEmporium.com for 95% of what we offer in the Emporium.
All my best,
Travis Samson - Proprietor