Pick-a-Outfit: JCrew Part III.

Posted on September 21, 2009 in Denim, Dress, Outfit Ideas, Pants, Pick-a-Outfit, Shirts, Shoes, Sport Coats.

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I’ve been struggling with putting together the last outfit from JCrew. It’s supposed to be the dressiest outfit, which is an issue because JCrew has moved to the more casual/traditional end of the style spectrum. They execute this particular brand of style very well, but it’s also not a polished and shiny look (unless you go with their suiting), which may not go as well with the typical uniform seen in a super trendy club-type atmosphere that some may frequent.

However, it’s my job to give you outfit ideas that are different and cool. Sure, you can throw on a suit or dress trousers and a dress shirt, but what if you want something with a bit more style?

The outfit below would get me in to just about anywhere I want to go: 5-star restaurant, new trendy bar, etc. I wouldn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable with how I’m dressed. But, in Texas we’re a little bit more laid-back than elsewhere, so this may not be a universal truth. Plus, my mood has been more of a masculine, vintage coolness which this outfit definitely falls into.

I did cheat a little bit on this particular outfit by taking the articles from last time’s outfit, and just throwing in the sport coat below. But, this serves to illustrate an important point: versatility of your wardrobe. I know most guys don’t have, or don’t want, to spend a ton of money on clothes (hence PG not highlighting high fashion designers). However, you still want to look good. So, the key is to buy a few quality items that fit you well, but also can transition to many different events by just swapping out (or adding) elements.

As mentioned previously, the key to properly pulling off sport coat and jeans is to keep the look modern. This is especially true when the sport coat is made out of a material with traditional and stodgy connotations that tweed tends to elicit. So, you must be extra vigilant on the fit and pairing.

Fear not, because the fit of this sport coat is perfectly modern. It’s cut high with a contoured torso. It isn’t like you went to your dad’s closet and grabbed one of his wool sport coats.

As a refresher, I’ve posted the previous outfit below. The difference is that you want the shirt to be slightly more pressed than the wrinkly version I advocated for that outfit. Now, you’re going for a cleaner look, so your shirt should reflect that.

Here, you can opt for the slightly loosened tie with the top button unbuttoned, or you can go with it knotted tightly. This is definitely personal preference.

The combination of the plaid, tweed sport coat, and wool tie is by itself very professorial, which isn’t inherently cool (unless you are in fact a professor). The kicker really is in the execution: you’ve got a very modern cut to the sport coat, tie, and shirt, which all ratchets the look into the stylish zone.

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Tagged: Denim , jcrew , skinny tie , sport coat , tweed , wingtips , wool tie