Random Thoughts Thread

[BoneSnapDeez]

I'd like to get some short-sleeved dress shirts but I can't find any that don't make me look like a little boy or a used car salesman.

I always roll up the cuffs. And don't wear an undershirt.

Such an obvious solution, I'm surprised I didn't think of it. I gotta work on my cuff rolling skillz though.

[gtmtnbiker]

And don't wear an undershirt.

I would still wear an undershirt. It helps to protect the dress shirt from underarm stains.

[sabrage]

Damn it's gonna be hot in this building all summer. I'd like to get some short-sleeved dress shirts but I can't find any that don't make me look like a little boy or a used car salesman.

If you ever happen to be in New York City, I highly recommend you check out Uniqlo on Fifth Avenue. Unfortunately they don't have any online presence in the US and that's their only US location, but I've never gotten clothes that look so nice for so cheap anywhere else (and certainly not in the money pit that is NYC.) Of course, flying down to New York isn't exactly the best way to get clothing deals, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood ever.

I don't really know what kind of build you are, so I'll just tell you what I do. I usually shoot for J. Crew, Alfani Red, Bar III (Macy's should have all three), and maybe Land's End if you're on the heavier side. I was always nervous about shopping for clothes online until one day I just busted out the tape measure and took down both my own measurements and the measurements of a nice-fitting shirt and pants (there's plenty of simple guides on how to do this on the other side of Google.) The online arena is still kind of a crapshoot in terms of quality though, simply because there's so many upstart and low-quality brands out there. If you don't even have a baseline for short-sleeved dress shirts that's probably not the way to go. I certainly won't buy online if a garment's measurements aren't listed, and you'll regret buying any shirt that isn't 100% cotton for summer wear (obviously.) I stick with Valet as a sort of fashion moral compass, but the products they list are way too haute for me so I just look for acceptable facsimiles. If I'm spending more than $40 on a button-down, it had better be tailored and I'll have to try it on first.

Not wearing an undershirt is gross unless you coat yourself in baby powder or something. You're at work, not a barbecue. Of course, Colorado doesn't exactly get humidity like Maine or the deep south.

[Luke]

Such an obvious solution, I'm surprised I didn't think of it. I gotta work on my cuff rolling skillz though.

Make sure you have a nice crease on the arms, and roll the cuffs up three times while still on the hanger. You can iron the rolled cuff afterwards if you'd like that Presidential look.

And don't wear an undershirt.

I would still wear an undershirt. It helps to protect the dress shirt from underarm stains.

You could get dress shields if needed, but no matter what sooner or later a shirt will stain. Wearing an undershirt is counterproductive (for me at least) because the extra layer makes me sweat more, leading to quicker stains. During the Summer, an undershirt is like an extra layer of skin that doesn't breathe well.

But beware of cheap white dress shirts that expose your nipples. Not cool. Kohl's sells very reasonably white dress shirts under the "croft and barrow" line.

Since when did I become Mary Poppins?

[Luke]

Not wearing an undershirt is gross unless you coat yourself in baby powder or something. You're at work, not a barbecue.

Not if no one knows and you have a quality shirt. It makes a world of difference for me as far as comfort goes. That said, I usually wear ties so the collar is buttoned. No one has a clue.

[D.D.D.]

Damn it's gonna be hot in this building all summer. I'd like to get some short-sleeved dress shirts but I can't find any that don't make me look like a little boy or a used car salesman.

If you ever happen to be in New York City, I highly recommend you check out Uniqlo on Fifth Avenue. Unfortunately they don't have any online presence in the US and that's their only US location, but I've never gotten clothes that look so nice for so cheap anywhere else (and certainly not in the money pit that is NYC.) Of course, flying down to New York isn't exactly the best way to get clothing deals, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood ever.

A downside to Uniqlo is that while cheap and nice, they don't tend to last as long as other better made clothing. But not bad though. A sweater I got 6 years ago is starting to become a bit loose but not bad. It was only $20 apx.

[sabrage]

Damn it's gonna be hot in this building all summer. I'd like to get some short-sleeved dress shirts but I can't find any that don't make me look like a little boy or a used car salesman.

If you ever happen to be in New York City, I highly recommend you check out Uniqlo on Fifth Avenue. Unfortunately they don't have any online presence in the US and that's their only US location, but I've never gotten clothes that look so nice for so cheap anywhere else (and certainly not in the money pit that is NYC.) Of course, flying down to New York isn't exactly the best way to get clothing deals, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood ever.

A downside to Uniqlo is that while cheap and nice, they don't tend to last as long as other better made clothing. But not bad though. A sweater I got 6 years ago is starting to become a bit loose but not bad. It was only $20 apx.

They're definitely on the thin side, which, as an exaggerated stick-figure, I like. My sister is in garment design and she's worked professionally as a tailor, so I just let her patch my clothes up when they start getting frayed.

[D.D.D.]

I just started a disk mirror on a 2TB drive... probably gonna take 5 hours.

[sabrage]

Crazy.

[gtmtnbiker]

Does anyone have experience with shirt stays? I was thinking of getting myself some.



Having to retuck my shirt throughout the day drives me nuts.