dressing the part

[sandhawke]

There's been a little staffing change at work, and I'm supposed to start spending 20% of my time on eGov stuff. This will including attending meetings like the gov2.0summit, where everyone will dress in business formal. No one is saying I have to wear a suit and tie, but people are suggesting that if I do, I'll end up being a lot more

Comments

[concrete]

I'd go down to Frank's Tailor at 58 Winter Street (that's right at the Park Street T-stop and ask them to get me into something comfortable. They are cheap, quality, and they will make you feel good inside a decent suit.

It will look good on you, and since it will be cheap, you won't feel bad or constricted by it. Think of it as comfy housewear.

[jacflash]

I bought suits at Frank's many years ago. They're not bad. Buy accessories elsewhere, though...

[jacflash]

Spend the money for a couple of good ones, in good materials, altered to hang well on you, in classic, traditional cuts that won't look goofy in 5 years. This is what companies like Brooks Bros are all about. You want something that will last several years, that is completely comfortable to wear, and that you like.

Get them in "3 season" weight -- they'll be hot to wear in summer, but in summer you can wear a pair of gabardine pants and carry a jacket and nobody will care (because they'll be doing the same thing)

Also, accessories count: A pair or two of good shoes, 5 or 6 good conservative silk ties, and shirts that also fit you well and aren't made of cheap materials -- I favor old-school all cotton, the kind you iron or have sent out to be pressed (any dry cleaner will do this), as they look much better than the "easy care" varieties that have shown up in recent years.

This is one of those things where spending a little extra money goes a long way in terms of comfort and durability.

[sandhawke]

... except I imagine I'll only dress like this a few days a year (way less than ten), so ... do I care about durability?

[jacflash]

To some extent, yes... you could get ten years or more out of a good suit worn that infrequently.

[dancingwolfgrrl]

Yeah, I have one suit that I wear only for interviews, and I spent about $80 on it. If you think you'll have to wear it more than one day in a row, buy extra shirts and ties.

[jbsegal]

I think Maxwell's Clothiers ( http://www.maxwellsclothiers.com/ ) will be in town soon… yeah, 10/1-3.

I suggest them - though Mr. Bob is a bit of a pushy salesman.

[miss_chance]

I second Maxwell's! Have you seen how sexy people look in suits that actually fit them just right? Check out palmwiz's ass in his suit sometime. ;-) Seriously, though, he loves his suit from them and is comfortable and happy dancing in it at weddings and such, so it clearly moves well with him.

[catya]

if you hate ties, you could get the sort of shirts that don't take them....

Suit shopping!

[liljackhorner]

Sandro, the only thing that thrills me more than getting sexy people OUT of nice clothes is helping them get INTO nice clothes! I would definitely recommend one of my favorite haunts on Newbury Street -- The Closet. It's a consignment shop specializing in "gently worn" upscale clothing at discount prices. It's always the first place I send folks in need of a wardrobe refresh or last minute purchase that will be gentle on the wallet. There's also a great tailor right near MIT - Le Couturier Tailoring. He does a lot of the overflow tailoring for alterations depts on Newbury and Copley. Feel free to reach out if you wanna do some shopping!