I recommend going real eaaaasy on spending, since you won't know exactly what you feel comfy with until after you've worn it for a while. This could be expensive if you make mistakes and you might find things are not your style. Unless the school insists on shirt/tie/jacket everyday, then I think you will find you won't wear a jacket/blazer very often, nor a tie.

So I say...
- get a sack blazer (from J Press)
- some slim chinos (most emphatically NOT from Bill's, and no cuffs)
- a pair of brogues and a pair of loafers (both affordable, say from Allen Edmond's)
- couple of wool belts with conservative stripes
- some oxford button down shirts
- boring navy blue or black socks
- boring repp/striped ties
- sweater or a couple of heavy cotton sweatshirts (dark colors)

Wear this stuff for at least the first term (four months), then after Christmas decide what you like to wear and more importantly what suits you. Then add or subtract items accordingly in 2010.

Avoid the temptation to buy the "complete wardrobe" right off the bat, as you will only make expensive mistakes.

Last edited by Tony Ventresca (2009-04-05 17:21:37)

sounds sensible TV...

but out of interest - why not from Bill's? what are they like?

I like Tony's list very much. Do a search on 'Trad 101' here for some other ideas. I'll revisit this later -

Best -



Oh, and well done on getting in!

Last edited by Moose Maclennan (2009-04-06 03:28:42)

Thanks to all for the advice. I will start my collection right away!

I currently own 2 pairs of chinos from JCrew (on sale + student discount). They are high rise, which looks great going sockless in my LLBean bluchers, but may get a tailor to slim them down a bit more. I'll be on a look out for ties, oxfords, blue and wool blazers, shetlands, bucks, weejuns, etc. For dark jeans, I was thinking of getting a pair of 501s STF and call it a day. I already own a pair of light colored 514s and another pair of dark denim from Rugby (use this for going out).

Why should I not look at Bill's? I was thinking of saving up for the M3.

For the price of two pairs of Bill's from an outfit like Hansen's or Eljo's, which will hem/cuff for you and provide excellent service, you can get half a dozen pairs of serviceable chinos from Lands End or LL Bean. LE will also hem and cuff so spec.

And with LLB and LE, if you don't like them, you can return them.

This actually relates to a thread I was planning to start when I have more time. One of the great things about the ivy look is that you can indulge yourself if you like on something more expensive or buy high value items and save some coin--either way, you can look good.

The best example is the OCBD. If you want to go cheap, buy the Hyde Park (or if you have the eye, vintage). It's a fine shirt and I think a lot of us are fans. The BB Slim Fit is nicer but it costs more. I don't have a shirt by Mercer yet but I understand they're even better.

Everyone is right to point out that there are better bang for your buck khakis, but Bills are fine in my book. I think we all pick and choose what we spend more on and what we save on and I think that works pretty good. A certain other place sang the praises of Bills perhaps too loudly but it's also a mistake to denigrate them entirely. Some quick points in their favour--they have a nice heft, are American-made and reference original deal army khakis. The criticisms aren't wrong and I certainly agree they shouldn't be one's first khakis or even necessarily one's default khakis, but I don't see why they can't be a personal luxury.

Last edited by Decline & Fall (2009-04-07 21:35:42)

By the way, Bulldog, it's a shame that you don't update your blog anymore. I was a big fan. I remember how sad I became as my weekly updates checks went by it became more apparent that updates weren't going to be coming any time soon.

I'm assuming that you came to a point where you said what you wanted to say and I think that's rather admirable. I think Bloggers shouldn't be scared to end blogs. That said, I wish they were more resistant to taking them down when they've finished their run. A lot of really informative posts have disappeared into the ether and are much missed.

I have several pairs of Bill's in various permutations and haven't had any problem with fraying cuffs. Maybe I don't wear them enough.