I am who I am

WIWT:

First frost warning of the season made me bust out the corduroy pants. Up top, H&M henley and LEC shawl collar sweater.

So this is the outfit I wore on Friday, the one that got me some heat from a couple of fellow grad students, who claimed I was “trying too hard”. Part of it, I think, stemmed from a feeling of insecurity about themselves.

One of them started with a snarky “Well, I can’t afford all the nice clothes like you”. Of course I had to counter with the fact that the jacket, tie and shoes were all thrifted for a total of less than $15, the shirt was from Target for about $20 and the pants were bought from Kohl’s over 5 years ago for about $20. He sheepishly replied that for this kind of money he could buy about 15 drinks. We agreed to disagree when he said we each have our vices. I don’t consider my thrift hobby or my interest in looking my best at important events to be vices. Can’t say the same about my buddy’s binge drinking :)

Moral of the story: dress for your self, let the clothes that you enjoy wearing contribute to your confidence and sense of wellbeing. Bonus points for not breaking the bank. 

Details:

Dress shirt: Target , $20

Grey chinos (cotton-poly blend! gasp!): Kohl’s, $20 (I think)

Blazer: thrifted, Stanley Blacker, half-lined, $8

Tie: thrifted, Land’s End Charter Collection, $2

Argyle socks: Target, $4/ 2pack

Brown suede shoes: thrifted, Land’s End, $4

Well, I woke up this morning and realized my camera battery was dead, so all you guys get today is a bathroom mirror shot. Lots of meetings today (4 in total). Also got a haircut, so future photos will not have long greasy hair. Aren’t you guys glad?

WIWT:
LL Bean tattersall flannel shirt (thrifted, $4)
Denizen by Levi’s jeans (bought on clearance at Target, $7)
Lands End vest (clearance, $15)
Bass suede saddles (outlet, $33)

Dear Tumblrfriends

You might have noticed the scarcity of my posts recently. I’ve just been caught up in my work and just not very inspired to post POV pics of my clothes and crotch shots. However, a few weeks ago I received a tripod, a gorillapod and a remote shutter release for my birthday, from my girlfriend and brother. So I decided to try that out. There will be some experimentation until I figure out the best location for the lighting and backdrop, but I guess this different way will help have a discussion (maybe?) with you guys and girls about the way my clothes fit. This is becoming important as I save up to buy a sewing machine to alter a ton of clothes that I have that I’m not completely satisfied with.

So, without further ado, here’s WIWT:

OCBD: Target

Chinos: Perry Ellis (Gordman’s)

Jacket: Target

Bucks: Bass

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Two things to note:

1) I’m trying to get over showing my mug. It’s an irrational concern of mine, mainly circling around my fear of what potential employers would think of me if they found this blog. I don’t think I have to worry about that since I don’t have my name on here. We’ll see how this goes. I might decide to crop my head off later or something, but for now you guys know what I look like.

2) These pants are the slimmest I own. Leg opening of 8.25”. I’m not a small guy, ~180lbs at 5’8”, so slim fit clothes (e.g. pants with a 7.5” leg opening) will completely squeeze my ‘nads. Again, this is to drill home the point that you should dress for your body type, and that a certain fit that looks great on someone else might not work for you, and vice versa.

That is all for today. Feedback appreciated!

I wore my favorite light chinos again earlier this week. Paired them with white bucks, and matched my NATO watch strap to my polo shirt.

WIWT, or rather WIWY

Lands End Canvas navy polo
Tommy Hilfiger stone chino
Tretorn white canvas sneaker

WIWT for a night out in Peoria, grabbing drinks with my girlfriend’s friends. Full length mirror!

This seems to be my go to summer outfit. I really like the fit of these jeans; the straight fit has just the right amount of taper. The leg opening by the way is 8.5”. Anything slimmer will completely squeeze my nads and look ridiculous on me. Dress for your body type and for yourself, not for the Internet.

Madras shirt
Jeans
Canvas sneakers

WIWT:

Gap plaid shirt
Denizen by Levi’s jeans
Bass saddle shoes
Timex weekender on red & blue NATO strap

White denim Wednesday

WIWT: nice and cool at 87 degrees!

Polo: Lands End Canvas
Jeans: Denizen by Levi’s for Target
Saddle shoes: Bass heritage collection (gift from my lady), sockless
Watch: Timex weekender with after market NATO strap.