Shirts & Sweaters – The $1500 Wardrobe Part I
Building a wardrobe is almost always a process and not a one weekend affair. But what if you had to blow up your closet and start from almost scratch? Sure you’d keep a few things. Maybe have your tailor make a few tweaks, and keep a favorite pair of beat up boots. But what about the rest? Suppose you were also on a strict budget of $1500.
Over the next five weeks we’ll explore some of the best options for remaking a budget friendly guy’s wardrobe one section at a time. A lot of these will be basics and necessities (but not underwear or socks). It probably won’t be easy, some corners will be cut, but the total budget is set at a strict $1500. Let’s see how far we can stretch it.
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Dress: Target White Dress Shirt – $19.99 (in store only) | Michael Kors Blue Check – $29.99
Two shirts that deliver serious bang for little buck. The Target Merona shirt isn’t 100% cotton, but it doesn’t feel thin and scratchy like an Alfani RED. Nice sized collar which stands up well. The M. Kors blue check pattern allows you to wear solid ties w/out looking like a paint by numbers piece. You’ll need a visit to the tailor, but still.
Casual: L.E.C. Pink Stripe Oxford – $12.99 | J. Crew Factory Tattersall – $34.50
Yes you can wear pink. Especially if it’s a thicker striped Oxford like the almost perfect (could come in a touch at the sides) Lands’ End Canvas Heritage Oxford. There’s a lot you can do with tattersall too. An Iron and some startch will allow you to dress it up a bit despite the “Washed” texture. Button down collars = control.
UPDATE: Looks like they sold out of the $12.99 version, and overall LEC has moved prices off of sale/clearance to full retail. That should (should?) change at some point though with all the sales they run.
Wurkin Stiffs Magnetic Power Stays – $19.99
Your old billowing dress shirts you never wear should go to the tailor, and when they get back these should go in the collar. Seriously, you’ll start wearing shirts you haven’t worn in ages again. Wurkin Stiffs can muscle just about any collar into a good shape for tie-less wear. Consider them the defibrillator of button ups.
Polos: Two Mossimo Target Polos -$9.99 | L.L. Bean Signature Stripe Mariner Polo – $19.99
You can find trim fitting vintage tees at the thrift store. Finding trim fitting non-pique polos on the other hand, good luck with that. It’ll be almost all of Grandpa’s old baggy golfing polos. The Target Mossimos are incredible for the price, the L.L,. Bean Signature Stripe has just enough pattern, and a retro feeling extended placket.
Sweaters: L.E.C. Fine Gauge V – $19.99 | B.R. Silk/Cotton Svest – $34.65 (@ 30% off)
You can do a ton with a light brown/beige/khaki colored sweater. It goes incredible with jeans, black blazers, grey chinos, blue & white button ups, etc. Don’t knock the B.R. sweater vest. It’s cheaper, cooler, and if you wear it right it looks even better than a v-neck. Plus you can turn a grey suit into a poor man’s 3-piece come winter. Wait for a sale.
TOTAL COST: $192.08
CASH REMAINING: $1307.92
Upcoming Categories: Shoes – 5/18, Suits & Blazers 5/25, Pants – 6/1, The Rest – 6/8