The $1500 Wardrobe – Part III: Shirts and Sweaters

Shirts & Sweaters – The $1500 Wardrobe Part III

Welcome to the 5th year of us doing this. Creating a versatile, sharp wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. The best course of action is to go slow. But for argument’s sake, let’s say you need a major wardrobe makeover, stat. Over the next week we’ll see what a strict budget of $1500 can do.

Despite prices going up everywhere, we’re still sticking with a $1500 budget. The outcome might not impress the menswear snobs, but why care? The goal is to balance quality with affordability, accessibility with versatility. Not every last stitch (like underwear) will be covered. We’re not burning the clothes you likely already have. The goal is finish with a setup of clothes that can have someone looking great in most situations. The focus will be on affordable goods which can last with reasonable care. Also know that since tailoring costs can vary wildly, those aren’t a part of the final cost.

 

The Dress Shirts: Nordy Trim Fit in White & Pale Blue – $38.90 per ($65)

That’d be $38.90 per (retail is $65). So $77.80 total. Two must have shirt styles for any closet. Extremely subtle herringbone weave gives these things a tiny bit of visual depth, but they look solid for sure. Nice collars for going tieless or with a necktie. Perfect shade of pale blue too. Smartcare fabric is easy to iron out and doesn’t feel stiff or scratchy like some super cheap non-iron finishes. Ships & returns free via Nordstrom. Looks just as good with a suit as it will with jeans and the cotton J. Crew Factory sportcoat.

 

The Versatile OCBD: UNIQLO Slim Fit OCBD in White – $19.90 ($29.90)

Yep, another white shirt, but it’s not a “dress” shirt per se. More of a casual shirt with a heavier, oxford cloth fabric, and a more casual button down collar. If there’s one thing most fellas who are revamping their wardrobe have, it’s a deluge of button up shirts. This one is clean and simple, and logo free. Note that the link should go to the previous version of UNIQLO’s OCBD, with a trimmer fit than the newest version. There’s quite the kerfuffle in the reviews over how UNIQLO changed the fit on the new OCBD.

 

The Slim, Logo Free Polos: 2 UNIQLO Button Down Polos – $24.90 per

That works out to $49.80. Not a fan of the button down collar? No problem. UNIQLO makes plenty of other, slim fit, solid polos that are logo free. And that is what’s key. That said, the polo-style collar (y’know, the buttons) really does help make it look a heck of a lot better. Those buttoned down collar points won’t curl or pancake under a blazer like regular polo collars.

 

The Merino V-Necks: JCF Slim Fit – $41.50 | UNIQLO – $29.90

Yes indeed, a camel colored sweater instead of blue. Why? HERE’S WHY. Camel looks unusually good alongside grey. And it’ll also look great with the OCBD and jeans. It’s a bit of color and contrast without going off the deep end. Meanwhile, the lighter grey sweater can be worn with the charcoal suit for a monochrome look, or, under the sportcoat for warmth and contrast. Or, it can be worn on its own. (Like, with pants though. Freaks. Ya’ll be freaks.) Meanwhile, look for merino instead of bulky lambswool or sweat capturing cotton. Merino is thinner and easier to layer, but still strong. Both of these sweaters are nice and slim through the sides.

TOTAL COST: $218.90
CASH REMAINING: $323.55

Upcoming Categories: Pants, The Rest.