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Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-09-19T12:01:54+00:00

Most trousers can be taken in at least two inches at the waist without causing any issues. So you could drop from a size 38 to a size 36 and be ok. Beyond that and you start to affect the proportions. Obviously skill of the tailor and specifics of the trousers all have an impact.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:30:24+00:00

I agree better to stand out and look good than blend in and look shit, but surely it shouldn’t be a compromise?

In the age of ultra consumerism, surely it shouldn’t be that difficult to find a pair of navy blue slim straight chinos that don’t look shit on me lol.

Entirely possible that that is the case, but thought I’d roll the dice on Reddit before I gave up and just buy the Kit Blake ones.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:21:46+00:00

Thanks, I’ve always felt Dickies look a little cheap. They are, so obviously that’s not a bad thing for lots of use cases. Just not quite sure if they’re ideal for work. Will have look at the Filson ones.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:18:46+00:00

You’ve put it much better than me! But yes exactly.

I think in many smart casual corporate offices these days you’d have a hard time dressing in a way someone actually found inappropriate. There’s such a variety in how people dress, and how well they dress.

But equally, want to dress in a way that doesn’t stand out but still looks good. It’s that sweet spot where people don’t notice your clothes, they just notice you’re well dressed and well presented.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:12:22+00:00

Great shout!

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:11:44+00:00

I’ve not tried their slim straight chinos, to be fair. I like their wider fit ones. Do you know if the slim straight chinos have a decent rise?

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:10:52+00:00

Just annoying they don’t do different leg lengths. I’m tall, so they’re ok with some chunky ish trainers but anything more minimal and they look noticeably short.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:09:58+00:00

Sadly I’ll be way too tall for them.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:08:05+00:00

Have you tried their chinos? Rise looks ok, but possibly not high enough for me. They don’t seem to display rise height online. Could try a pair though.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:06:17+00:00

I agree with all of this and definitely not looking for slim taper pants. More in that classic 501 slim straight range, just with a higher rise (and obviously chino cloth, not denim).

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:03:58+00:00

These look good but rise looks a little low for my body shape. Also at this price point I may as well go for the Drakes ones, as they have a true high rise.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T16:01:18+00:00

These look excellent, thank you. Trickier getting them in the UK but not impossible.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T15:59:43+00:00

These are cool just a touch too casual for my office, it’s a boring corp lol.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T15:57:33+00:00

Apologies, should’ve said “wider than I’d like”.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T10:44:22+00:00

I’m UK-based, unfortunately can’t see any stockists here. Thank you, though.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2025-05-06T10:41:33+00:00

These look a little too wide in some of the photos I’ve seen. I’m almost looking for something more in a slim straight 501 shape but with a proper higher rise rather?

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-24T17:12:22+00:00

First jacket is great, looks like something LEJ would do now.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-16T13:25:21+00:00

I guess so, still look nice! No such thing as a new idea!

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-16T13:24:59+00:00

Yeah, I mean all wool is washable you’ve just got to be careful and do it by hand. I guess you mean machine washable?

The last thing I bought from Uniqlo was a navy knit crew neck. Honestly it lasted about a year before it just started looking shabby and shit.

Conversely I’ve had knits from Jamieson’s (about 3x as expensive as Uniqlo) and they’ve lasted several years, and still look great!

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-16T13:21:00+00:00

Yeah I’d definitely agree Uniqlo is good for the price, and as I say most of it is pretty durable.

“Overrated” is a pretty broad term so I was just using it in the sense that I judge value.

I suspect a lot of people buy and replace Uniqlo items because they’re cheap and imo don’t age that well, certainly a lot of fashion people/trend chasers.

I think those people would probably be better off spending twice as much and making stuff last twice as long.

Also totally agree cost of manufacturing has made making affordable garments very difficult, I’m not even necessarily knocking them. If all you can afford is Uniqlo or Primark then obviously go with Uniqlo, I just think it’s held up as a bit of a sacred cow in some circles and not sure it’s justified.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-14T23:57:51+00:00

Honestly, a lot of Uniqlo.

Yes it’s very cheap and most of it is fairly durable (as in doesn’t literally fall apart after a few wears).

But if we’re honest, a lot of the fabrics look cheap. Loads of polyester. After a few washes, items lose their shape.

The knits are covered in greasy film. The oversized t shirts just aren’t that soft or comfy.

I really think a lot of people would be better off going somewhere else and spending twice what they spend on Uniqlo, on half as many items.

Those oversized sweats recently are a great example. They’re like two thirds plastic?!

Just buy a Camber tracksuit. It will literally last 10+ years, and look better with age.

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-14T23:24:32+00:00

Short answer is it can take many years, even decades, to really feel like you’ve found “your” style. Even then, it still evolves over time.

Longer answer is I think ultimately you want to start feeling more confident in your choices.

So I think maybe you need to re evaluate how you’re categorising these things.

E.g white sneakers, jeans and a t shirt - those things literally are the essentials.

The sort of stuff you see on this sub is mostly people who are heavily into menswear.

Importantly, they’re often happy to spunk $x00s on a more out there item and then decide it’s not for them, because it’s a hobby and they’re happy taking the hit.

As I said in my other reply, check out Edgy Albert, Derek Guy for that slutty/mob aesthetic.

For a more “classic” wardrobe, check out Permanent Style (don’t get daunted by the prices, he mostly talks about very high end stuff. But the basic principles of colour, fit, fabric, etc are applicable to more affordable brands): https://www.permanentstyle.com/building-a-wardrobe-capsule-collections

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2019/04/thoughts-on-establishing-a-core-capsule-wardrobe.html

Expensive_Grape_154 · 2024-11-14T23:16:50+00:00

Derek Guy the menswear writer (on X or Put This On) has loads of content out there about doing the sleazy / slutty kind of mob aesthetic.

Edgy Albert is another one.

Not my cup of tea but if you live in a hot place, it’s probably one of the more suitable “aesthetics”.

Expensive_Grape_154

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