aarrgghh i need 'smart casual' clothes help

[JTG]

How come women have this notion of a 'smart t-shirt' and yet such things seem unavailable for men?

we're smart casual at work, when we had an impromptu dress down day (management like to do this to keep us all docile) the other week, my mate complained she'd not known about it 'cos she's only part time. I pointed out that being a girl she practically had licence to wear what the fuck she wants every day anyway

 

[baldrick]

oh god . . . is this the start of something? will it keep happening?

am i an adult now?

it keeps happening to me

I was only forced to discover "smart-casual" fairly recently and since then i've had 2 events where such horrors are required.

be prepared

 

[girasol]

This thread has inspired me to buy some trousers on the internet. It's the first time I've bought clothes from the intraweb - should arrive on Thursday.

Will report results of this experiment later in the week...

I'd imagine it'll be a lot of hassle to return them if they don't fit!

 

[aqua]

depends where you buy them from

cos I need a long length trouser I've given up shopping in shops for my clothes cos they never have my size in (size 20L) so I order nearly all my trousers online these days

if you search you can normally find codes for free delivery and places like dorothy perkins offer free returns too (or take it to a shop)

dead simple

 

[Jazzz]

I had to do 'smart casual' (what a dreadful phrase) for a restaurant lunch, I found my smartest shoes were in fact a pair of trainers, I wore them and jeans but with a natty shirt. Job done

 

[beeboo]

I think I've finally reached a stage where I've acquired enough reasonable decent and un-trend-dependant clothes that I can see myself through most sartorial situations.

smart, business-casual, smart-casual, casual, dressy, wedding, funeral, black tie, fancy dress, it's all there.

It's nice when you get invited to something not to immediately have to think "bugger, got to go shopping!"

 

[milesy]

How come women have this notion of a 'smart t-shirt' and yet such things seem unavailable for men?

cos you're wrong.

non-smart blokes t-shirt - short sleeved, bit old, print on front.

smart blokes t-shirt - long sleeved, plain black or dark grey (for example), fitted, good quality fabric.

 

[Biddlybee]

Dorothy Perkins do quite a few wide leg black trousers - long (as well as short) and usually only about £20

(if the trouser legs are wide enough sometimes you can't see what shoes you've got on underneath )

 

[Lisarocket]

what happens if it gets cold. DO NOT SUGGEST A CARDIGAN!!!

You'll need something like a cardy or a jumper if the course is oop north in Yorkshire. It's cold when it's sunny there sometimes

 

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

Primark do good wide legged trousers, lots of different fabrics, tweedy stuff and plain.

They also do good fitted jumpers in plain colours and (my favourite for looking smart but not trying) jumpers with faux shirts underneath iyswim.

Maybe a smart scarf (maybe not wool, dunno) to wear around your neck to make a plain jumper and trousers look more pulled together and keep you warm in the evenings?

Good luck.

 

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

In fact I definitely recommend Primark if you don't plan on being smart cas very often 'cos it's a waste of money otherwise.

Also will give you an idea of what you like and don't like so you can invest in better quality when you know what you're comfortable in.

 

[wiskey]

Yep, I removed the link when I realised you don't want to wear skirts!

have you got any trousers like this?

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/s..._category_rn=74433&productId=451449&langId=-1

no but i suspect i will have by tomorrow

shoes are sorted cos i have a pair of plain black merrell trainers i wear for work

 

[wiskey]

so so far everything suggested has made me shudder (sorry) but tomorrow i shall endevour to drag myself out of the gutter and be presentable.

heels are definitely out btw, my back would never forgive me and i hate being over 6 foot as it is.

do any of the shops suggested sell clothes for lumpy people? or are they all size 0.

i'm not sure i've ever been in next or DP, and i've never been out the food section of marks and sparks.

i shall let you know how it goes.

wiskers

 

[Geri]

M&S do a good range of black trousers (upstairs). YOu could also try Evans (just around the corner) although I find them frustrating as their trousers are either too small or too big, too long or too short.

 

[madamv]

Having met you, I would say go for a shirt, rather than a t-shirt. And they have the benefit of longer sleeves in case it gets chilly.

Hang it loose over a pair of trousers, add a necklace for a bit of colour too.

I wonder if any of my mates from Kenyons will be there with you wiskers? Those residential events are really expensive, arent they?

Despite the clothing worries, it will be great to meet others in your line of work wont it? I hope you have a great time. x

 

[Stig]

I went for a job interview once.

My version of smart casual is:

a pair of those trousers that look a teeny bit like combats, they have the pockets down the legs, but they aren't actually combats, they look very slightly more plain and girl-like, and you can buy them in high street shops. (black.)

a plain black linen jacket that I found in a shop after looking all day, and then as soon as i saw it i noticed they were all over the bloody place. Just looks like an extra thick black linen shirt or something.

White or olive or khaki plain t-shirt underneath.

Pair of black merrels mocs or equivalent black moccasin type shoes.

I always wear a waistcoat, so that sort of help possibly, but the jacket makes it a bit redundant anyway.

Good luck, clothes are a nightmare aren't they?

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

doesnt smart casual just mean no trainers?

 

[beeboo]

doesnt smart casual just mean no trainers?

ooh, no no no!

Trainers are well within the definition of smart-casual, but it depends *what* trainers and *what* you wear them with

minefield, I tells yer.

 

[wiskey]

I went for a job interview once.

My version of smart casual is:

a pair of those trousers that look a teeny bit like combats, they have the pockets down the legs, but they aren't actually combats, they look very slightly more plain and girl-like, and you can buy them in high street shops. (black.)

a plain black linen jacket that I found in a shop after looking all day, and then as soon as i saw it i noticed they were all over the bloody place. Just looks like an extra thick black linen shirt or something.

White or olive or khaki plain t-shirt underneath.

Pair of black merrels mocs or equivalent black moccasin type shoes.

I always wear a waistcoat, so that sort of help possibly, but the jacket makes it a bit redundant anyway.

Good luck, clothes are a nightmare aren't they?

yep i rekkon you've hit it spot on there

going out now

 

[wiskey]

I wonder if any of my mates from Kenyons will be there with you wiskers? Those residential events are really expensive, arent they?

Despite the clothing worries, it will be great to meet others in your line of work wont it? I hope you have a great time. x

they cost a fortune, for both 2 day courses its almost a grand.

i've talked my way onto it and now i'm bricking it cos i'm gonna be so under qualified for it.

 

[izz]

I've been in that situation, blagged my way onto a course and when i got there it was so dumbed-down anyway it was easy to keep up, so it could easily be the same for you.

if it is difficult, drag the tutor off at breaktimes to get extra explanations - they're there to teach you something and will be pleased to have someone show an interest. either way you'll do just fine

 

[geminisnake]

so so far everything suggested has made me shudder (sorry)
wiskers

Sorry hun, but some of the suggestions so far have had me rolling on the floor laughing specially the ballet pumps idea

Have you tried Millets/Blacks or some such shop? Walking trousers are smart casual in black or khaki and imo more you.
Is a fleece good enough for s/c??

 

[wiskey]

Sorry hun, but some of the suggestions so far have had me rolling on the floor laughing specially the ballet pumps idea

well yeah, but they are valid suggestions . . . just not very me you do at least have the advantage of knowing me.

so we went to town today and tried a few shops. got a variety of stuff for about a hundred quid (£35 of which went on a pair of m&s linen trousers).

i was very impressed with next which whilst looking like it only caters for waifs actually does decent sizes and thinks i'm a size 18

so i got umm,

1 white blousey thingy
1 white/1 black long sleeve tshirts
1 pair black cotton trousers
1 pair dark blue linen trousers
another white blousey thing
and to top it all off a nice ORANGE jumper!

knitwear!!!

i'm officially a) smart cas, b) trendy, c) not wearing all black, d) old!

wiskers

 

[Tank Girl]

Is a fleece good enough for s/c??

I'd have said no, fleeces are good enough for walking the dog or mucking out horses

 

[beeboo]

I think I have a much better of image of wiskey now than I did before this thread

I think fleece is going to be casual, unless everything else accompanying it is going to on the smart side (and that'd generally just look daft).

I would say though, that generally smart casual for stuff like this means people aren't really going to care too much what you're wearing. It basically means "don't bother with a suit" as far as I'm concerned, rather than "keep your filthy jeans out of here "

 

[Stig]

Well done, you did a lot better than me, you bought an orange thing!

 

[wiskey]

Well done, you did a lot better than me, you bought an orange thing!

yeah derv's a little concerned.

but orange is everywhere so i'm officially fashionable!

its only taken 27 years

 

[wiskey]

I think I have a much better of image of wiskey now than I did before this thread

you're witnessing me being dragged out of the gutter. . . be impressed it may not last

now i have to try not to throw anything down the nice white tops

 

[moose]

Black t-shirt, black trousers, black shoes, long beads. Job's a good 'un.

 

[Tank Girl]

sounds like a good shopping trip wiskers