"CarolinaStyle"

“I thoroughly enjoy your blog - the style tips I get from your pictures are priceless. But I would like some advice: I am ready to step up my wardrobe. I have the basic set of a few classic dress shirts in white pink and black, dark jeans and twill pants, and a dark khaki; I also have very limited funds. If you could be so kind, could you recommend the most essential items I could add to introduce some well needed versatility into my closet. I am 5' 7", 150. Again, great blog, thanks in advance.”

– domino-inc

Firstly thanks for the undeserved praise and I’m glad you enjoy. Let me ask, is your dress usually casual, or will you be in an environment that warrants a suit or sport coat? A standard wardrobe should have:

• Dress trousers: charcoal, tan, tobacco and navy. Other colors and seasonal fabrics can be added with growth.
• Dress shirts: 70% of your shirts need to be blue in some solid or pattern, 20% white, 10% pink and other shirtings as your wardrobe builds.
• Take your black dress shirts, torch them and never speak of them again. (Unless you frequent techno and cheap strip clubs)
• Sport shirts: Outside of solids and stripes; ginghams and similarly spaced patterns are versatile and fun.
• Denim: Get one to two good pairs of jeans and wear the shit out of them.
• Shoes: One cordovan loafer in cigar and then build outward.
• Casual trousers: Twill and the Cords for winter; build outward.

I gotta run and grab some food but I hope this helps for now.

Excuse everything because I’m not proofreading.

Be well,

IV

“Quick question. I have never really worn jeans, mostly because I've never found any that fit well at a reasonable price. Could you recommend a solid pair of jeans under $150 for someone around 140 pounds, 5'8"? Something that can be worn to casual cocktail parties with a blazer preferably. Thank you. Also, as though you don't know, you run a true gem of a blog.”

– Anonymous

Jeans are a great piece that can obviously be dressed down, as well as up to a certain extent. Start with the basic dark wash Levi 501 and work your way up to selvedge denim once you feel like making the investment. Thanks for the kind words, it is always nice to hear my working being appreciated by others.

IV