Best Place for an Early 30's Guy to Shop for Smart-Casual / Casual Attire?

LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 11:50
Last edited 05/10/2020 - 11:51

OzBargain. Up until the "pandemic" I was wearing a suit everyday. Since then, WFH, I've been wearing gym attire all day, every day.

Venturing out into society once more, it's come to my attention how dire my wardrobe situation is.

No longer is the suit in order, but smart-casual or casual attire is the dress code of the day.

Collective minds of OzBargain, what would be your suggestions on best places for an early 30's guy to shop for a new wardrobe?

I'd rather not blow the bank, but el-cheapo isn't on the cards either.

Cheers! 👍🏻

EDIT: I hate shopping for clothes & suck at fashion, stores with great customer service & helpful employees preferred.

Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • dasher86 on 05/10/2020 - 11:56
    +6

    Uniqlo.

    Target for Chinos.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/10/2020 - 12:01

    W

  • [Deactivated] on 05/10/2020 - 12:07

    I think Brooksfield are pretty good for smart casual, at The Iconic, Myer etc

    • dasher86 on 05/10/2020 - 12:10

      if you're talking the shirts - over priced for the quality.
      If you can get them around $25 it's worth it.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:47

      Never heard of. Will check out. Ta

  • Drakesy on 05/10/2020 - 12:10
    -1

    Any DFO with Polo Ralph Lauren, Politix, Superdry, H&M, even Target has some well priced clothes. I feel Uniqlo is an overpriced Target or H&M in my opinion.

    I'd personally stay away from Connor, however YD or Tarocash are pretty reliable

    • dasher86 on 05/10/2020 - 12:15
      +2

      I find that H&M is an overpriced Target especially for the quality of clothing which has diminished over the years.
      Uniqlo quality is superb and well worth the money especially when there are sales.

      Connor, YD and Tarocash are all part of RAG the same retail group, and pretty much have the same manufacturers of clothing.
      Connor is tailored to a younger crowd but it's basically the same stuff.

      • Lastchancetosee on 06/10/2020 - 14:00
        +2

        H&M is nearly all synthetic and cheap material. Go for good quality clothes on sale - FCUK, Gant, Sportscraft- and buy wool, cotton, linen.

    • SydStrand on 05/10/2020 - 13:28
      +9

      Terrible advice. Lots of DFO product is made-for-factory, i.e. intended for outlet and never saw the inside of a 'real' store. Superdry has gone downhill and their market position reflects this. The international fast fashion brands (Uniqlo, H&M, Zara) are all comparable cost-wise, but there's a reason r/malefashionadvice gives the nod to Uniqlo.

      YD or Tarocash are pretty reliable

      Cheap, nasty, poorly-fitting polyester. Only reason they're still afloat is bogans on Cup day and one punch defendants buying court clothes.

      • Drakesy on 05/10/2020 - 13:40

        Not sure what DFO you're shopping at, but in Perth our DFO with POLO, Politix, Calvin Klein, Superdry sell exactly the same clothes that you'd find in Myers, David Jones etc just at far cheaper prices.

        Yes YD and Tarocash aren't great, but if it's just casual stuff you can't really go wrong. Polyester suits (which Uniqlo, H&M and Zara all do by the way) will never be nice.

        Terrible may be a little exaggerated there mate.

        • SydStrand on 05/10/2020 - 14:01
          +4

          It's not spec-for-spec. The vast majority US outlet stock is specifically made for outlets, and there's no reason to suspect DFO is any different. Manufacturers run separate lines and unless you check the label, there can be no way of telling if you're buying a lower cost made-for-factory product. And that's how the outlet stores like it.

          Yes YD and Tarocash aren't great, but if it's just casual stuff you can't really go wrong. Polyester suits (which Uniqlo, H&M and Zara all do by the way) will never be nice.

          OP is looking for casual, so I don't think suits are on his radar. But walk into a YD/Tarocash/Connor, and you'll find cheap polyester shirts from floor to ceiling that can be double the RRP of a modest cotton button down you can get at Uniqlo or H&M. There's a reason why Tarocash has regular 75% off sales. I still wouldn't touch it, as it's made half as well as the competition and would disintegrate after your first wash.

          • brandt on 14/10/2020 - 11:12

            @SydStrand: This is correct. One example is Calvin Klein jeans - I have CK jeans bought from the city store, the label above back pocket is black leather and has CK embossed with stylised Calvin Klein. The outlet jeans have CALVIN KLEIN on the label written in block letters in 2 rows. Nothing wrong with it, the outlet jeans are just as durable, but CK try to keep city store brands premium and differentiated.

        • SydStrand on 05/10/2020 - 18:05
          +1

          Terrible may be a little exaggerated there mate.

          Sorry, I don't mean to attack anyone or their preference, but I worked for years in fashion retail and because these companies all hire from the same pool of uni students, you'll meet people who've worked everywhere. Retail Apparel Group's (owners of Tarocash, Yd., etc.) margins are shocking. The staff discount is about 70%, which should give you an idea of their mark-up and where they're cutting costs. I can't advise the OP or anyone I know buy Tarocash.

      • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:52
        +1

        Cheap, nasty, poorly-fitting polyester. Only reason they're still afloat is bogans on Cup day and one punch defendants buying court clothes.

        lol 😂

        I tend to agree though, YD & Tarocash are crappy quality. I've bought shirts from there which have faded & gotten all pilly after a few washes, yet similarly priced shirts from Peter Jackson have held up for dozens of washes & dry-cleans.

  • SelfMade on 05/10/2020 - 12:21
    -4

    Online.

  • Hardlyworkin on 05/10/2020 - 12:22

    For in-store shopping I recommend TK-MAXX. It can be a bit hit and miss depending on their stock levels though I think they tick the boxes for what you want.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:53

      Is that BIGG guy clothing or am I thinking of another store??

  • jaejae69 on 05/10/2020 - 12:29
    +1

    DFO Rodd & Gunn usually has 3 polos for $99. Absolutely cannot be beat for cost/performance for the quality.

    I buy all my pants and jeans from Uniqlo these days but only ever on their Japanese store, I assume it’s the same stuff here.

    • Cave Fire on 05/10/2020 - 12:41
      +2

      Some good stuff on the .jp website. Do you get it freight forwarded to Australia…?

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:54

      Cool thanks, sounds like DFO is the place to go.

  • Reddich24 on 05/10/2020 - 12:35

    Tarocash

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 15:02
      +6

      Tarotrash lol

    • qwerty-4321 on 06/10/2020 - 09:58
      +3

      Great attire for your court appearance

  • frondono on 05/10/2020 - 12:43
    -1

    Amazon has some good stuff. Prime day will have some good deals too. You can jag random bargains if you keep your eye out.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 15:02
      +4

      Thanks. I kinda want to avoid online shopping and support physical stores.

  • Cave Fire on 05/10/2020 - 12:55

    Zara and Uniqlo if you want higher fashion/designer stuff on the cheap. H&M can be good too. Target can be good for discounts, especially yellow managers clearance if you find them. Most places will be clearing winter stuff.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:56

      Thanks 👍🏻

  • core101 on 05/10/2020 - 13:35

    Country Road chinos, Tommy Hilfiger shirts, ASOS or [Costco] (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/570422) if previous fashion deal is by anything to go by.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:57

      Thanks 👍🏻

  • yellowrain on 05/10/2020 - 13:58
    +1

    Charles Tyrwhitt www.ctshirts.com

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 14:59

      A little bit fancy schmancy. Putting the Smart in smart-casual.

  • Ragzs on 05/10/2020 - 14:02
    +3

    Salvos or any op shop really. Best to go on a monday as they'll have more "new" stock in.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 15:00
      +1

      Thanks but yeah nah. Wore clothes from there as a kid & it puts me in a poverty frame of mind.

  • theHMASfriendship on 05/10/2020 - 14:43
    -1

    Uniqlo and (when on sale) Superdry

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 15:01

      Cheers. Sounds like a trip to DFO is in order.

  • DarthAntz on 05/10/2020 - 15:04

    Aliexpress I have found some good brands, and solved my issue not being 'in-tune' for what to look for and wear. Just searching 'polo shirts' or even 'mens summer wear' will help you build a list of keywords to further search for and find a brand or shop that suits you well. Sometimes, in regard to gym wear, I've found stuff with ugly logos but good styles and shapes. Further searching I found the same clothes without the logos.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 20:24

      How do you find the sizing?

      I've bought stuff from ASOS a few times and the sizing is rather inconsistent

      • DarthAntz on 06/10/2020 - 10:43

        They're all mostly asian sizes, so always measure your torso.
        A lot of the online shops have great measurement charts, which make it helpful. Brand to brand, just like if you were shopping in retail, you have to find who makes the clothes that fit you best.
        One thing that popped up in my suggestions was a 'kanye west longsleeve white shirt' and it fits perfect.
        Sometimes if you search with a celebrity name or music genre you can find things that fit a lot better. Same thing with searching for seasonal clothes or the fabric (i.e. Summer or 100% cotton mens).

  • sahh on 05/10/2020 - 15:35
    +2

    Aside from the stores already mentioned, my s.o also shops at The Academy Brand and sometimes Industrie. Muji also has some good quality basics.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 20:25

      Thankss will check out.

  • nhylated on 05/10/2020 - 18:05
    +2

    I'd recommend T.M. Lewin or Charles Tyrwhitt as the other poster said.

    With T.M, if you got a store nearby (and it's open), you can go in to get sized up and then purchase online once you get good deals.

    With CT, you'll have to just order a few sizes and return the ones that don't fit (returns were free last time I checked).

    Both are good quality for formal and casual wear.

  • Jugganautx on 05/10/2020 - 20:55
    -3

    Lowes

  • Wystri Warrick on 05/10/2020 - 21:23
    +2

    Politix
    Oxford
    Yarra Trail
    Selected Homme
    Jeff Banks
    Uniqlo
    Gazman
    T.M. Lewin
    Charles Tyrwhitt
    Tommy Hilfiger
    Country Road
    Trenery
    Brooks Brothers
    Rodd and Gunn
    Gant

    Edit:
    I'd recommend Oxford just because they have a lot of sales making their clothing very cheap, or check out their outlet for cheap prices. I find Oxford good for polos, t-shirts, jeans, chino trousers and shorts.
    Gazman - their quality is better than Oxfords, and they are more casual too.
    For very good quality smart casual check out Country Road, Trenery, Brooks Brothers, Rodd and Gunn, and Gant.

    • LordSydney on 05/10/2020 - 23:12

      Great list! thanks so much

  • Shiny Mew on 06/10/2020 - 00:15
    +1

    For a Sydney boy, Venroy, Mr Simple and Academy Brand are good choices for a 30-something depending on your style.

  • Flipfeet on 06/10/2020 - 08:00
    +1

    Most DJ's stores have a personal shopper you can use for no charge - this might help if you hate shopping. Otherwise it is hard to go wrong with country road and Uniqlo. Bassike (Australian Brand) have some great options and a ralph lauren or lacoste polo works with jeans/shorts/chinos. Don't forget the quality shoes too!

    • kiitos on 06/10/2020 - 08:32
      +1

      Any recommendations for quality smart casual shoes?

      • Flipfeet on 06/10/2020 - 08:46
        +2

        Depends on your style. I think ASICS do really nice trainers (sneakers n stuff have good ones, frequently on sale and ridic cheaper than here even with shipping from Europe). RM Williams boots are great and versatile. Bared do nice men's shoes with good support (wait for the sales though). Can depend on your feet - so sometimes good to try some on before deciding and buying online?

  • 82norm on 06/10/2020 - 08:19
    +2

    Back in the early 90s Rivers was pretty decent. Fast forward to now and they’ve gone to the dogs, real shame.

    I find Target chinos not too bad, nothing like your Country Roads or Rodd/Gunn.
    Sportscraft isn’t too bad either to consider.

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 06/10/2020 - 08:26
    +1

    Kmart. Cheap, done.

    • Willco88 on 06/10/2020 - 09:21
      +1

      Yep easy done why waste money on clothing spend on more important stuff like cars

  • afah0447 on 06/10/2020 - 09:16
    +1

    Not Myers or David Jones otherwise you'll go broke! Refer to this guy to determine your style:

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https:/…

    Then just shop around on eBay. Avoid high street stores at all costs.

  • OzHunterNSW on 06/10/2020 - 09:49
    +1

    Any surf shop

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