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Dressing for the Daily Commute
 

Aaron Burr's picture
PE
(Gorilla, 558
 
Points)
 on 7/25/12 at 6:30pm
Keeping it fresh

As financial professionals, most of us have to wear some variation of The Suit and Tie to work every day. Most of us live in large cities and either walk or rely on public transportation for the daily commute. And while we spend the vast majority of our waking lives in fluorescent-lit, climate-controlled offices, for a few minutes each day, we brave the elements to get to work. Given the unpredictable/often miserable weather in New York, people who wear suits everyday have to deal with commuting in creative ways. Chances are, you’ve adopted some commute-specific wardrobe modifications for the subway and streets. Some general observations after the break:

    Shoes

    You spend your hard-earned paycheck on a fresh set of Ferragamo loafers and you don’t want them to get screwed up. Fellow straphangers could step on and scuff them, a morning thunderstorm could soak them, and the pavement in New York City is rough enough to wear down diamonds, let alone a new set of single-soles. So you rock your ratty Nikes under your fresh-pressed Super 150s and don’t think twice about the color contrast between charcoal and neon green.

    Try wearing an older pair of dress shoes for your commute, and leave your good shoes under your desk. Your good shoes will not only stay cleaner and scuff-free, but they’ll also last a lot longer.

    Shirt

    Some guys are undershirt guys, some guys aren’t. I was always taught that it was a faux pas to allow the outline of your undershirt to be seen (it’s usually pretty obvious, especially in the sleeves), but it beats having pitstains. You can either accept that you will sweat and wear an undershirt to add a layer of protection, or go all-or-nothing and hope that you can make it to the office before your shirt looks like Tom Cruise’s in Tropic Thunder.

    If you’re a sweaty guy – and who isn’t in 100 degree weather? – try wearing an undershirt under darker-toned button-ups on hot days. You’ll avoid the “undershirt look” while hopefully staying stain-free. If your workplace is business casual, you should take care to avoid crewneck undershirts, as they’ll show in the neck area.

    Tie

    This one’s for the business formal guys. When it’s a billion degrees outside, even a nicely-fitted collar can be restrictive when fully buttoned and wrapped in a tie. So you compromise and leave the top button undone, while your salmon Hermes hangs sloppily off your neck. Some guys tie an excellent knot and can tighten up a tie in moments – perfect dimple, just touching the belt buckle. However, most guys’ re-tightened tie knots end up looking like a college freshman’s work.

    If you’re forced to wear a tie, you might as well wear it well. Roll up a tie and pack it in your gym bag, or leave a few at work and knot up in the men’s room.

These observations might be obvious to you, but we've all struggled at some point. Everyone has their own methods when it comes to keeping the office getup fresh. What are yours?

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Comments

WSOusername's picture

Certain Dri for the sweat

 
Points)
 on 7/25/12 at 7:16pm

Certain Dri for the sweat problem.
Good point with the shoes, but what about if you were going to a meeting? Bring them in a bag/ briefcase and change in the bathroom/ lobby I suppose?

GBS

Saul_Villa's picture

My office has a gym, so I

 
Points)
 on 7/25/12 at 7:24pm

My office has a gym, so I just wear my gym clothes to work. I keep my suits and a spare shirt and tie in a locker, we each get in the gym, and bring the other stuff I'm going to wear with me in my bag. As for sweat I'm lucky enough to not need an undershirt.

Personal wealth is not how much you have in the bank or the worth of your portfolio. But, rather how you've used the wealth to make your life and those around you better.

Addinator's picture

Saul_Villa: My office has a

ST
 
Points)
 on 7/25/12 at 7:42pm
Saul_Villa:

My office has a gym, so I just wear my gym clothes to work. I keep my suits and a spare shirt and tie in a locker, we each get in the gym, and bring the other stuff I'm going to wear with me in my bag. As for sweat I'm lucky enough to not need an undershirt.

I can't tell you how jealous I am that your office has a gym haha. That's awesome. Personally, I just keep some extra shirts at my desk in case it is too freaking hot outside and sometimes I'll rock a sneakers or sandals into work as I get in early enough most aren't around.

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That_Aston's picture

GoldmanBallSachs: Certain Dri

CF
(Gorilla, 573
 
Points)
 on 7/25/12 at 8:38pm
GoldmanBallSachs:

Certain Dri for the sweat problem.
Good point with the shoes, but what about if you were going to a meeting? Bring them in a bag/ briefcase and change in the bathroom/ lobby I suppose?

Certain Dri doesn't work for me. I could sweat in the dead cold of winter :(

I just wear a sweat-proof undershirt, lol.

Here to learn and hopefully pass on some knowledge as well. SB if I helped.

帝都大蜜's picture

great approach to fashion

(Baboon, 104
 
Points)
 on 7/25/12 at 8:41pm

great approach to fashion tips!

"I already know I'm going to Hell. So, at this point it's go big or go home"

George Martin's picture

I keep my suits and a spare

(Chimp, 2
 
Points)
 on 7/26/12 at 2:33am

I keep my suits and a spare shirt and tie in a locker, we each get in the gym, and bring the other stuff I'm going to wear with me in my bag. As for sweat I'm lucky enough to not need an undershirt.

http://www.petstrollers.cc

Anomanderis's picture

By the way, the shoes and

ST
(Orangutan, 357
 
Points)
 on 7/26/12 at 9:44am

By the way, the shoes and pants in that picture are the exact color and shape you should wear to work.

But Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought bravely.

And Rhaegar died.

UFOinsider's picture

* Bostonian beaters for

O
(Human, 10,328
 
Points)
 on 7/26/12 at 9:56am

* Bostonian beaters for commute, AE's under desk, no one notices the difference and the Bostonians are comfy almost like sneakers.

* Buy collar 1/2 size too big, choking isn't an issue, cinch the tie a bit tighter before meetings (this doesn't work for everyone, shirt sizing is what it is)

* Keep spare set of clothes in office in case of storm

I learned all this the hard way through trial and error so do yourself a favor and take the advice on this thread. Honestly, I prefer to come to work in a T-shirt and sweats, I'd be more comfortable, but this is what you have to do. In my next life, I will be French and roll out of bed looking fabulous, and that will be that...or work from home, yeah, that's what I'm going to do.

YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
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Aaron Burr's picture

Today (one day after I

PE
(Gorilla, 558
 
Points)
 on 7/26/12 at 10:55pm

Today (one day after I hastily wrote this post), I was flying to a board meeting and got caught in some turbulence. Entire cup of coffee spilled into my lap, splashed everywhere.

Appendix: even if you're going away for just one night, consider bringing a fresh suit with you. You just never know when you'll get soaked by a thunderstorm, or in my case, an acrid cup of airline java.

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shark-monkey's picture

boat shoes are a good move.

HF
 
Points)
 on 7/27/12 at 4:51pm

boat shoes are a good move. They don't look too ridiculous like my Nikes.

Fear is the greatest motivator. Motivation is what it takes to find profit.

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