Help Needed For Newbie

[twentyfour]

Evening,

Admittedly my style and fashion choices are pretty poor.

I am going out with some mates at the weekend and I want to buy something nice looking to wear.

I was originally looking at wearing a navy jacket, white shirt with dark jeans but I am thinking it wont work as a good contrast unless you really know your stuff.

I want to start building my wardrobe with nice simple clothes and I am starting now.

Can anybody recommend something that isnt out there fashion wise but looks smart and neat and reasonably priced?

Shops at my disposal are basically the highstreet ones (next, burtons, river island and the odd designer shop).

I am 6,1, medium/athletic build, broad shoulders and 33 yrs.

Thank you in advance!

[Sam]

Well, the outfit you had suggested sounded pretty foolproof to me. Go for that, brown/tan shoes and belt, and as long as everything fits properly you're golden.
Smart, neat and reasonably priced would be a navy/blue blazer.
This one comes at a good price in a fly colour, and the patch pockets give it a nicely casual vibe that you wouldn't get from, say, a suit jacket.
This one is a little steeper, but three buttons is a sharp look and the tone is darker, which makes it a touch more versatile. It's also in a wool blend (70% isn't bad), so it's going to be warmer and sharper.
Okay, admittedly this one is twice the price, but it's got some really cool detailing on it, the DB style will suit your broad shoulders and build, and the colour's great.
Those are three options, then; there are hundreds of blue blazers around though. Shop around until you find the perfect one.

[gnasher]

Hi Sam,

I just bought a navy jacket online, which I thought was quite casual and unstructured, but is actually more like a suit jacket. What would be best to wear trouser-wise to dial down its formal nature?

Cheers.

[Nath6644]

Hi Sam,

I just bought a navy jacket online, which I thought was quite casual and unstructured, but is actually more like a suit jacket. What would be best to wear trouser-wise to dial down its formal nature?

Cheers.

You can definately get away with wearing a suit jacket as a blazer, as long as it's fairly contemporary in cut and well fitted.

As for trousers, some dark indigo jeans that are minimal in detailing and fit well can look very smart without sacraficing that 'dressing down' effect.

As Sam says, pair the above with a crisp, fitted white shirt, tan shoes and a matching belt.