Men's clothing shops - what's out there?

[Clive Long]

I hate and abhor shopping - especially clothes shopping.

I find it difficult to find anything that looks other than an ill-fitting shambles on me.

I resent the time it takes to look through and try on stuff that would make me look either like a clown or Colonel Crusty.

What clothes shops are there that provide "smart casual" clothes for men who don't look like fey Italian models, Viggo Mortensen or Pierce Brosnan?


Clive

[Tiggerbabe]

I hate and abhor shopping - especially clothes shopping.

Shame I live so far away, Clive, I love shopping
I'm sure you'll get lot of advice from the guys - but a lot of the bigger department stores (Debenhams for example) have specialist shoppers just for people like you. You tell them the sort of thing you're looking for, give them an idea of budget and off they go!
Not sure of the exact cost of the service but if you really detest shopping it sounds ideal for you.

p.s. Men's clothes don't have to be black

[ducasi]

For the basics, I'd normally go to Next or Gap.

For more funky or cool stuff, my current favourites are "Open" and Urban Outfitters.

For more expensive and stylish things I go for labels like DKNY, Paul Smith, and (Emporio) Armani, which can be found in Fraser's as well as lots of the more "boutique" local shops that no-doubt London's full off.

BTW, who's Viggo Mortensen?

[Lou]

p.s. Men's clothes don't have to be black

Wash your mouth out, Sheena!

[Tiggerbabe]

Wash your mouth out, Sheena!

[Little Monkey]

BTW, who's Viggo Mortensen?

Viggo Mortensen.....

C'm on! Lord of the rings and all that!!

[doc martin]

In your profile picture, is the tall one with the moustache you? If it is I would say that uniforms do suit you and you should stick to them.

If not, then I'm with Ducasi. The bigger, smarter department stores are the place to look. Maybe you need to bite the bullet and make one big trip with a good advisor (Tiggerbabe?) to determine a look that will last you a while, then just keep buying the same stuff.

[ducasi]

Viggo Mortensen.....

C'm on! Lord of the rings and all that!!

"Whoooosh!!!!"

[doc martin]

"Whoooosh!!!!"

Was that the sound of the reference going over your head or your slipstream as you left the building in embarrassed haste due to not knowing about LOTR?

[ducasi]

Was that the sound of the reference going over your head or your slipstream as you left the building in embarrassed haste due to not knowing about LOTR?

Not so much going over my head as passing me by completely. I have no embarrassment concerning my ignorance of all things involving goblins and trolls and the like.

[LMC]

Clothes shopping...

[doc martin]

I have no embarrassment concerning my ignorance of all things involving goblins and trolls and the like.

Ha! So you do know what we are talking about.

[Jive Brummie]

If you have a Slater Menswear near you then go there. Loads of stock with shop assistants that know exactly what they're doing and what they're on about. Add to this that it's loads cheaper than anywhere else and you should be alright.

They even have this posh bit with comfy seats and all that where you can get some one to one service

JB.

[SilverFox]

I hate and abhor shopping - especially clothes shopping.

I find it difficult to find anything that looks other than an ill-fitting shambles on me.

There is only one way Clive.

Women.

I have long since given up attempting to buy clothes on my own. I always take a vixen along now. Obviously you need to take one that already knows how to dress herself. A random minger that looks like she was dressed by David Blunkett after a night on the Johnnie Walker Blue is probably best left well alone.

Can I recommend that you extract a chick from your MiB harem, promise her a good time (and one of those "better than sex" cakes from Caffe Nero ), and hit the shops with renewed vigour.

If ones harem is lacking (which I'm sure yours is not ) snatch one off the dance floor next time you're busting some moves. Not only will they relish the opportunity of playing both Susannah & Trinny with your bod, but you might even get a rummage out of it once they're feeling rather proud of their efforts.

If you can find two, even better. Then you look like you're hung like a donkey (no, not an ass ESG ) and you get to watch the spectacle of two women arguing over what to dress you in. A 'win, win' in any language.

See women do have 'other' uses.......

[Paul F]

I hate and abhor shopping - especially clothes shopping.

I find it difficult to find anything that looks other than an ill-fitting shambles on me.

I resent the time it takes to look through and try on stuff that would make me look either like a clown or Colonel Crusty.

What clothes shops are there that provide "smart casual" clothes for men who don't look like fey Italian models, Viggo Mortensen or Pierce Brosnan?


Clive

When it comes to shops I have to second what JB said. Slaters menswear is a very professional shop. Good clothes and really knowledgeable staff.
If you say to them what you said in your initial post they will help you.

I was this close **paul holds thumb and index finger close together** to writing down the advice i saw on tv with regards to clothes shopping. Decided that would be too dangerous in case i insulted someone

[Lynn]

Have to agree with SF on this one, having done the 'man's personal shopper' role for a couple of male friends. The only potential problem is if you find a woman who loves clothes shopping, you have to make sure she stays focused on your clothes and doesn't get sidetracked into other shops - particularly a hazard in shopping centres or department stores. (I was very good and I didn't get sidetracked ).

And a little thankyou for the lady is nice too - I got taken out for dinner by both guys I assisted in this way.

Edit - I've just thought of this from a completely different angle... must be hanging round this forum too much... by doing this a guy could make a women feel good about herself (by showing he likes her taste in clothes), get her to spend the whole afternoon with him (doing the actual clothes shopping) then go out for dinner with him (as the 'thank you').

Maybe I'm starting to figure men out at last

[Jazz_Shoes (Ash)]

Viggo Mortensen.....

C'm on! Lord of the rings and all that!!

[robd]

Never let anyone but yourself choose the clothes you will be dressing in. Not a view that goes down well with present-buying girlfriends but.......

[Lynn]

Never let anyone but yourself choose the clothes you will be dressing in. Not a view that goes down well with present-buying girlfriends but.......

There's nothing wrong with getting advice - though I agree it can be more complicated if you are in a relationship with someone ('why do you never wear that shirt I got you' type thing.)

Just off out now to act as an 'advisor' for something that men might find even more difficult to shop for than clothes... a cooker!

[Clive Long]

There is only one way Clive.

Women.

<< elaboration >>

You are right Vincenzo.

My personal shopper is leaving the country on Monday and I don't know when she will be around in future.

Everything I have bought when she has advised me I have been happy with. Everything I have bought when she has not advised me has been a sack of *****.

I grabbed her for the last day today and I have ended up with a casual jacket from - wait for it - M&S !!!

I was trying to solicit where I could go in future without her help - I think I will try Slaters and this personal shopper lark too. Maybe I could put an ad in the papers if some women want to do some shopping they can use me as an excuse. What you think?

Clive