Graduated but still wearing middle-school clothes...

Hey everyone! I'll soon graduate and really feel out of style. I didn't change my outfits since middle school and basically just picked up old things from my older brother, but they're full of holes thanks to our cat and cloth moths. Additionally, they're childish and since I've started working out they're too tight around my chest and shoulder area. I am looking for general outfit tips that don't look too "fake" or artifical. I'm a hard-working, down to earth guy and ready to pay up to 150€ for new outfits, but i'm not willing to pay some brand just because I get to wear their brand logo. I'm not a poser. I'm currently residing in europe inside the EU. I'm fine with both buying in person or online since most stores allow free retours these days. I don't need anything urgently, I just want something in general. I'd be happy to buy second-hand but here, second-hand is so stylistic now that it's more expensive to buy second-hand than buying at discounter cloth stores. It's absolutely insane. I'm literally NPC-sized. Average everything. My BMI is 22. 175cm. I'm open to literally anything. If it looks artifical, but good, so shall it be. There's nothing special I am looking for. Maybe one more thing. I'm from the north so temperatures above 20°C are considered hot to me. I'd rather wear light and "breathable" clothes. Skinny is fine if I can move in it without ripping stuff apart.
54 Replies
awburkey
awburkey5mo ago
There are some posts in #fashion-guides that might help but you should explore how you might want to dress. People can throw out random guides and styles but it’s up to you to decide what you do or don’t like
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Hmm. The issue is that I have 0 fashion sense and while a lot of outfits look very well on certain people giving certain impressions, I feel like none of the clothes i find match even closely to who I am and what i'd like to express. But given I don't really know anything about fashion, I believe I just need the advice of experts.
lyon
lyon5mo ago
the problem with finding what you like is that it ultimately ends in you having to do exactly that the only way to learn is by doing, the only way to win is by learning, and the only way to begin is by beginning and a good way to start is by shuffling through #inspiration or #waywt and see what you like the other oft-repeated mantra i’m obliged to repeat again is that you should also be dressing for yourself, not the snobs on the internet
awburkey
awburkey5mo ago
Thanks Sam Reich Lyon is right! You just have to start. You can save pics of outfits that you like and you can dress more intentionally with the clothes you already have and just pay more attention to how other folks dress. We can certainly help but you have to do work as well!
lyon
lyon5mo ago
unironically mr reich has given me such a wonderful mantra for picking up new things
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
What would you like to express with what you wear?
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Well, again, I only see people in clothes that suit them but wouldn't suit me. And the clothes in the usual stores like Primark, C&A or H&M all are nothing I know how to make look good Mainly, a friend invited me to his birthday party and I feel like it's time for me to update my wardrobe. It's his 20th and middleschool's been a long time ago Whenever I go to stores I never find anything even mildly interesting and the same goes for outfits, i never even feel so much as a spark Personality traits, i'd say. Bold, simple, energetic colors with big, impactful, dynamic patterns
mattw2
mattw25mo ago
Can you scroll through #waywt and identify anything you like? Is there a celebrity you think looks good? We need something to go on.
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
Since you mentioned you're in a colder country, does any of the inspo in this thread from yesterday catch your eye? https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1254737626385219705/1254737626385219705
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Sure! Let's go with this one. I enjoy baggy pants but was told that they make any girl sort you out immediately
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
xD
mattw2
mattw25mo ago
Probably don't listen to those people, women have lots of different preferences and anyone worth your time will like the clothes you wear anyway. This kind of look is quite easy to do, a cool graphic tee, combat or cargo trousers and chunky sneakers are easily available at all sorts of price points.
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
This also looks cool, but I don't understand how shoes, pants and the shirt patterns match so well
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
God, don't remind me of shoes. I legit can check the entire store and not find a single fitting pair :harold: I don't even know what mine are called, basically black sneakers but they got like a neck that covers the ankles, does that make sense?
mattw2
mattw25mo ago
For a cool graphic tee, try having a look in the sale section at endclothing.com Some chunky sneakers from ASICS/new balance/Reebok might work Cargo trousers are available all over the place and you might be best off going to your nearest stores and trying on a few different pairs. H&m/Zara commonly, carhartt are pricier but probably have a store if you're near a bigger city.
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Oh I got some cool ones from my dad and my costudents called me "looking like eddie from stranger things" :turtlecat: Thats one way to call 80s and 90s shirts ig
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
Urban Outfitters might be a good option at that price range too if it's in your country, I feel like that fits the style posted Lots of baggy cargoes, fun shirts etc
mattw2
mattw25mo ago
It sounds a bit like you have an idea of how you want to dress but people around you aren't that nice and your bigger issue is confidence? Once you've done it for more than a week people will stop noticing/commenting/caring.
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Eh, I'm not sure. I feel like the things i enjoy bite each other Like when I wear a pitch black 80s long sleeve with short camo pants, it just doesn't fit I sadly don't really have an eye for what does fit, only for what does not
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
A lot of that is trial and error, but a good shortcut can just be straight copying inspo photos! At least for colour combos and stuff, even if the items aren't the exact same
mattw2
mattw25mo ago
This is more useful than you think!
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Hmm, how do i put it. Talking here made me realize I'd like to combine attributes of two different fictional pieces but it might leave you more confused/cringing than anything
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
So this one show has these hoodies with clear shapes, colors etc but look kinda lame color-palette wise and I'd like not to be connected to the fandom, the basic idea is that counts
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
And as a color palette, the game Mirrors Edge has a lot of really neat stuff with neat basic base colors and then energetic, fresh exotic colors like orange or light blue
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
The question is, are there clothes that fit that style? There oughta be, right?
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
I think broadly streetwear is what you're looking for, which is great timing cause there was a thread on inspo for that yesterday as well! https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1254828387243917465/1254834835223220275
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Hmm, lots of greys and nothing really that fits besides the cargos
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
This looks cool but it's fully white and obv. meant for andro bodies
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tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/mens-hoodies-sweatshirts Have a look through here, lots of bold colours, geometric shapes graphics
Urban Outfitters
Mens Hoodies & Sweatshirts | Oversized, Zip Up & Fleece
Express yourself with men's Urban Outfitters sweatshirts and hoodies. The newest styles from black graphic hoodies to sweatshirts & zip up hoodies.
mattw2
mattw25mo ago
Try sorting r/techwearclothing by top of all time? Colour palette leans fairly monochrome but there are examples of more colourful stuff.
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
This goes in the right direction!
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Hmm
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Imagine this but without text, the dark blue being a washed out white and the white being like mango-yellow or grape-purple
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
:fall:
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
Do you have Vinted in your country? Might have some good luck searching for things like 90s sweater, y2k hoody That sort of thing
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
I don't but I'm certain it doesn't matter whether I have shop X or Y coz I probably have similar shops Here we got mainly primark, C&A and H&M Woah, at H&M I got a hoodie that has the AoT dark green, very cool. Anyhow.
tun🌻
tun🌻5mo ago
I'm just thinking in terms of buying actual retro things, cause it seems the things you like are quite 90s / 2000s themed Which is definitely on trend in the 2nd hand markets currently
zeometer
zeometer5mo ago
taking a detour here but to your point about "the pictures I see are clothes i like but worn by people who aren't me" i get into it in a roundabout way here https://malefashionadvice.substack.com/p/creatively-unhinged-fit-battle-round-d4f
Creatively Unhinged: Fit Battle Round of 4
Addressing authenticity and representation in hiking and in fashion.
zeometer
zeometer5mo ago
the overall message is that authenticity to a certain style or how well it reflects us starts with how it reflects ourselves rather than our physical form, and that shouldn't be limited by the lack of any reference pictures specific to us (regardless of style) i will also add that there is a chance that your chosen inspiration isn't reliably available in mass-market stores which is a fault of stores not you you might want to also consider places like etsy or other online boutiques that can make clothes or DIY something simiar
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Well my mood often changes and sometimes i'd also be in an elegant mood but i'd rather busy myself alive than wear a hat like a fedora, hah You got any good ones you can recommend?
zeometer
zeometer5mo ago
on a broad level here's an etsy search for streetwear, the prices may or may not be comparable to in-store but there's perhaps a better selection https://www.etsy.com/search?q=streetwear&ref=search_bar
zeometer
zeometer5mo ago
and for the sort of color blocking you described previously perhaps either of these would be good benchmarks https://www.etsy.com/market/color_block_shirt https://www.ready-one.com/custom-color-block-t-shirts
Default Store View
Custom Color Block T Shirts
Ready One Clothing! Manufacturer & Supplier of Men, Women Textile and Leather Clothing. We also provide full customization and Brand Your Own services as well as Accept Customer's Designs. #colorblockt-shirts #custom-shirt #mencustomshortsleevest-shirt #menraglansleevet-shirt #mencustomt-shirt
zeometer
zeometer5mo ago
you may find that you're drawn to multiple styles (i certainly am); rather than reject those tendencies i worked to find ways to show them off. i think the beat thing you can do is continue to look for inspiration; your tastes will form in turn
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
That's a fine idea albeit the colors are unluckily chosen As that's the german Reichs flag
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Hmm, is this for companys or for individuals as well?
zeometer
zeometer5mo ago
from what i can tell it can be for either
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
Thing is, colorblock goes into the right direction but isn't quite there yet It's too... unrefined
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
This goes into the right direction but not my colors. Hmmm
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
oh screw you, avif
Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
this looks cool!
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Lichtfürst
LichtfürstOP5mo ago
But there gotta be ones with more dynamic shapes!
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