Help me dress to impress

[flippyshark]

One of my resolutions this year has been to get out of my shell a little more and socialize. I've been doing pretty good, for me, anyway. Back when the weather was cooler, I was getting lots of compliments on the jackets and fedoras. (I think a lot of the good reviews were from people just stunned that I was actually trying, instead of being my usual wallflower self.) Anyway, I like the attention. And pretty people talk to me. It's keen. But here's my problem. It's freakin' sweltering here in Florida, and I have a couple of social events coming up. Jackets seem not only silly but downright painful to contemplate. So, how does a 45 y.o. schlub create a late summer look that is cheap but charming? I'm counting on your assembled wisdom. (I have no fashion sense of my own whatsoever.)

[Ghoulish Delight]

I know this sounds counter intuitive with the heat, and not having been in Florida-level humidity in quite some time I might be wrong - but layering with cotton under shirts is a good way to go. As long ad you're sticking with short sleeves, a cotton undershirt with a light weight button down on top, looks great, and keeps the perspiration out of sight. I favor a solid color under shirt with a casual patterned linen (or faux linen) on top. And you can't go wrong with jeans (but then long pants in heat never really bother me, ymmv). Gap makes the most comfortable, best fitting jeans I've ever owned (the classic 1955s), worth the cost.

[Cynthia]

I have always found a bit of a retro look makes people stop and smile (plus it never goes out of style) make sure to only 'do' eras before you were more than a tot (mid 60's is our cutoff point). Look to rat pack and earlier looks. So for summer heat nothing is cooler than rayon & linen think about investing in a linen summer suit, if you go to burlington coat factory or ross that type of store -do NOT pay retail, you never get your money's worth. For a more casual look think rayon shirts and if you go for shorts make sure they are simply styled, cargo shorts are unattractive on anyone. Wear retro sneaks like converse is colors you like, if you wear sandals make sure they are not make of plastic unless you are at the beach . . . . if you wear jeans, again go with retro styles, no funny washes or weird cuts, a tiny bit loose is always better than too tight.
/rant

[BarTopDancer]

I'm a sucker for a man in jeans and a button down top.

Also, it may sound bizarre but check out pictures of Jeffrey Donovan and Bruce Campbell from Burn Notice. They film in Miami.

Bruce (http://www.reviewstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bruce-campbell-burn-notice-usa.jpg)

Jeffrey (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/01/donovan.jpg)

Group
http://tvbythenumbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Burn-Notice-Cast.jpg

[Kevy Baby]

You left out Gabrielle Anwar (http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=Gabrielle+Anwar&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=KTlOTJfeAZSosQPh6e0S&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDEQsAQwAA&biw=1112&bih=826)

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/gallery/uploads/2009/01/gabrielle-anwar-bikini-3.jpg

[Gemini Cricket]

I'd like to help you but I dress like a homeless lesbian.

:D

[BarTopDancer]

You left out Gabrielle Anwar (http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=Gabrielle+Anwar&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=KTlOTJfeAZSosQPh6e0S&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDEQsAQwAA&biw=1112&bih=826)

Why would Flippy want to dress like her?

And I didn't leave her out, she's in the group shot.

[Alex]

Plus, Gabrielle Anwar isn't very attractive.

[€uroMeinke]

Linen - and a Summer straw fedora.

I've been searching for a good linen summer jacket for awhile now

[Kevy Baby]

Plus, Gabrielle Anwar isn't very attractive.There are moments when she looks hot, but yeah, I mostly agree with you (too skinny for my tastes). I think sometimes her sexiness in in her actions, not her looks.

[CoasterMatt]

Leopard prints always do well by me. :D

[Morrigoon]

Get a straw boater hat

[Not Afraid]

Linen shirts look so good on a man in the summer. White linen shirt, nice khaki pants - yummy and classic and would work well with a Panama hat.

[Strangler Lewis]

A pink suit.

"Ah," she cried, "you look so cool."

Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table.

You always look so cool," she repeated.

She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw."

Good luck.

[wendybeth]

I'd like to help you but I dress like a homeless lesbian.

:D

Not that there is anything wrong with that....;)

Lots of good tips here, Flippy- try to stick with linen and cotton whenever possible. Synthetic materials and humid heat don't mix. I like what GD recs, and the Gap or JC Penny's has great shirts that you can layer to look dressed up and still comfy. Banana Republic also had great supplies for layering, but I don't know if they are still open? Dockers makes a lot of different style pants that don't cost a ton of money- Eric's favorite pair are made of coconut fiber. :cheers:

[BarTopDancer]

Gabrielle Anwar is a person, not an accessory.

[Alex]

That's certainly true. A not particularly attractive person (I like her fine, just don't find her attractive and wouldn't recommend anybody dress like she does on Burn Notice, unless you're extremely proud of your nipples).

[Strangler Lewis]

Wait a minute, you're in Florida? That tells me deep tan, yellow pullover shirt, powder blue pants, white shoes and big white belt.

[Not Afraid]

Plaid pants, SL. Plaid.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Flippy, what do you usually wear?

[JWBear]

Wait a minute, you're in Florida? That tells me deep tan, yellow pullover shirt, powder blue pants, white shoes and big white belt.

Plaid pants, SL. Plaid.

With black socks up to the knees.

[Tref]

I have always been partial to the over-sized knit sweater and cap look. On hot days you can simply cut the sleeves off. Also, I hear the Larry King look is coming back, so there are options. Lot's of options.

I would recommend going out and finding somebody who you think has a nice style, then approach them, and tell them to, "take off your clothes, punk!"



(Pic related -- its the beloved over-sized knit sweater and cap couple)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/96344.jpg

[Gemini Cricket]

Not that there is anything wrong with that....;)

Exactly.
:)

[Kevy Baby]

Gabrielle Anwar is a person, not an accessory.She's a female: of COURSE she's an accessory!


The term "shoulder trophy" was invented for a reason!

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I'm partial to swanky (http://www.buycoolshirts.com/hiacarebosh.html) retro (http://www.culinaryclassics.com/red-and-black-retro-shirt.htm) camp (http://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bowling-shirt-Sleeve-Colors/dp/B0032GS5GU) shirts (http://www.buy.com/prod/harriton-men-s-two-tone-bahama-cord-camp-shirt-m575/q/listingid/65203297/loc/64935/213567046.html), using GD's method of layering. And, definitely the retro kind, not the cheesy overly patterned (http://www.blair.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7228&mr:trackingCode=AEFA2E5D-8612-DF11-BAE3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA) kind, though.

And straw fedoras (though, as it turns out, not on me.)

[flippyshark]

Flippy, what do you usually wear?

Well, during the day, shorts and flip flops if I'm not required in the office. At a June event, I wore khakis, a jewel-toned violet button down shirt and a white jacket. It looked nice, but, everyone I'll be seeing next week has seen that ensemble. And, well, even in the evening, it's just not jacket weather. But, lots of great ideas here for me to ponder. (I almost got a Panama hat last time, but does that work in the evening?)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

(I almost got a Panama hat last time, but does that work in the evening?)I'd say it depends on the occasion...and weather makes a difference too.

[3894]

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/96344.jpg

Manly, yes but I like it, too! What you've got in that picture is how to dress for September or May in Wisconsin, Ikidyanot.

A quality Hawaiian-style shirt, like the kind made by Tommy Bahama is my recommendation for the OP. Khakis or nice shorts. No tube socks with the shorts but footies are good.

Yes, I do spend time every day supervising how the hubbo dresses. How did you know?