I'm sick of jeans, they never last more than a year without falling apart on me.
Same with my Vans and t-shirts.

I've decided to go a different route completely. I think I'm going to go towards a preppy styling, it seems that it doesn't go out of fashion, and clothing generally lasts a bit longer due to being of higher quality.

Basically, I need advice on what type of shoes/pants to get. I have polo shirts down, I'm thinking of wearing tan and gray Dickies slacks with polos.

I also have two pairs of Sperry Topsiders, one brown and one gray. I would like to somehow incorporate those into my styling.

Any advice would be appreciated. :)

The items you described sound like a great style, relatively conventional but more mature than vans, jeans and tees. Dickies are great, and polos in those colors are some of my favorite shirts. I have three brown polos from Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Gap, respectively. I also wear solid color tees a fair bit, rather than logo plastered or ridiculous graffiti-style shit that is most associated with tees.

The items you described sound like a great style, relatively conventional but more mature than vans, jeans and tees. Dickies are great, and polos in those colors are some of my favorite shirts. I have three brown polos from Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Gap, respectively. I also wear solid color tees a fair bit, rather than logo plastered or ridiculous graffiti-style shit that is most associated with tees.

Yeah, it seems that a lot of university students tend to be going with the whole graffiti-crazy style tee tees nowadays, and I would really like to stay away from that. Plain tees seem like a good idea, and they're relatively cheap.

In my opinion, it seems that gray and tan slacks/Dickies would go well with about any color polo, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Would it be considered over dressing if I wore these as daily shoes with my attire?
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9092/menseccobusinesscomfortgl1.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=menseccobusinesscomfortgl1.jpg)
Or should I just stick with these:

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8585/49321603607640430764027rd7.th.jpg (http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=49321603607640430764027rd7.jpg)

Dr Martens = Long lasting shoes.

personally i prefer:

http://www.jdsports.co.uk/product.aspx?id=24893 (my current shoe)

or something like this perhaps? maybe not with dickies...

http://www.jdsports.co.uk/product.aspx?id=26965

That style of shoe doesnt look great on me because i have very big feet. But it might suit you. Dont be put off because theyre converse - many other brands do similar, better styles. Theyre also very cheap shoes, those being an exception. On average theyll run you 20 quid a pair, meaning its affordable to buy 3 pairs in different colours for different outfits.

Dr Martens = Long lasting shoes.

I have two pairs of Dr Martens. Both of them made in England, before they went to China and got shitty. They're awesome work boots, I'm just looking for something with a thin sole, that's just an overal comfy walk around shoe. I like their slip on business casual shoes, but the sole seems a bit too thick.


personally i prefer:

http://www.jdsports.co.uk/product.aspx?id=24893 (my current shoe)

or something like this perhaps? maybe not with dickies...

http://www.jdsports.co.uk/product.aspx?id=26965

That style of shoe doesnt look great on me because i have very big feet. But it might suit you. Dont be put off because theyre converse - many other brands do similar, better styles. Theyre also very cheap shoes, those being an exception. On average theyll run you 20 quid a pair, meaning its affordable to buy 3 pairs in different colours for different outfits.

I could go with the Converse, maybe with a different pair of pants though. Although I'm not too happy with how long Converse shoes seem to last these days, I went through a pair of high tops in about 6 months. Damn China... Unfortuntaly shoes that do seem to hold up are made in the UK, western Europe or North America (excluding Mexico) and cost an arm and a leg.

You live in California, pick up some Levi's at Costco. Cheap and they last forever as long as you're not stupid and buy them long or something. The only pair that have fell apart on me, are my work jeans that I also go painballing in. Reinforced the broken knee and they still work great.

And PF Flyers are nice shoes IMO. But they're too expensive in store, but you can find them cheap on eBay and some used pairs on craigslist. Stay away from Converse. They suck ever since Nike bought them out.

First, I recommend getting a pea coat or outerwear that fits and looks great in you for the fall and winter.

For the jeans, Levi's is the way to go. Try the ones that fit you. Slim straight cuts are usually good for normal body types.

Get some dress shoes for formal occasions like oxfords (preferably black). For semi-formal it can be black or brown. Now for casual shoes, we all have different opinions on them. Chucks and Vans are good however, they have a stereotype of being emo, hipster, indie etc. The same with other shoes like supras, pumas, dunks etc. Just go with what you prefer.

Try to slowly incorporating button up shirts into your daily wear. It may sound a bit too formal but its great to have some variety in your wardrobe.

For the casual t-shirts and polos get something that is not too tight and not too lose.

Preppy is a terrible style to adhere to. Just get a good mix of everything and dress however you feel day to day. Give yourself a choice.

Preppy is a terrible style to adhere to. Just get a good mix of everything and dress however you feel day to day. Give yourself a choice.

I do give myself a choice, but why is preppy terrible? I'm not talking about the fag pink wearing preppy with plaid sweaters, I'm just talking about a fairly casual preppy, with slacks and a polo. I think that it's pretty classic, and most of the clothes last a while. It doesn't really go out of style, and it's not really expensive as long as you stay away from name brands.

and cost an arm and a leg.

You do get what you pay for. My current shoes are the Pradas, got them just after Christmas last year and there still in working order, not even scuffed. Wear them to nightclubs everyweekend where drunken bafoons are constantly stepping on the merchandise.

But yeah, the Converses mentioned above look great and would go well with the look you're trying to achieve. I love Converses, apart from they turn your foot into a kind of banana shape. They'll go with most outfits providing you're colour co-ordinated.

Don't listen to Toothless... he knows nothing about fashion.

I really like the vintage Jack Purcell Converse. They aren't too expensive either, and they seem to last a while. I can't really afford Pradas. :(

So what is the opinion of the Topsider? A no?

Pants + shirt
and proper shoes.

All I have to add is that New Balance shoes are reliable, comfortable, and durable. If the pair I had before did get ripped apart I'd probably be wearing them for another 4 or 5 years. Sadly, they did get ripped so I got another pair. They cost ~50-80$. Well worth it.