Over the weekend, I had a rather pleasant interaction with a stranger while taking a trip to the grocery store. As I waited in line, I was interrupted by a soft tap on my shoulder. As I turned, a voice greeted me with a pleasant comment: “Excuse me, but I have to know where you get your clothing from. It looks great!”
Flattered, I thanked him and complimented his shoes, as I clearly saw they were Crockett and Jones. After a few more seconds of small talk, I told him that I had a shop in town and invited him to stop in to get a better understanding of what I do. Now you might be thinking, “Does Marc wear a three-piece suit on the weekends, too?”
No, not always.
I’ve found that men struggle to transition from a work wardrobe into a weekend wardrobe, while trying to remain sophisticated. I’m going to tell you all how easy dressing for the weekend can be, whether it’s going out for brunch on Broadway, taking in the sights along the Providence pedestrian bridge or running around and interacting with your children.
The foundation
A pair of well-tailored jeans and a light blue, oxford button-down dress shirt should be your weekend foundation. Oxford cloth is slightly heavier in weight, allowing it to be worn more “aggressively” than traditional business shirts.
Knitwear
With our foundation set, try pairing your outfit with a crewneck sweatshirt for a sportier look. The casualness gives off an Ivy League approach while still being appropriate for activities that require a bit more movement. Think of this approach as something you’d wear if you were going to throw the football or kick a soccer ball around with your children. If you’re looking to approach the weekend from a smarter perspective, try pairing the outfit with a V-neck sweater. This approach is great if you’re looking to do weekend brunch or meeting up with someone for coffee.
I always encourage clients to invest in a pair of leather trainers.
Footwear
Most guys will revert to athletic sneakers, which is completely fine. But I suggest an alternative that will elevate your weekend wardrobe. If you haven’t already, I always encourage clients to invest in a pair of leather trainers, a more refined version of the athletic sneaker. Having a pair of these adds a level of formality into the wardrobe, gives off a more sophisticated silhouette, especially when paired with jeans. But they still have all the functionality of an athletic sneaker. To take this to the opposite end of the spectrum, for a much smarter approach, try pairing your weekend outfit with a pair of suede boots, preferably a chukka boot or Chelsea boot.
Outerwear
The last piece of the puzzle revolves around outerwear. The sportier approach would be to pair your outfit with a bomber jacket. The cut of a bomber jacket is much shorter when compared with other pieces of outerwear. Hitting right at the waist, this is a great piece to try out for more-active weekend activities. An alternative to this would be a safari jacket, commonly referred to as “field jackets.” For a more formal approach to your weekend wardrobe, try using an overcoat made up with technical fabrics. Technical fabric means something that contains stretch, water-repellent and crease-resistant properties. These fibers are on the more casual side, making them ideal for weekend wear.
All of these options can be arranged in an array of combinations with one another. Try experimenting with some of these options.
Marc A. Streisand is the owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers in Providence and Newport.
