[Bounder]

Hi all,

I'm visiting USA in a week, split up from a LTR recently and it's something I always wanted to do.

Finalising exact itinerary, but I'll be visiting a few cities - including LA, over 2-3 months.

I'm 39 and I won't necessarily want to stay up all night every night, but I am thinking I will need some clothes for clubs - so like, how fancy are we talking here?

I have one pair of super nice designer jeans (Comme Des Garcons), I have navy polos by American Apparel that work on my body (I'm a fairly big dude, 46" chest 36" waist with decent guns) and a pair of nice croc loafers (black) - I was thinking this would probably work out in most places but should I be looking to up my game in this area?

Broadly my pack list looks something like:

1 Merino Baselayer set (Tynan style)
1 Tech Merino long sleeved polo
Couple of gingham shirts
1 white linen shirt
1 chambray type shirt
2 navy polos
Couple of decent cotton t-shirts (likely Arket Charcoal)
2 soccer shirts (Club & Country, for gym and Irish Bar - they fit pretty good)
shorts for gym/swim
1 Dark Red Henley
1 Dark Red Sports Hoodie
1 Millennial Yellow Jumper
1 Pair Dark Blue Designer Jeans
1 Pair White Selvedge Jeans
1 pair of zippable leg Gap Chinos (they look ok I promise :-D)
1 pair dark grey linen trousers
1 grey-blue wool-linen sports jacket (nice)
1 stone linen suit (H&M, not fancy)
1 down vest
1 super rain jacket
1 emergency packable rain jacket
I pair of White Sneakers
1 pair all-Black Sneakers (Uniqlo, nothing fancy)
I pair sick black loafers
1 pair sick navy suede loafers
Socks (mostly trainer and invisible), underwear

In the UK, I think this would make for a very decent capsule wardrobe. But is it going to get me past the velvet rope in USA? Any guidance would be appreciated!

[BlackFriar]

Bounder,

I am not up on the latest fashion trends. I am 38. But it sounds like you have more than enough to get by with. I have met people who have traveled more than a year, and all of their stuff fits in a suitcase. So, less is sometimes more.

Also consider, it gets hotter here, than in the UK. So, you will be washing what you bring too. But, America has a lot of laundromats. It is not a problem.

[getdownonit]

Wear what you're comfortable in and go where you want to.

Weatherspark.com is pretty useful

[Dragan]

It really depends on the city man. Like yeah, there is a generic clubbing outfit, or going out outfit, but in some ways, depends heavily on which city you are in. For example, some cities, like Austin, are more casual than cities like, say, Miami. If you are going out/gaming, you will get pretty far wearing a nice button up shirt, black, or white, and a nice pair of jeans that fits you well/ not baggy. Loafers/ drivers are always a great choice, but if you're in an area that's not rich/preppy, it's better to wear some nice sneakers, or something nice. I happen to be of the opinion that polos are a bit over-played by many american men. If you wear a nice long sleeve dress shirt, i think you're already ahead of a lot of dudes.

[Bounder]

(04-17-2018 01:30 PM)Dragan Wrote:  

It really depends on the city man. Like yeah, there is a generic clubbing outfit, or going out outfit, but in some ways, depends heavily on which city you are in. For example, some cities, like Austin, are more casual than cities like, say, Miami. If you are going out/gaming, you will get pretty far wearing a nice button up shirt, black, or white, and a nice pair of jeans that fits you well/ not baggy. Loafers/ drivers are always a great choice, but if you're in an area that's not rich/preppy, it's better to wear some nice sneakers, or something nice. I happen to be of the opinion that polos are a bit over-played by many american men. If you wear a nice long sleeve dress shirt, i think you're already ahead of a lot of dudes.

That's probably a fair shout regarding the polo, but the guns y'know?

I generally favour either a strong collared polo or a hipster one (American Apparel), which I think looks a little different to the usual kind. But I'll probably try the long sleeved in Chicago/Seattle.

My Comme Des Garcons jeans are *kinda* baggy by today's standards (pretty much a straight cut), but I've had a lot of compliments on them. I have big legs anyway.

[Hypno]

U.S. is pretty casual.

My European friends tell me clothes are much cheaper here so don't sweat it man.

The places you are going to are warm and humid. You might pack some shorts or plan on buying some here.

If you have extra soccer jerseys, like maybe something that doesn't fit you or is out of date, bring them to trade. People love that stuff here.

[Bounder]

(04-17-2018 03:48 PM)Hypno Wrote:  

U.S. is pretty casual.

My European friends tell me clothes are much cheaper here so don't sweat it man.

The places you are going to are warm and humid. You might pack some shorts or plan on buying some here.

If you have extra soccer jerseys, like maybe something that doesn't fit you or is out of date, bring them to trade. People love that stuff here.

Thanks dude. It's more a velvet rope situation really - I suspect that only really applies to LA and maybe the ATL at a pinch tho.

[exitus]

Bring some snacks. American girls LOVE food.

[Bounder]

(04-17-2018 05:30 PM)exitus Wrote:  

Bring some snacks. American girls LOVE food.

I suspect the Cadburys would melt on the plane lol, but maybe

[MongolianAbroad]

Make sure to pack a ticket for an outbound flight.

[superiorClimber]

As an American whose lived and traveled through a lot of the country, it really all depends on where you are going to be during your travels. I'd even pack less and buy clothing along the way...clothing in America can be fairly inexpensive.

Also, America is very big and not only does weather change depending on region, style changes as well. What is good and fashionable in New York City can look overdressed just 1 hour away in Philadelphia. You should be fine sticking to plain t-shirts and jeans, with a few dress shirts for night-game.

Where are you going to be heading to on your trip?

[bootyhuntah]

Tea. The Brits are always complaining about how they can't get a good cup of tea over here...not really my thing but hey you asked.

[Super_Fire]

Penicillin.

[Dulceácido]

Actually, that sounds like a pretty solid load-out. You have lots of bases covered. Hopefully you're staying in a nice hotel or apartment and not backpacking around lounging in hostels. If the latter is this case, I'd ditch about 3/4 of that stuff.

[topper1991]

You're overpacking for US 2-3 months. Clothes are cheap...get some new threads...

Assuming you're not hiking...Vest and merino baselayer is not needed...jacket and hoodies will cover you.

Jeans a bit 'Euro' loose will fit right in with America. We like dark, straight leg or ankle tighter and the rest is still reasonably loose for your age group (I'm 44). Sparkly 'stuff' on them will call you out as a Jersey boy (sorry anyone!) or Euro up front.

Guns I get (real or muscles)...polos or t-shirts always seem to be the 'norm' for daily wear in the US. Nice club...button down in summer + jacket to get in IMHO @late 30s goes a LONG way....esp with a excellent 'looking' watch and good shoes (women know shoes...go figure).

Foootball shirts....it's an Irish bar...you have an accent...wear what you want...it won't be the clothes that get the ladies interested at that point. but they WILL stand out.

Rain jacket...just one. Uber or taxi. I'm thinking about rain in Portland and Seattle really...that's about the only place I can imagine anyone having a rain jacket most of the time (vs. disappearing off the street for a bit).

When here:
+swim trunks
+hatsunglasses


For the record my monthly travel bag for workfun....which is a earth tones look that does mixmatch...change out a few colors to go the blackgreyed look instead):
Jeans, dark = 1
chinos; tan=1, brown=1
polo; black=1, blue=1
t-shirt: black=1, blue=1, red-1
button down white=1
sports coat (dark but newer blue style) = 1
belt brown=1
JM McGuffey Lace up: brown=1, blue=1
underwear; David Archy, 5 pair
socks (low cut, merino wool), 5 pair
swim trunks - 1

Seasonal additives:
Black Diamond Rain Jacket
North Face Jacket or my backup ultra cold jacket
shift shoes to chukkas

Add running gear as needed (but it takes up a lot of suitcase space for the extra shoes and I try to live out of a 16" underseat TravelPro).

[Bounder]

I'm probably visiting Chicago, Seattle, LA, NOLA, ATL and less sure after that but finishing in NYC.

Some of those cities are better in forum terms than others I know.

I'll be taking the train between Chicago-Seattle, then a week later Seattle-LA. Sounds insane, but they are beautiful rides. But they are also long, heavily air conditioned rides so the merino has its uses.

I do like to have a slicker around but the packable mac I bought seems quite sturdy so I think it will be fine. I can see arguments against the vest, but it's one of those Uniqlo packable things that weighs bugger all. Shit happens, and I like to have some cover.

Whilst clothes in USA are theoretically cheaper than UK....not how I buy my clothes. My white selvedge were like £5. I have enough clothes tbh - I'm not stupid enough to think I won't buy something nice, but I'm not actively looking.

I'm going to be in Airbnbs for the most part - in some cases in my own place, but sometimes in a room. Generally I've scouted for good spots that, at worst, give me plausible deniability on bringing girls back (younger hosts sans kids who haven't gone beyond the 'no parties/events' rule) - I'm one guy, so not looking to 'party' so much. It's a long trip and hotels in good spots just don't represent good value for money for the solo traveller IMHO, especially as I get laundry access this way.

Hopefully these aren't too *Euro* lol





https://ibb.co/ndAnGn
https://ibb.co/bNLF2S

Generally speaking I don't think urban British middle class men spend as much on clothes as the equivalent in the US. My CdG jeans cost me just over a hundred pounds (heavily discounted, and fyi they have big ass pockets but nothing outlandish) but none of my friends would ever pay that much for jeans. So standards are different, which is what I've been trying to ascertain. Whether I should bother trying to run solo in a fancy club in LA is another question, guess we'll see.

[tobehero]

Seem to do what i do and overpack.

Clothing can be purchased as and when you need.

Most places will have a laundry service.

[QAZ]

(04-17-2018 07:26 AM)Bounder Wrote:  

Broadly my pack list looks something like:

1 Merino Baselayer set (Tynan style)
1 Tech Merino long sleeved polo
Couple of gingham shirts
1 white linen shirt
1 chambray type shirt
2 navy polos
Couple of decent cotton t-shirts (likely Arket Charcoal)
2 soccer shirts (Club & Country, for gym and Irish Bar - they fit pretty good)
shorts for gym/swim
1 Dark Red Henley
1 Dark Red Sports Hoodie
1 Millennial Yellow Jumper
1 Pair Dark Blue Designer Jeans
1 Pair White Selvedge Jeans
1 pair of zippable leg Gap Chinos (they look ok I promise :-D)
1 pair dark grey linen trousers
1 grey-blue wool-linen sports jacket (nice)
1 stone linen suit (H&M, not fancy)
1 down vest
1 super rain jacket
1 emergency packable rain jacket
I pair of White Sneakers
1 pair all-Black Sneakers (Uniqlo, nothing fancy)
I pair sick black loafers
1 pair sick navy suede loafers
Socks (mostly trainer and invisible), underwear

4 pairs of shoes?! 2 rain jackets?! Ditch 90% of that stuff.

No matter how much you take you will end up wearing the same pair of jeans and sweater 99% of the time. Anything you lack you can buy over there when and if it's needed.

[Bounder]

Buying clothes is a distraction. I get what you are saying, but I spent several months on a bigger suitcase in E. Europe and have been through something like that experience. I have no doubt that I will end up buying a couple of groovy t-shirts.

I'm actually thinking of taking a couple more pairs of shoes. You need to alternate that shit. I forgot about my Vivo Barefoot moccasins lol.

Sames goes for my jeans, I had a specialist denim tailor reinforce the crotch on my jeans but they need to be rested.

No disrespect to your opinion at all, I'm a 39 yo Brit and I like to be able to do the James Bond thing. Not to the point of bringing a tuxedo, but to the point of being ready for anything.

I am actually going to drop the cheap linen suit in favour of a linen-cotton jacket that won't crease as much.

[Salvadore]

You must be an engineer, that's all I'm thinking.

[Bounder]

Is that the new code for autistic lol?

Seeing as I'm voluntarily spending 75 hours on trains, I should probably pack more 3/4 length t-shirts to go under my nerdy logo t-shirts

[tobehero]

Girls care very little what you wear in terms of labels / brands. (Unless you want to attract gold diggers). As long as it fit correctly, not making fashion faux pas, grooming and no BO.

[superiorClimber]

Curious why you are planning to head to ATL? Georgia women tend to be fat for Americans. Why not Miami?

[nola]

A return ticket to Eastern or Southern Europe

[Bounder]

(04-18-2018 09:29 AM)superiorClimber Wrote:  

Curious why you are planning to head to ATL? Georgia women tend to be fat for Americans. Why not Miami?

Well:

1) I hadn't really heard that until now
2) My searching suggests ATL is considered reasonably highly here. Also Raven talked highly of the strippers - even the daytime ones are hot. Maybe that's changed lol.
3) It's there
4) From what I can gather, Miami would not be for me as a 39 year old Brit with short arms and deep pockets, and is considered a bit overrated on here I think.
5) I don't really have an issue fucking fatties if they wear it well. I'm 102.5 kg (down from 117 at Xmas), I can handle it.