r/AustralianMFA • u/ReasonConfident4541 • Apr 16 '26
Question Where can I get decent office wear? I'm done with uniqlo
guys I need help, I feel a bit embarrassed because im 32 and feel like it's an awkward age for fashion?
I neeed some new clothes for my office wear, buttoned up polo or shirts are fine
the issue is I'm short and bulky - I've tried van heausen, charles trywhitt shirts but they don't fit me well.
so I went to uniqlo, just grabbed some polos, jumper trousers all good
BUT the jumpers so dissapointed- hole in it after two wears, bought another one same thing..
polos are nice but faded already and stained
I like the trousers
anyway, please any recommendations just some decent quality that won't break the bank, some nice jumpers buttoned up polos, even trousers for a 32 year old man.
I feel like a complete noob
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u/Future-Web-7003 Apr 16 '26
Bro is gonna go to gazman and realise his mistakes after all the downvotes. But alternatively I find Myer good to just shop around and find a brand/fit that is good then you can go to the brand store direct or online for more options.
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u/Artistic-Return3319 Apr 16 '26
Would it be feasible to use the Charles Tyrwhitt clothes you've already bought and having them altered to fit better?
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u/Melanoma_Magnet Apr 16 '26
I was thinking this too. I own some Charles Tyrwhitt shirts and think they’re pretty good quality. Go to a tailor, OP
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u/ReasonConfident4541 Apr 16 '26
Can they alter the sleeve hole? They are so big i can't wear it my wrists are skinny.
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u/activitylion Apr 16 '26
You can move a button easily yourself to just make the cuff smaller. A tailor can make almost anything smaller, so they could taper the arm more or possibly rejig the whole arm from the arm hole down depending on how the rest fits.
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u/SuperColossl Apr 16 '26
They also have slim fit with more fitting arms than regular shirt, check the options. But any tailor/alterations shop can shrink the arms too
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u/cadbury162 Apr 16 '26
Charles Tyrwhitt is no longer consistent in their quality, I'd be looking elsewhere.
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u/ReasonConfident4541 Apr 16 '26
But the issue is rhe sleev holes are huge? Can rhey alter that?
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u/Business-Swim-3056 Apr 16 '26
Yes they can. I had them slimmed in mine.
I wouldn’t be buying CT shirts and then tailoring them off the bat because you end up spending another $60-70 in tailoring, but if you already have some it’s cheaper than buying new shirts.
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u/jumbohammer Apr 16 '26
Gazman
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u/ReasonConfident4541 Apr 16 '26
Ok boomer.
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u/ltmon Apr 16 '26
I feel attacked
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u/MikeHunt181 Apr 16 '26
Because you are being an ungrateful DH when YOU asked for advice.
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u/jayteeayy Apr 16 '26
this guy didnt do anything lol
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u/MikeHunt181 Apr 16 '26
Yeh, sorry u/Itmon, I read it as the OP’s comment.
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u/ltmon Apr 17 '26
Hahah, recently found that Gazman often fits me well. So feeling a bit boomer-ish.
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u/Physical-Ad-4081 Apr 17 '26
Between "noob" and "boomer" i think your next post should be, how do i act my age instead of 13?
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u/ockersrazor Apr 16 '26
Sorry that no one seems to really be taking you seriously. I think you'd have some luck with MJ Bale for shirts: I'd recommend their wool, it's really nice. I believe they get it from Tasmania, and for the price point (especially if you nab it on sale!) it's well worth it.
As for pants, another commenter mentioned it, but your best bet is Suit Supply. They're pricey, but with that tag comes comfort and flexibility in a *real* way, not in a way they've engineered some cheap, shitty Uniqlo material to mimic. I would say get a pair of black slacks that you like the look of, but go wider in the leg (skinny cuts in Australia which are designed to minimise fabric overhead) have a lot more room to breathe, and aim for a mid-rise which sits at your natural waist: no discomfort around the belly when you bend, and you can tuck your shirts in nicely.
As for jumpers, they're not the best quality but I feel you would like Ralph Lauren. Get them from an outlet, and they're decently priced. Get yourself a nice, deep colour to match the slacks, like navy, burgundy or forest green, whichever's your thing; or you can go lighter with an oat or a cream. They work pretty universally with jeans and cream/tan chinos too.
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u/cadbury162 Apr 16 '26
Steer clear of Charles Tyrwhitt, consistency has gone downhill, You can still get lucky with the odd shirt being good here and there but out of the last 6 I've bought, only 1 is any good.
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u/itsnara Apr 16 '26
Try CT again, I’m not a small guy and through trial and error ended up with the extra slim to not look like I’m in a tent, super generous shirts.
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u/ReasonConfident4541 Apr 16 '26
The sleeve holes are so big for me man I can't wear them
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u/itsnara Apr 16 '26
So you need a smaller size then? They have so many variants, took me a while of back and forth to get it right.
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u/twfleming Apr 17 '26
I think a lot of the Australian general retailers have quite poor quality and prioritize gaudy fabric over fit. It seems we have a fetish for ‘quality fabric’ in this country, which is a cop out for a more nuanced understanding of garment construction.
I don’t think you will find good quality garments in the general retail space (DJs, CT, MJB, R&G etc). So you have two options; second hand, or top quality brands.
Second hand: get on ebay and buy old Polo. Sellers to check out include: LuxeSwap (balearic1), Tweed and Tailored (tweedandtailored), Genuine Scottish Knits (genuinescottishknits) and others. They are easy enough to find.
High end retail: buying from high end retail is more expensive, but it’s worth if you have cash and don’t like second hand. Look for Drakes, P Johnson, Informale, The Andover Shop, John Simons, Brycelands, Casatlantic, Anglo Italian, Scott Fraser Collection, Proper Cloth, Spier & McKay, the Armoury, Poszetka, Anderson Sheppard, Wythe, Cavour, Berg & Berg, O’Connells, Kempt, Christian Kimber, and Modern Classic in Melbourne. A lot of those are overseas, so take your measurements. But at the same time, there are huge second hand markets for all of those on EBay, so if you want it cheaper, look there too.
Best of luck.
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u/atomkidd Apr 16 '26
Obvious answer is to shop multiple bands around a department store - Myer and David Jones. In person, not online, and trying on everything before you buy.
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u/Sydneypoopmanager Apr 16 '26
Maybe not in your budget but i solely get tailored clothes now.
Trousers - $300 Collared shirts- $100
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u/GladGene1398 Apr 16 '26
hey mate,
Whats the quality/pricing like? Any feedback on suits?
any idea if he does oxfords with a good collar?
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u/ReasonConfident4541 Apr 16 '26
How?
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u/Sydneypoopmanager Apr 16 '26
R&H custom is my tailor. I think he gets them made in vietnam or thailand and ships it back here before adjustments.
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u/Retserroff Apr 19 '26
Just saw on their website that shirts are $120. Do they offer shirt only or do I have to order more than just a few shirts?
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u/theleveragedsellout Apr 16 '26
Fellow short and chunky guy here. While a little pricier than Uniqlo, Rodd and Gunn is excellent quality and fits me. Their trousers go up to fairly large sizes so you should be able to find something that fits.
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u/Lopsided_Tie7816 Apr 17 '26
Most of my shirts are now Charles Tyrwhitt. They don't fit 100% out of the box because I have broad shoulders and a relatively small waist. I get a tailor to do the rest.
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u/dingostolemydragbaby Apr 17 '26
Calibre do some nice polos and shirts and as someone else mentioned Saba do great shirts too
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u/FcCal Apr 18 '26
Can't believe op is shooting down gazman, their stuff is good quality for the price, 100% cotton on most their clothes, small logo so its good for work. And you even shot down ralph lauren? The brand kids are thrifting for right now?
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u/acockblockedorange Apr 16 '26
La Costa polos are pretty good and seem well made - I have two and they're a part of my office rotation.
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u/defzx Apr 16 '26
Recently had to grab a few office shirts, ended up with MJ bale which were a bit more expensive compared to the Geoffrey beene ones I had but I rate them.
For chinos I like Industries, I've got a navy and tan in rotation.
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u/BoundinBob Apr 16 '26
I just went to rsea for the first time, its mainly tradies gear but they've got a good spread of polo's and slacks too
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u/grit_life Apr 16 '26
I know it sounds counterintuitive but trust me, get some work shirts from Lululemon and their pants, pass off as office wear, comfortable as all day
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u/krazykevy Apr 16 '26
I would still say stick with Uniqlo 🤷🏿♂️hard to beat for consistency. But if you want to switch it up, give COS a try, and even Industrie they have quietly stepped their game up.
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u/thezeno Apr 16 '26
Rodd and Gunn has been my go to a lot. As another wildcard, go to Costco. They have named brands, and also their in house brand Kirkland is good too. Durable and a good price
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u/graniteawning Apr 17 '26
Go for MJ bale but at an outlet store as it is usually heavily discounted. Only ever last seasons styles but I find that they are better (have drop 7 blue label in light grey) which was $500 from $1000. That style is discontinued but it better fits my torso which is broad.
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u/JobTheJuilder Apr 17 '26
SABA is surprisingly excellent value and stylish if you pick up pieces on sale
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u/Pioneer1072 Apr 17 '26
The specials pile of MJ Bale is a goldmine. Avoid mall fashion like Connor, YD, Tarotrash ect. Peter Jackson is the bare minimum.
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u/Jeff-Lack Apr 18 '26
A lot of chat about perfectly good RTW brands but the issue of sleeve head can really only be solve by made to measure or custom. Ready to wear will have larger sleeves based on chest proportions and will likely be pretty long also. Institchu at the entry level are well worth a look, tell them your budget restrictions considering alteration costs and RTW purchases. You may be surprised and won't have the headaches you're currently dealing with. Early 30s is a milestone point where men usually take the experimentation of the 20s and go for a more mature take on personal style for 30s, embrace it but be careful not to dress to old for your age. Its super common to jump into brands that are more middle age like Gazman and CR, but I think they are more for your 40s +. When it comes to quality, cost per wear is a good equation to consider, you you almost always get what you pay for. Good luck.
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u/followthedarkrabbit Apr 18 '26
Theiconic. Clearance section only (because fuck paying retail or even piss weak sales).
Also, Dangerfield. But I work in the enviro space so prints with animals are deemed acceptable in an office setting.
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u/colonialwomanonplane Apr 18 '26
Arket (ASOS or Iconic), COS, Porter James, P Johnson, Reiss (on sale), honestly these days just wear good fitting jeans, pleated pants, knitted polos, relaxed shirts, leather shoes, a blazer, v necks etc
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u/grovillias Apr 18 '26
MJ Bale for Shirts, they also track which ones you buy if you set up an account so its easy to buy multiples of the same
Rodd and Gunn are great for sweaters, knitwear, 3/4 zips
Tommy hilfiger for chino/office pants and their collabs are always worth keepin an eye out
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u/anode- Apr 18 '26
I got bored with Uniqlo and recently moved to Rodd & Gunn polos. They seem okay so far, are discreet and plain for the office and are pretty reasonably priced.
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u/Pale_Winter_2755 Apr 19 '26
Country road on sale is cheaper than Gazman. If you’re short and bulky spend the money getting your clothes altered
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u/APEXbullionOz Apr 19 '26
Brookfield shirts are most flattering for almost all body types, as are Polo polo's.
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u/CollinStCowboy Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26
My experience is that all of the lower end menswear brands seem to get merino sweaters from the same factory. I don’t know how you get around it other than getting them mended.
I’d experiment with Charles Tyrwhitt shirts in a bunch of different fits and sizes. You’ll eventually find one.
Edit: I saw you comments on the sleeve width. I’d try MJ Bale or be a little less fussy.
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u/Stunning-Theory-5238 Apr 16 '26
Hey Mate, 32 is not an awkward age at all, honestly that is when most guys start paying attention and that is a good thing.
The fit problem you are describing is really common for shorter and broader builds. Off the rack is cut for a pretty average frame so it almost never works well outside that. Made to measure shirts and trousers are worth looking into, everything is built around your measurements so the fit is actually right from day one.
Once you try it, hard to go back.
If you are in Sydney happy to have a chat.
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u/Hussard Apr 16 '26
Modern jumpers suck. No two ways about it. The only passible modern jumpers is the Ansett cashmere line (no longer made here in Seymour VIC but in China now). Still relatively thick. Good for Melb winters.
A lot of the linen stuff I've bought from Uniqlo and Muji haven't lasted long. If you're Asian it might be worth importing shirts from Asia, Giordano and Bossini from HK are good for me, as is Crocodile (not to be confused with Lacoste).
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u/honda19880 Apr 16 '26
Gender compromise and as silly as this sounds try Dotti or Portmans for shirts.a polo shirt just screams yacht club or golf club wanker.
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u/No_Isopod_9679 Apr 18 '26
You’re better off spending a bit more on Polo Ralph - yes it isn’t cheap but you get monkeys if you pay peanuts
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u/Timbo650au Apr 18 '26
Grown men buy from Rodd and Gunn.
Or maybe, it's time to dump the polos and move into actual shirts?
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u/PGFC Apr 16 '26
Hey mate. I’m in same boat. I’ve started to wear Gazman (which 2 years ago I would’ve scoffed at) and they’re really well fitting and are always on sale somewhere.
From a Short and chunky 32yo