A Recession May Be Coming - Here’s How To Dress For It
Just because times are tough, but you don't have miss out on style.
It’s hard to look anywhere without seeing the headlines “X company cuts 25% of its workforce,” “Y company lays off 10,000.” Everywhere you look these days there seems to be news of another big company doing a mass layoff. While it’s mostly isolated to the tech industry (and being from the Bay Area it’s easier to see my friends and family affected), it’s nerve-wracking for anyone in corporate America to hear that jobs are less and less secure in 2023.
When times are tough for everyone, it’s best to tone down the dressing. Less exorbitant clothing with flashy designer logos and more basic styles. You don’t want to be the asshole in the room with a $10,000 watch and a jacket from Saint Laurent while everyone else may have just been cut from the Google marketing team. It can be a bit tone-deaf.
On this blog, I’ve always been a proponent of a couple of main ideas: clothing should be fun and good taste doesn’t need to break the bank. Of course, that can still be the case even when we’re entering uncertain times.
I’ve never wanted to use the term “capsule collection” or “uniform dressing,” but there is an element here. You only need a few things - none of them too expensive - to navigate this new landscape. In an ideal world, you wouldn’t be buying clothes at all, especially if money is tight. Maybe you’re selling clothes to get a bit of extra cash, in which case, the following clothes are what you definitely should hold on to.
An Affordable Suit
God forbid if you lose your job, you’re going to need a suit for interviews. Uniqlo has the best suits at an affordable price point in the game. I bought one last year for a wedding and it’s been an absolute staple in my wardrobe ever since. They have them in different colors and fabrics - perfect for your needs. Hopefully, interviews will be over Zoom so you don’t have to worry about wearing nice shoes (lol). Throw on a white or blue oxford shirt to wear with your suit and you’re good to go. Skip the tie, you may not need one til further down the line.
A Good Pair of Jeans
The only casual pant you need. They come in all shapes, sizes, cuts, and colors. A medium wash blue denim is the most versatile and is best purchased in a straight or slim cut to fit most occasions. While Levi’s is still the standard, check out Gap or J.Crew, both of whom are always running generous promotions. If you’re ready for a treasure hunt, I’d recommend eBay for classic Wrangler, Levi’s, or even Old Navy.
True story: I found a pair of amazing quality vintage Old Navy straight-leg jeans from the late 90s at a Goodwill Outlet a couple of years back. They’re from an era before when all the brands were putting synthetic materials to make your jeans stretch, making them sturdier and longer-lasting than their modern-day counterparts. I paid no more than $3 for them and I wear them many times per week. They’re the best-fitting, most flattering jeans that I own.
A Heather Gray, Brown, Navy, or Black Hoodie
To me, brown is the forgotten neutral. I wear brown with whites and blacks, navys and tans. I think brown is elegant and can go with just about anything if you set your mind to it. This brown hoodie by Outdoor Voices is currently sitting in my cart on the SSENSE sale as I’m writing this and it’s getting harder to resist. Aside from a t-shirt, a hoodie is the most perfect piece of clothing. A quality hoodie can hold its own in most situations. No logos, no graphics (though I’m not opposed to either) and you can wear it to the office, dinners, bars, or walks with the dog.
T-Shirts
Uniqlo Arisim tees. $15-$20 each. Will last a long time with an added luxe look without the luxe price tag. Pick up in a few colors and you’ll be the coolest kid on the block.
Shoes
The only sneaker you’ll ever need is a pair of white Vans. I can’t tell you of a place or scenario where I haven’t worn white Vans. I’ve worn them with everything from shorts to tailoring. The more beat up the better. You may also need dressier shoes as well. Doc Marten’s derbies with the hidden stitching are perfect. I think the yellow stitching is totally fine, but if you go with the derbies with black stitching, it’s more discreet and versatile.
The Watch
I’m a firm believer that men should be wearing watches. That’s a bit old school, but I’m a romantic. Watches get a bad reputation sometimes because the hobby can feel a bit stuffy, but trust me, it doesn’t have to be!
The Orient Bambino dress watch with an automatic movement from Japan can be had for less than $120. It’s sleek and elegant as hell, punching WAY above its weight class. Timex makes the perfect casual watch with the East Reader or the Weekender all for less than $50. G-shock is the way to go if you want something that’s absolutely indestructible. I have a basic square-shaped solar-powered model. That thing has been through hell and still works as good as new. It was only $100!
The jacket
Okay, this one can be tricky because there are a million different styles to choose from. there’s the always-cool trucker jacket from Levi’s that can often be found for around $50 or so on the secondary market. There’s also the bomber jacket that seems to be trending again. I love a leather blouson, and there are hundreds for under $75 on eBay right now if you’re willing to do the research. If I had to pick one that is perfect for all conditions, it’s hard to ignore a Patagonia Nano Puff jacket.
These thin jackets just have a way of keeping the cold out. I purchased one when I was working in finance in an attempt to fit in with my financial brethren but quickly came to realize they have a cult-like following because they’re really good. I purchased mine when I graduated from college six years ago and it’s held up great. They’re a bit pricier at $230, but you can look for deals online. If that’s too expensive, the Amazon Basics are pretty good value for money and Uniqlo also has great quality puffers.
Whatever situation you find yourself in during the upcoming months, clothing shouldn’t add any stress to it. Tone it down, and sell some pieces if you have to, but don’t worry about it! We’re all navigating the same strange terrain!
Peace and Love