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Dapper on the cheap: The ultimate budget shopping guide for men
If you flip through the pages of most lifestyle magazines, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only way to be fashion relevant is to don wallet-shredding one-off haute couture, but that’s just not true. If you are smart about your choices and purchases, you too can feel the rush of walking down a high fashion ramp, even if it is crossing a muddy overbridge of Farmgate at rush hour. The recurring mantra for the budget dapper guide is “Sale”; so always be on the lookout. So, let this everyman guide you into the world of cheap and cheerful fashion, along with special “30+ tips.”
CASUAL AND INFORMAL
T-Shirts
Nothing defines casual than a cool and comfy t-shirt. Depending upon the colour, size, and design (or lack thereof), this can really lend to a fashionable carefree look. Also, especially during winter, pairing the right t-shirt with your sweater/jacket/scarves is all the more important.
If you want to score a good deal, head on to Doja market, and the surrounding shops there. Tonnes of t-shirts with really great designs are available for the picking. There are also various Facebook pages/Marketplace listings that holds great deals.
Price: Anywhere between Tk 150 – Tk 400 depending upon designs or just plain solid t-shirts.
Tip: if you are over 30, be careful with the designs; there is no grace in a thirty plus year old wearing an orange and dark blue t-shirt in Dragon Ball Z fashion. Also, regarding fit, unless you are built slim, its best to avoid tight fitted t-shirts altogether.
Polo Shirts
Another important staple in your wardrobe is polo shirts. Be it for casual wear, or tucking in and throwing on a blazer for the evening informal wear, polos are unrivalled in terms of versatility.
While you can great deals on Doja market, the quality honestly won’t be that great, and more importantly, if you are someone who chooses any size over L, getting the right size will be tricky. A better option for picking up polo shirts is Aarong, as well as numerous Facebook pages.
Price: Tk 250 – Tk 350 if you are shopping at Doja or shops near New Market. If you are looking into Aarong or other Facebook pages, the price goes up to TK 500 – Tk 700, but are worth the extra.
Shirts
Possibly the most important aspect of your wardrobe is undoubtedly shirts. Be it full sleeve formals or half sleeve casuals, any man’s wardrobe collection can be considered invalid if there is an absence of shirts.
However, they do come with a certain caveat. If you want the absolute best results, and in a good budget too, getting it tailor-made is the only way to go as that will ensure the best fit. Having shirts tailor made also means you are free to choose your preferred material and design, something you don’t always get with readymade options.
If you want to get the best bang for your buck in terms of fabric, your best bet will be Islampur, as you can score some great fabrics at a very good price. However, if the idea of going to Old Dhaka seems too daunting, places like Top Ten, Belmonte, and Raymond also has good fabrics, although their prices will be higher compared to Islampur.
As for tailoring, Top Ten and Belmonte offer their own tailoring services you can use, along with other dedicated tailor shops such as Western Tailors or Reid & Taylor.
Price: Fabrics can cost anywhere between Tk 300 – Tk 800 depending upon where you buy them from and the quality of the fabric itself. Tailor charges are usually another Tk 600 – Tk 750.
Panjabis
A staple for every Bengali man’s wardrobe, the versatility and sophistication of a panjabi cannot be understated.
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