My friend @urban_comp and I just published two podcast episodes on...
derek guy@dieworkwear
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Aug 08, 2026
~2 min read
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My friend @urban_comp and I just published two podcast episodes on how to build a wardrobe for $1,000 and $3,000. However, it's worth noting that our approach to menswear is not about making you look rich, respectable, or conventionally handsome. 🧵
C.L.U@Supersonic_1221
@alegria_do @dieworkwear It’s just mildly annoying that his alternatives to ugly, pieced together Kohls suits is always something outrageously expensive and niche. Some guys want to know how to look good for $1k or less all-in for 3-4 pieces.
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If your goal is to look like the King of Spain for $1,000, you have unrealistic expectations. At $1,000, it's much more reasonable to build a wardrobe around a workwear aesthetic, as those clothes are more affordable and easier to care for.
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If your goal is to look richer, younger, or more conventionally handsome — or to dress like a hot celeb — my content is probably not very useful. I find that approach to style to be largely uninteresting or unrealistic. You will not look like Brad Pitt bc you're not Brad Pitt.
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Instead, I encourage people to think of clothes as a kind of social language and become attuned with what they wear. This means I'm not super prescriptive. I hope to give you the tools to explore your own identity and self-expression. Explanation here:
derek guy@dieworkwear
Style becomes a lot more interesting when you stop thinking of clothes as a way to look younger, hotter, or richer. Or as a way to gain status and advance your career.
Let me show you. 🧵
Let me show you. 🧵
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To that end, I recommend affordable stuff all the time: vintage French chore coats, LL Bean barn coats, Lee trucker jackets, Dickies work pants, used duffle coats, etc. Here are some things I've posted on Twitter.
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I've also done multiple Twitter threads on how to find quality menswear on eBay, including Scottish cashmere sweaters, Goodyear welted shoes, and cool outerwear.
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If you're too lazy to search for stuff on eBay, I send out a newsletter every week rounding up quality menswear items I've found on eBay. The newsletter is put out by my employer Put This On (I don't get any commission from you signing up; so no financial interest here).
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Remember, this old project management rule holds true for building a wardrobe. Good, fast, or cheap — you can only choose two. If you want a quality wardrobe and can't spend a lot of money, you will have to put in some time.
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I've been writing about menswear for 15 years and the bulk of my work is available online for free. To start, you may find these links useful:
The two main sites I write for:
putthison.com/start-here/
dieworkwear.com
The podcast episodes on how Peter and I would rebuild a wardrobe given a certain budget constraint:
patreon.com/cw/blamo/posts
The newsletter where I send out an eBay roundup each week:
putthison.cratejoy.com
The goal of all my content is to make you a smarter, more discerning shopper who's able to express what they want through clothes and be *happy* with your wardrobe.
My goal is not to give you a shopping list with three different tiers of spending and tell you that every man must own each of these items. IMO, that approach is stupid and you will end up wasting a lot of money if you go down that path.
The two main sites I write for:
putthison.com/start-here/
dieworkwear.com
The podcast episodes on how Peter and I would rebuild a wardrobe given a certain budget constraint:
patreon.com/cw/blamo/posts
The newsletter where I send out an eBay roundup each week:
putthison.cratejoy.com
The goal of all my content is to make you a smarter, more discerning shopper who's able to express what they want through clothes and be *happy* with your wardrobe.
My goal is not to give you a shopping list with three different tiers of spending and tell you that every man must own each of these items. IMO, that approach is stupid and you will end up wasting a lot of money if you go down that path.