Well that'd be the top 17% of guys, so not sure what you mean...

 

Nobody cares. I have never heard of anyone getting 'written up' although I suppose if the LAX/FAT CP (MH) showed up, I could imagine him losing his marbles over some trivial uniform 'discrepancy.'

I use A Cut Above for my shirts. I actually do use Crew Outfitters for the trousers since they are comfortable for me, and cut well. However, the shirts from CO and M&H are a joke...A Cut Above is vastly superior.

I do second the comment about not using Dockers for trousers. I keep one as an emergency pair but I just think they look kind of unprofessional because black Dockers fade after a couple washes.

And for heaven's sake make sure you get decent shoes...not black sneakers like I've seen some guys rocking. Shoes are super important, not just for looks but really for dealing with the toxic stew on winter airport ramps...a horrendous blend of Jet-A, Skydrol, Type I/III/IV, lav blue juice, and God knows what else. I have Blundstone low-rise boots that are absolutely fantastic for all weather conditions. Regular loafers would have been ruined in a few weeks of ORD winter turns.

For the leather jacket, I have to say, the Perrone is pretty amazing. It's suuuupper warm. Even with just a short-sleeved shirt underneath, as long as you have a black scarf and your Perrone, you can preflight in -20C weather and you'll be fine. It's expensive but worth it, IMHO.

Nobody will write you up for anything. My CA flew last night's trip with no tie, no nametag, and no wings. Admittedly that's an extreme case but it's not like anyone noticed. I mean, I have a red umbrella instead of the black one we're supposed to have...after being nearly run down twice by go-karting rampers on dark nights with my black umbrella, I've found that the red one is far more visible.

 

Recently it has come up that the leather jacket has to come from an approved vendor. Perrone isn't one of those soooooo. Technically it isn't approved.

 

Worst airline in the world? And you're an authority on the subject how, exactly?

 

Worst insurance in the industry, half pay, 50% deadhead pay, no cancellation pay, is that exactly enough? Or you need more?

 

Skywest places orders for jackets from a vendor that they themselves don't approve? Hmm

 

There are a few [non-approved] vendors who sell jackets that are virtually indistinguishable from the Perrone (Gibson & Barnes, Pop's Leather to name two). You can likely get away with one of those, but don't get creative with the leather jacket, it needs to be that certain "airliner" style.

 

Great, Thanks all!

I'd get the Perrone jacket, but they're out of my size (38) until next fall.
I'm 6'3" and thin, no belly, so it's hard to find stuff that doesn't look boxy.
(and Perrone was what they listed in the latest "welcome aboard" packet, so whatever that's worth)

I'm really not a fan of the shiny leather jacket, in general - would love to find a more subdued example if I can get away with it.
If I have to wear something warm I'd love to find one that wasn't too pimp looking.
I like to avoid the "I"m a pilot" look.
I saw a FO wearing what looked to be a dull and very dark brown one in a Northwest airport that looked decent.

And thanks for the shoe advice, was going to get something nice (no reason we can't make this look good), but it sounds like that's a bad idea.

 

You won't find much better then A cut above for shirts. I'm 6'3 220 and not fat and the fitted Tropo they have fits me perfect. If I did what MH though I was I am wearing a tent. It ridiculous.

As for shoes, Ariat Ropers are great boots. My only problem is they guys who wear boots typically need to wear pants with a little wider leg other wise the top of the booot flairs out the pant leg and makes it look a little weird. Ecco makes some really comfortable
Shoes that you don't have to take off to go through security and they tend to last a pretty long time even on the ramp

 

Why? Don't be ashamed.

Yeah go ahead with the classy brown one, just dark brown.