Help me find my style: Professional meets working dog owner
Hey everyone, I need your advice on building a more authoritative wardrobe that actually works with my lifestyle. I own an entire wing on one floor of my apartment building and have a house in the countryside, but my appearance completely undermines my position. Most of the time my neighbors see me, I'm walking my dogs in worn-out Fruit of the Loom T-shirts with holes, jogging pants, and shoes that puppies have chewed on. This is destroying my authority, especially when I need to be assertive with well-dressed neighbors. Imagine trying to establish boundaries with someone wearing a $2,000 outfit while you're standing there in ratty sweats. The power dynamic is immediately against me, and it's not like I can pause mid-conversation to go change clothes. The challenge is that I have three working dogs - two White Swiss Shepherds and a Belgian Malinois - who jump on me with muddy paws. Dog training means going through woods, sitting on wet logs, and generally getting dirty. These aren't gentle Golden Retrievers either, they're serious working breeds, so dressing like a polo player or equestrian would look ridiculous. Plus, I'm overweight, which limits my clothing options even further. What I need is clothing that's durable enough for dog training but authoritative enough for property management. I've been considering a few directions: hunter or outdoor style for that professional but practical look, military or tactical brands like UF-Pro in olive green for something tougher and more serious, workwear from companies like Engelbert Strauss that's designed for handymen and similar professions, or hiking brands like Jack Wolfskin, though honestly that's my least favorite option. I need to look like a serious property owner, not just 'the tech guy with dogs.' Which direction would you recommend for someone who needs to project authority while still being able to work with demanding dogs? I hope you can help me figure this out.