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Dress to impress! (First/Interview Suit!)
Tox
I kill threadsthey/themRegistered User regular
I kill threadsthey/themRegistered User regular
Good news! I'm graduating this spring!
Bad news, I don't have anything professional to wear to an interview!
Long story short, I'm in the market for a first (any maybe second? most places have deals for a second one) dress suit, specifically one that will be a good pick for a job interview.
The problem is, I have no idea what to buy, and I'm not entirely certain how much I can trust what the sale guy will have to say on the matter (will he be more interested in getting a big sale? Or in earning my return business?)
For reference, I am planning to enter the IT field. I've shopped around a few places (with the girlfriend), and it's looking like what works best on me is navy blue, or charcoal w/pinstripes.
But is that going to work?
I know suits can be a little weird. You want to look professional, but you don't want to be too fancy, but you have to be formal, but you want something plain, but it should look good on you, but it should say something about you as a person!
....HELP!
Bad news, I don't have anything professional to wear to an interview!
Long story short, I'm in the market for a first (any maybe second? most places have deals for a second one) dress suit, specifically one that will be a good pick for a job interview.
The problem is, I have no idea what to buy, and I'm not entirely certain how much I can trust what the sale guy will have to say on the matter (will he be more interested in getting a big sale? Or in earning my return business?)
For reference, I am planning to enter the IT field. I've shopped around a few places (with the girlfriend), and it's looking like what works best on me is navy blue, or charcoal w/pinstripes.
But is that going to work?
I know suits can be a little weird. You want to look professional, but you don't want to be too fancy, but you have to be formal, but you want something plain, but it should look good on you, but it should say something about you as a person!
....HELP!
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Honestly, by coming to an interview in a suit, it already shows that you are willing to make an effort to impress. Noone is going to make conclusions about you just based on your attire if you're dressed smartly, don't stress too much over it.
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Pro tip: instead of buying 2 suits, just buy an extra shirt and tie, that way you can combine it all: a different colour tie and another shirt increases the different "outfits" you can make to 2².
If all you're going to be using the suit for is interviewing, I wouldn't bother getting a second.
Two suits means that if I get a second-round interview, I have something different to wear. Wearing the exact same suit could make me look hard-up for money, which could hurt me in pay negotiations (which I'm already bad at).
I should always wear a white dress shirt for an interview, because it's more plain / "basic dress"
Definitely want multiple ties, and should wear a different tie as often as possible, as long as it goes with the suit.
Pro tip: Wear your interview clothes (or whatever your nicest clothes are) to court. If you are the only person there in a suit, chances are you will have a much easier time with the DA and the judge.
You're right that the suit should be plain. Black, Grey, and Navy are all good. Try to avoid patterns unless you are getting more than one suit, then pinstripes are fine. But don't forget to add some (matching) color or design on the tie; you don't want to be a MIB
Other tips that will be crucial: Don't feel uncomfortable in a suit, if you feel off the interviewer will pick up on it. Make sure that the suit and shirt is a (tiny bit) large on you, and try to spend at least one full day suited up so that you get used to the feeling. Your tie shouldn't be tight, but it should be snug enough to feel. Don't ignore your shoes, they don't need to be fancy but they do need to look nice and clean, people will notice if they aren't. There's an extra bit of confidence from knowing that everything is in place and looks nice that will help in interviews.
Driving to and from the event: Don't wear your suit jacket. Either hang it up on the hooks above the rear seats or simply drape it across the back of the driver's seat. I've had lots of trouble with a wrinkled jacket and not realized it until after the interview. Although it's getting warmer, note that most suits sold today are middleweight, and won't always be warm enough for walking to the event. Do you have a cloth longcoat to wear? You don't need to go out and grab one, but if you have one that doesn't look bad, don't be afraid to wear it over your suit jacket.
Weird Stuff I've run into: Don't ever try to iron your suit, if you're not using any water/steam and the heat is low enough (as it needs to be), the iron won't accomplish much. You *can* iron your ties, as long as the heat is low, they can take it. Consider getting a plastic bag for your suits, sometimes they come with one - don't get rid of it. I've had perfectly clean and sharp suits wrecked by fuzzies, even during times I didn't have pets.
Wmelon, I've heard that from multiple sources, but hiring managers always tell me that it bugs them... I guess I'm wondering if you know how prevalent that thought is? I know I've never had any issues interviewing in business casual when I had another job, but I prefer to wear a suit as I think it signifies that I'm taking the interview seriously.
Referring to the OP, I'm guessing from the first post that he's starting his search and doesn't have a lot of work history, so I'd recommend a suit. I agree completely that it can do more harm that good if an applicant is already nervous, thus my advice to wear it around the house until he's comfortable with suits.
That's why I keep hearing don't do anything "too" dressy/fancy. Plain stuff, not a black suit/tie. Nothing toooo formal, but formal enough to show you're professional.
Argh I hate fashion.
Do not go to Jos A Banks. They are the Old Navy of suits. The reason they're always Buy 1, get 3 free is because they're ridiculously overpriced garbage.
Edit: This above advice is probably invalidated if you are looking at interviewing Law or Finance, even in IT.
Suitwise, the thread has all you need: comfort, color, and cost. I despise suits and only wear them in times of tragedy, but I have had pretty solid luck going to the aforementioned suit shops (no JC Penney's!) on sales to get that necessary one or two suits.
You're ex-military, so I assume you're in good shape. Nearly all Men's Warehouse and JC Penney suits are cut for non-athletic body types, which is NOT flattering on an athlete. Zara and Mexx have V shape, slimmer cuts, much better suited to more athletic builds (the suits will fit tight though). They are suits you could wear to both a job interview and out around town; you'll stand out without looking formal.
You'll still need a tailor though (easy to find in most cities, for cheaper than you think).
I'd recommend Brooks Brothers Outlet, actually, as you can usually pick up a nice suit for 2-3 hundred, and they have a nice fit for athletic body types. If you read suiting blogs - no they aren't the "proper BB" suit, but nothing in this price range will be.
Everything else can be tweaked or covered but a good fit in the shoulders is vital.
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Speaking from experience and speaking with hiring managers/recruiters after interviews (I'm a part time receptionist), it's strongly frowned upon dressing up in a polo shirt with dress slacks. Unless they tell you directly, you do not need a suit and tie, you better wear a suit and tie to the interview to show you're serious about the job. Remember, it's better to be over dressed than under dressed!
Back to the main topic, I'd avoid the fashion trends (like the pin stripes), stick to solid colors. These suits can be used over and over again for different events. I remember reading a report saying that navy suit reflect better than just black suits (I think it's because it said black is normally for weddings/funerals). Try Macy's, or Jc Penny. If you go to specialty stores like Men's Warehouse, you can get measured and know your fit and what looks good on you. If your issue is with the arms, you may be a comfort fit (I think that's the style). Those I believe are wider. However this might just be for the ladies... Just ask the sales people, and hopefully they can help you.
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I'm mostly looking for advice on style, and folks are generally saying that, while pinstripes are in fashion right now, they're a fashion trend that could go out of style, and so it's not as ideal. Also it sounds like either navy or charcoal is the way to go.
So if I only get one suit, it'll be a plain navy one. If I get two, the second will be charcoal, and one of them will be pinstripes.
Shirts and ties are also not a real issue. Ties are relatively cheap, and I can just pick out a couple after I've decided on the suit(s), and as for a shirt, I can start with a plain white one and pick up a couple different colors to help round out my options.
Shoes and Vests.
Are vests a thing? Like, if it's not too much more, should I go for a vest? Is that more of a style thing? Or should it just be a sort of thing where, if they throw one in, great, if not, no worries?
And shoes. Mostly gloss/matte. Obviously they should be clean and without scuffs or anything, but do I want a shoe that I can shine (remember, former military)? Should I just go with a patent leather shoe so it'll be shiny? Or should I go the completely different route and go with something matte that isn't meant to hold or have a shine to it? Also, lace-up or slip-on? Does it matter?
Shoes - lace up vs. slip on probably doesn't matter, as long as they're nice shoes. I personally rock semi-glossy shoes when I work in my business formal office.
Glossy shoes are a trade off. They always look better, but they always scuff faster. Since you know how to take care of them I'd recommend a shoe that will take a shine.
Keep in mind that your appearance is a way to show a prospective employer that you can and do pay attention to details, so if you know how to shine a shoe already, that's good.
Big problem I see with suits is if you don't have to wear them for work (only for the interview) it can be more difficult to match slacks when the suit pair is dirty or getting cleaned. I would stick to a solid color and a simple texture.
I don't have any good advice on where to get cheaper suits. I tend to go to department stores myself, but I wear a suit on a regular basis as part of my job.
Good luck on the interview!
Light blue is as good as white; it looks trustworthy.
Most salesman will fit you a size too large, I'm not sure why. But if you were military you should be able to feel your fit decently. Just go smaller till you feel it's too small. Then go one size back up.
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I only mention in the hope it confers some credibility when I say you are fine just going for a twofer deal on men's warehouse suits given what you are applying for. Nobody cares or will notice how expensive your suit is, and especially in IT, as long as the fit is good and the suit is not wrinkled(per Great Scott's advice above) you will be ahead of the curve.
Pinstripes are something best pulled off by somebody older. You look like an extra in a guys and dolls production when you are young and sporting pinstripes. Similar to French cuffs in that some styles are best reserved for the elderly.
Probably best to wear white shirt with red or blue tie to the interview. It's not gauche to do other color combinations, but if you run into somebody with very particular views on this subject those combinations will not offend them. I actually wear pink with blue ties when I care about sussing out a job to make sure they aren't overly traditional, but only when I am currently employed.
Don't get any sort of vest unless you plan on being a prom date or in an inane steampunk photoshoot. It's not expected and is non-standard for businesswear.
This is good advice. You don't really realize how you're "supposed" to look in a suit unless you've seen how you look in a $1000+ one. If you have time, go to Nordstrom's or wherever and have them help you try on a Hugo Boss (which is pretty much the low-end of the higher end, if that makes sense), then try as best you can to imitate that look and fit at Men's Wearhouse or Jos A Bank.
At the same time, be aware that while something like MW will appear baggier with bigger shoulders, they're supposed to look like that. They stick with classic style suits that will work on anyone, for a good reason.
I agree with most here that a vest is too much. You can wear your jacket open without a vest (and should do so when you sit down - supposedly it's top button buttoned when standing, unbuttoned when sitting, never the bottom button - don't worry about it too much though).
Vests are a style and more suited to formal events. If they throw it in, great, if not, it won't kill you. It's more of a fashion piece than anything/more formal events for when it gets warmer/need to have your jacket off.
Glossy shoes are a pain to maintain. You'll be buffing them often to keep a shine, and they scuff and scratch much easier than matte finishes. Matte may look dull, however they're easier to maintain. You can always go with shoes with a semi gloss. Lace or slips do not matter as long as they are professional looking Also with shoes, think about how much walking you'll do in them. Some business shoes remain stiff (again, these are shoes I had/have, I do not know about men shoes as much), and became a pain in walk in. I went to leather shoes with a semi gloss that I could break in and would be comfortable to walk around in the office.
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One suit should be enough even if you have multiple interviews. The good thing about a generic suit is that if you wear a different shirt and tie, nobody is going to notice you're wearing the same suit a few times. Remember, most people who don't wear suits regularly for work only have one funeral / wedding / job interview suit...
I think I paid $100 or so for my first suit + slacks and wore it a half dozen times over 8 years. Get a couple of shirts (white and solid color / subdued pattern, nothing too bold or busy) and a couple ties. Wear a belt, black / dark socks, and shoes that go with your suit.
Put it on ahead of time and get comfortable in it - everyone looks good in a suit. A full length mirror is very good. Hang your jacket up when (if) you drive to your interviews. If you have a girlfriend / friend with a good fashion sense, have them check you out and comment on it or even come with you to buy it.
Maybe it depends on the workplace culture, but unless MAYBE I was looking at an internal promotion, I would never consider NOT wearing a suit to a job interview. I agree that a shirt / tie or even a polo / slacks and CONFIDENCE will beat a suit if you lack confidence, but I find it hard to believe that wearing a suit would ever be a negative.
The advice about wearing the clothes for a while before the interview day is good. You want to be comfortable in the clothes. Make sure you have a nicely tied tie. You don't have to go crazy with full Windsor but definitely make it presentable. Check to make sure it's not sticking out from under your collar behind your neck. Don't forget the inserts into your shirt collar, otherwise they may start standing up on you. That doesn't look good.
I got set of 3 Men's Warehouse suits. They've been serving me very well. I have one older suit from Macy's and it has held up as well. The Macy's one was with a vest and I wore the vest maybe twice. Never to work. I think the vests are like fedoras. Looks great in the movies but it takes a special kind of person to pull them off in a workplace without looking odd.
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