Suit help (quick!)

Talka

So I'm leaving soon for the first day of my internship at a Japanese law firm. I'm going to be wearing a suit.

I brought one suit from America. It looks pretty meh even in America since it used to belong to my dad. But even worse is the fact that it's tan colored. I have never seen anyone in Japan wear anything other than a black suit. I've purchased another (black) suit that will be ready in two days, but for now I think I am stuck with this tan suit.

I also brought something that looks kind of like a blazer. I can't tell if it's a blazer or something fancier since I don't know anything about this kind of thing, but it's definitely not a suit.

The dress code in my contract reads: "None (for meetings, suit and necktie)." I'm hoping that once I arrive my contact will tell me my suit is unnecessary and I can take it off, and look at least half-normal in just my tan suit pants. However, in the meantime I'm wondering if I should wear the blazer/jacket and a different pair of pants.

Ideas? I leave soon.

supabeast

Appearing without a good, fitted, conservative black suit for the first day of work as a foreigner at a law firm (in any nation) is a pretty big mistake. Wearing a tan suit to a law firm is probably even worse than not wearing a suit. Just go in a shirt and tie and leave the blazer, since, based on your post, I doubt it’s going to be especially snappy. Act like the sheepish new guy, be very observant about what everyone else is doing and try to follow their lead in the future.

Dog

Theres nothing wrong with a tan suit.

zenpotato

There's is something wrong with wearing a black suit (in America at least). The Business Uniform is blue/gray pinstripes. Black suits aren't worn very often and are usually reserved for occasions like weddings, funerals, etc. It's not a standard business uniform.

A blazer and pants is almost as good as a suit. I wouldn't worry about it too much. You'll probably feel like an ass for a couple of days regardless, and you'll be in your black suit soon.

Just learn a lesson here and be more prepared in the future for this kind of thing. Do some research.

Figgy

Black suits are reserved for weddings and funerals? No.

No.

Noooo.

A black suit is perfectly acceptable in a business environment.

Dog

Yeah there's nothing wrong with a black suit. I mean it certainly wouldn't be my first choice but I see plenty of people wearing them daily. Pinstripes isn't really the status quo because a lot of people can't pull them off.

With that being said, you can't go wrong with a charcoal or navy blue suit.

Elin

remember though, he'll be in japan. the standards there may not be the same as in the us. that being said, i don't know what the standards there other than some vague notion that they favor dark suits and a tan suit may not go over well. i unfortunately don't know what to do about it, do you have anyone that you know in japan that you can contact before you start for advice?

Improvolone

Retitle the thread to mention Japan, you'll get better input.

Dachshund

Figgy wrote: »

Black suits are reserved for weddings and funerals? No.

No.

Noooo.

A black suit is perfectly acceptable in a business environment.

In the US? Not acceptable.

In Japan? Standard.

Talka

Just got back from work.

I think I stood out in my tan suit, but honestly I was going to stand out anyway since I'm 6'3" and have incredibly blond hair. Also there were a few other guys in tan/grey suits, so it wasn't all bad, and I was able to take my jacket off after walking around and introducing myself so hopefully people just forgot about it. But yeah, definitely should've been more prepared and had my black suit ready for day one--maybe 90% of the guys were wearing dark suits (only really saw important people wearing the lighter suits, most of the partners wore them). Maybe they won't judge me for it since I'm young and foreign, but I guess this is just another lesson learned. At least I'm convinced my new suit is going to fit in pretty well.

Going to feel like an ass going back to work in the same suit again tomorrow, but after that it's all in the past. And I mean, it might have been a faux pas, but in the grand scheme of things I don't think it matters that much. Right? ...Right?

Improvolone

Right.
Now breeeeathe.

The Snert

You have insulted the company greatly.

You should kow tow and prepare to pay with your life.

It's totally gonna be ok

Dog

Elin wrote: »

remember though, he'll be in japan.

Right, I was just countering the post by zenpotato.

illig

you know that you'll need more than one black suit at this point, right? if you have to suit up daily, you need at least 3 suits in rotation (one to wear, one to clean, one as backup in case your clean one gets dirty before the dirty one gets clean)

Elin

Sorry, I wasn't replying in specific to your post. Just a general statement. I'm sorry if you thought it was about you.

Good to hear your first day went well, and yes, I agree, you need more than one suit if you need to wear it on a regular basis. Did they tell you how you'll need to dress when not in meetings?