Suit questions.....

[enzo1]

Burlington Coat Factory- all the good stuff at a great price

[Zeke]

We're dressing Sid up right and the college chancellor is probably sitting at his desk w/o a tie. The CEO of the big pharma co is doing the same.

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by milt

We're dressing Sid up right and the college chancellor is probably sitting at his desk w/o a tie. The CEO of the big pharma co is doing the same.

probably.... he can use it for other things, weddings.....

[MotoSook]

Lined to the knees is very comfortable. I love dress slacks lined to the knees.

From high school (senior yr, I needed a suit for scholarship interviews and semi-formal occasion) until I got my first real job after college, I owned one suit and I think 2 white (plain cuff) dress shirts. Color? Navy blue. Navy blue is a very acceptable color, diplomatic, classy and formal or semi formal acceptable. Solid color...no stripes or fancy weave.


You want a suit that is good for any occasion?

Go with a navy blue suit, single breasted (3 buttons) and plain front pants (no pleats or cupped). Do yourself a favor and buy a couple of nice (cotton) button down, plain cuff, white shirts. Keep them clean and send them to the cleaners when needed and you'll have useful semi/formal attire until your waistline changes dramatically. Wear nice plain black or dark blue shoes and belt...you're set for anything.

3 buttons is hip, but not too hip (like 4 buttons) or too old school (like 2 buttons). 3 buttons make the jacket fit nice without making you look uncomfortable like with a 4 button. 2 button jackets - difficult to lay well and unless you keep fluffing yourself, will drape and look like your jacket doesn't fit well or you're a slouch who borrowed your dad's jacket.

No double breasted jackets.

Unless seated, you should only button the two two buttons of a 3 button jacket. if you sit down and the bottom button is buttoned, it'll make the jacket pull and ride up...top 2 buttons keeps the jacket lay right and you are still comfortable. if you're going to be sitting for a long time, it's OK to unbutton the jacket, but don't do this at an interview. Arrive with the top two buttons button and keep it like that. When you stand up pull your jacket down and make sure your tie isn't curled up and out.

Definitely get the sales person to measure your collar and sleeve for your dress shirt. You don't want a tight collar that makes your head look like it's about to fall off. You don't want it loose, like you borrowed your dad's shirt. If they measure you at 15, get a 16, but try it on and button it up. Stick 2 fingers in the collar. If it's not too tight, but you can still feel the collar all around your neck when you remove your fingers, you are good to got. I like the sleeves a little long too. if they measure you at 35, go 36. This will keep the sleeve from riding up into your jacket. You want an inch or so of the shirt sleeve to show when you bend your arms or extend your arm to shake hands with someone. With one size longer, the shirt cuff will ride just right on your hand while buttoned. For a thin guy like you, get a tapered or regular cut to the shirt so it fits tighter around your waist. If you should have to take your jacket off, a loose fit shirt might look like you're wearing a shirt too big, or your dad's shirt. A loose fit shirt will tend to look like a deflated ballon when it starts to untuck itself during the day.

No French cuffs unless you really want to be formal. Choose quality shirts that are made with thicker cotton, and spend the $1/shirt to get it dry cleaned and pressed. Obviously, wear black socks! You don't want the socks to be the highlight of your suit...if you wear a color that doens't blend or disapear to the viewer. Make sure your shoes are polished with nice laces (not worn or broken).

Tie-buy a simple design. With a darker suit, it's OK to get a little collor, but don't go overboard. If you get too colorful, your tie will be too much focus and people will not see the man in the suit.

ETA: always wear a white short sleeve undershirt under a white shirt. No wife-beater (it'll show through..and what;s the point if the shirt doesn't keep your underarm sweat from staining or wetting your dress shirt?). A v-neck undershirt that fits tightly under a dress shirt is perfect. It'll keep you from sweating through and you'll be more comfortable. Make sure the undershirt is long enough or it'll untuck itself and bring the shirt out with it. Then both will sit above the belt line and look like you don't know how to tuck in your shirt! If you have to go a size up to get the length, better to have an undershirt stay tucked. If you have to take your jacket off, a white undershirt under a white shirt is a message that you know how to dress (especially to the women). Lot's of guys dress formally without an undershirt, and it just looks incomplete. Like they aren't use to wearning nice shirts.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

School is in western OK....

[Eric Coffey]

+1 on what Souk said.

*Navy or dark grey, tailored.
*Single-breasted, 2-button, Euro cut/style, proper coat length (S/R/L).
*Single or no vent.
*Flat-front pants, no cuffs.
*White shirt, spread collar, no french cuffs, correct collar/sleeve legth (preferably tailored).
*Good tie (personally, I'd avoid the Ryan Seacrest-esque skinny ties) half/full windsor, done right, correct lenght.
* Decent pair of (belt matching) shoes, no tassles.

If you really want to look squared-away, use shirt-stays also.

[enzo1]

Kaisen: I don't think thats Syd's style. stereotypes are on both sides but "I don't want some beer swilling, truck driving, funny talking..heavyweight to beat me within an inch of my life. Minnesota is very nice and so are the people"

[on2wheels52]

My son's more worried about his PCAT's than what he's wearing to the interview. Are you a senior already?
Jim

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by jyl

The top pic posted by Lube is "laugh at me" attire in an interview context....

I wear bow ties and seem to do fairly well. Your prolly right, Sid doesn't have the confidence or chops to pull it off...

[DARISC]

Whut abowt shoose? Kin ya ware lofers? Tha wuns with tha pennys in 'em? Ha Ha!



Them ar not my gerlfrens in the pikshur. Thay got purdy kabooses but ya cain't see 'em.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by enzo1

Kaisen: I don't think thats Syd's style. stereotypes are on both sides but "I don't want some beer swilling, truck driving, funny talking..heavyweight to beat me within an inch of my life. Minnesota is very nice and so are the people"

If you wanted to throw stones, Canada is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Minnesnowta. Here is their contribution to local fashion:

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Soukus

ETA: always wear a white short sleeve undershirt under a white shirt. No wife-beater (it'll show through..and what;s the point if the shirt doesn't keep your underarm sweat from staining or wetting your dress shirt?).

We need a new thread on this....I'll will start one.

[Head416]

For interviews, always be conservative. Black suit, single-breasted, two buttons. White shirt. Diagonally-striped tie.

Men's Wearhouse for the suit, Florsheim for the shoes. Affordable quality.

[gprsh924]

Jos A Bank when stuff is on sale

Get their travelers shirts...very easy to iron and does not show wrinkles too easily. Their stuff is nice enough so that you look respectable, but it is still cheap enough that you can afford it. 1 dark gray suit, 2 dress shirts, 2 ties, you can be out of there from $600-$1200 depending on the line you choose and the current sales going on. Just make sure it fits you and you get it tailored properly. (I wear suits 3-4 days a week)

ETA: This advice is based on his age...if you go this route you will have a nicer suit than the vast majority of your peers. When it is time for my next round of suits, I will probably step up at least one or two to a designer label and keep some Jos A for more daily use

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The suit question is always an interesting one, especially for job interviews.

After over two decades not having to wear a suit, a few years ago I needed to get suited up.

Like a few have already mentioned, I actually went to a professional and asked for advice. The best thing to come out of my hour session was to know your audience, your interviewer.

I imagine in the Pharm business a well sorted, conservative suit would be appreciated.

I started with a Brooks Brothers navy suit (by no means anything high end compared to what is available), a series of BB shirts, button down, non-button down and high end accessories.

Do not ruin a perfectly fine suit with a goofly belt and cheap shoes.

Get excellent, over the calf socks as well. Pay attention to the little things...tie and tie stays are another area not to go Walmart on.

Lastly, in the winter make sure you have a nice, serviceable overcoat that is in line with the suit.

Good advice, but follow the first part of S-hawks advice to see if you even NEED a suit.

Find out what most interviewees wear to the interview - or, better, find out what the successful interviewees wore.

I expect any neat attire will do, and that your letters & academic record are the critical things.

[ben parrish]

I am going to buck the crowd here....
Buy a great suit; navy or grey. Shoes...simple lace up..Cole Haan, Johnson Murphy. Socks to match the pants. Shirt..button down without button collar...use collar stays.
SKIP the tie unless you are used to wearing one daily. You will be more relaxed and that will help you project a more confident impression.
In Oklahoma, as most places out West, ties are not as "expected" as they are on the East coast.

[Jim Bremner]

I have a Hugo Boss and a Ted Baker.

Do not go to MW if you want a WOW suit. The Ted Baker suit will fit your age and build.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

My son's more worried about his PCAT's than what he's wearing to the interview. Are you a senior already?
Jim

Got the PCAT done, lining up references, have almost of a year of Tech experience, enrolled in the last classes I need. I will hand in my application in January. Hope to start next August. Interview will hopefully be in March/April.



What school is your son looking at Jim? Is he still in HS?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

Do not go to MW if you want a WOW suit.

World of Warcraft? WOW nerds wear suits too?

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by ben parrish

I am going to buck the crowd here....
Buy a great suit; navy or grey. Shoes...simple lace up..Cole Haan, Johnson Murphy. Socks to match the pants. Shirt..button down without button collar...use collar stays.
SKIP the tie unless you are used to wearing one daily. You will be more relaxed and that will help you project a more confident impression.
In Oklahoma, as most places out West, ties are not as "expected" as they are on the East coast.

Ties don't freak me out. I will be nervous as hell about this no matter what I wear, however I am very good at looking stone cold confident.