Suit questions.....

[porsche4life]

So it is becoming increasingly apparent that I am going to need a suit in the next few months(hopefully). I will be applying for Pharmacy school soon and should I get an interview I figure my ass better show up in a suit. So I am turning to you guys for answers.


I'd like a nice suit but I'm afraid if I show up in a very expensive suit, it will hurt my interview. Or what do you guys think?

Also when shopping for suits what should I be looking for and does anyone know of any killer deals on suits? I know HHI scored a really nice one at Jos A Banks a while back.



Learn me up guys!

[Joe Bob]

Hard to screw it up at Men's Warehouse. They actually have a tailor on premises and carry designer labels. Go conservative dark gray, maybe with a light pinstripe. Black wingtips with laces......french cuffs, white on white linen shirt, rep tie.

[slodave]

I'd really have to agree with Mike. They have been great, especially when I leave things for the last minute. They have done temporary alterations to get through the night, then I bring it back and they do it right. I also like their sales people. Always very helpful and I'm and easy person to deal with.

[ChkbookMechanic]

I don't think showing up in an expensive suit is going to hurt your chances. I just bought a suit a few months ago, and the style is toward the single-breasted, 2-button sleek, form fitting design. Don't be afraid to try on a lot of suits because you've got to look good and feel good in it.

Color-wise I'd go with:
-darker color (dark navy, black, dark gray) suit.
-white shirt w/ french cuffs (and cuff links!)
-slim / skinny tie with a flash of color to offset the dark suit (think red with a nice, subdued design ).
-Shoe-wise, wingtips or a sleek dress shoe in black.
-make sure: belt, shoes and socks are all of the same color, too.

[VaSteve]

IMHO...if you're concerned about not showing up in an expensive suit bypass the french cuffs and cufflinks. I have a few pairs but I consider them a little "fancy" and also a bit distracting since I don't like they way they "lay" if I'm putting my hands on a desk or writing something down. I want no clothing distractions during an interview.

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

...I'd like a nice suit but I'm afraid if I show up in a very expensive suit, it will hurt my interview. Or what do you guys think?....

Don't worry about hurting your interview by wearing an expensive suit.
it never hurts to be well dressed.

Buy a nice suit, don't go for the cheap stuff. don't go for uber-pricey either.
A nice Hugo Boss suit will set you back about a thousand dollars. If you know already that you'll be wearing it more than once, then 1000% is not too much IMO.
Very cheap suits are easier to spot than more expensive ones, mostly due to overall fit and fabric quality and qualtiy of the seems. (of course there are exeptions to this rule)

Go for stylish and modern, get advice from professionals, go to a decent shop.
Don't go like this....

[VINMAN]

+1 on Mens Warehouse.

Got my last 2 suits there. Was extremely happy with the choices and service.

[VaSteve]

That green suit likely cost way more than any mass produced suit you'd need to consider. But he has a different type of job.

[billybek]

Go to where Grapes gets his done!

[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.

[HHI944]

Saks off 5th is a gold mine, especially this time of year. I got an Armani suit from there for right at $600 after tailoring, regular tag was still attached for $2900. There are usually a few Boss suits on the clearance rack as well, if you find one there, in your size, you can sneak away for ~$300. French cuffs are fine, I wear french cuff shirts as sport shirts a lot. The tie and the pocket square should be the 'loudest' pieces of the ensemble, but still respectable....and for god's sake, don't get one of those 'sets' where they're both made of the same material.

edit to build upon a few points seahawk made: Belt and shoes count as well. A decent-looking belt shouldn't run more than $30-40 at So5 and my personal suggestion on shoes would be waiting for another Gilt.com sale on a. testoni. They usually have several pairs of shoes that would meet your needs around ~$200. So5 never sees this brand for some reason, despite S5 carrying the full line.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

+1 for Men's WH. I love that store - their stuff is very classy and they seldom will steer you wrong.

Having a nice suit never hurts on an interview.

[MBAtarga]

Another +1 for Men's WH.

Not only do they have reasonable prices (and even better if you catch one of their sales deals - buy suit, get shirt/tie free, etc.), but also they have some sort of frequent buyers club. Not sure of the name - but anyway, after buying my son a suit on sale, and getting a suit for myself at half off the sale price, a few weeks later, I get an emailed coupon for $50 off my next purchase - with no minimum. My son went back and picked up a shirt/tie combo for almost free.

[Rot 911]

Why are you asking us? We aren't doing the interview. I googled "what should I wear to pharmacy school interview" And the first result page was loaded with pharmacy school forums discussing what to wear to the interview from people that got into school and from interviewers!

[jyl]

Men's Wearhouse or Joseph A. Banks. Only buy from the latter on sale events, once a quarter. Buy their best line, "Signature" or the like. Avoid dept stores, they are gradually easing out of the suit business and selection will be limited and pricing tricky unless you know the sale cadence. MW and JOSB often have 2 for 1 sales that are worth doing, since it is nice to not keep showing up in the same suit, plus if you spill something on one, the other is a backup.

Suit a two button type - three buttons are for hipsters, and going out anyway - remember, you want a type of suit your interviewer is comfortable with. 100% wool, weight appropriate for your climate, dark color - charcoal or navy. Subtle pinstripe, plain, or windowpane patterns. Tell salesman you are looking for an interview suit. Cuffed or uncuffed pants are both fine, length enough for a break over the shoe but about 3" clearance to ground.

Avoid shirts with French cuffs unless you like jewelry, they are a pain and don't look more professional - it is a dressy, dandy look that is fine for going out but not the norm in office environments (and it is harder to roll up your sleeves). Avoid French collars (white collar on colored shirt) for similar reasons. Shirt can be 100% cotton or a "wrinkle-resistant" blend, either button-down or plain collar, all white is most versatile though admittedly boring, at most one breast pocket, no logos. Get 3, have them laundered before wearing, w/ medium starch, stash in closet or folded in drawer. Make sure your watch will fit inside the buttoned cuff. Don't get collar clips or similar gee-gaws.

Black belt and shoes are most versatile, avoids the "brown shoes with blue suit" problem. Shoes with proper leather soles, no weirdo Hush Puppy rubber stuff. Wingtips, standard laceups, or slip-ons are all fine.

Tie should be conservative, not too thin or too wide. Learn to tie a proper, tight knot. Need 2-3 at least.

No need to spend for Brooks Bros etc - no particular benefit in wearing a much nicer suit that your interviewer is wearing.

If you live in a cold/wet climate, get a long coat and umbrella, don't want to wear a ski jacket over a suit. Doesn't have to be an expensive trenchcoat coat. A simple light raincoat is fine. No belt on the coat, looks stupid and no-one ever uses them.

When I was a lawyer, I wore suits every minute of every working day. Got pretty into them, eventually all my suits were custom-made. Then I got tired of it and now see them as functional wear. My typical: charcoal or dark blue or dark olive pinstripe or window pane pattern, two button, suspender buttons sewn in, cuffs, white button-down shirt in all cotton w/ heavy starch, interesting but subtle tie, cordovan shoes and belt if not wearing suspenders.

You might be able to do it all (suit, shirt, shoes, belt) for $500-600 if you catch the right sale.

All of this stuff is dry clean only. The suit needn't be laundered much, often can simply be pressed, and if you hang it up that won't often be necessary - when the pants are getting rumpled and the leg crease isn't crisp, its time. Shirts are pretty much one wear then launder, so it is an expense. If you're handy with an iron and not a smelly guy, you can get two wears out of a laundered and starched shirt, but don't admit to it, its kind of gross - I only do it if I'm traveling and running out of fresh shirts.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Why are you asking us? We aren't doing the interview. I googled "what should I wear to pharmacy school interview" And the first result page was loaded with pharmacy school forums discussing what to wear to the interview from people that got into school and from interviewers!

Why am I asking you guys? Some of you all wear suits occasionally. I don't even own a suit currently. My dad isn't much help either, its been 20yrs since he bought a suit.

I am familiar with french cuffs, the shirt I wear with my (cheap) tux has french cuffs and I can't imagine wearing them often. I like a little bling but those cuffs are just too stiff.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Why am I asking you guys? Some of you all wear suits occasionally. I don't even own a suit currently. My dad isn't much help either, its been 20yrs since he bought a suit.

I am familiar with french cuffs, the shirt I wear with my (cheap) tux has french cuffs and I can't imagine wearing them often. I like a little bling but those cuffs are just too stiff.

I wear a suit everyday, but I am not the guy giving you the interview. If I was, and you showed up with french cuffs, a pocket square, etc., I would probably start laughing. You have to know your audience. Is the school in the midwest? Hardly anyone wears french cuffs around here.

Seriously, get on the pharmacy school forums and see what they have to say!

[porsche4life]

School is in western OK....

[vash]

no shame in walking into a store and pointing at a mannequin, and saying, "i want that".

sid, it really should be a male mannequin. seriously, go to a decent store and trust the employee. the great shop will size you up, and get you started on the right foot. amazing they can look and grab a jacket that fits.

[willtel]

Where you should shop depends on your physique. My shoulders are a good bit wider than my waist so it makes it difficult to buy off the rack and have something that fits correctly. Even the most expensive suit will look like crap if it doesn't fit.

I had a suit made for my wedding by these guys in Atlanta Guffey's - Atlanta's Finest Specialty Store for Men, it wasn't as cheap as one of the warehouse places but I can put my arms out without the jacket cuff coming up to my elbow.