Interview suit TOO expensive?

[MSTPhopeful]

I was in need of a suit for upcoming interviews, but if I had gone out and bought a suit myself, I would have spent about 200 bucks. Instead my generous aunt just took me shopping and got me a very expensive italian suit.
my question is two fold: I don't know much about suits (before this suit my one and only suit cost about 150), are the people who interview me going to be able to tell what kind of suit I'm wearing? and if they can, are they going to hold it against me that I claim to come from a low-income background (which I do) and yet wear a fine italian suit.

any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks.

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[UseUrHeadFred]

I used to do interviews as a supervisor at a large corporation. The way I see it:

Looking Professional >>> Cost of Suit

That's all there is to it.

 

[MadameLULU]

I used to do interviews as a supervisor at a large corporation. The way I see it:

Looking Professional >>> Cost of Suit

That's all there is to it.

Do you really think our interviewers will care that much about our suits? As long as the suit isn't flashy or just dumpy looking, I dont think that most of the interviewers notice. MSTP, I PMed you earlier and I still think you should take the suit back. If a suit cost as much as you mentioned earlier, I wouldn't buy it for a med school interview...

 

[DrSwede]

are the people who interview me going to be able to tell what kind of suit I'm wearing?

I'm pretty sure that they will be able to tell...most people who are affluent can. If it ever comes up, just tell them your family rallied around and chipped in to make sure you look your best for your interview.

 

[Attentive]

I was in need of a suit for upcoming interviews, but if I had gone out and bought a suit myself, I would have spent about 200 bucks. Instead my generous aunt just took me shopping and got me a very expensive italian suit.
my question is two fold: I don't know much about suits (before this suit my one and only suit cost about 150), are the people who interview me going to be able to tell what kind of suit I'm wearing? and if they can, are they going to hold it against me that I claim to come from a low-income background (which I do) and yet wear a fine italian suit.

any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks.

Well, in my opinion, I believe that the interviewer won't pick up on that discrepancy. If I was one, I'd just write if off to wanting to make a good impression.

Most suits look the same to me, as long as they're cleaned. As long as the interviewer doesn't recognize a specific cut of a suit, or ask to see the label, I doubt they'd be able to tell the difference.

I'd just wear the suit.

 

[CaMD]

if someone bought me an expensive suit I'd wear it. I wouldn't worry about it.

Darn, i wish someone would offer to buy me a suit...

 

[CoverMe]

So let me get this straight... there are people on here who think that just because you're economically disadvantaged, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LOOK POOR??!?!? WTF PEOPLE?!!! Puhhhhleeeeeze!! This irritates the heck out of me.

There are a million reasons why someone who has very little money could have a beautiful suit... it's your brother's, you saved $10 a week for the past year to buy it, your uncle is a tailor, your aunt is a truly generous person who wants to contribute to your dream.... whatever the reason, the ABSOLUTELY ONLY THING that one can infer from someone who is economically disadvantaged who wears a beautiful suit, is that it probably took EXTRA effort for you to obtain it, and that you feel these interviews are important enough to warrant the extra effort.

Wear the suit... hopefully having a beautifully tailored suit will make you feel confident and your interviews will go as smoothly as possible for you. Just don't F it up with white socks!!!! 😀

 

[MadameLULU]

Just don't F it up with white socks!!!! 😀

 

[PreMedAdAG]

Just don't F it up with white socks!!!! 😀

OH my god.. funniest story every.. the attendings where i work were interviewing fellowship candidates and they LOVED this one guy.. but they had like a 20 minute conversation about why he wore "white socks" and how he looked ******ed in them.. ha h ha... yes.. they really do nit pick!

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

So let me get this straight... there are people on here who think that just because you're economically disadvantaged, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LOOK POOR??!?!?

Nice straw man argument.

 

[Fusion]

Do you remember what Ben Affleck was wearing when he was "interviewing" with the corporate big wigs in Good Will Hunting? Yeah, well as long as you don't look like that I think you're fine.

 

[doc05]

an expensive italian suit? how expensive? 2-3 grand? that's too much. some of your interviewers may wear similarly expensive suits, and will know the difference. it is flashy and not appropriate.

as for CoverMe's argument, that's pure nonsense. if you are truly disadvantaged, spending a couple grand on a suit means you have poor judgment. If your aunt bought it, then you are spoiled.

 

[YzIa]

an expensive italian suit? how expensive? 2-3 grand? that's too much. some of your interviewers may wear similarly expensive suits, and will know the difference. it is flashy and not appropriate.

as for CoverMe's argument, that's pure nonsense. if you are truly disadvantaged, spending a couple grand on a suit means you have poor judgment. If your aunt bought it, then you are spoiled.

Enjoy that suit, you have a legit story to back it up, which doesnt matter anyway. I would love to have an armani or whatever you have. I guess suit shopping brought the vanity out in me, since I don't own anything else remotely classy or nice.
Anyway, I assume that the suit is otherwise somewhat traditional, dark, 2-3 buttons blah blah. It should be just fine.

 

[Arsenic]

Keep the suit! Unless its a crazy color or something I'd definitely wear it, if anyone asks just tell them what you told us. Good luck on your interviews!

 

[MSTPhopeful]

thanks for all the thoughts, they are helpful, especially about the white socks, i'll make sure not to make that mistake.

coverme: i don't think i should look poor, i just don't want to come off as a pretentious punk.

honestly, i wish my aunt had gotten me a nice ~500 dollar suit and gave me the rest of the money to pay for all these damn secondary application fees, but it would have been a bit akward to turn down her gift and ask for a cheeper one. she really loves shopping, and she doesn't shop unless it is in the best stores. i do have the reciepts though, and while i can't take the suit back since it's tailored now, i can take a shirt and a tie back, which will be enough to either buy me a less flashy suit or pay for some application fees.

thanks again for all your thoughts.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

So it really was 2k+? Man that's a sweet suit.

 

[benelswick]

Do you remember what Ben Affleck was wearing when he was "interviewing" with the corporate big wigs in Good Will Hunting? Yeah, well as long as you don't look like that I think you're fine.

Yes make sure you don't send your cheif negotiator to extract a couple hundred dollars for the privaledge of having you in their class or if you do make sure he doesn't wear white socks.

 

[SunnyS81]

1) If you are buying the suit with your aunt, and you don't know much about suits, then make sure you learn about suits before you buy one or go to a place that has REALLY good service. They'll tell you things like a tall slender guy shouldn't be wearing an Armani suit, and Zegna would be better. It would be sad to throw away a load of cash on a suit that doesn't fit proper. The people that can tell how much the suit is worth can also tell if it is fitting perfectly.
2) Most people i know who wear suits a lot can tell. Go into a Brooks Brothers store and then into a department store, you can tell the difference. Is it worth the cost difference? That's another issue.
3) A nice conservative suit is essential to every guy's wardrobe. Best invest in one now than latter as long as your weight doesn't fluctuate too much. Conservative suits don't follow trends. In fact, when people talk about "the new thing" it usually refers to the last twenty years.....most of the designs have been around for a century or more.
4) It is my observation that most people in med school come from fairly affluent households (as in 6 figure income), so I don't think anyone will be surprised. You can disagree with me on my observation. Just hope you don't talk about financial difficulties in your PS.
5) Don't worry too much about clothes.......most interviews are so short that everyone is just racing to get to know you, much less give you a careful look over.

Good luck.

 

[MadameLULU]

4) It is my observation that most people in med school come from fairly affluent households (as in 6 figure income), so I don't think anyone will be surprised. You can disagree with me on my observation. Just hope you don't talk about financial difficulties in your PS.

I do not agree with your last statement. AMCAS would not ask the entire question about disadvantaged applicants if this was the case. If you want to talk about financial difficulties, can talk about personal adversity and how you overcame it, or how you're a stronger person now, and can mention how those characterisitcs (determination and the like) will help you as a physician, then go ahead. After all, it is a PERSONAL statement. They are asking and want to know about YOU.

 

[uclabruin2003]

i wish i had a fancy suit...instead i have a dumpy banana republic one. its always good to have one really ultra-fancy suit cause if its made well you can use it forever...consider it a very good investment! thank you aunt...and anyways im sure you deserve it after your hard work!

 

[Karina]

My boyfriend spent $600 on a suit for his Pharmacy Schools interviews...a little extreme...he looked VERY nice...but 600 bucks?!?!?!?! No way Jose!

Karina

 

[Pinkertinkle]

600 ain't nothing compared to the OP's.