Interview - what type of suit is best to wear? What's acceptable?

[PullMyFinger]

Which is best to wear? I have one black suit...and will be wearing a white dress shirt with tie.

Then I have another suit which is khakis/beige slacks, traditional blue blazer jacket with gold buttons..and I would wear this with a white dress shirt and tie.

Is it fine to wear the second one? Or just stick with the black suit?

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[Asp]

Generally, you should wear navy blue or charcoal (dark) grey. Black is too severe, and light gray too informal. Maybe try to find matching pants for your blue blazer?

 

[PullMyFinger]

I don't have a color that matches with that.

I just have khakis/beige slacks, and black slacks (which would never go with that blazer).

Then I have my suit...my suit is black with somewhat weak pinstripes.

 

[Asp]

You might also consider getting a new suit altogether. I recommend H&M if you are not overweight, if you have one in your area. They offer the best quality at the price point (~$250).

Above that, I would go made-to-measure. Check out Thick as Thieves http://www.thickasthievesla.com/

Ebay is also an option.

 

[Asp]

I don't have a color that matches with that.

I just have khakis/beige slacks, and black slacks (which would never go with that blazer).

Then I have my suit...my suit is black with somewhat weak pinstripes.

Definitely get a new suit. You will feel awkward at interview since most everyone will be in navy blue or dark grey, and you don't want that.

 

[PullMyFinger]

You might also consider getting a new suit altogether. I recommend H&M if you are not overweight, if you have one in your area. They offer the best quality at the price point (~$250).

Above that, I would go made-to-measure. Check out Thick as Thieves http://www.thickasthievesla.com/

Ebay is also an option.

Okay I'll be honest, this comment was a little mean. But I appreciate the honesty....lol I guess I have a crappy suit =(

 

[nick_carraway]

Most guys I've seen have actually been wearing black suits. Younger people look sharp in black suits and while it may not be generally the best thing to do on a sunny day, it certainly won't kill your chances at an acceptance especially in winter weather; many navy/dark grey suits will look black on a bleak day from a distance anyway. Up close, they'll be looking at your shirt and tie more than they'll be looking at your jacket. When you sit down, you unbutton your jacket which makes it even less likely that they'll be distracted by your black suit (which again, looks fine on most young men).

If you're looking to cut costs, OP, you can stick with what you have. If you want to mix it up a little, I'd start with the shirt & maybe the tie depending on how much color you want to add to the outfit.

If you really want to buy a new suit, go for it but it takes a while to pick one that fits properly, you have to get a shirt/tie to match the new suit, and it's expensive on top of that. Your black suit isn't even a terrible option.

It's up to you and your bank account. H&M's suits are too casual for me and I'm not a fan of two-buttons. Ditto with Zara which also offers cheap but casual suits. Men's Wearhouse is a typical place to go. Macy's can also offer lots of styles to try out just to see how they fit.

 

[PullMyFinger]

Most guys I've seen have actually been wearing black suits. Younger people look sharp in black suits and while it may not be generally the best thing to do on a sunny day, it certainly won't kill your chances at an acceptance especially in winter weather.

If you're looking to cut costs, OP, you can stick with what you have. If you want to mix it up a little, I'd start with the shirt & maybe the tie depending on how much color you want to add to the outfit.

If you really want to buy a new suit, go for it but it takes a while to pick one that fits properly, you have to get a shirt/tie to match the new suit, and it's expensive on top of that. Your black suit isn't even a terrible option.

It's up to you and your bank account. H&M's suits are too casual for me and I'm not a fan of two-buttons. Ditto with Zara which also offers cheap but casual suits. Men's Wearhouse is a typical place to go. Macy's can also offer lots of styles to try out just to see how they fit.

Too late to buy a new one. My interview is tomorrow.

So is it best to wear my black suit with weak pinstripes or my traditional blue blazer suit with the khakis slacks/pants (you know, the type that on TV they show ivy league students wearing) ?

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Unless your veering into "is this guy maybe schizophrenic?" territory, your suit makes very little difference. Hell, I've heard admissions people compliment people with nontraditional suit/shirt/tie colors.

 

[nick_carraway]

Too late to buy a new one. My interview is tomorrow.

So is it best to wear my black suit with weak pinstripes or my traditional blue blazer suit with the khakis slacks/pants (you know, the type that on TV they show ivy league students wearing) ?

To me, khaki is a summer color or at least the color for a sunny day. I'd go with the black, but just know that you will look like everyone else.

It's a little last minute since your interview is tomorrow but just changing your tie could add enough color if you want (most black suit/white shirt combos included a red tie). A shirt would have to be ironed and will have to fit properly so now's not the time to buy a new one for sure.

Otherwise, just go in there and say your stuff and sound impressive. You'll look fine and your confidence & words will make you stand out from the pack regardless of what you wear.

Good luck, BTW.

 

[Asp]

Most guys I've seen have actually been wearing black suits. Younger people look sharp in black suits and while it may not be generally the best thing to do on a sunny day, it certainly won't kill your chances at an acceptance especially in winter weather; many navy/dark grey suits will look black on a bleak day from a distance anyway. Up close, they'll be looking at your shirt and tie more than they'll be looking at your jacket. When you sit down, you unbutton your jacket which makes it even less likely that they'll be distracted by your black suit (which again, looks fine on most young men).

If you're looking to cut costs, OP, you can stick with what you have. If you want to mix it up a little, I'd start with the shirt & maybe the tie depending on how much color you want to add to the outfit.

If you really want to buy a new suit, go for it but it takes a while to pick one that fits properly, you have to get a shirt/tie to match the new suit, and it's expensive on top of that. Your black suit isn't even a terrible option.

It's up to you and your bank account. H&M's suits are too casual for me and I'm not a fan of two-buttons. Ditto with Zara which also offers cheap but casual suits. Men's Wearhouse is a typical place to go. Macy's can also offer lots of styles to try out just to see how they fit.

I respectfully disagree =). Two-buttons are classic. Three-buttons are fashion-forward and often unflattering. I would also go with H&M/Zara (more styled, slim-cut) over Macy's (boxy cuts) and especially Men's Wearhouse (****ty quality).

I'm also of the school that you should save the black suits for funerals etc. Black suits are not flattering also for most complexions (non-winters).

 

[nick_carraway]

I respectfully disagree =). Two-buttons are classic. Three-buttons are fashion-forward and often unflattering. I would also go with H&M/Zara (more styled, slim-cut) over Macy's (boxy cuts) and especially Men's Wearhouse (****ty quality).

I'm also of the school that you should save the black suits for funerals etc. Black suits are not flattering also for most complexions (non-winters).

I was giving the guy options with the store choices. H&M/Zara fit me better than suits at Macy's since I'm skinny but like I said, the style was also too casual for my taste. A trip to the local trendy restaurant, fine. Not to an interview for me though. A two-button is even more unflattering when you're tall. As for Men's Wearhouse, I agree with you on its quality but again: options.

At any rate, I didn't wear a black suit to my interview and if I only had one suit, I wouldn't choose black. That being said, most doctors are not the most fashionable people on earth and the OP's interviewer most likely won't care enough to influence the scoring.

I would also argue that while a solid black suit is especially harsh on sunny days, it's winter and a pinstriped black suit is more youthful and looks nice on most younger people because of it's slimming and sharp form.

All of this is palaver, since the OP only has one good option anyway and we should be making him feel better about his interview rather than worse at the last minute.

 

[PullMyFinger]

Thanks for the comments people - I really appreciate them. I decided maybe I am being a little too schizo about the whole thing, and decided that while the blazer outfit seems all Harvard/political...it's probably best to go the conservative route with my black suit.

 

[Asp]

Thanks for the comments people - I really appreciate them. I decided maybe I am being a little too schizo about the whole thing, and decided that while the blazer outfit seems all Harvard/political...it's probably best to go the conservative route with my black suit.

Good choice.

 

[nick_carraway]

Thanks for the comments people - I really appreciate them. I decided maybe I am being a little too schizo about the whole thing, and decided that while the blazer outfit seems all Harvard/political...it's probably best to go the conservative route with my black suit.

There ya go. Honestly, as long as you're comfortable wearing your suit in your interview, you're fine. Just be confident and personable and sell yourself. You'll never get an acceptance because of what you wear, but you'll get an acceptance if you say the right things with the right attitude.

 

[Asp]

I was giving the guy options with the store choices. H&M/Zara fit me better than suits at Macy's since I'm skinny but like I said, the style was also too casual for my taste. A trip to the local trendy restaurant, fine. Not to an interview for me though. A two-button is even more unflattering when you're tall. As for Men's Wearhouse, I agree with you on its quality but again: options.

At any rate, I didn't wear a black suit to my interview and if I only had one suit, I wouldn't choose black. That being said, most doctors are not the most fashionable people on earth and the OP's interviewer most likely won't care enough to influence the scoring.

I would also argue that while a solid black suit is especially harsh on sunny days, it's winter and a pinstriped black suit is more youthful and looks nice on most younger people because of it's slimming and sharp form.

All of this is palaver, since the OP only has one good option anyway and we should be making him feel better about his interview rather than worse at the last minute.

Agreed!

 

[Crixivan]

I'm leaning toward the black suit. I've never been a fan of the blue blazer over beige khaki look.

 

[littlealex]

Which is best to wear? I have one black suit...and will be wearing a white dress shirt with tie.

Then I have another suit which is khakis/beige slacks, traditional blue blazer jacket with gold buttons..and I would wear this with a white dress shirt and tie.

Is it fine to wear the second one? Or just stick with the black suit?

Between the two suits, I'd go with the black one. Blue blazers just seem too 80's, especially with the gold buttons.

Don't worry too much about it. It's the person wearing the suit that matters.

 

[moe_4eva]

Go with the black one. I wore a weak pin-stripe suit with an off-white, pin stripe shirt and a different colored tie, and although it made me stand out a bit, I got more than one compliment on it (and I got in). I think honestly they were relieved that I wasn't wearing a light-grey or dark grey suit like everyone else I interviewed with.

 

[Law2Doc]

So is it best to wear my black suit with weak pinstripes or my traditional blue blazer suit with the khakis slacks/pants (you know, the type that on TV they show ivy league students wearing) ?

Go with the black suit. Blue blazer and khakis is too casual. You are trying to look like you belong in a profession, not hosting The Late Show. Blazer and khakis are what lawfirms allow as "casual Friday" attire. It isn't a "suit", and isn't ideally appropriate for a med school interview unless your luggage gets lost.

 

[etf]

christ this is more of a september thread...

 

[NickMB]

The clothes do not make the man. Tis the man who makes the clothes.

I don't even see why med schools want you to dress up. Does it say anywhere on the invite that you have to wear a suit and tie?

Honestly, once you're in med school, 90% of the time you're in jeans or scrubs....

 

[nick_carraway]

The clothes do not make the man. Tis the man who makes the clothes.

I don't even see why med schools want you to dress up. Does it say anywhere on the invite that you have to wear a suit and tie?

Honestly, once you're in med school, 90% of the time you're in jeans or scrubs....

I thought you get dressed up for clinics in med school with dress shirt and tie. Or is that just the schools that care about professionalism?

 

[bcntequiero]

What do you guys think about women wearing a tailored, yet fashion-forward suit to an interview (in a conservative color though, like black/navy/gray)?

 

[RPedigo]

What do you guys think about women wearing a tailored, yet fashion-forward suit to an interview (in a conservative color though, like black/navy/gray)?

I would say try to find pictures of something similar that you plan on wearing, so we can see how fashion-forward it is. You really don't want to stand out in a bad way; your image is the first thing that the interviewer will see when you walk in that door, and you really don't want it to be negative.

 

[j12]

The most important thing is that you look crisp, professional, and well put together. I wouldn't concern myself too much with black versus brown as I would with what looks good on you and fits you well.

I have heard the rule that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview because it makes you look severe. But I wore a black suit with a white collared shirt to my interviews (although granted it could be a little different because I am a girl) and I got a lot of compliments from the admissions staff at various schools. I didn't spend a fortune on my suit, I just found one that fit me really well and made sure it was always ironed and looked nice.

Just a funny sidenote: for my Pitt interview I accidentally packed the wrong white shirt for under my suit. The white shirt I packed did not have the top three buttons and even when I just wear it to class I always put a camisole under it because otherwise it is a little risque. I didn't realize I had the wrong shirt until around midnight the night before the interview. I ended up strategically taping my shirt closed with medical tape. And when I met with the financial aid women at the end of the day she told me how much she just loved my suit. If she only knew...

 

[bcntequiero]

With the "fashion forward" suit, I was thinking of something similar to the following🙁please see attached pics...sorry I did not know how to paste the photos in!!)
Thanks!!

 

[bcntequiero]

No opinions out there?🙂

 

[NickMB]

I thought you get dressed up for clinics in med school with dress shirt and tie. Or is that just the schools that care about professionalism?

Which is is why I said, once you're in med school, 90% of the time you're either in jeans or scrubs.

 

[Law2Doc]

Which is is why I said, once you're in med school, 90% of the time you're either in jeans or scrubs.

No way. Actually about 75% of the latter two years of med school you will be wearing a tie. The other 25% you will be wearing scrubs. You don't get to wear jeans after second year. During the first two years you probably will wear a tie once or twice a week for your clinical skills classes, and can get away with jeans the rest of the time. But that sure won't come anywhere close to 90% of med school as a whole. You're lucky if it adds up to 50%. You are on the road to being a professional. Get used to the professional attire. Still less formal than law.🙂

 

[BrokenGlass]

Go with the black suit. Blue blazer and khakis is too casual. You are trying to look like you belong in a profession, not hosting The Late Show. Blazer and khakis are what lawfirms allow as "casual Friday" attire. It isn't a "suit", and isn't ideally appropriate for a med school interview unless your luggage gets lost.

Wouldn't a black suit make you look like you are attending a funeral?

 

[Law2Doc]

Wouldn't a black suit make you look like you are attending a funeral?

Sure -- that of the hopes of the other interviewees who don't have your interviewing prowess.🙂



Actually, black suits are common in business settings. It is a much better choice than a blue blazer.

 

[mdm2fly]

With the "fashion forward" suit, I was thinking of something similar to the following🙁please see attached pics...sorry I did not know how to paste the photos in!!)
Thanks!!

I really like the light grey suit you posted, especially with a power ponytail. But if you have large breasts, I think it might look uncomfortably tight in the bust area. And I don't know if it would look so cute with hair down, unless your hair is really short.

 

[al112987]

Wow, I never realized that this was that important of a topic.

I've always imagined that just as long as you don't come in a seersucker or madras suit, you should be fine.

 

[decafplease]

With the "fashion forward" suit, I was thinking of something similar to the following🙁please see attached pics...sorry I did not know how to paste the photos in!!)
Thanks!!

I like the second one. The first one is too trendy. I don't see a sophisticated professional woman wearing that suit. I guess I like to err on the conservative side, though. The second one is lovely. I just think the first one is too distracting.

 

[175961]

You might also consider getting a new suit altogether. I recommend H&M if you are not overweight, if you have one in your area. They offer the best quality at the price point (~$250).

Above that, I would go made-to-measure. Check out Thick as Thieves http://www.thickasthievesla.com/

Ebay is also an option.

i was checking out the thick as thieves place....they seem like nice suits, i'd feel very "professional" in my made-to-order suit haha.....anyone know what the pricing is like more or less?? i imagine they arent cheap though

 

[Law2Doc]

Wow, I never realized that this was that important of a topic.

I've always imagined that just as long as you don't come in a seersucker or madras suit, you should be fine.

You want to look the part. The interview is quite important, and a good first impression can always help. This is one element of the interview that you can totally control, so folks like to get this part right, at least.
I've actually seen interviewer forms which had professional appearance as a criteria.

 

[Asp]

i was checking out the thick as thieves place....they seem like nice suits, i'd feel very "professional" in my made-to-order suit haha.....anyone know what the pricing is like more or less?? i imagine they arent cheap though

The cost is around $435 shipped, and turnaround time is about 3 weeks. Quite affordable, and a great deal considering this is quality MTM (fabric comparable to >1k RTW).

 

[HSTeacher2MD]

DETAILS Magazine "Men's Guide to Style" should be required reading for pre-metrosexuals. 🙂

 

[Asp]

In the context of this thread, I'd go with Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion

http://www.amazon.com/Dressing-Man-Mastering-Permanent-Fashion/dp/0060191449

 

[08675309]

I respectfully disagree =). Two-buttons are classic. Three-buttons are fashion-forward and often unflattering. I would also go with H&M/Zara (more styled, slim-cut) over Macy's (boxy cuts) and especially Men's Wearhouse (****ty quality).

I'm also of the school that you should save the black suits for funerals etc. Black suits are not flattering also for most complexions (non-winters).

ha, well mine is 4 buttons, brown, pinstriped, and has small ruffles at the end of the skirt. i currently hold 4 acceptances.

as long as you look neat and professional your suit really isn't a big deal.

 

[Asp]

ha, well mine is 4 buttons, brown, pinstriped, and has small ruffles at the end of the skirt. i currently hold 4 acceptances.

as long as you look neat and professional your suit really isn't a big deal.

Yes, but you're a girl 😛

I thought this thread was about men's style, not women's fashion.

Congrats on your acceptances 😉

 

[nick_carraway]

ha, well mine is 4 buttons, brown, pinstriped, and has small ruffles at the end of the skirt. i currently hold 4 acceptances.

as long as you look neat and professional your suit really isn't a big deal.

You better be damn tall if you're a guy with a four-button suit. I think that's one thing Asp and I can agree on for sure.

I didn't look at the custom suit site but at $435, that's outrageously cheap. Custom suits from name brands are around $2,000 if I'm remembering correctly.