Men's Interview Clothing Thread

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SteinUmStein said:
What do people use to carry their suits to the interview when flying? Something like these?

http://www.nextag.com/travel-suit-bag/search-html

Any recommendations from people who've been to interviews and seen how wrinkled or not wrinkled suits get when placed in a travel garment bag?

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
yes, I always used a garment bag. It had a couple of pockets for my shoes as well (I recommend getting some travel shoe trees).

The suit doesn't really get wrinked in there, but your shirt might a little bit. Use an iron at a hotel. If you're really worried about wrinkles, hang the suit in the bathroom and take a really hot shower. The steam should ease the wrinkles a little.

Most of you guys probably haven't experienced interviews yet, so understand this: Nobody else is going to have experience with interviews, either. Most interviewees are going to be wearing the exact same black suit, white shirt, and red tie. They will probably not fit well. They will probably not look good. Many will still have tags on and vents sewn shut. Ties will be tied horribly. White athletic socks will be worn.

Your appearance is pretty unimportant, as long as you at least ATTEMPT to look nice. Don't stress out about the outfit. Your answers are much more important.
 
"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes."
~Henry David Thoreau

AND

"When you meet a stranger, look at his shoes."
~REM

crumb_mr_natural_3.jpg

 
I've been gone a long time and it appears there's been some advice in all directions. Maybe it'll be nice to repost some of the rules.

1) If you're gonna buy a new suit for the purpose of interviews, then you're wrong. Why not buy a suit that you will wear to other functions as well?

2) The most important aspect is fit. Boring safe colors like charcoal gray and navy is best. Then get it tailored properly. Shorten the arms so that it hits at the bony protuberance of the wrist. Have the shirt cuff hit at the base of the thumb muscle. The skirting (aka quarters) of the suit should hit at the point where you can curl your fingers around the bottom of the skirting (not at the fingertips, that would be too long). Your pants can create a break or no. It is your choice. I prefer no break. No socks should show when standing. Sock SHOULD show while walking. Socks are cool. Wear cool socks. There are NO RULES for matching socks to pants or shoes. Go crazy with the socks. White socks are for Michael Jordan.

3) Black is a horrible investment. If you're buying a suit for the sole purpose of an interview, then go ahead. You can wear charcoal to a funeral. And for weddings, you can wear just about anything (have you seen what people wear to weddings nowadays?). White tie is reserved for meeting heads of state and royalty in a ceremonial matter only or for incredibly high honors such as receiving a Nobel (where you'll be meeting royalty). Also, what you may see as black may in fact be charcoal. Charcoal appears as black in photos but is gray in person.

4) Contrast collars are for ****heads. You don't want to be the boss from Office Space.

5) Someone earlier said shorter people can wear more buttons. Not true. The shorter, the fewer the buttons. But it isn't as if you're dealing with a huge range anyways. 1 button is good if you know what you're doing. 1 button works well with peak lapel and hacking pockets. Don't wear 1 button (I did to my interview but that's another story). 2 buttons is safest and will work with peak or notch lapel and with straight, hacking, or patch pockets. 3 buttons is not cool but it is acceptable. For the purpose of interview, wear whatever you want in the 2-3 button range. 4 buttons and more means you are in the NBA.

6) Wear a white or light blue shirt to the interview. End of discussion.

7) For the purpose of interview, wear any shoe you want. But if you want a good pair to wear more than once, buy brown and don't buy square toe.

8) Ties: limit stripes to two colors. This prevents you from making the mistake of having too many different widths and too many colors. 4 in hand or half windsor are acceptable. Full windsor is hard to pull off. This advice is limited to interviews only.

Don't do this:
[YOUTUBE]YA-n2xkYX6s[/YOUTUBE]
You do not want to break the primary rules. Imagine interviewing for an institution that has been around for a 100 years. Do they really want someone who breaks the rules? Are you gonna be the student who wears his underwear on the outside of his pants? Just follow the primary rules.

This advice is only for the purpose of the interview.

PS. Contrary to other advice, light gray is a great choice. I wore medium gray, with pink and lavender pinstripes, 1 button, peak lapel, hacking pockets, white shirt, blue tie. I broke all the rules of interviews but it fitted properly (it was bespoke).

I would recommend emulating Dimitri Medvedev.
medvedev_putin.jpg
He is by far the most well dressed public person at this time. You can't tell, but in this photo, he is wearing navy, not black.

This advice is only for the purpose of the interview.

PS. Contrary to other advice, light gray is a great choice. I wore medium gray, with pink and lavender pinstripes, 1 button, peak lapel, hacking pockets, white shirt, blue tie. I broke all the rules of interviews but it fitted properly (it was bespoke).
 
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Btw, buying a suit for the sole purpose of an interview is the same mentality that justifies buying an SUV because you have a daughter that plays soccer.

Oh, btw, I applied only to a single school. My interview went horrible. I sounded like I was nearly crying at some parts. I got waitlisted since I applied near the end. I originally thought there was no chance since the waitlist works from your performance on the interview, not on the order of your interview. Since I thought I did horrible and I was near last to be placed on the waitlist (there were so many more students higher than me), I thought I had a zero chance of getting in. I eventually got in. I think in situations where it is a matter of being on the margins, looking proper can't hurt. And you never know when you'll be on the margins. In the end, you have no idea how the subconscious of the interviewing panel will play.
 
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Opinions please! I've lost weight, and my 46R swallows me now. I was looking at this as an affordable option.

41P5ogVyN4L._SS400_.jpg


What do you think?

Thanks,
Micah
 
what about 3 piece suits? I usually like wearing vests, because of the extra pockets.
 
Micahfeld said:
Opinions please! I've lost weight, and my 46R swallows me now. I was looking at this as an affordable option.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Micah
Click to expand...

The double pockets are a bit odd looking; the high piping and lapel are both rather bold as well. The bold, wide tie w/ full windsor knot is ostentatious. And as with prior posters...no pocket square.
 
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To Micahfeld,
I think the red tie w/ a full windsor is too big for you. Otherwise, the suit looks very nice!!!! Good luck!!!
 
i'm pretty sure you have to look like this to have a successful interview: http://christianbale-tribute.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/patrickbateman21.jpg

you might also want to follow this morning ritual (has worked well for some very successful people):
I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.
 
made man said:
i'm pretty sure you have to look like this to have a successful interview: http://christianbale-tribute.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/patrickbateman21.jpg

you might also want to follow this morning ritual (has worked well for some very successful people):
I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.
Click to expand...

and if you ever get the urge to commit murder and need an excuse to leave your current location, just tell everyone you need to return some videotapes.
 
This is a stock photo of a suit that I ordered, and I agree on the tie and the pocket square. They are pretty obnoxious for my own taste.

The peaked lapel is more formal. Can anyone suggest how I might dress it down a little for the interview?

I'll have a more traditional notched lapel 2 button suit available as a backup if I can't get this one to work. I don't really want to stand out, but I do like to look nice.

Thanks for the input!

southernIM said:
The double pockets are a bit odd looking; the high piping and lapel are both rather bold as well. The bold, wide tie w/ full windsor knot is ostentatious. And as with prior posters...no pocket square.
Click to expand...
 
Hey guys one question,

I'm kind of a small guy so my jacket size is a 36R. Now, is it frowned upon if I wear a "slim fit" style jacket and shirt? I mean, these are the only types that actually fit perfectly while everything else looks big and baggy.
 
I love the fact that I have created such an enduring thread, I truly dominate.
 
secants said:
Hey guys one question,

I'm kind of a small guy so my jacket size is a 36R. Now, is it frowned upon if I wear a "slim fit" style jacket and shirt? I mean, these are the only types that actually fit perfectly while everything else looks big and baggy.
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absolutely not
why would it be frowned upon?

anything baggy is definitely not stylish at all.
 
Alright thanks halekulani,

Also for interview, When we sit down, do we take our jackets off or just unbutton them?

For lunch/food with other students, just copy what they do?
 
secants said:
Alright thanks halekulani,

Also for interview, When we sit down, do we take our jackets off or just unbutton them?

For lunch/food with other students, just copy what they do?
Click to expand...
Was wondering the same about unbuttoning or taking off jacket.
 
TooMuchResearch said:
Unbutton the jacket when you sit down. Keep it on, though.
Click to expand...

This is why you get double vents (aka side vents). Not only does it look best, but it allows you to sit without doing anything. It also allows you to put both hands in your pocket. Good luck finding it though. Americans like no vents or single vent. Europeans like double vents.
 
What about a three-piece suit? I think vests really add to the overall look, but I don't know if it's too much/garish for a med school interview.
 
CDevil said:
What about a three-piece suit? I think vests really add to the overall look, but I don't know if it's too much/garish for a med school interview.
Click to expand...

Probably not a good idea.
 
Didn't want to read the entire thread to see if this had already been talked about, but what about not wearing a full suit (i.e. all the same color) and instead wearing something like a navy blazer with khaki pants?
 
armorshell said:
Any of the fashion gurus know anything about cuffed pants vs. no cuffs?
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what about them? nobody at your interview is going to notice.

as far as it goes, traditionally, you wore cuffs with pleated pants and finished bottoms with flat-front. lately, guys have tended to wear flat-front pants with cuffs, and the "stylish" thing to do is go with a larger (2") cuff.
 
armybound said:
what about them? nobody at your interview is going to notice.

as far as it goes, traditionally, you wore cuffs with pleated pants and finished bottoms with flat-front. lately, guys have tended to wear flat-front pants with cuffs, and the "stylish" thing to do is go with a larger (2") cuff.
Click to expand...

Wow. I just had my two suits tailored, and somehow did just that (Cuffed the pleated, just finished the flat front). I guess there was a 25% chance of that happening, but still. More likely, I should have just asked the tailor. :laugh:
 
So I figure this has been brought up before in this thread, but I'm lazy right now and you have the answer...

About traveling, any recommendations on what type of garment bag to use?

How would you guys say one should travel with the suit on A) a plane and B) in a car?
 
bamtuba said:
So I figure this has been brought up before in this thread, but I'm lazy right now and you have the answer...

About traveling, any recommendations on what type of garment bag to use?

How would you guys say one should travel with the suit on A) a plane and B) in a car?
Click to expand...
I used a simple folding/hanging garment bag that had pockets for my shoes and stuff. it was fine.

keep it straight whenever you can. in the car, lay it flat or hang it up.

anything more specific you're hoping to get info on?
 
armybound said:
I used a simple folding/hanging garment bag that had pockets for my shoes and stuff. it was fine.

keep it straight whenever you can. in the car, lay it flat or hang it up.

anything more specific you're hoping to get info on?
Click to expand...

Sounds good. About how much cash should I be looking to drop on a bag that will do the job?

And I assume it goes as a carry-on for the flights?

Thanks for the opinion!
 
bamtuba said:
Sounds good. About how much cash should I be looking to drop on a bag that will do the job?

And I assume it goes as a carry-on for the flights?

Thanks for the opinion!
Click to expand...
I wish I could remember where I got mine from. I think I went to an outlet mall and looked around. I believe mine was less than $50. It's made of a pretty thick/sturdy weave like a suitcase, but is definitely soft-sided without any hard plastic. it folds on itself to be half as long.

there are more expensive ones out there, but I sure couldn't afford them.

it's basically like this, except bifold: http://www.ebags.com/u_s_traveler/b...t_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=133930
 
souperjim14 said:
Didn't want to read the entire thread to see if this had already been talked about, but what about not wearing a full suit (i.e. all the same color) and instead wearing something like a navy blazer with khaki pants?
Click to expand...

You will be underdressed compared to everyone else. I would advise against it.
 
southernIM said:
You will be underdressed compared to everyone else. I would advise against it.
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I have seen this at interviews, and yes, the person is badly underdressed.

I saw one guy wearing those Clarks desert boots, khakis, a cashmere sweater, and a sportscoat. Compared to the suits around him, he looked like he didn't belong.
 
armybound said:
I have seen this at interviews, and yes, the person is badly underdressed.

I saw one guy wearing those Clarks desert boots, khakis, a cashmere sweater, and a sportscoat. Compared to the suits around him, he looked like he didn't belong.
Click to expand...

yeah i agree...do not wear the blazer with khakis...
 
Navy blue with stripes - probably one of the most professional styles there is. seriously.
 
Do y'all think that a black suit, a very light purple shirt, and silver tie is too much/informal?
 
jgauger said:
What does everyone think about this suit? I like it, its pretty inexpensive. Opinions???

http://www.amazon.com/Loriano-Mens-...r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1250867476&sr=8-1
Click to expand...

Check this for ultimate finance-consciousness: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias=apparel&field-keywords=darya

The suits aren't nearly worth $1500 or whatever they say, but my tailor guessed I had payed $400-500 for it. Perhaps he was just humoring me, but they're true to size and the fabric is decent enough.
 
ibedoctorplz said:
Do y'all think that a black suit, a very light purple shirt, and silver tie is too much/informal?
Click to expand...
You wouldn't be the only one dressed like that, but I recommend against it.

if that's all you have and you can't afford anything else, just go with it. it's not the end of the world. the committee cares far less about your attire than your answers.
 
Hahaha, thanks to all for their advice. I was just trying to expand my horizons 😛
 
so i got the rest of my outfit figured out. but my old shoes were scuffed. so i got new shoes called oxfords, but they get wrinkles (or dips) sometimes when i bend them (sometimes at the front sides between the laces and bottom of the shoe and other times just across the top part of the shoe). is that okay for interviews?

also, is this kind of dress shoe appropriate?
http://www.dba-oracle.com/images/professional_dress_shoes.jpg

tks much for the advice. i also would prefer not buying anything else like shoe trees b/c i'm a cheap sob.
 
croaker3 said:
so i got the rest of my outfit figured out. but my old shoes were scuffed. so i got new shoes called oxfords, but they get wrinkles (or dips) sometimes when i bend them (sometimes at the front sides between the laces and bottom of the shoe and other times just across the top part of the shoe). is that okay for interviews?

also, is this kind of dress shoe appropriate?
http://www.dba-oracle.com/images/professional_dress_shoes.jpg

tks much for the advice. i also would prefer not buying anything else like shoe trees b/c i'm a cheap sob.
Click to expand...

Those shoes look fine. If you want to be really picky, I believe most people would recommend a plain captoe. Creasing in the top of the shoe is natural with wear but shoe trees help prevent as well as keep the shape of the shoe while keeping them in better condition. You can usually find a pair of trees for 15-20 dollars, so I would really recommend buying a pair.
 
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just bought a suit at banana republic a couple hours ago. looks fabulous...now to find a tailor for the final touches.
 
are cufflinks and a white french cuff shirt to flashy?
 
jgauger said:
What does everyone think about this suit? I like it, its pretty inexpensive. Opinions???

http://www.amazon.com/Loriano-Mens-...r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1250867476&sr=8-1
Click to expand...

So, this is kind of random that I know this, but the wording in the product description is exactly taken from the Jos Banks catalog's Signature Gold suit description... (I just looked at their catalog the other day). It even says "Signature Gold" in the middle of the paragraph. Kind of odd.
 
has anyone gotten a shirt from Indochino or Inditailored or Propercloth? My body doesn't fit normal shirts because my neck is too big so I can never button up the top comfortably.
 
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