Men's Interview Clothing Thread

[chad5871]

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Full-Windsor is usually for wider or spread collar shirts. I prefer the half-Windsor myself just because I hate the fact that the 4 in hand is non-symmetrical.

I agree. I've been using the half-Windsor as well.

In all honesty, a small little detail like this probably doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Just make sure you don't tie your tie too short or too long...

 

[da8s0859q]

In all honesty, a small little detail like this probably doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things.

Seriously. I'm just picking what I think looks nice with what I want to wear, is all.

 

[airplanes]

how do you guys feel about pinstripes? particularly, this pinstriped suit:
http://www.menswearhouse.com/menswear/detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395565236&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474395565236&bmUID=1222471178644

 

[SDN2013]

too flashy for an interviewee

very dark lines far apart are probably okay, but plz no pinstripes

 

[captainnerd]

Full-Windsor is usually for wider or spread collar shirts. I prefer the half-Windsor myself just because I hate the fact that the 4 in hand is non-symmetrical.

If it was all about being symmetrical, both sides of a suit would have ticket pocket, both breasts would have breast pockets, both sides would have lapel pinhole and people would part their hair down the middle.

The asymmetrical nature of the four in hand is what most stylish people like about it.

 

[captainnerd]

how do you guys feel about pinstripes? particularly, this pinstriped suit:
http://www.menswearhouse.com/menswear/detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395565236&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474395565236&bmUID=1222471178644

There's nothing too flashy about the fabric. That fabric is very nice. What sucks about the suit is the combination of slightly flashy fabric made so poorly.

For the purpose of interviews, if you're going to spend $200 on a suit, don't get it slightly flashy. Slightly flashy done poorly is awful. That fabric, if fitted properly with two buttons, proper stance, natural sloping shoulders (instead of sack shoulders here) would look really good. If you were to wear something like this fabric, I would tone everything else down to white spread collar and solid tie.

 

[JackInTheBox]

If it was all about being symmetrical, both sides of a suit would have ticket pocket, both breasts would have breast pockets, both sides would have lapel pinhole and people would part their hair down the middle.

The asymmetrical nature of the four in hand is what most stylish people like about it.

Haha, sorry, I'm not really that into style, and I certainly wasn't implying that symmetry is more stylish. It's just a personal quirk of mine that if given the choice of symmetric or non-symmetric, I'd choose symmetry. It's a gut thing that I don't like the way a 4 in hand looks. Plus, it's too easy to tie, it feels like it's cheating 😀

 

[captainnerd]

Haha, sorry, I'm not really that into style, and I certainly wasn't implying that symmetry is more stylish. It's just a personal quirk of mine that if given the choice of symmetric or non-symmetric, I'd choose symmetry. It's a gut thing that I don't like the way a 4 in hand looks. Plus, it's too easy to tie, it feels like it's cheating 😀

James Bond said that the full windsor was a sign of a cad. Not that it matters.

 

[chad5871]

how do you guys feel about pinstripes? particularly, this pinstriped suit:
http://www.menswearhouse.com/menswe...owsePath=1408474395565236&bmUID=1222471178644

That suit looks a lot like the one I bought for my interviews. I know some people will disagree with me here, but I think it would be fine for interviews. I noticed at my Vermont interview that every other guy wore a solid charcoal gray suit and honestly I think a little pinstripe (as long as it's not too loud) would be a nice way to stand out from the crowd. I did end up going with a solid white shirt and a simple tie and I think the look turned out really well.

 

[apmrage68]

Whats up my fellow over-acheivers, I was just wondering your opinions on wearing a three piece suit for an interview..... too much perhaps?

 

[nVictus]

3-piece is a bit much. i told a med student at the school i was interviewing at if i should wear a 3-piece and she made fun of me... asking me if i was attending a wedding or something.

 

[searun]

James Bond said that the full windsor was a sign of a cad. Not that it matters.

I always drink a martini shaken, not stirred. This is very good advice.

 

[apmrage68]

3-piece is a bit much. i told a med student at the school i was interviewing at if i should wear a 3-piece and she made fun of me... asking me if i was attending a wedding or something.

LOL ok ok point taken, it's just wishful thinking anyway since I just submitted my app like two weeks ago and dying from anxiety !!! So I'm just kinda keeping my mind occupied by surfing the SDN boards which tends to be a double edged sword in regards allaying or compounding the anxiety. Thanks

 

[captainnerd]

I always drink a martini shaken, not stirred. This is very good advice.

I usually like it stirred on the belly of a supine stripper by her doing stomach waves. But that's just me.

 

[cetona]

What are you guys going to do for interviews in the colder months? What's typical to wear over a suit when it's colder outside?

 

[p30doc]

What are you guys going to do for interviews in the colder months? What's typical to wear over a suit when it's colder outside?

People wear those fancy long coats over suits. like this,

I am just wearing the suit to the interview. I will assume any exposure to the outdoors will be brief enough <20 mins, in which case the suit will keep me warm enough.

 

[captainnerd]

people wear those fancy long coats over suits. Like this,

i am just wearing the suit to the interview. I will assume any exposure to the outdoors will be brief enough <20 mins, in which case the suit will keep me warm enough.

+1 on forgoing the overcoat. Overcoat is overdoing it for interview.

Is that really Brooks Brothers overcoat? They're just phoning it in nowadays.

I just want to plug Thick as Thieves in LA. Great suits, great construction, great style for about $500. Can't beat the price for the quality.

 

[Vihsadas]

That suit looks a lot like the one I bought for my interviews. I know some people will disagree with me here, but I think it would be fine for interviews. I noticed at my Vermont interview that every other guy wore a solid charcoal gray suit and honestly I think a little pinstripe (as long as it's not too loud) would be a nice way to stand out from the crowd. I did end up going with a solid white shirt and a simple tie and I think the look turned out really well.

I don't think there's anything wrong with standing out just a little. In fact, I think it's a good thing. I totally agree with this. Pinstripes are fine if done tastefully.

 

[chad5871]

I don't think there's anything wrong with standing out just a little. In fact, I think it's a good thing. I totally agree with this. Pinstripes are fine if done tastefully.

At my VCU interview today there were 3 of us (out of about 7 guys) with pinstripe suits. It's not as uncommon as I thought.

 

[Vihsadas]

At my VCU interview today there were 3 of us (out of about 7 guys) with pinstripe suits. It's not as uncommon as I thought.

Yeah, I didn't think that it would be. Maybe it's because I currently live in a slightly European city, but pinstripes seem to be pretty standard here for "Business Casual". I'm stepping it up even one more notch and wearing a sateen light blue shirt with square buttons. Still classy, but different. (My suit is a Ted Baker Endurance textured black on black pinstriped suit).

I also don't think there is anything at all wrong with an overcoat. If it's winter, and you're cold, you wear an overcoat with a suit. It just fits better with what you're wearing.

 

[captainnerd]

Yeah, I didn't think that it would be. Maybe it's because I currently live in a slightly European city, but pinstripes seem to be pretty standard here for "Business Casual". I'm stepping it up even one more notch and wearing a sateen light blue shirt with square buttons. Still classy, but different. (My suit is a Ted Baker Endurance textured black on black pinstriped suit).

I also don't think there is anything at all wrong with an overcoat. If it's winter, and you're cold, you wear an overcoat with a suit. It just fits better with what you're wearing.

You want to stay away from anything sateen. Not just for interviews. Just stay away from it like it is radioactive. Stay away from anything gimmicky. Square buttons? That sounds like gimmick to me. Round mother of pearl is the only acceptable button material and shape.

I guess for interviews, buttons need not be mother of pearl. Mother of pearl buttons are like sweeping hands of watches. They serve very little purpose other than show that the garment is of high quality. Mother of pearl is like marble floors at a bank; it tells customers that this bank does well and is here to stay (it's not easy putting marble floors in or ripping it out).

To tell if a shirt's buttons are mother of pearl, tap it on your teeth. It should make a sharp tapping sound instead of a dull sound you get from tapping your fingernail on your teeth. Or lick the face of the button and it should be cold. Plastic will be warm. MOP also does not crack or melt when ironed or washed. Strength is the only function mother of pearl serves.

Nothing different is ever classy:

 

[Vihsadas]

I know how to tell what a high quality garment is. 🙂

Nothing different is ever classy:

We'll have to agree to disagree...

 

[captainnerd]

I know how to tell what a high quality garment is.

Really? Cause most garments sold will never tell you where the fabric comes from. The only time you'll ever know the source of fibers and where fabric was loomed is when you purchase bespoke and you can see the fabric on the fabric bolt or swatch book.

Even "high end" designer houses such as Armani Exchange, Pierre Cardin, Van Heussen, etc buy fabric on commodity markets where the only grade fabric get is "A" or "B" or "C". There is nothing wrong with getting shirts from JC Penny's or Macy's or Nordstrom. You'll just have to replace the shirts more often.

I would recommend you buy solid shirts from these big name dept stores. But if you're going to buy shirts with patterns (and the majority of your shirts should have patterns), you should get them elsewhere. The main reason is that it is very easy to dye fabric if the entire shirt is made from the same fibers with the same dyes. But if you're going to get patterns introduced into the shirt, the pattern is made by interweaving separate thread that has been dyed with the color of the pattern. This cotton thread must be dyed very well and be made of very long fibers. If the fibers are short, it will fray and the dye will be lost in repeated washings. Eventually, the pattern will fade. Lame. Short fibers will also produce a fuzzy look after repeated washings. Shirt fiber wool will produce a white sheen which looks worst on a black or gray suit. Dark suits from Armani and Banana Republic will produce a white and fuzzy surface within a few years.

Egyptian cotton is the best for shirtings. For wool, make sure it is made in Australia or New Zealand, followed by Ireland and the UK. Best looms are in UK and Ireland.

I know you've all made fun of me for being too informed and too gung ho about this topic, but if you're going to make an investment, why not make a good one?

Btw, you can get relatively good "bespoke" starting at about $500. I put "bespoke" in quotes because it is not true bespoke in that you'll be able to design your own style but you'll get to choose the fabric (and know the fabric pedigree), and choose certain details.

 

[m_rivera84]

Would it be okay to bring a backpack with you to an interview? It looks kind of funny to wear a suit and a backpack, but then again everyone is a student, and a suitcase would be even more weird.

 

[nick_carraway]

Would it be okay to bring a backpack with you to an interview? It looks kind of funny to wear a suit and a backpack, but then again everyone is a student, and a suitcase would be even more weird.

Why would you have that much to bring with you at your interview? Check in your bags at the front-desk of the hotel or leave them at the admission's office if you won't be going back to change before leaving the city.

 

[RoyBasch]

. I will assume any exposure to the outdoors will be brief enough <20 mins, in which case the suit will keep me warm enough.

I hope you are not interviewing at any Chicago school from about December until March. 😀
-Roy

 

[m_rivera84]

Why would you have that much to bring with you at your interview? Check in your bags at the front-desk of the hotel or leave them at the admission's office if you won't be going back to change before leaving the city.

True true, just easier to carry a backpack than having your hands busy with a portfolio or folders/papers

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Simpe question: what do you think? one of the pics a bit fuzzy and all of the are too big, don't hold it against me, I'm rubbish with computers.

P.S.: no worries, I'll shave before the actual interviews

 

[chad5871]

It's hard to tell the actual fit with your hands in your pockets, but it looks fine. Some might say that the suit is on the lighter side for interviews, but I think it would be okay. My only advice would be to lose the tie clip, but that's just my personal opinion. It's a whole lot more professional than some of the things I've seen at some of my interviews...

Good luck!

 

[captainnerd]

Simpe question: what do you think? one of the pics a bit fuzzy and all of the are too big, don't hold it against me, I'm rubbish with computers.

Looks good in terms of choice of shirt and tie and suit colors/fabrics. Make sure you don't button the bottom button. This will convey to others that this isn't your first time wearing a suit and that you paid attention to how other people dressed (in philosophical terms, humans are the only species that feels empathy or the ability to see oneself in others and this ability to emulate others reflects that). Ignoring the rules set out by others (especially others more knowledgeable) is not a good thing.

Hold your arms to your side and see if cuff is showing.

After you're done, clean up your room.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

After you're done, clean up your room.

I'll let my girlfriend know you don't approve of her organizational habits...

thanks for the advice...I had a nifty little thing for 3 buttons (always, sometimes, never...) but that whole thing went out the window with 2 buttons.

 

[searun]

I like the suit but lose the tie clip. Tie clips are lame.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I like the suit but lose the tie clip. Tie clips are lame.

Really? that's my lucky tie clip...bummer

 

[searun]

Really? that's my lucky tie clip...bummer

OK, if the clip will guarantee an offer of acceptance, then wear it. But don't have sex the night before an interview...Boxers are right, you will lose your mojo.

 

[Vihsadas]

Really? Cause most garments sold will never tell you where the fabric comes from. The only time you'll ever know the source of fibers and where fabric was loomed is when you purchase bespoke and you can see the fabric on the fabric bolt or swatch book....

I'm not necessarily talking about the type or make of fabric, but more about the seam work and the construction. Double sticthing, athletic vs. normal fit, tapered side seam, etc. Listen, noone is going to argue that you dont' know your stuff, you obviously spend some of your time learning the finer points of fashion and I'm sure your textbook knowledge is greater than anyone else here...but, its complete and utter overkill and more or less irrelevant for this particular purpose. And as armybound pointed out earlier, your display of knowledge isn't necessarily what's needed in this thread. It's appreciated however.

Maybe I should qualify my statement: within my pricerange, I know how to pick quality garments. I've spent a little bit of time learning about the clothes that I wear and which brands/designers/makes sell more or less crappy clothers for expensive, and which sell good solid clothing for decently cheap. Just like you said, you'll usually never know where the fabric ame from, so its far more important that the fabric be well construcuted.

But in reality, I'm sure you know (really, not trying to condescend you or anything this is sincere) the most important thing about your suit is fit. And I'm sure we will definitely both agree that making sure to get your suit tailored from a quality tailor (usually not the in-store tailor) can do wonders for how a suit looks. I know what suit styles fit my personality, and that happens to be less conservative/more edgy. For sure, some of the "rules" you've laid down are directly on point. There are things I absolutely agree with you about: i.e., proper length of shirt to hand and suit jacket to wrist, square shoes are bad form for this purpose, overly flashy combos are definitely risky (which is why I picked a textured black tie to go along with my admittedly dangerous choice of shirt), length of inseam, and ensuring the back seam compliments the correct shoulder length, definitely not using a fouffe, especially if your shirt choice is dangerous, etc... (I have a matching pockey fouffe for my shirt, but there's no way I'm wearing it. It's something that's saved for events like wedding receptions, etc...)

I can tell that you strongly advocate an extremely conservative look, which is absolutely fine, but you can be professional, even "medical school interview professional" without sticking to the rigidly conservative dress guidelines (charcoal, white shirt, contrasting tie, etc...).
It's true I've only been on one interview so far, but I'm confident my suit choice is both professional, clean-cut, but will also help me stand out just slightly. That's really as far as anyone needs to take it with medical school interviews...The interviewer is judging you, not the finer points of fashion pertaninig to your suit.

 

[captainnerd]

I'm not necessarily talking about the type or make of fabric, but more about the seam work and the construction. Double sticthing, proper thread count, etc. Listen, noone is going to argue that you dont' know your stuff, you obviously spend some of your time learning the finer points of fashion and I'm sure your textbook knowledge is greater than anyone else here...but, its complete and utter overkill and more or less irrelevant for this particular purpose. Furthermore, your display of knowledge doesn't really serve anyone's purpose in this thread.

Maybe I should qualify my statement: within my pricerange, I know how to pick quality garments. I've spent a little bit of time learning about the clothes that I wear and which brands/designers/makes sell more or less crappy clothers for expensive, and which sell good solid clothing for decently cheap. Just like you said, you'll usually never know where the fabric ame from, so its far more important that the fabric be well construcuted.

But in reality, I'm sure you know (really, not trying to condescend you or anything this is sincere) the most important thing about your suit is fit. I know what fits my personality, and I like to be less conservative/edgy. It's true I've only been on one interview so far, but I'm confident my suit choice is both professional, clean-cut, but will help me stand out a bit. That's really as far as anyone needs to take it with medical school interviews...The interviewer is judging you, not the finer points of fashion pertaninig to your suit.

Okay, you win. But just stay away from sateen. It's practically satin... for shirts. Imagine if they took leather and made bedsheets out of it. I don't know who came up with sateen for shirts but he's probably a dickface.

How sateen shirts were invented:
Boss: Hey Jimmy, we're out of broadcloth, pinpoint, herringbone, and everything else. What are we going to use to make shirts?
Jimmy: I got some sateen and that makes for some nice bedspreads.
Boss: Who is going to buy sateen shirts?
Jimmy: How about we sell to the Americans?
Boss: Jimmy, you are a genius. The Americans will buy anything.

Btw, fashion is all about fads. Style will remain the same for centuries. In the past 100 years, there have only been two major changes to suits: darts and the lapel hole (darts and lapel hole counts as "major" change? considering the conservative nature of suits, yes). Everything else has stayed about the same. I'll say it again: your suit will not just be for interviews. You'll have socials, dances, conferences, etc. Get a good investment and it'll be versatile. That is why I really don't understand the concept of the "interview suit." Is the interview suit sorta like "the motorcycle jacket?": good only while on the motorcycle?

Because of the conservative nature of formal wear, the rules and regulations regarding formal wear are set in stone. Wear a dark shirt to an interview and people will think you are a waiter. There was a previous post about a guy who wanted to know if a black suit, a black shirt, and a silver tie was okay? The answer is no. The black shirt is reserved for white tie events (or if you are at a black tie event, the waiter). Like proper etiquette, proper attire is no longer taught in America. Just an anecdote, Jimmy Carter once kissed the Queen on the lips at a white tie event. She was not happy.

I've worn the suit I've chosen for interviews to weddings, temple, to work, and on dates (fancy jacket only restaurants). I've even ordered thousands of dollars worth of toys with my interview suit (I sell toys as a hobby). I find it offensive that people wear shorts to religious services. That just kills me every time.

Get the wrong suit and you'll be stuck with an "interview suit." Get a good suit and you might just be buried in it if you take care of it.

Btw, what is your price range? Often, people are afraid of going off the beaten path when it comes to buying shirts. They would rather trust the big names (Macy's, Nordstroms) than get something from a startup.

Hillhousetailors.com makes custom shirts with prices similar to Nordstrom. MTM for OTR prices.

Not to mention it is a pain in the ass to iron cheap fabric. Buy good fabric and you'll save lots of time ironing. Cheap fabric will wrinkle on the hanger, not just while being worn.

 

[Vihsadas]

Okay, you win. But just stay away from sateen. It's practically satin... for shirts.

Naw man, I don't win. I just contribute my opinion, as do you. The silik I have is really, really subtle. I'll agree that if your shirt is standout shiny, you're probably in trouble for a professional interview like this one.

 

[p30doc]

at an interview I saw someone in a sweater vest (no suit jacket) and someone else with top button or two unbuttoned and no tie

 

[captainnerd]

I'll let my girlfriend know you don't approve of her organizational habits...

thanks for the advice...I had a nifty little thing for 3 buttons (always, sometimes, never...) but that whole thing went out the window with 2 buttons.

Actually, the rule for 3 buttons is much more complicated. This is the easier version:

1) Button the middle button.
2) With the middle button buttoned, is the top button facing outward or facing to the right?
3) If the button faces out, button it. If to the right, you can if you want.

So it should be: sometimes, always, never.

The reason why a button will face to the right is because the lapel was not ironed flat creating a hard crease. If it wasn't ironed flat, the lapel is said to have a "natural roll." Therefore, the lapel will roll and curl as it goes down and the top button will face rightward.

Examples of rolling lapels:

Then there's the three roll 2 whereby the roll was never introduced in the ironing process. The top buttonhole is seen in the lapel and is a sign the person knows what he is doing. The top button is never meant to be buttoned. The top button is hidden underneath the lapel because the roll is so unstructured:

 

[Vihsadas]

Btw, fashion is all about fads. Style will remain the same for centuries. In the past 100 years, there have only been two major changes to suits: darts and the lapel hole (darts and lapel hole counts as "major" change? considering the conservative nature of suits, yes). Everything else has stayed about the same. I'll say it again: your suit will not just be for interviews. You'll have socials, dances, conferences, etc. Get a good investment and it'll be versatile. That is why I really don't understand the concept of the "interview suit." Is the interview suit sorta like "the motorcycle jacket?": good only while on the motorcycle?

Because of the conservative nature of formal wear, the rules and regulations regarding formal wear are set in stone. Wear a dark shirt to an interview and people will think you are a waiter. There was a previous post about a guy who wanted to know if a black suit, a black shirt, and a silver tie was okay? The answer is no. The black shirt is reserved for white tie events (or if you are at a black tie event, the waiter). Like proper etiquette, proper attire is no longer taught in America. Just an anecdote, Jimmy Carter once kissed the Queen on the lips at a white tie event. She was not happy.

I've worn the suit I've chosen for interviews to weddings, temple, to work, and on dates (fancy jacket only restaurants). I've even ordered thousands of dollars worth of toys with my interview suit (I sell toys as a hobby). I find it offensive that people wear shorts to religious services. That just kills me every time.

Get the wrong suit and you'll be stuck with an "interview suit." Get a good suit and you might just be buried in it if you take care of it.

Exactly! It's so true. The fit, at least, of suits and formal wear hasn't changed in many years. The suit I'm wearing I've had for a hell of a long time. It's not a $1500 suit (It's just a ted baker endurance) but those things fit my body type perfectly, and it's stayed in amazing condition over the years. I wear it to weddings, conferences, semi-formals, etc. with just a change in shoes, tie, shirt, fouffe etc. to match the event. A great tailored suit can last you forever.

Btw, what is your price range? Often, people are afraid of going off the beaten path when it comes to buying shirts. They would rather trust the big names (Macy's, Nordstroms) than get something from a startup.

Hillhousetailors.com makes custom shirts with prices similar to Nordstrom. MTM for OTR prices.

Nice find, that's money. My range is $5 - $100 for shirts, I rarely if ever have spent more, but I haven't really found ocassion too. And you're right, I've never spent the time, like you have, to find some really solid custom tailors for clothing. I'll give them a try. Just for a bit of context, my favorite solid shirt (has lasted a few years now without the collar or cuffs or color wearing or fading) cost me $15. I have way more expensive shirts from big names that just don't hold up.

Not to mention it is a pain in the ass to iron cheap fabric. Buy good fabric and you'll save lots of time ironing. Cheap fabric will wrinkle on the hanger, not just while being worn.

So true. My personal experience is that the fabric just won't cooperate on badly made shirts when rolled on to their side seam to iron the sleeves. Maybe that's just my crappy ironing though. Then, the cheaper fabrics fade even on low heat. I've also found it helpful to invest in good thick hangers to make sure the shoulder keep proper form.

Anyway, thanks for the website tip. I'll check them out.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Actually, the rule for 3 buttons is much more complicated. This is the easier version:

1) Button the middle button.
2) With the middle button buttoned, is the top button facing outward or facing to the right?
3) If the button faces out, button it. If to the right, you can if you want.

So it should be: sometimes, always, never.

The reason why a button will face to the right is because the lapel was not ironed flat creating a hard crease. If it wasn't ironed flat, the lapel is said to have a "natural roll." Therefore, the lapel will roll and curl as it goes down and the top button will face rightward.

Examples of rolling lapels:

Then there's the three roll 2 whereby the roll was never introduced in the ironing process. The top buttonhole is seen in the lapel and is a sign the person knows what he is doing. The top button is never meant to be buttoned. The top button is hidden underneath the lapel because the roll is so unstructured:

I wish I had this much time.... 😀

 

[jwied73]

Anyone looking for a new suit- S&K Menswear is having a 50% off sale on everything in the store (at least in Tampa, not sure if it's nationwide.) Just picked up a black Jones New York sharkskin for $150 and Bostonian black leather shoes for $50... Probably not the best suit you can buy, but it's still very nice.

 

[captainnerd]

I wish I had this much time.... 😀

Why don't you?

I suggest the first thing to cut out of your life is television. TV is a complete time waster. Get all your news via iTunes. Most of tv is crap anyways. The best shows usually get cancelled so get then on DVD, it saves a lot of time (Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, etc).

Then cut out the video games.

Do that and you'll have much more time for restaurants, the theatre, and sailing at your gf's vacation home at Martha's Vineyard.

Then do what I do and work for yourself. There is no point working 9 to 5 for someone else. I worked 9 to 5 and it pissed me off. I now work when work needs to be done, usually about 3 hours a day.

 

[nick_carraway]

True true, just easier to carry a backpack than having your hands busy with a portfolio or folders/papers

I see your point but most guys won't have a backpack and most of the ladies will have handbags. Your backpack would just stick out. I suggest just holding your papers since they'll be in a folder or an envelope.

 

[nick_carraway]

Actually, the rule for 3 buttons is much more complicated. This is the easier version:

1) Button the middle button.
2) With the middle button buttoned, is the top button facing outward or facing to the right?
3) If the button faces out, button it. If to the right, you can if you want.

So it should be: sometimes, always, never.

The reason why a button will face to the right is because the lapel was not ironed flat creating a hard crease. If it wasn't ironed flat, the lapel is said to have a "natural roll." Therefore, the lapel will roll and curl as it goes down and the top button will face rightward.

Isn't a button that rolls to the right rolling outward if outward is away from the midline?

 

[Anatidae]

Isn't a button that rolls to the right rolling outward if outward is away from the midline?

I think he means that the natural roll causes the button to face laterally towards the right. On a true 3-button, where you'd button the top button, the top button sits flat against your chest with the button facing forward.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Just out of interest....how do these rules develop? Was, or is, there a rationale for only having one of the buttons buttoned of those available for buttoning. I am wholly ignorant when it comes to suit fashion (or any fashion for that matter) but it really seems kind of arbitrary...at least with the button rule.

 

[da8s0859q]

Just out of interest....how do these rules develop? Was, or is, there a rationale for only having one of the buttons buttoned of those available for buttoning. I am wholly ignorant when it comes to suit fashion (or any fashion for that matter) but it really seems kind of arbitrary...at least with the button rule.

Hell if I know. But some of it, most of it, is way beyond my attention span for such things.

Gimme a half-Windsor knot, a two-button jacket buttoned to how it looks best on me in my eyes, and I'm a happy camper.

 

[JackInTheBox]

Just out of interest....how do these rules develop? Was, or is, there a rationale for only having one of the buttons buttoned of those available for buttoning. I am wholly ignorant when it comes to suit fashion (or any fashion for that matter) but it really seems kind of arbitrary...at least with the button rule.

I thought it was obvious. One button looks more badass, and it's also that much quicker to get your jacket off once the ladies see how badass you look and invite you in for the night.

 

[SDN2013]

I interviewed today. Most of the guys wore black. One guy had brown, one guy had navy blue, two guys had medium/light grey. My charcoal grey was almost black, I wish it was just a tiny bit lighter. I buttoned the mid button only on 3 button suit, I was pleased with the look.