Help with selecting a suit. Please.

smittybuilt19
smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
in Chit-Chat
Yesterday, my instructor informed me that starting this semester, there would be a mock interview for those of us on track to graduate in May. This will be my second professional interview. The first I wore a shirt and tie and dress pants. My instructor said he would be expecting a suit and tie. I have never owned a suit. So, this is where MFPals come in to save the day and help me succeed in securing a job. Btw, he said that he intends to bring in a few local industry professionals to administer the interview, which could turn this mock interview into "the real deal."

So I ask...where do I start when selecting a suit? For an idea of budget, I am a full time student and will have to quit my job in 7 weeks in order to work an unpaid Co-op for 8 weeks. Thanks folks!
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Replies

  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    thrift stores in or near affluent areas and then get it tailored to fit you perfectly. you will spend a quarter of the cost and look like a million bucks.
  • trojanbb
    trojanbb Posts: 1,297 Member
    I'd just go to Men's Warehouse, get a $200 suit and get it tailored. You MUST get it fitted and tailored. Men without tailored suits stick out like a sore thumb...it's obvious and makes a bad impression. A cheap suit can look good if it fits well. The guys there can size you etc.

    Interview suits should be charcoal. Maybe dark blue. Never dark black, you are not an FBI agent or attending a funeral. No light colored suits.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    Yes, a good tailor can be your friend, for sure.

    Avoid double-breasted suits or odd colors.

    For a job interview basic navy or charcoal or dark brown with perhaps a subtle tweed or pinstripe pattern would be great. Also, wear your eye color in your tie or shirt or the stripe of your suit. Emphasizing one's eye color helps get one's point across in an interview.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    I'd just go to Men's Warehouse, get a $200 suit and get it tailored. You MUST get it fitted and tailored. Men without tailored suits stick out like a sore thumb...it's obvious and makes a bad impression. A cheap suit can look good if it fits well. The guys there can size you etc.

    This about the sizing, you don't want your sleeves over your hands so you have to pull your sleeves up to shake hands..
    Plus nothing crazy, no pin stripes, no white suits, stick with traditional colors (Blue, black) and make sure you match with it.. Have a good belt as well and a tie pin or tie holder... Dress the part.
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    I'd just go to Men's Warehouse, get a $200 suit and get it tailored. You MUST get it fitted and tailored. Men without tailored suits stick out like a sore thumb...it's obvious and makes a bad impression. A cheap suit can look good if it fits well. The guys there can size you etc.

    I like this idea, as a good suit can be worn on several different occasions, but the wife is already nagging about how much it's gonna cost just to get a cheap suit. I don't want to be cheap suit guy!
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    My opinion, as most of you will most likely share, is if I'm going to present myself as the guy for the job I better be dressed that way. It's just tough to justify the expense with my wife. Anyways, just venting, carry on with the advice. I do appreciate it folks!
  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    My opinion, as most of you will most likely share, is if I'm going to present myself as the guy for the job I better be dressed that way. It's just tough to justify the expense with my wife. Anyways, just venting, carry on with the advice. I do appreciate it folks!

    every guy needs at least ONE suit. you guys have it easier - one suit, all occasions - and getting it now means you have it for future interviews, meaning that you will get better jobs at the get-go
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    I second the Men's Wearhouse plan - they are awesome, always have a great selection and make great recommendations as well as set up all of the needed tailoring.

    You get a coupon for filling out their survey after every purchase ($25 OFF $100) - so I usually go in and buy something a couple days before I go in to buy a suit - I can always use an extra shirt, tie or a belt or something.
  • snoopytwins
    snoopytwins Posts: 1,759 Member
    For your wife...does she want you to make a good impression and get a job offer? If so, she's going to have to deal with the expense. Even "inexpensive" suits can get a tad pricey with alterations and accessories.

    A man that looks good in a suit...few and far between to me (and I see men in suits all day, every day). Why? One of two reasons. It is ill-fitting or the guy just looks plain uncomfortable (because he may not wear suits often?). A great tailoring job is a must and wear it with confidence. Go with charcoal for the interview. I think it's harder to pull off a black suit without looking like you're going to a funeral. Don't forget shoes, socks, belt, and tie...those are all things people will notice as well.
  • Dsmcgrail
    Dsmcgrail Posts: 75
    I second the Men's Wearhouse plan - they are awesome, always have a great selection and make great recommendations as well as set up all of the needed tailoring.

    You get a coupon for filling out their survey after every purchase ($25 OFF $100) - so I usually go in and buy something a couple days before I go in to buy a suit - I can always use an extra shirt, tie or a belt or something.

    Amazing advice!
  • stljam
    stljam Posts: 512 Member
    I think we are all assuming you are interviewing for a normal business type job. Assuming so, I concur on Charcoal or Navy being preferred. Depending on what your industry is, it may be much more appropriate to go with a non-traditional color.

    An alternative to the tailoring is suit separates. Men's Warehouse may offer this but stores like JCPenney definitely do. Separates allow you to get whatever size you need in each part of the suit rather than having a standard pairing. This can be a huge deal because the pants that would come with my jacket would have a waist that is about 5 inches too big and would even be hard to alter. Coming out of college, i could not buy a standard suit because they could not alter the pants small enough due to pockets, seams, etc.

    It is important to realize you still may need to alter the coat on your suit separate purchase. Fit is key to making a suit not look cheap imho.
  • saxmaniac
    saxmaniac Posts: 1,133 Member
    You need to own at least one tailored suit - even if you don't use it daily. Don't forget a dress shirt and dress shoes, too.

    Trojanbb has good advice. MW is a good place to go, if you have no idea what you're doing, because you really need someone to help you out, the first time. Unfortunately, it can be hit or miss there. Sometimes you'll get a guy who will try to put you into an old, boxy suit with huge shoulder pads and too-long sleeves. I've bought a few suits there before I knew what I was doing and they suck. If you don't go "WOW" when you put it on, don't buy it, and make them try again.

    Read http://masculine-style.com/staple-1-the-suit/

    Cheap suits are only horrible when they fit badly or a bad style. I just found a good slim-fit $300 suit on clearance for $99. A few more bucks to tailor it and it will be done. If you keep an eye open, you can cut some good deals.

    You probably want a slim-fit cut these days, unless you are significantly overweight.
  • 5stringjeff
    5stringjeff Posts: 790 Member
    The Men's Wearhouse plan is a good one. You can't really go wrong with a navy blue suit as a good all-purpose suit. Don't get separates for a job interview.

    If you think you'll wear the suit often enough (church, weddings, work, etc.), consider going to Joseph A Banks. Their quality is a step up from Men's Wearhouse. I've got suits from both stores and definitely prefer the ones from Joseph A Banks. Just make sure you go when they have a sale.
  • ACepero79
    ACepero79 Posts: 711 Member
    Pick up a grey or navy blue suit. Those colors will go very well with most colored shirts.

    Definitely get it tailored. I own about 7-8 suits. I've gotten a few from Men's Warehouse. However the last few that I've gotten I got at Macys. I picked up two, tailored suits for about $300. They're my most favorite suits right now.

    For interviews, I'll usually wear a navy blue suit, white shirt, red tie. That's a power suit combination for interviews. Remember to match your belt with your shoes in terms of color. And the tie should land on the belt buckle.
  • heathersmilez
    heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
    JOSEPH-A-BAAAAAAAANKS!

    Ha ha, I see that commercial all the time, "buy 1 get 3 free!" and deals like that but that store isn't in Canada. I'll have to check it out next time I'm on vaca in Florida to see if its junk or decent.
  • saxmaniac
    saxmaniac Posts: 1,133 Member
    I like this idea, as a good suit can be worn on several different occasions, but the wife is already nagging about how much it's gonna cost just to get a cheap suit. I don't want to be cheap suit guy!

    Just so you know - if you get a good suit and it fits right, she will change her mind and want to rip it off you.
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    Pick up a grey or navy blue suit. Those colors will go very well with most colored shirts.

    Definitely get it tailored. I own about 7-8 suits. I've gotten a few from Men's Warehouse. However the last few that I've gotten I got at Macys. I picked up two, tailored suits for about $300. They're my most favorite suits right now.

    For interviews, I'll usually wear a navy blue suit, white shirt, red tie. That's a power suit combination for interviews. Remember to match your belt with your shoes in terms of color. And the tie should land on the belt buckle.

    Heck yea^^ I'm loving the advice. Not only where to possibly shop but also how to wear it properly. Awesome. Keep it coming. I've got a few weeks until I need to make a purchase.
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
    I'd just go to Men's Warehouse, get a $200 suit and get it tailored. You MUST get it fitted and tailored. Men without tailored suits stick out like a sore thumb...it's obvious and makes a bad impression. A cheap suit can look good if it fits well. The guys there can size you etc.

    Interview suits should be charcoal. Maybe dark blue. Never dark black, you are not an FBI agent or attending a funeral. No light colored suits.

    This.....just this.
  • wadedawg
    wadedawg Posts: 315
    I prefer Joseph A. Bank, but Men's Wearhouse is fine as well.

    Definitely get it tailored however.
  • goody2shews
    goody2shews Posts: 129 Member
    JC Penney for sure. They can fit ANY budget and are very very good.
  • goody2shews
    goody2shews Posts: 129 Member
    Did you say you just have a couple of weeks?

    You need to buy it this weekend then. 90% of the time you will need it altered. JCPenney usually does it for free but it takes time.
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    JC Penney for sure. They can fit ANY budget and are very very good.

    This was my first thought. But, when I look at pricing it seems that I might be able to spend about $100 more and get a suit from MWH or JABank. Correct me if I'm wrong y'all. And also, do these stores tailor, or is that something else all together? Again I have no experience with real dress clothes. Thanks.
  • Nancy_hc
    Nancy_hc Posts: 123 Member
    Look whos got the sales going on - usually you can find a "buy one get one free" deal. My husband has never bought a suite at full price becuase SOMEWHERE always has this sale going on.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    +1 for a tailored suit. Really you don't want to be seen with just any sIut off the rack
  • california_peach
    california_peach Posts: 1,809 Member
    I'd just go to Men's Warehouse, get a $200 suit and get it tailored. You MUST get it fitted and tailored. Men without tailored suits stick out like a sore thumb...it's obvious and makes a bad impression. A cheap suit can look good if it fits well. The guys there can size you etc.

    Interview suits should be charcoal. Maybe dark blue. Never dark black, you are not an FBI agent or attending a funeral. No light colored suits.

    This for sure. Tailoring can take time so make sure you account for that.
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    HaHa, my wife is gonna freak out. I definitely want to be judged on my skills and knowledge, not how I look. FYI, I will be entering the Clinical Engineering field.
  • saxmaniac
    saxmaniac Posts: 1,133 Member
    This was my first thought. But, when I look at pricing it seems that I might be able to spend about $100 more and get a suit from MWH or JABank. Correct me if I'm wrong y'all. And also, do these stores tailor, or is that something else all together? Again I have no experience with real dress clothes. Thanks.

    MW and JA usually have on-site tailors.

    But you can't just buy a suit and wear it that day. You buy it, get a fitting, wait a few days as they adjust it, get a second fitting, adjust AGAIN, wait, and then take it home. You gotta move.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    JC Penney for sure. They can fit ANY budget and are very very good.

    This was my first thought. But, when I look at pricing it seems that I might be able to spend about $100 more and get a suit from MWH or JABank. Correct me if I'm wrong y'all. And also, do these stores tailor, or is that something else all together? Again I have no experience with real dress clothes. Thanks.

    JABanks is always having a sale. My husband has bought many, many suits from them in his career--I think that their suits are of decent quality. We have no experience with MWH, and I know I bought my first (women's) interview suit from JCPenney and it was more polyester than wool. JABanks used to have in-store tailors--I think they send to a centralized location now--but they will chalk up your suit right for you and send it out and everything.

    Definitely dress for the job you want and not necessarily the job you have. Wear nice polished shoes. It's a good idea to invest in a decent suit (as long as you don't plan on losing or gaining too much weight soon)--not only for the job interview aspect, but you are probably getting to the age when your friends are going to start getting married... and you always need a suit to wear to funerals, too...
  • danabrash
    danabrash Posts: 67
    Really you don't want to be seen with just any sIut off the rack

    too true...
  • mrswestmoreland
    mrswestmoreland Posts: 27 Member
    JCP is a great place to start. They have lots of brands and usually have really good prices. I have gotten my husband jackets for $15 and the dress pants are usually $20. Get a dark suit (blue, blk, gray) Good Luck. This as nothing to do with suits...but dont know if you know that the federal governemt has training plans that put you on a fast track career. If you go to usajobs.gov and type intern in the search box you should be able to locate some of the positions.

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