OCI/callbacks/etc Men's Clothing Mega-thread

[grash]

Personally, I think skinny ties look pretty terrible on all but the skinniest people. 5 foot 8, and 170 doesn't sound like you are the stick-like figure that makes a skinny tie look good.

The tie's 2.75 inches if that makes a difference. About 3/4 of an inch smaller than the standard tie. Not as skinny as the skinniest of ties, but neither is it standard sized. Still no bueno?

[Bronte]

Just to confirm what Aston said, can I go with the skinny tie? I'm a fairly small guy, 5'8 170ish, athletic build, and I feel like skinny ties make more sense for someone my size.

No one can go with a skinny tie. Your tie should be about 3.5 inches at the wide part.

[Bronte]

Personally, I think skinny ties look pretty terrible on all but the skinniest people. 5 foot 8, and 170 doesn't sound like you are the stick-like figure that makes a skinny tie look good.

The tie's 2.75 inches if that makes a difference. About 3/4 of an inch smaller than the standard tie. Not as skinny as the skinniest of ties, but neither is it standard sized. Still no bueno?

No bueno. http://www.thetiebar.com/. $15.

[grash]

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[Aston2412]

I'm gonna stand by my assertion that you can wear a skinny tie, especially at 5'8'' 170.

If everyone else has gotten you that concerned about it though ask your CSO what they think.

Wearing a standard tie cannot hurt you, but I don't think wearing a skinny tie will either.

[Kabuo]

Ok, so Bronte says no skinny ties, someone else says only if you're the right size. I have one skinny tie that a date picked out for me for a wedding. It's solid red, and I thought it looked fine, but I wasn't wearing a jacket with it. Anyway, I'm 5' 11" and 160. Is this the "stick" enough that I should mix in some skinny ties? Or is Bronte TCR here? It'd be nice if some more of you could weigh in.

[Bronte]

Will someone please go tell these people that they shouldn't where a skinny tie to OCI? viewtopic.php?f=23&t=157813&start=25

[fatduck]

Will someone please go tell these people that they shouldn't where a skinny tie to OCI? http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&start=25

you shouldn't where a skinny tie anywear

[patrickd139]

Will someone please go tell these people that they shouldn't where a skinny tie to OCI? http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&start=25

you shouldn't where a skinny tie anywear

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[geoduck]

Ok, so Bronte says no skinny ties, someone else says only if you're the right size. I have one skinny tie that a date picked out for me for a wedding. It's solid red, and I thought it looked fine, but I wasn't wearing a jacket with it. Anyway, I'm 5' 11" and 160. Is this the "stick" enough that I should mix in some skinny ties? Or is Bronte TCR here? It'd be nice if some more of you could weigh in.

Bronte is TCR. Skinny ties are unprofessional, and hideous.

[James Bond]

Under no condition should you wear a skinny tie to OCI. Absolutely not.

[James Bond]

but I don't think wearing a skinny tie will either.

Yes it will. You will look juvenile and unprofessional.

[areyouinsane]

Also, many old geezer type partners wear bow ties. There is even a CLE instructor from Davis Polk i think who gives a lesson on how to actually tie a bow tie and not just use the clip-on jobs. Another funny thing is that there's a doc reviewer at Sullivan who wears a full suit and tie every day. He really believes he actually "works" at the firm and rarely takes his jacket off even in the summer. Everyone calls him "Clark Kent." I think he was once in the military and thinks it's his uniform or something like that. He also has kind of a short fuse, so give him a wide berth.

Anyway, the old geezer CLE partner/professor tells you the CLE code numbers during the bow-tie lesson. When you listen to DVD's they hide a secret number code in the film at some point and you have to write down the code as proof you listened to the tape if they ever audit you. It sucks because the code is always in a different place, but some people randomly fast-fwd the tape until they find it. One guy writes it on a dry-erase board and then erases it like 10 seconds later so you can't "tune in late" and write it down. That guy doesn't wear any necktie at all, I think he does wear suspenders though. BTW some really old people call them "braces."

[grash]

I'm gonna stand by my assertion that you can wear a skinny tie, especially at 5'8'' 170.

If everyone else has gotten you that concerned about it though ask your CSO what they think.

Wearing a standard tie cannot hurt you, but I don't think wearing a skinny tie will either.

I think I look fine in it, and if I get hired somewhere or go out on the town, you can bet I will be rocking skinny ties for as long as my weight allows (ha, who am I kidding, I'm never wearing a tie when I go out). But enough people here are opinionated about it that it's probably smarter to just go with a standard sized tie - nobody will judge me for it, whereas some people may judge me for a skinny tie.

[Bronte]

Also, many old geezer type partners wear bow ties. There is even a CLE instructor from Davis Polk i think who gives a lesson on how to actually tie a bow tie and not just use the clip-on jobs. Another funny thing is that there's a doc reviewer at Sullivan who wears a full suit and tie every day. He really believes he actually "works" at the firm and rarely takes his jacket off even in the summer. Everyone calls him "Clark Kent." I think he was once in the military and thinks it's his uniform or something like that. He also has kind of a short fuse, so give him a wide berth.

Anyway, the old geezer CLE partner/professor tells you the CLE code numbers during the bow-tie lesson. When you listen to DVD's they hide a secret number code in the film at some point and you have to write down the code as proof you listened to the tape if they ever audit you. It sucks because the code is always in a different place, but some people randomly fast-fwd the tape until they find it. One guy writes it on a dry-erase board and then erases it like 10 seconds later so you can't "tune in late" and write it down. That guy doesn't wear any necktie at all, I think he does wear suspenders though. BTW some really old people call them "braces."

You should write a book about this shit.

[MrKappus]

Just to confirm what Aston said, can I go with the skinny tie? I'm a fairly small guy, 5'8 170ish, athletic build, and I feel like skinny ties make more sense for someone my size.

I'd be less worried about your tie and more worried about Peter Jackson constantly trying to cast you in his movies.

[Bronte]

Preaching to the choir.

[TheKingintheNorth]

for the love of god don't get a suit from Brooks Brother's

Charcoal/Navy Suit, two buttons, red tie, white shirt, black shoes, black belt from a decent department store or express/nordstroms or something. Does Zara have suits? Zara is pretty great for shirts and blazers. H&M if youre broke.

[thesealocust]

Just to confirm what Aston said, can I go with the skinny tie? I'm a fairly small guy, 5'8 170ish, athletic build, and I feel like skinny ties make more sense for someone my size.

I'd be less worried about your tie and more worried about Peter Jackson constantly trying to cast you in his movies.

And here you are making the best posts on TLS. I need to step up my game.

[leobowski]

I wear vintage ties occasionally, but the rest of my outfit is usually very conservative (e.g. navy/charcoal 2-button, white shirt, cap-toes, etc). Once your tie rotation gets in the 50+ mark, some of them are bound to be out of style. But I would never wear the ultra-skinny ties that you see at Express, etc.

Cliffs: vintage ties can be legit but exercise extreme caution.

[Renzo]

Ok, so Bronte says no skinny ties, someone else says only if you're the right size. I have one skinny tie that a date picked out for me for a wedding. It's solid red, and I thought it looked fine, but I wasn't wearing a jacket with it. Anyway, I'm 5' 11" and 160. Is this the "stick" enough that I should mix in some skinny ties? Or is Bronte TCR here? It'd be nice if some more of you could weigh in.

Whoa, back that train up. You were wearing a tie without a jacket? On purpose?

[TheKingintheNorth]

. But I would never wear the ultra-skinny ties that you see at Express, etc.

It's general a good rule of thumb to not look like you're in a shitty band. I have a pretty eclectic style so I know the temptations to fuck around with double breasted ultra skinny whatever with sparkly ties, but when it's suit time just man up and go conservative hard.

[beachbum]

Have you visited the suits thread in the lounge? If there's anything TLS knows about fashion, it's what to wear to OCI. There's a simple, inarguable framework: (1) navy or charcoal two-button traditional cut suit, (2) red or blue pindot or houndstooth tie, (4) white or pale blue shirt, and (5) simple black belt with black captoe shoes.

Our peers, in this thread included, will rebel against this uniform. They'll whine about their individualism. The person who wears this uniform, on the other hand, will demonstrate his ability and willingness to follow simple rules. He'll allow the interviewer to focus on the important stuff.

+1, it really is as simple as that. And fit matters more than cost/brand; buy a decent suit (hint: no polyester) and take it to a good tailor. And while you're waiting on the alterations, spend some time SHINING YOUR SHOES. There's nothing worse than a nice suit paired with scuffed, scrubby-looking shoes. It doesn't take much to apply a simple spit-shine, but people will notice. Oh, and get some shoe trees.

Edit: Also, no skinny ties.

[leobowski]

One big problem with vintage/slim ties is that you just can't get a good knot (i.e. full windsor/ cross knot with a good dimple). A half windsor is the only knot that really works, which brings to mind the shitty band thing for me at least.

[Sup Kid]

100% serious here: you can spend $300 for suit/shirt/tie at Jos A. Bank and $100 for shoes at Nordstroms and be completely fine for OCI. You are a law student, not an attorney making 6 figures. So long as you dress conservative and professional, they a) won't notice what you are wearing or b) won't care. All this talk about "style" for OCI interviews is honestly ridiculous.