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

[romothesavior]

On their own, I think they look fine. I just would never wear them with a suit or a tie. Looks... cluttered to me having the buttons.

I think this is credited. I'll just add that button downs look far, far better than non-button downs when worn as business casual without a tie or jacket. I agree they are probably not ideal for a suit.

[Vronsky]

damn that's a nice suit...THANK GOD he isn't wearing button down collar or else his boss might yell at him! O NOEZ!

You shouldn't wear a button down collar ever, anyways. They look like shit.

I hear you and agree completely. But I know a doofus who wore a button down shirt AND didn't even button the stupid things down. This doofus still got 10 CBs. Go figure.

IMO the only time to wear a button down dress shirt is when it's with khakis and loafers, top button un-buttoned, button downs properly cinched. Button down shirts look much more appropriate with a blazer than a suit, because they have much more in common with grade school than professional attire.

[Anonymous User]

damn that's a nice suit...THANK GOD he isn't wearing button down collar or else his boss might yell at him! O NOEZ!

You shouldn't wear a button down collar ever, anyways. They look like shit.

I hear you and agree completely. But I know a doofus who wore a button down shirt AND didn't even button the stupid things down. This doofus still got 10 CBs. Go figure.

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprezzatura

[goodolgil]

What looks even worse than a button down collar with a suit is a button down collar with a suit where the buttones aren't even buttoned (saw this a bit at OCI). If you're gonna rock the BD, you need to actually button it down!

[JamMasterJ]

This has probably been answered already, but.. oh well.
I'm an 0L but I'm thinking of buying a suit for interviews, OCI, SA... What do you guys think the bottom line is WRT to price? I'd like to avoid the $500 range if possible, and I will be getting a $400 credit at Men's Warehouse because I'm using them for my wedding tuxes (Is Men's Warehouse going to look silly and middle-aged on a 23 year old slim guy?). What are some inexpensive, serviceable options for a guy on a budget?

[Bosque]

This has probably been answered already, but.. oh well.
I'm an 0L but I'm thinking of buying a suit for interviews, OCI, SA... What do you guys think the bottom line is WRT to price? I'd like to avoid the $500 range if possible, and I will be getting a $400 credit at Men's Warehouse because I'm using them for my wedding tuxes (Is Men's Warehouse going to look silly and middle-aged on a 23 year old slim guy?). What are some inexpensive, serviceable options for a guy on a budget?

Don't buy your suit at Men's Wearhouse. You probably don't know enough about suits not to get ripped off there.

[beach_terror]

Go to JAB, Macy's, Brooks Brothers outlets, etc. to find a decent affordable suit. Since you have time, go once and get prices then wait for a big sale to drop.

[Blumpbeef]

This has probably been answered already, but.. oh well.
I'm an 0L but I'm thinking of buying a suit for interviews, OCI, SA... What do you guys think the bottom line is WRT to price? I'd like to avoid the $500 range if possible, and I will be getting a $400 credit at Men's Warehouse because I'm using them for my wedding tuxes (Is Men's Warehouse going to look silly and middle-aged on a 23 year old slim guy?). What are some inexpensive, serviceable options for a guy on a budget?

I got my suit at MW. I'm 23 and slim too, and I don't like the way I ended up looking. I would have preferred a jacket that was slimmer and shorter, but then again I don't know what I'm "supposed" to look like. Is chubby-middle-aged-guy-trying-to-hide-it the right look for an interview suit? The salesperson at MW said it was right, and I took their word for it...

[Anonymous User]

Let's talk about business casual. It is mandatory for one of my callbacks. The policy reads this:

"Business Casual Dress. For men, Business Casual generally includes shirts with open collars and
dress slacks, with or without a jacket. Ties are not required, but appropriate. For women, dresses,
skirts or slacks with blouses or sweaters (with or without jackets) are appropriate."

What would you wear? I am planning on wearing a grey suit with grey suit pants, light blue shirt (unbuttoned top button), no tie. Is that acceptable?

Would it be better to wear tan dress slacks with a light blue shirt and a navy blue coat, no tie?

[Emma.]

Let's talk about business casual. It is mandatory for one of my callbacks. The policy reads this:

"Business Casual Dress. For men, Business Casual generally includes shirts with open collars and
dress slacks, with or without a jacket. Ties are not required, but appropriate. For women, dresses,
skirts or slacks with blouses or sweaters (with or without jackets) are appropriate."

What would you wear? I am planning on wearing a grey suit with grey suit pants, light blue shirt (unbuttoned top button), no tie. Is that acceptable?

Would it be better to wear tan dress slacks with a light blue shirt and a navy blue coat, no tie?

I'd go with the latter, personally.

Unrelated: UChi kids have been dressed straight-up baller at OCI this week. I'm proud of my classmates, didn't know they had it in them.

[Pufer]

What would you wear? I am planning on wearing a grey suit with grey suit pants, light blue shirt (unbuttoned top button), no tie. Is that acceptable?

Substitute "subtly-striped shirt" for "light blue shirt," and that's exactly what I would wear with those instructions.

-Pufer

[skers]

This has probably been answered already, but.. oh well.
I'm an 0L but I'm thinking of buying a suit for interviews, OCI, SA... What do you guys think the bottom line is WRT to price? I'd like to avoid the $500 range if possible, and I will be getting a $400 credit at Men's Warehouse because I'm using them for my wedding tuxes (Is Men's Warehouse going to look silly and middle-aged on a 23 year old slim guy?). What are some inexpensive, serviceable options for a guy on a budget?

I've never understood the sentiment of buying something cheap and shitty that you're only going to have to replace. If you're going to be wearing something day in and day out as an SA, you might as well get something that doesn't look like balls. Save up a bit and get something from Brooks Brothers when a sale drops. It'll be cheaper in the long run.

[Anonymous User]

This has probably been answered already, but.. oh well.
I'm an 0L but I'm thinking of buying a suit for interviews, OCI, SA... What do you guys think the bottom line is WRT to price? I'd like to avoid the $500 range if possible, and I will be getting a $400 credit at Men's Warehouse because I'm using them for my wedding tuxes (Is Men's Warehouse going to look silly and middle-aged on a 23 year old slim guy?). What are some inexpensive, serviceable options for a guy on a budget?

I've never understood the sentiment of buying something cheap and shitty that you're only going to have to replace. If you're going to be wearing something day in and day out as an SA, you might as well get something that doesn't look like balls. Save up a bit and get something from Brooks Brothers when a sale drops. It'll be cheaper in the long run.

Large majority of firms are business casual. You won't wear suits as often as you think, especially as a junior associate. And btw, a $400 suit is not cheap and shitty, so I'm not sure what you are talking about. Its not like he said he is going to Wal Mart to buy a suit for $100

[TaipeiMort]

Getting prepped for callbacks.

Any advantages in hitting up a cheaper-tier travel steamer like this: http://www.amazon.com/Rowenta-DR5015-Ul ... 92&sr=1-28 ?

[Bosque]

Getting prepped for callbacks.

Any advantages in hitting up a cheaper-tier travel steamer like this: http://www.amazon.com/Rowenta-DR5015-Ul ... 92&sr=1-28 ?

Might be too late at this point, but did you think to ask the hotel you are staying at? They might actually have a steamer you can use.

[romothesavior]

Wearing chocolate brown trousers with a blue BD dress shirt. What color shoes do you recommend? Would dark brown AE captoes be okay? Is black okay? Nothing looks quite right.

[GeePee]

Wearing chocolate brown trousers with a blue BD dress shirt. What color shoes do you recommend? Would dark brown AE captoes be okay? Is black okay? Nothing looks quite right.

I mean, you have to go brown, and ideally a matching brown, but I think black is a no-go. It will look a little weird if your shoes are lighter than your slacks, but still better than black I think.

[moandersen]

Quick (and probably simple) CB question:

I have a reception and dinner with attorneys one night, then a ton of interviews at the firm the next morning. Kosher to wear the same suit and just switch the shirt and ties, or should I bring two suits?

[minnbills]

What do you guys think is a good price for a suit? I was at a department store last weekend and tried on this awesome dark navy suit. It was $695 though which seemed like way too much.

On the other hand, I went to a store and tried on a another suit for much less but I immediately noticed the difference in quality and fit. I think it was about $250.

I mean, I would rather have 2 really nice suits at this point than 4-5 bleh ones.

The weird thing is, it seems like there isn't much middle ground between the two extremes. I'm hoping to find a good quality suit for around 400 or so this weekend at bloomingdales, but my hopes aren't too high.

[Pufer]

Wearing chocolate brown trousers with a blue BD dress shirt. What color shoes do you recommend? Would dark brown AE captoes be okay? Is black okay? Nothing looks quite right.

Anything goes with chocolate brown, but I would probably lean towards the brown shoes with the blue shirt involved.

I have a reception and dinner with attorneys one night, then a ton of interviews at the firm the next morning. Kosher to wear the same suit and just switch the shirt and ties, or should I bring two suits?

I would probably risk it with one, but it's up to you. The only real risk you're taking is that you get a plate of food spilled on you the night before and are fucked (in lieu of the extra suit, you might see if there are any late-night dry cleaners near where you'll be staying). Similarly, I once went to a firm reception that was catered by an Indian restaurant (which was odd, but delicious); that suit would've definitely smelled like curry the next day and would probably be noticeable. That would also be a risk if the attorneys invited you outside for a cigar or something at dinner. As such, bring some fabric softener sheets to rub on your suit just in case.

What do you guys think is a good price for a suit? I was at a department store last weekend and tried on this awesome dark navy suit. It was $695 though which seemed like way too much.

Never pay list for any off-the-rack suit. Ever.

Stuff that lists in the $500 to $600 range is generally worth $250, max. Stuff that lists under $495 generally isn't worth buying, unless it's on sale for really cheap. $695 list is a strange place where you end up with total crap (the same cheap suits you get from Men's Wearhouse, just with an even bigger fake name on it - instead of pseudo Ralph Lauren, it's pseudo Armani or something) but you also end up in the cheaper regions of really quality brands (Hart Schaffner Marx, for instance). If it's the former, they're not worth more than $250; if it's the latter, even the basic line is worth somewhere in the $300-$350 range (look for a Dillards Clearance Center near you; I saw a navy HSM Gold Trumpeter (which list at $900 and are very nice) on sale for under $200 last time I visited such a store).

As to how much you should spend, it's really a function of how much work you want to put in, and how much waiting you want to do. You can get two very good suits for around $400 total if you want to wait and watch for big sales (the easiest of these is JAB Signature under the next JAB super sale, but you can also wait for big sales at BB, Nordstrom, or peruse the selection anytime at the local Rack or Dillard's Clearance Center for an even better suit, although that's pure luck). Otherwise, you can get two eminently decent ($495-595 list) suits for under $400 total sometime in the next couple weeks (Lauren from Sierra Trading Post using their next email list coupon code - they're constantly sending out the codes, and Lauren is every bit as good as (indeed, it is often identical to) everything they would have at a Men's Wearhouse, only at less than half the price).

-Pufer

[minnbills]

Stuff that lists in the $500 to $600 range is generally worth $250, max. Stuff that lists under $495 generally isn't worth buying, unless it's on sale for really cheap. $695 list is a strange place where you end up with total crap (the same cheap suits you get from Men's Wearhouse, just with an even bigger fake name on it - instead of pseudo Ralph Lauren, it's pseudo Armani or something) but you also end up in the cheaper regions of really quality brands (Hart Schaffner Marx, for instance). If it's the former, they're not worth more than $250; if it's the latter, even the basic line is worth somewhere in the $300-$350 range (look for a Dillards Clearance Center near you; I saw a navy HSM Gold Trumpeter (which list at $900 and are very nice) on sale for under $200 last time I visited such a store).

Thanks, they weren't off the rock suits though. The one that fit well was Hugo Boss (I hate that brand name) I just noticed the quality seemed to be much higher and even without alterations the fit was much much better. I was looking at Von Maur BTW. The other was actually a JAB, can't remember if it was gold/signature or what not. It just felt awkward and stiff where the HB felt like it was made for me.

I would love to have a lauren. I'm heading to Bloomingdales this weekend and maybe nordstrom. Macy's is a wasteland now.

My strategy is to get 2-3 suits over the next year so I will be set for law school and the few years after. I would rather have 2 high quality suits than a few bad ones.

Do you know when Brooks Bros. typically has a good sale? Unfortunately the twin cities doesn't seem to have many options. Most businesspeople I know usually pick up suits when they're in New York or Chicago rather than buy here.

[Anonymous User]

Stupid question: do you wear a suit jacket at the dinner table.

[quakeroats]

Stupid question: do you wear a suit jacket at the dinner table.

What's the alternative?

[Anonymous User]

Stupid question: do you wear a suit jacket at the dinner table.

What's the alternative?

Taking off your jacket and putting it on your chair, of course

[Anonymous User]

Stuff that lists in the $500 to $600 range is generally worth $250, max. Stuff that lists under $495 generally isn't worth buying, unless it's on sale for really cheap. $695 list is a strange place where you end up with total crap (the same cheap suits you get from Men's Wearhouse, just with an even bigger fake name on it - instead of pseudo Ralph Lauren, it's pseudo Armani or something) but you also end up in the cheaper regions of really quality brands (Hart Schaffner Marx, for instance). If it's the former, they're not worth more than $250; if it's the latter, even the basic line is worth somewhere in the $300-$350 range (look for a Dillards Clearance Center near you; I saw a navy HSM Gold Trumpeter (which list at $900 and are very nice) on sale for under $200 last time I visited such a store).

Thanks, they weren't off the rock suits though. The one that fit well was Hugo Boss (I hate that brand name) I just noticed the quality seemed to be much higher and even without alterations the fit was much much better. I was looking at Von Maur BTW. The other was actually a JAB, can't remember if it was gold/signature or what not. It just felt awkward and stiff where the HB felt like it was made for me.

I would love to have a lauren. I'm heading to Bloomingdales this weekend and maybe nordstrom. Macy's is a wasteland now.

My strategy is to get 2-3 suits over the next year so I will be set for law school and the few years after. I would rather have 2 high quality suits than a few bad ones.

Do you know when Brooks Bros. typically has a good sale? Unfortunately the twin cities doesn't seem to have many options. Most businesspeople I know usually pick up suits when they're in New York or Chicago rather than buy here.

Dude, those ARE off the rack suits. "Off the rack" is not a brand if that is what you were thinking, it refers to any suit you buy in a standard size, usually by pulling it off of a rack in a store (hence the name). This is in comparison to a made to measure or a bespoke suit, which are both made to your size after a tailor takes your measurements (the difference being made to measure has big parts of the suit already cut while the bespoke is trully from scratch).