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

[Bronte]

I think black shoes look horrible with a navy suit, and also with a charcoal suit, though to a lesser extent. Brown looks extremely better in my opinion. Is it expected in legal interviews that you wear black shoes? I don't know if I can bring myself to rock black with navy.

I agree that black looks bad with a dark navy. But I did it anyway for OCI. I don't know if it's expected, but I would advise it. On the other hand, if black doesn't look good with charcoal, I don't know what it looks good with.

I've never thought black looks bad with navy either. But yeah, if not charcoal then... what?

My navy suit is more like a midnight blue, so the colors are just a bit too close. But more than anything it's just that a dark brown brings out the blue so well that it pains me to squander it. Still, for OCI, I just went with the ultraconservative look and didn't think twice.

[romothesavior]

Check out some pictures of charcoal suit with walnut or a brighter brown shoe. It looks slick.

Ehh... depends on the shade of the suit. I would do that with a lighter grey, but I wouldn't wear a real light brown with a real dark charcoal. And even if you pair those, that's certainly far from a conservative look, and should definitely be avoided for OCI.

I think Bronte and I weren't asking what color you should wear with a charcoal suit. We were wondering, if you think black looks bad with both navy and charcoal, then when would you ever wear black?

[AllDangle]

Check out some pictures of charcoal suit with walnut or a brighter brown shoe. It looks slick.

Ehh... depends on the shade of the suit. I would do that with a lighter grey, but I wouldn't wear a real light brown with a real dark charcoal. And even if you pair those, that's certainly far from a conservative look, and should definitely be avoided for OCI.

I think Bronte and I weren't asking what color you should wear with a charcoal suit. We were wondering, if you think black looks bad with both navy and charcoal, then when would you ever wear black?

Hardly ever with the exception of a tux, or when I'm wearing something that requires a black belt.

[westinghouse60]

Is something like this pattern appropriate for an interview suit? (You have to go to CHAR GREY STR to see it)

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Pr ... 050_357198

This isn't the exact one I have but it is Jos A Bank and has this kind of pattern. I keep hearing nothing but absolute solid for an interview, but I think the pattern on this is pretty understated. That being said I'm not opposed to getting a new suit since I have some money from the summer.

Also, I really need new shoes and was thinking about these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

or these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

Any thoughts on capped vs. uncapped?

Thanks

[Bronte]

Is something like this pattern appropriate for an interview suit? (You have to go to CHAR GREY STR to see it)

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Pr ... 050_357198

This isn't the exact one I have but it is Jos A Bank and has this kind of pattern. I keep hearing nothing but absolute solid for an interview, but I think the pattern on this is pretty understated. That being said I'm not opposed to getting a new suit since I have some money from the summer.

Also, I really need new shoes and was thinking about these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

or these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

Any thoughts on capped vs. uncapped?

Thanks

The suit will be fine. As to the shoes, you must be new here. Go with the Park Aves, and make sure you don't pay more than $225 because you can get them at that price right now at Nordstrom. In case any of the Park Ave antagonists are reading, you could also get the Akron Bostonian for like $70 if you're short on cash. Crappy shoe but will do the trick.

[westinghouse60]

Is something like this pattern appropriate for an interview suit? (You have to go to CHAR GREY STR to see it)

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Pr ... 050_357198

This isn't the exact one I have but it is Jos A Bank and has this kind of pattern. I keep hearing nothing but absolute solid for an interview, but I think the pattern on this is pretty understated. That being said I'm not opposed to getting a new suit since I have some money from the summer.

Also, I really need new shoes and was thinking about these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

or these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

Any thoughts on capped vs. uncapped?

Thanks

The suit will be fine. As to the shoes, you must be new here. Go with the Park Aves, and make sure you don't pay more than $225 because you can get them at that price right now at Nordstrom. In case any of the Park Ave antagonists are reading, you could also get the Akron Bostonian for like $70 if you're short on cash. Crappy shoe but will do the trick.

Haha sorry wrong link. I was looking at the Park Aves and thinking how nice they were but were too expensive. I meant to link these:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... 0000001_-1

Edit: will have to see if I can find them at Nordstrom for $225 though, thats somewhat reasonable

Double edit: thanks for the tip, thats great

[Bronte]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmon ... ts-_-1_1_C

Any Nordstrom will match that price in store. Those ones you posted are less formal and not ideal, but would work.

[westinghouse60]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmon ... ts-_-1_1_C

Any Nordstrom will match that price in store. Those ones you posted are less formal and not ideal, but would work.

Suggestions for something more formal? You're right about me being new at this.

[Bronte]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmon ... ts-_-1_1_C

Any Nordstrom will match that price in store. Those ones you posted are less formal and not ideal, but would work.

Suggestions for something more formal? You're right about me being new at this.

Ideally it would be a balmoral cap toe like the Park Ave. Here's another option: http://www.zappos.com/johnston-murphy-melton. Hard to justify that shoe over the Park Ave at $230, but it is cheaper. Could also go with the Akron Bostonian, which gets close and is very cheap.

[Bronte]

Bostonian Akron I guess it's called. http://www.zappos.com/bostonian-akron. Wouldn't want to pay more than $70 though. Check Macy's and wait for sale. To be clear, it's a shit shoe but will get you through interviews.

[KingFish]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmon ... ts-_-1_1_C

Any Nordstrom will match that price in store. Those ones you posted are less formal and not ideal, but would work.

Suggestions for something more formal? You're right about me being new at this.

Ideally it would be a balmoral cap toe like the Park Ave. Here's another option: http://www.zappos.com/johnston-murphy-melton. Hard to justify that shoe over the Park Ave at $230, but it is cheaper. Could also go with the Akron Bostonian, which gets close and is very cheap.

The Melton is $125 on Amazon right now, plus you get 20% off by signing up for their shoe emails. So it ends up being half the price of the AE. I decided to buy a pair and put the savings towards a brown shoe. I'm not a shoe expert though. The AE are probably worth it.

[westinghouse60]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmon ... ts-_-1_1_C

Any Nordstrom will match that price in store. Those ones you posted are less formal and not ideal, but would work.

Suggestions for something more formal? You're right about me being new at this.

Ideally it would be a balmoral cap toe like the Park Ave. Here's another option: http://www.zappos.com/johnston-murphy-melton. Hard to justify that shoe over the Park Ave at $230, but it is cheaper. Could also go with the Akron Bostonian, which gets close and is very cheap.

Oh sorry I misunderstood your post as saying the Park Aves. were not appropriately formal for an interview. Got it now. Thanks for the help.

[JRustle]

I think black shoes look horrible with a navy suit, and also with a charcoal suit, though to a lesser extent. Brown looks extremely better in my opinion. Is it expected in legal interviews that you wear black shoes? I don't know if I can bring myself to rock black with navy.

Not expected, but it is almost impossible to go wrong with black, despite how bad you might think it looks.

You could get away with a dark brown for interviews, but (and I honestly mean no offense by this) if you are concerned about black looking bad with navy/charcoal suits then I wouldn't trust you to pick out the correct shade of brown. It is the same reason that a blue pindot tie is TCR.

[nordicsair]

I think black shoes look horrible with a navy suit, and also with a charcoal suit, though to a lesser extent. Brown looks extremely better in my opinion. Is it expected in legal interviews that you wear black shoes? I don't know if I can bring myself to rock black with navy.

I like to wear browns and cordovans as much as possible too, so I know the feeling. As for black shoes, it might be worth recalling that the guys who invented navy (British naval dress) always wore their uniforms with black leather shoes.

[Tiago Splitter]

ITT: Black shoes + navy suit = not acceptable

[manofjustice]

I've read other places that black is a definite no for any business environment.

Is that true? What's wrong with black?

Black is reserved for evening and mourning.

OP - Stick with grey or navy. Both are equally versatile, and should serve you for some time. 2 or 3 button is a matter of preference. Pleats are a no-go unless you are carrying extra weight, then perhaps.

+1 to all of this. Center vs. side vent is also a matter of preference, but do not go ventless (as the GQ link says). You see ventless jackets a lot in TV shows and movies because it gives a better silhouette on camera, but in real life they're impractical - too much sitting, moving, etc.

Also, depending on your body type, you may not be able to buy off the rack. Most nested suits (pants and jacket together) come with pants 6" smaller than the jacket size (i.e. 42 jacket, 36 waist in the pants). If you're off either way, most stores sell separates. Frankly, unless your waist is exactly 6" smaller than your chest, separates are probably a good option since you can save some on tailoring.

Agreed on the no pleats, unless there's some extra heft. No pleats means no cuff.

Finally, since you're building a wardrobe, go with solids. One grey/charcoal, one navy. Solids are much more versatile, so you can get by for a while before branching out into stripes and patterns.

I used to sell suits. Hence the unnecessarily long response.

Very necessary! Thank you good sir!

[manofjustice]

Bostonian Akron I guess it's called. http://www.zappos.com/bostonian-akron. Wouldn't want to pay more than $70 though. Check Macy's and wait for sale. To be clear, it's a shit shoe but will get you through interviews.

FWIW, my Bostonian's were absolute shit. Hole in both soles within a year. Never again.

[romothesavior]

ITT: Black shoes + navy suit = not acceptable

I think its a personal preference for some people. I personally think black looks good too, but I can understand the sentiment that brown looks better.

[Jsa725]

.

[Tiago Splitter]

ITT: Black shoes + navy suit = not acceptable

I think its a personal preference for some people. I personally think black looks good too, but I can understand the sentiment that brown looks better.

Brown often does look better but I prefer hyperbole. And this thread cracks me up sometimes.

[Bronte]

ITT: Black shoes + navy suit = not acceptable

I think its a personal preference for some people. I personally think black looks good too, but I can understand the sentiment that brown looks better.

Brown often does look better but I prefer hyperbole. And this thread cracks me up sometimes.

The hyperbole doesn't even seem to hit the right note though. If anything, I was saying it's less acceptable not to wear black with navy for interviews. When not in interviews, I think black doesn't look great with navy, but it's certainly acceptable and, in fact, standard.

Bostonian Akron I guess it's called. http://www.zappos.com/bostonian-akron. Wouldn't want to pay more than $70 though. Check Macy's and wait for sale. To be clear, it's a shit shoe but will get you through interviews.

FWIW, my Bostonian's were absolute shit. Hole in both soles within a year. Never again.

Agreed. Terrible shoe. If you can get the J&M Melton for around $100 like someone was suggesting, that's a great OCI option I think and would take it over the Bostonian every time.

[Tiago Splitter]

ITT: Black shoes + navy suit = not acceptable

I think its a personal preference for some people. I personally think black looks good too, but I can understand the sentiment that brown looks better.

Brown often does look better but I prefer hyperbole. And this thread cracks me up sometimes.

The hyperbole doesn't even seem to hit the right note though. If anything, I was saying it's less acceptable not to wear black with navy for interviews. When not in interviews, I think black doesn't look great with navy, but it's certainly acceptable and, in fact, standard.

Bro I was just screwing around. Got a kick out of someone not wanting to wear black with navy or especially charcoal.

[romothesavior]

What is the best shoe to think about getting once you have the "interview" shoe in your bag?

Depends. What are you going to wear it for/with?

[RodneyRuxin]

What is the best shoe to think about getting once you have the "interview" shoe in your bag?

Depends. What are you going to wear it for/with?

I went straight for the walnut strands but that may have been just because of these pictures

[skers]

What is the best shoe to think about getting once you have the "interview" shoe in your bag?

Depends. What are you going to wear it for/with?

I went straight for the walnut strands but that may have been just because of these pictures

Sploosh.