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

[romothesavior]

Park ave may be the ugliest shoe out there

They're not ugly, but they are fairly boring.

[Emma.]

Park ave may be the ugliest shoe out there

They're not ugly, but they are fairly boring.

I actually think they are pretty ugly too. On larger feet the toe cap has weird proportions, it looks too short for the shoe.

[Anonymous User]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

[SportsFan]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

For OCI (or interviewing in general)? I wouldn't buy anything there.

[JamMasterJ]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

nope

[BelugaWhale]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

nope

didnt pufer say that lauren suits are decent buys?

[SportsFan]

Is there anything wrong with wearing a 4" wide tie? Got a sweet deal on a nice BB Golden Fleece tie at an outlet, I'm just nervous about wearing it because it just seems so wide...

[Danger Zone]

That's gigantic, like clown-sized. Make sure you've got the spread collar and a fat head/neck to match.

[PinkCow]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

I wrote a long rant but deleted it because no one cares. Look, don't go to MW. Just don't. The suits are overpriced, they are ill-fitted, the salespeople know extremely little, and God help you if you get alterations done there. The in house "tailors" are incredibly overpriced, and most MW are staffed by tailors who do not know what they are doing and will literally ruin your suit. I went through 3 alterations and realterations before giving up and taking it to a real tailor who showed me the areas where the suit is essentially popping out threads everywhere. Just read the yelp reviews. It's not hit or miss. It's miss everywhere.

In the end, I probably payed $1000 for 2 suits from MW (after the multiple alterations and finding a new tailor). One fits pretty well but is of terrible quality and will probably not last longer than a year. One is slightly better quality but is so mangled by the tailors that it's kind of useless.

Do yourself a favor and listen to me. It's not worth it even at 50% off. Besides, they basically have the buy one get one free deal the whole year. It's really no deal at all.


Spend a little more money and get a J Crew or a Brooks Brothers. MW does not compare AT ALL.



ETA: The nicer suit I got from MW was a Ralph Lauren. But it's the lowest of the lowest quality line. It's really meh.

[Anonymous User]

Alright, noted. I've been planning on a BB suit all along, but when I got the coupon I thought maybe getting one for cheap would be okay.

[romothesavior]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

For OCI (or interviewing in general)? I wouldn't buy anything there.

I think the biggest problems with Men's Whorehouse is that their suits are mediocre and overpriced and their salespeople are completely incompetent. It's not like everything there is SPS, so if you can get a good deal, and are smart enough to know when a suit fits and doesn't fit, you might fare okay. I bought a few suits there in college when I was clueless and now have two 46Rs in my closet when I should be a 43R, maybe a 44R at my biggest. Huge waste of hundreds of dollars.

[chrisbru]

Park Ave's are beautiful shoes when seen in person. But I can see how they would look a little weird if you go bigger than size 12 or so.


Speaking of, what's Amazon's return policy? I got my PA's in a 12E, but I have like 1/2" or so of room in the toe so I'd like to exchange them for an 11.5E, but I'm not sure if I can do that since the sale is over?

Can I get away with wearing a very light blue shirt for an interview? I've heard wear only white, but I only have 1 white shirt with a no button collar thats interview quality, and I'd prefer not to wear it 4 days in a row...

This is a great cheap white shirt, and JC Penney ALWAYS has coupons and stuff. I can usually get these for under $20 a piece. You can never have too many white shirts IMO, especially when interview can sometimes surprise you.

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/stafford ... 14273C.tif

[BVest]

I can see how they would look a little weird if you go bigger than size 12 or so.


Speaking of, what's Amazon's return policy? I got my PA's in a 12E, but I have like 1/2" or so of room in the toe so I'd like to exchange them for an 11.5E, but I'm not sure if I can do that since the sale is over?

They also fit weird in those sizes... at least on me.

As far as returns (and this is unhelpful to you, so sorry for that, but might help others down the line): When buying shoes for the first time (i.e. you haven't tried on the shoe you're buying in a store and are not replacing an old pair) online as part of a limited time price, order at least two pair in the sizes you think you might be and then return the ones that don't fit. The only caveat to doing this is that you always have to check to make sure that the sale is not final. (Also, some sites will have liberal general return policies but then sale items are subject to a no return/exchange policy, so look out for that.) Heck, if you find some you like at Zappos, they've got free shipping going both ways -- outbound and return.

If you time it right (order right after the monthly close of your CC statement), you're certain to have the extra pair(s) disappear from your bill before it's due.

[chrisbru]

I can see how they would look a little weird if you go bigger than size 12 or so.


Speaking of, what's Amazon's return policy? I got my PA's in a 12E, but I have like 1/2" or so of room in the toe so I'd like to exchange them for an 11.5E, but I'm not sure if I can do that since the sale is over?

They also fit weird in those sizes... at least on me.

As far as returns (and this is unhelpful to you, so sorry for that, but might help others down the line): When buying shoes for the first time (i.e. you haven't tried on the shoe you're buying in a store and are not replacing an old pair) online as part of a limited time price, order at least two pair in the sizes you think you might be and then return the ones that don't fit. The only caveat to doing this is that you always have to check to make sure that the sale is not final. (Also, some sites will have liberal general return policies but then sale items are subject to a no return/exchange policy, so look out for that.) Heck, if you find some you like at Zappos, they've got free shipping going both ways -- outbound and return.

If you time it right (order right after the monthly close of your CC statement), you're certain to have the extra pair(s) disappear from your bill before it's due.

The good thing about good sales is that even if it is final, you can sell them on ebay as brand new in box for at least as much as you paid for them usually.

I didn't think to do that, though, because 12E is my size in EVERY dress shoe I've ever tried on. I'll look into the policy, but really the shoe is fine just a little long. I can probably stuff the toe slightly and not even notice.

[guyplus]

I can see how they would look a little weird if you go bigger than size 12 or so.


Speaking of, what's Amazon's return policy? I got my PA's in a 12E, but I have like 1/2" or so of room in the toe so I'd like to exchange them for an 11.5E, but I'm not sure if I can do that since the sale is over?

They also fit weird in those sizes... at least on me.

As far as returns (and this is unhelpful to you, so sorry for that, but might help others down the line): When buying shoes for the first time (i.e. you haven't tried on the shoe you're buying in a store and are not replacing an old pair) online as part of a limited time price, order at least two pair in the sizes you think you might be and then return the ones that don't fit. The only caveat to doing this is that you always have to check to make sure that the sale is not final. (Also, some sites will have liberal general return policies but then sale items are subject to a no return/exchange policy, so look out for that.) Heck, if you find some you like at Zappos, they've got free shipping going both ways -- outbound and return.

If you time it right (order right after the monthly close of your CC statement), you're certain to have the extra pair(s) disappear from your bill before it's due.

The good thing about good sales is that even if it is final, you can sell them on ebay as brand new in box for at least as much as you paid for them usually.

I didn't think to do that, though, because 12E is my size in EVERY dress shoe I've ever tried on. I'll look into the policy, but really the shoe is fine just a little long. I can probably stuff the toe slightly and not even notice.

I was told they wouldn't exchange. Trying a different rep today. Let me know if you have any luck.

[senorhosh]

1. Any good interview shoes that are cheaper alternatives to Park Avenues?

2. If I pull the trigger on PAs, should I get black, black cordovans or black calf (can't tell the diff from pic)? http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Ave ... PDKIKX0DER

3. Is it the "norm" to wear black shoes only for OCI (for both navy/charcoal suit)? I know it probably won't make a difference but I'd like to stay as conservative as possible and have the peace of mind

[chrisbru]

1. Any good interview shoes that are cheaper alternatives to Park Avenues?

2. If I pull the trigger on PAs, should I get black, black cordovans or black calf (can't tell the diff from pic)? http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Ave ... PDKIKX0DER

3. Is it the "norm" to wear black shoes only for OCI (for both navy/charcoal suit)? I know it probably won't make a difference but I'd like to stay as conservative as possible and have the peace of mind

1. J&M Melton is the cheapest I'd go. I have both Park Aves and Meltons, and the Meltons are totally fine but won't last you as long.

2. Black, I'm pretty sure. Don't quote me on this, but the calfs are more matte finish, and the cordovans are shinier. I've never seen the other two in person, but the normal black is perfect.

3. Yep, it is. Some other colors are ok, but black is always acceptable (and preferred).

[sprezz]

above post is right, cordovan is more expensive and less formal due to the shine and other things (creasing pattern, crease coloration etc). there shouldn't be a difference between "black" and "black calf" in AE's PA. i'd choose option "black"

[LRGhost]

1. Any good interview shoes that are cheaper alternatives to Park Avenues?

2. If I pull the trigger on PAs, should I get black, black cordovans or black calf (can't tell the diff from pic)? http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Ave ... PDKIKX0DER

3. Is it the "norm" to wear black shoes only for OCI (for both navy/charcoal suit)? I know it probably won't make a difference but I'd like to stay as conservative as possible and have the peace of mind

Black and black calf are going to be the same, I'm pretty sure. Cordovan is horsehide and more expensive but nicer. It doesn't crease, it 'ripples' and is really the best leather you're gonna get. Nevertheless, there's really no reason you should buy it.

[BVest]

1. Any good interview shoes that are cheaper alternatives to Park Avenues?

Cole Haan Caldwell.

[Pufer]

I'm in my buddy's wedding and I am renting the tux from Men's Warehouse, and with it they gave me a 50% off coupon for a suit (actually a complete order). Is it possible to find a decent suit there?

nope

didnt pufer say that lauren suits are decent buys?

At or around $200 (back when they were always available at Sierra Trading Post, the target was $181), they're a decent option if you need a passable suit for cheap. 50% off list at MW is still too high.

-Pufer

[Cornhuskers3]

Did I make a mistake in getting talked into a midnight suit? I can't take it back as I've already tailored it and stuff.

edit

Here's the suit for reference: --LinkRemoved--

I'm never going to wear the vest or anything...I just happened to like the rest of the suit. I initially wanted to go with something different but the SO and the sales lady talked me into this one. I felt pretty comfortable with it but now that I have it at home and am thinking about it more, I might be second guessing myself. I also didn't pay anything near that price for the record.

[chrisbru]

Did I make a mistake in getting talked into a midnight suit? I can't take it back as I've already tailored it and stuff.

edit

Here's the suit for reference: --LinkRemoved--

I'm never going to wear the vest or anything...I just happened to like the rest of the suit. I initially wanted to go with something different but the SO and the sales lady talked me into this one. I felt pretty comfortable with it but now that I have it at home and am thinking about it more, I might be second guessing myself. I also didn't pay anything near that price for the record.

Midnight is often used to reference a very dark navy, which is fine. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this one, but I think it will work.

[dannynoonan87]

So what's the TLS groupthink re: striped ties with solid suit/shirt?

I think people hate on repp stripes a little too much. They're fairly normal, regular, and inoffensive. They may be objective better options but it's not like a repp tie is going to hurt you. Smaller stripes are probably bad.

+1

[Cicero76]

Does anybody have a suggestion on a good winter coat (for rainy/cold winter climate) that is nice/dressy enough to be decent in future jobs? I've never had to buy a winter coat before so any advice helps.