Brown suit for job interview -- too weird/dated? - Page 2

Brown is the new black and a black suit is the kiss of death on any interview.

Permanent Style has a very good article about brown suits. http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2...-them-no2.html I'd go navy or charcoal to slightly darker than mid-grey for an interview. White or pale blue shirt. Whatever collar you're most comfortable in. Relatively simple tie. Navy with the grey suit, maybe dark purple with the navy suit. Cordovan or black shoes, make sure they're polished and clean. I'd avoid pocket squares and/or french cuffs for an interview. No flourishes until you get the job.

I say no to a brown suit. The average IT professional won't expect something that out there on a day to day basis. If you were interviewing in a "creative" industry, I would say go for it. But as it is, stick with a typical color. What size are you? I'm sure we could point you to a place that will suit your needs. (unless you're a 36L, then I think you might have difficulties)

i wore charcoal slacks, white shirt, blue striped silk tie, and grey cardigan to an interview for IT. everyone else wore 1-2 size too large black suits...my interviewer complimented my attire when i walked in - oh and i got the job

Wear whatever makes you feel most confident. If you are going to go in there worrying whether the color of your suit is acceptable, dont wear it. Your goal is to exude confidence, competence, and the ability to fill a need within the organization. Anything that detracts from that should be scrapped. If you feel okay in a brown suit, it wont matter. However, the fact that you are asking here indicates that you dont.

this is is exactly how I feel about it. My interview suit was navy with white pin stripes and my colleagues thought it was fashionably ambitious of me (in a bad way) but I felt strong smart and charming in that suit so it worked for me.

Depends on the shade. I had an espresso dunhill suit that was as good an interview suit as any navy or charcoal out there.

Incidentally, if I hear one more person trot out the Established Interview Clothing Groupthink Protocol, I will be cross.

Are you talking near-horizontal cutaway collars or just wider-than-JCPenny spread collars? I suppose you're right, though i dont wanna admit it; ...spread collars are one of my favorite aspects of suiting. I remember chris matthews called them 'aristocratic' a few months back. I think full-cutaway collars are always flashy, but something like below is still acceptable everywhere, no?




As for the dark brown color... I think it's perfectly fine so long as the suit fits well... however if you have a ruffled, ill-fitting sack suit, which is likely considering you state the suit's not custom made, then I think it will look bad.

Svenn,

I love spread collars, but I'd go to a job interview with a button down collar. It's not a matter of like, it's a matter of getting the job and fitting in.

I wouldn't hire that Brooks model for a job in IT, 3 piece, pocket square, big Windsor knot, spread collar and fancy tie.....no way.

If you're very qualified you can show up to the interview in just about anything, however if you're neck and neck with alot of other candidates than I would find a way to separate yourself other than with clothing.

this falls under the "why take the chance" category.

a job interview is really important. yes, some people may think brown is OK. but if you run into one person of influence who thinks you're a potentially trouble-making tree-hugging commie at worst, or someone who lacks judgement on professional attire at best (i jest to make the point), the damage is done.

if you are a kick-ass candidate, are articulate, resolutely conservative, and the suit isn't frumpy on you, you can risk it if you want, because your qualifications will always take precedence over everything else and the "rest of you" will neutralize any fallout from the brown. but if you don't get the job, be prepared to have the question "was it because of my dress?" eating away at you for a few weeks.

so why take the chance?

NO FRENCH CUFFS to an interview. Buttons only. French cuffs to many will seem flashy. Also, no pocket squares or other ornamentation. Be conservative.

Like everybody else in this thread,do not dress to impress...

If you're too Dandyesque or flamboyant,you will be perceived as individualistic and self-centered...

Most senior people also do not like juniors with better taste and sartorial flair than them...

Avoid pocket squares and French cuffs ...I do think French cuffs are less problematic than the pocket square...

Go for a single breasted navy or charcoal with a white/blue shirt with a solid tie...Simple,conservative and non offensive...

On the shirt issue,I will go for a classic dress shirts..Nothing fancy...

Black oxfords..You have time for wearing brown with navy or charcoal.