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So I mangled half of a suit...

post #1 of 6
Thread Starter 

Long story short, I had a fitted grey w/ light blue pinstripe suit that I used for interviews and such.  I now have one coming up, and I have discovered a nice tear in the material of the pants.  This is really my only option in my closet for interviews, and buying a whole new suit is not feasible right now.

 

So my question to the experts is:  What is the least expensive option that is still suitable for job interviews?  Is the sport jacket look with complementary navy (or other non-khaki) pants good enough?  I'm interviewing for positions where the expectation is business casual.

post #2 of 6
It depends on your experience. For professionals with many years of experience that are interviewing for casual areas than a sports coat can work. But for younger folks then I would suggest a suit in charcoal or navy. I would always lean towards a suit for interviews though.
post #3 of 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakaed View Post

Long story short, I had a fitted grey w/ light blue pinstripe suit that I used for interviews and such.  I now have one coming up, and I have discovered a nice tear in the material of the pants.  This is really my only option in my closet for interviews, and buying a whole new suit is not feasible right now.

 

So my question to the experts is:  What is the least expensive option that is still suitable for job interviews?  Is the sport jacket look with complementary navy (or other non-khaki) pants good enough?  I'm interviewing for positions where the expectation is business casual.


If you are suggesting wearing the suit coat as a sport coat, I would advise against it...the coat you describe above would look like an "orphaned" suit coat.

Perhaps you can run to JAB or MW and purchase an inexpensive navy blazer to "get you through" this temporary sartorial emergency.
post #4 of 6
You know you can get a suit for like 100 bucks at Macys and even less at target. It will be a crappy suit, but I doubt that your interviewer will care.
post #5 of 6

Where is the tear?  How big is it?  I've ripped suit pants twice now (before I learned to stop carrying my wallet in my pants pocket).  One was a suit separate, so I could get a replacement pair of pants.  The other suit I had no such options and had to have a tailor stitch it up.  The repair is noticeable only on a close inspection, which I do not have to worry about since it is in the seat of the pants and covered by my jacket or not visible because I am sitting down.  If you cannot afford a new suit, I would talk with a tailor to see what they can do. 

 

As for interviewing, bear in mind that, depending on the job, it could be worse to wear a sport coat and slacks than a suit with a small repair.  As someone on the other side of the desk in an interview, I truly doubt I would ever notice a small repair in an applicant's suit pants (especially because they're sitting down on the other side of my desk within a second or two of meeting and shaking hands).  I would absolutely notice, however, if the interviewee came in wearing a sport coat and non-matching slacks.  In my field (law), that would be a big no-no for an interview.  It may be different in your field.

 

post #6 of 6
Thread Starter 

Yeah, I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get a full suit, I think.  I have a sport coat that is not only out of style, but is sized for 40 pounds heavier me, and a suit jacket that is nowhere near solid or plain enough to look anything other than orphaned.

 

So, now that I'm resigned to getting a cheap suit for the short term (or two, a serendipitous 2-for-1 sale at Moore's, crappy suits for everyone)...

My new question is:  What do I do with the orphaned jacket?  I paid too much for it too recently to let it rot.  

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