Where to buy suit for a Med School interview?

Charcoal is a good choice for a first suit that you can use for interviews, weddings, funerals and ust about any occasion so you've got the right idea. Refrain from buying anything too fashion forward - otherwise you've got a gazillion choices from which to choose. As far as the tie goes - red/yellow stripe might not be a good idea (I'm picturing McDonalds) - go with something subdued so as to not draw attention to your tie but rather to your face. Perhaps a blue with a subtle stripe or pattern - nothing too loud.

Good luck.

+1 against the red/yellow tie. Pick something subdued and NOT satin (I fell into this trap when I first started). I work in the health care industry and have noticed a lot of doctors wearing navy blue pin dot. I dunno if its a doctor thing or what, but its what I noticed.

I think in regards to suits, Zegna, Boss, Burberry etc. are more highly counterfeited than Ralph Lauren

For 200? I dunno...something used, probably 10+ years old.

this doesnt look good

lauren ralph lauren is crap

polo RL and ralph lauren are good quality
but it sounds like you don't know much about suits... i wouldn't try getting anything off ebay or online without more knowledge

try macy's or nordstrom

I'll say this first.  Fit is most important for your first suit.  No matter how nice the suit is, you'll look good if it fits properly.

 

I wouldn't buy my first suit off ebay unless its an exact model you have tried on in a store somewhere.  There's too great of a chance it won't fit well.  If you're looking to save a few bucks, you may want to see if there is a mens consignment or used clothing store in your city.  Stores like that often have high-end suits that are gently used for under $200, and it helps enormously to be able to try them on first.

 

If you do decide to buy a suit new, I would avoid department stores altogether.  Anything you buy at Macy's, JCP, or stores like that will be of low quality, and things at Nordstrom, Saks, etc will be of better quality but WAY overpriced.  I bought my earliest dress clothes from department stores, and I had huge buyers remorse less than a year later.  The employees don't size you correctly, the styles are usually trendy, and the quality just doesn't last. 

 

I would maybe go to Jos A Bank or Mens Warehouse.  Their suits aren't that great, but the sales staff should size you well, and make sure the suit is tailored well.  I'd just hate to spend too much money on my first suit, because at a young age you may change size soon.  Also, once you start making money you'll be able to look forward to buyer nice suits without breaking the bank.

How much are you looking to spend? I think a solid charcoal or solid navy might be better than a striped suit.

As someone who is also going through the med school interview process right now, I'd agree with either a solid or navy charcoal suit that fits well. As far as shirts, you have to remember the medical field is really conservative so either white or light blue is appropriate. The same goes for ties, you don't want anything too bold. As an idea, I went with a navy Geoffrey Bean suit I bought from Men's Wearhouse (I know quality isn't great here but it's cheap so it's appropriate for a graduate student), a white point collar dress shirt with button cuffs and a Brooks Brothers BB#3 navy with white stripes tie. The outfit is very conservative and boring but it's good enough.

As for the interview, research the school (i.e. missions statement, curriculum, etc) and the area (Index of Medical Underservice, demographics,etc.). Remember that you're trying to show you're well-prepared and interested in the school. If you have any questions, PM me and I'd love to help. Good luck.

 

Don't worry about the brand, just get something that you know fits (this tends to rule out buying online) and is conservatively styled. The red and yellow striped tie is unlikely to fit within the latter boundary, by the way, unless it's very different to how I'm picturing it. Knowing what you're talking about during the interviews will prove at least somewhat useful, too, but I'm assuming you have that aspect nailed down already... ;)

 

Good Luck!

 

(This is one of those "do as I say, not as I do" posts, given that I wore a stereotypically late-80s/early-90s 4x1 navy double-breasted licensed Cardin  - I think it was flannel - with a skinny navy/white polka dot tie to some of mine!)

but you made it, right?

this is sending mixed signals to the OP