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First Interview Suit (Quality and Value) - College Grad

post #1 of 9
11/19/11 at 10:17pm
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

I am shopping for my first interview suit (graduating in December). I have skimmed over some internet information about interview clothing, "value" shopping, and new college graduates, but I just wanted to confirm that I both interpreted the recommendations correctly and nothing is out of date.

 

I will be paying for the suit myself, and with a portion of a reasonable amount of leftover student loan money I will be using to "start out," so I have to be value conscious and cannot buy top-of-the-line. At the same time, I never like to buy anything low-quality cheap and I don't want to present that image in an interview (if by some chance I come across an interviewer who can tell the difference between suits). If something just happens to be both cheap and good quality, that is great, but otherwise, I will pay more for something of decent quality. I do not care in the slightest about brand prestige, only about quality (though I know brand will often play a factor in this).

 

I have a slim body frame (though a small belly I need to get rid of lol!) - though not "bony." I am unsure of my precise height, but I am close to 5 ft 9 in and definitely not any taller than that. A Dilliard's employee measured my chest size, had me try on a few suits, and felt that a size 36-Regular looked best on me. Once he knew price was a factor, he was recommending their Ralph Lauren (unsure of what variant) and Murano (Dilliard's?) brands because they were lower priced and were better for slimmer fits according to him (more tapered-in sides). The prices started at $495 (non-sale obviously).

 

The only local stores that have a decent selection of suits are:
Dilliard's (the local Macy's had a small selection)
Men's Warehouse
Jos. A. Bank

 

However, I may go on a trip to Houston soon, which will have other stores available, such as Brooks Brothers. This trip may or may not happen - and I don't know if/when/where sales will take place either at the local stores or Houston. So I need some guidance

 

The two recommendations for value-quality I am seeing a lot are: Brooks Brothers Essentials and JAB's Signature Gold. However, I have heard that JAB suits are not exactly great for slimmer/smaller body frames. And both are recommended only at certain prices, for someone buying their first suit on a budget. I also noticed that both Brooks Brothers' Essentials and JAB's Signature Gold size options only go down to a 38 Regular, not a 36 Regular. However, if this makes a big difference, I am having the suit tailored, regardless of its size, brand, cost, etc...

 

Furthermore, the trip to Houston trip may or may not happen - and I don't know if/when/where sales will take place either at the local stores or Houston. So I am trying to prepare for multiple scenarios and not get a bad quality suit, not buy a suit that I really shouldn't with my financial situation, and not overpay for whatever suit I do get.

 

So with all of this in mind, does anyone have any additional advice/information? It is a difficult for a first time buyer who does not have any relatives/friends with significant experience concerning suits.

 

Thanks in advance!

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post #2 of 9
11/19/11 at 10:27pm
Graduating in December and just starting to interview now? Scary, exciting, best of luck. As for suits, your interviewer will never notice the difference, and, if they do, they will recognize that you're a college student living on limited funds. It may not pass for SF MC, but I picked up a Hilfiger slim fit suit from Macy's on sale all-in for ~240 recently to get me through interview season. It's by no means a high end suit, but it fits well and looks good enough that I'm pleased. No need to overspend now on something that still won't be top of the line when I'll just be looking to replace it later when I'm employed full-time.
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post #3 of 9
11/19/11 at 10:27pm
I think the two best options for you (and better that the ones you mentioned) would be a Benjamin suit from eHaberdasher or a BB 1818 Fitzgerald. Don't get a size 38 if you're actually a 36 because you can't alter the chest or shoulders.
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post #4 of 9
11/19/11 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VLSI View Post

Graduating in December and just starting to interview now? Scary, exciting, best of luck. As for suits, your interviewer will never notice the difference, and, if they do, they will recognize that you're a college student living on limited funds. It may not pass for SF MC, but I picked up a Hilfiger slim fit suit from Macy's on sale all-in for ~240 recently to get me through interview season. It's by no means a high end suit, but it fits well and looks good enough that I'm pleased. No need to overspend now on something that still won't be top of the line when I'll just be looking to replace it later when I'm employed full-time.
+1 on this. Unless you're going to work in the fashion industry, they couldn't care less if your suit was Zegna or JC Penney.

I didn't even have a suit until after I landed my first job. When I was interviewing for my first professional job, I worked with what I had. Spending $200+ on a pair of shoes was ludicrous back then. I wore a dress shirt, tie, cardigan, slacks, with brown Clarks Desert Boots.
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post #5 of 9
11/20/11 at 12:13am

If you do get a suit, make sure you make the time and budget to alter it so it fits you well.  

 

I interview many engineers as part of my work, and I really don't care if they show up in a suit or not.  I prefer to see someone in well fitting, clean and freshly pressed chinos and shirt than another in a cheap, poorly fitting, dirty suit, a shirt that has never met an iron and has last seen the inside of a washing machine three interviews ago and worn-out shoes.   

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post #6 of 9
11/20/11 at 4:06am
First time post, first suit.

Why have you not bothered to 'Research' on this board. There are countless such threads and your inability to employ self help (nay layziness) does not portray you in any favourable light whatever.
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post #7 of 9
11/20/11 at 5:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lbtemple View Post

If you do get a suit, make sure you make the time and budget to alter it so it fits you well.  

I interview many engineers as part of my work, and I really don't care if they show up in a suit or not.  I prefer to see someone in well fitting, clean and freshly pressed chinos and shirt than another in a cheap, poorly fitting, dirty suit, a shirt that has never met an iron and has last seen the inside of a washing machine three interviews ago and worn-out shoes.   

+1

Great grooming is the most important thing. Hair cut, nails kept, shoes shined, everything fits, etc. Keep it simple in terms of your choices. In some industries a suit is required and in others not so much. I've hired 100s of entry level and intern employees over the years (architecture/interior design). You'd be just as well off to arrive in chinos, shirt, tie and sport coat if you can do it comfortably as you would to arrive in a poorly fitted suit. Again, it does depend on the industry you are entering, know your market.
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post #8 of 9
11/20/11 at 10:32pm
If you know you want a suit, I second the Benjamin from EHaberdasher recommendation. They have a nice, conservative, slim style and are the least expensive fully canvassed suits available. I suggest this one:http://www.ehaberdasher.com/servlet/the-13035/Benjamin-Sartorial-Suit-cln--36R/Detail . You can get the trouser waist taken in or out as needed, but if you get it and the jacket doesn't fit in the shoulders, then definitely return it for a refund.
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post #9 of 9
11/20/11 at 10:44pm
Do you happen to go to A&M (Just a guess based on you being close to Houston and only having those 3 stores)? If so I ran across a local menswear shop here that might be better than Jos A Banks or Menswear House if you are in a pinch.
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