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Please Help This Style Challenged Guy...

post #1 of 22
1/24/12 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 

I need to come up with a look that is professional but not stuffy. This is for a photo of me that will be appearing on my own website which will be used for job application.

 

I am in a creative field (top-tier advertising agency) but I am not so young as to attempt anything hip or too fashion-forward. Additionally, I'll be applying for a senior level position. 

 

The statement has to be creative, professional and senior-level.

 

I was thinking that a suit might be too much, even without a tie. Jeans even with a dress shirt is too casual. A nice pair of gray dress slacks with a crisp white dress shirt and perhaps a nice vest?

 

Suggestions or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

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post #2 of 22
1/24/12 at 5:08pm
Why not dress as your clients/interviewer would like you to? If you're trying to drum up business on your website, you should appear in a way that encourages custom. Also, note that prose adjectives don't necessarily equate to reality once you get the clothes on you (and a lot of waitstaff wear slacks, white shirts, and vests, so they're going to have to work a little harder to overcome the hospitality industry look if you decide that that's what your clients want to see).
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post #3 of 22
1/24/12 at 5:24pm
First and foremost whatever you wear needs to look expensive but understated, regardless of formality. The viewer needs to see YOU and not your clothes when they take a first look.

Since you work in a creative industry you might well get some points for slight informality/originality. But dandism is totally NOT to be done. You fail to mention if you are particularly handsome or not (understandable) if you are a looker tone the whole look down to the simplest possible. Looking too slick can backfire.

All that said - how about one of the following:

1.) A beautiful chunky knit sweater in a dark or neutral tone with a crisp white shirt with a relatively high collar for a touch of formality.

2.) Blazer with turtleneck under and pocket square (runs the risk of being 'dandy').

3.) Blazer with v neck sweater and a relatively high collared white shirt, no tie.

3). I actually don't think you can go too far wrong with a dark suit, white shirt, impeccible tie and simple square.

Be mindful that stripes can be tough to photograph well - use them sparingly.

No vest without jacket - don't even think about it - it's going to look too hokey in photograph, trust me.

Get your haircut 4-5 days before the photos are taken - you want to look groomed but not obsessive.
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post #4 of 22
1/24/12 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 

Good advice from both of you. Thank you.

My website is not to drum up business. It's my online portfolio of work which potential employers will see prior to my meeting with them in person. It is ultra important that it makes a good impression.

What is a dandism?

My looks? I'm neither in the movie star category nor am I at the opposite extreme. However, I do have the unlucky misfortune of a receeding hairline and thus I sport a shaved head. Unfortunately, shaved heads don't translate well in photos.

 

On the plus side, if impressions are formed within seconds of meeting someone, as is stated, having my picture on line might help "temper" the initial negative strike that a bald head makes.

The chunky knit sweater might be a tad too casual. Seeing that the vest without jacket is out, option 3 sounds best so far.

 

 

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post #5 of 22
1/24/12 at 11:32pm
What is a dandism?

Like dwarfism, only taller.
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post #6 of 22
1/27/12 at 11:14am
Sorry, the advice in post #3 is terrible. He said it's a creative field.

Maybe a dark designer suit, white shirt, tie-less, a la George Clooney. Or maybe something else, because the shaved head might make that too stark or the body type might not take a slim-fit suit. Pictures would help.
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post #7 of 22
1/27/12 at 12:20pm
White shirt and dark suits should be the best, no tie and a simple pocket square

Things that Tom Ford would wear day to day
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post #8 of 22
1/27/12 at 12:32pm
I would go along the same line as you first suggested...

A well fitting grey/charcoal slacks, white shirt, navy blazer (double vents, 2 button), same color belt and shoes in black or dark brown.. No tie, pocket square, but maybe a creative watch to bring it all togather
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post #9 of 22
1/27/12 at 12:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant View Post

Sorry, the advice in post #3 is terrible. He said it's a creative field.
Maybe a dark designer suit, white shirt, tie-less, a la George Clooney. Or maybe something else, because the shaved head might make that too stark or the body type might not take a slim-fit suit. Pictures would help.

This is amusing, since Gdot is in design.
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post #10 of 22
1/27/12 at 12:53pm
Another clueless newcomer who seems unobservant.

What do your existing clients expect you to wear? What do you wear nowband in what do you feel comfortable? Your answer lies in those questions not in the thoughts of people who know neither you nor the specific environment in which you work or expect to work.

If I was interviewing you and realised that you had felt it necessary to ask this here, I would be very worried that you can undertake creative work by yourself.
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post #11 of 22
1/27/12 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBR View Post

.
If I was interviewing you and realised that you had felt it necessary to ask this here, I would be very worried that you can undertake creative work by yourself.

My thoughts exactly.

In such a circumstance the saying goes "you have eyes, plagiarise" Just wear what your collegues wear , focus on the more successful ones.
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post #12 of 22
1/30/12 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 

And if I was you, I would be more worried by my need to criticize others to feel superior and that smug attitude.

 

There was a very good reason why I posted my question and I do not need to justify it to you.

 

Thanks to the rest of you.


Edited by clwguy - 1/31/12 at 9:07am
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post #13 of 22
1/30/12 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 

I forgot to add that no one wears suits on the "creative" side. This is why I posted the question to the forum.

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post #14 of 22
1/30/12 at 6:32pm
I work for an agency in a partially creative capacity. I wear suits all the time. After you survive the hazing, everybody loves it. Especially clients.
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post #15 of 22
1/30/12 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 

I don't know which agency you work for but only the suits (account reps) wear suits.

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