Interview rules when you know the culture of the office you are interviewing, and the average age-IT - Page 3

So, wearing a blazer with slacks is a fake suit? *shrug* I was taught that it was better than nothing, so long as it coordinates and you don't use an orphan jacket. I didn't wear a suit jacket with mismatched pants. The other two places that I interviewed were not ultra casual. 1 was a national insurance company, 1 was an IT consulting firm, and 1 told me not to dress up. I had them in different palaces in town, and almost back to back, so I didnt have time to change. I was taught to wear a jacket to a job interview if you don't own a suit, so I did. If the rules changed, I missed it. 

And there is nothing wrong Timex. I own two of them. 

Then wearing any blazer is wearing mismatched pants. 

*lol* I just cant see how wearing a blazer in the absence of a suit, if you don't have one, and if you match it to your pants is a bad thing. Im not interviewing to be a finance manager, and once I get the in my field I won't likely be wearing a suit again unless I get deposed for something to do with IT Risk Management. Im a middle cog and a tech. I really don't like people that much, so I work from the background. 

Shoes-Doc Marten wingtips, polished black ( prior service-I throw a mean polish rag), with black soles and no yellow stitching. I DID get my pair of AE oxblood saddle shoes today, though.

Amazon, closeout, and Ebay. 

It does matter what I wear, to me-only 1 place told me not to worry about a suit or dressing up. I was always told to dress up no matter what the office culture was like, though that was when I was in college. I hadn't thought that would change, but some of what Ive read in the last few weeks suggests otherwise. I work in IT, but still have to interview first, which means impressing somebody or another. 

The jackets were 50.00 each, the shoes not much more. The pants I already had. I didn't want to buy a full suit when I had pieces of separates already. 

I wore the olive sportcoat and khakis for interviews the week before, I didnt want to wear it again this last week, that's why I have two.

As for women's suits I really wouldn't know. I'll defer to your greater knowledge on that.

I was trying to make a point. I took the pants with me when I went looking for the jackets so I could compare that. I know about matching weights and fabrics a bit, I used to work in a theater costume shop. My consternation comes from one above suggesting that I dressed like I was coming in from the clown car for my interviews because I don't have a full on wool suit. In the Midwest you don't often find a full suit at a thrift shop or consignment, even in a larger city (at least in Nebraska), and I when I was laid off from my job I didn't know if I would have 200 or 300 dollars to pull off getting a rack suit at MW or some such, so I improvised. I'm a larger man so getting lucky enough to find my sizes is doing pretty well as it is. I hemmed the pants I have to length, and I adjusted the length of the sleeves of the jackets I found, so I feel that I've done pretty well, so far. Ill buy a suit when my unemployment insurance kicks in. Its only been a month-that usually takes 2 or 3 months to process where I live, so my only income at this point is my wife and some savings. 

Back to topic, I got it-despite being told 'not to dress up' by a prospective interviewer, and in spite of knowing that an informal dress code applies at a potential employer, the rule is still to dress up. 

Got it. 5x5. Thanks for the differing opinions, they've been helpful and interesting to read.