Hello, everyone.

[wldthistle]

Hello!

I just discovered this board a few days ago, and would like to thank everyone for the wonderful vault of information that is Style Forum. I'm a law student in DC, and found the board when I was looking to buy a new suit. My only suit now is black, and people have said that grey or blue are preferable for interviews. So, to ebay I went, and tonight I won a single breasted, four button, grey Corneliani suit that has measurements almost identical to mine. Once it arrives I plan on taking it to Field's Tailors in Georgetown. The suit I won is at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3799%26fvi%3D1
What do you guys think? I ended up paying a little more than it looks like these suits tend to go for, but the seller has very high feedback, and the suit was pretty much exactly what I wanted.

Sincerely,
Greg

 

[VMan]

G,

It is a 3-button, not a 4-button (you scared me for a minute!).

The price seems kind of high for a used Corneliani, but on the other hand the suit does look to be in very good condition and the styling is quite modern - this is a fairly recent suit.

The only problem is that since the sleeves have working buttonholes, you will not be able to alter the length of them. Hopefully you wear a 34" sleeve or so on your dress shirts, otherwise that might cause you some problems.

 

[hughjoen]

Very nice find. Although, you should still look for a solid navy or charcoal suit considering you're in DC.
That suit you bought would look good in white shirt and dark tie (maybe dark navy?), and black captoe...only in DC black dress shoe is a must I think. Dark oak shoe in the spring with that suit would look fantastic.

 

[hughjoen]

Originally Posted by VersaceMan

G,
The only problem is that since the sleeves have working buttonholes, you will not be able to alter the length of them. Hopefully you wear a 34" sleeve or so on your dress shirts, otherwise that might cause you some problems.

The shoulder seem large for a 38, its typically, 18 inches... perhapes you should shorten the sleeve from the shoulder if you need to.

 

[wldthistle]

VersaceMan,
Ah, yes... I knew it was three button. I guess that's what I get for posting after a wine tasting event. As for the sleeves, they match those of my current suit in terms of length, so I should be alright there.

hughjoen,
You say I should look for a solid navy or charcoal suit considering I'm in DC. Could you elaborate a bit? Is this suit inappropriate for interviews, or would it just be good to have an additional suit? Also, how does my location in DC affect things? As for the shoulder measurement, it too matches that of my current suit. Oh, and what is a "dark oak" shoe?


Thanks, guys, for your replies. I really appreciate the feedback.

-Greg

 

[edmorel]

This suit is perfect for your needs. Navy and charcoal are the "safe" colors but this suit isn't so far off that color spectrum that it would cause a problem. It's probably darker than in the pics anyway. Sleeve length can always be altered (shortened), regardless of whether it has working button holes or not.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by wldthistle

would it just be good to have an additional suit?
Didn't you say you were a law student?! I'd think you'd want 5 or so (that aren't black!) by the time you start a co-op or internship or articling or whatever?

 

[wldthistle]

Originally Posted by Jared

Didn't you say you were a law student?! I'd think you'd want 5 or so (that aren't black!) by the time you start a co-op or internship or articling or whatever?

Yes... eventually I will have to buy quite a few suits. For now though, interviews are the first thing on my mind (aside from finals coming up).

 

[Mentos]

That suit is fine for firm interviews, and even overfine for government stuff. Wear it with a red or burgundy tie and a white Brooks Brothers shirt, a buttondown if yoiu really want to fit in. Black shoes, ideally captoe. Johnston & Murphy will serve in a pinch, or buy some Allen Edmonds off of ebay, etc. No pocket square, and keep all sleeve buttons buttoned. Interviewing for firm jobs is no time to draw attention to anything other than your diligence and ability to work hard. Just don't look too full of yourself. And for the love of god, don't let on that you know how to pronounce Corneliani.

All that said, I know some people who have interviewed for DC firm jobs in tan cotton suits, and it worked. And don't buy more suits, for now. You won't need more than two suits in most DC law jobs, though there are some exceptions in the "better" government agencies, and of course if you appear often in court. Big firms don't require business attire anymore. There are other threads on dressing for interviews in DC, methinks

 

[wldthistle]

Originally Posted by Mentos

Black shoes, ideally captoe. Johnston & Murphy will serve in a pinch, or buy some Allen Edmonds off of ebay, etc.

Perfect. I have two pairs of black captoe Johnston & Murphy shoes - my good pair, and one I wear with jeans, or if I have to wear my suit in the rain.

 

[Mentos]

Put shoe trees in the captoes and put them to the side for when you need to look money. J&M's wear out too quickly.

 

[wldthistle]

Originally Posted by Mentos

Put shoe trees in the captoes and put them to the side for when you need to look money. J&M's wear out too quickly.

I have shoe trees in my good pair. I've had the other pair for probably about four years, often wearing them every day of the week as my everyday shoes. You might say they've already worn out. They have a few scratches in the leather, and I've had the heels replaced once. They're definitely showing their age, but I haven't exactly been gentle to them. However, they're probably the most comfortable shoes I own, and still polish up pretty well.

-Greg

 

[Mentos]

Don't read this forum for too long--you'll end up throwing them out in a couple of weeks.

 

[wldthistle]

Originally Posted by Mentos

Don't read this forum for too long--you'll end up throwing them out in a couple of weeks.

Ah, I doubt that. Even if I do "retire" them, this pair of shoes has been too good to me to face the dumpster. Maybe my parents' attic, but not the dumpster.

 

[hughjoen]

Like what Ed posted above, I meant that Navy and Charcoal is a safe color. When I was in DC area going to school, everyone seem to be wearing very dark color suits (Government officials, etc.) seem more appropriate than other citites. Although, that was 15 years ago since I went to school there. Also, safe color suits will be more practical for rotating. The suit you bought is fine for interview. Good Luck with your interview