Monks or Brogues for an Interview?

[miurasv]

I have black Church's Westbury Polished Binder Monk Shoes and also 2 pairs of Church's Burwood Brogues, one in Sandalwood (Medium Tan) Polished Binder and the other in Burgundy Polished Binder and I'd like to know your views on how acceptable any of these shoes are for wear to an interview for a Sales Position selling extremely high end cars? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[arc]

Location, level of seniority, and the type of firm you are applying to would all be relevant for this. (With the disclaimer that 99% of interviewers won't care at all.)

 

[tim_horton]

Just stick with black cap toes. That's what they're there for: job interviews.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by tim_horton

Just stick with black cap toes. That's what they're there for: job interviews.

I have 2 pairs of Loake Cap Toes with Dainite soles, 1 black and 1 burgundy but unfortunately the edge of the caps cut my toes so they're a no no.

 

[JamesX]

ou also forgot one of the most important piece of information - What color suit you going to wear?

Or do you plan to decide the suit based on the shoes?

In that case I would go with the black monks.

 

[LanceW]

Any chance they just need to be broken in?

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by arc

Location, level of seniority, and the type of firm you are applying to would all be relevant for this. (With the disclaimer that 99% of interviewers won't care at all.)

The type of cars I'd be selling would be very high end sports, exotic and prestige cars.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by JamesX

ou also forgot one of the most important piece of information - What color suit you going to wear?

Or do you plan to decide the suit based on the shoes?

In that case I would go with the black monks.

Could be Dark Blue Navy Pinstripe, Gucci, Crombie or Armani Colezzioni. Black Armani Collezzioni. Grey Ermenegildo Zegna or Grey with White Pinstripe Oswald Boateng.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by LanceW

Any chance they just need to be broken in?

Hmm. Could be but there'd be nothing left of my toes.

 

[tim_horton]

Originally Posted by miurasv

The type of cars I'd be selling would be very high end sports, exotic and prestige cars.

Will you be offering a SF discount?

This question - "Is [x] appropriate for an interview?" - is a loaded one. This is a site where you get people from every point on the conservative-fashion forward spectrum; none of them know your personal style; few of them (including me, of course) will have actual knowledge of the specific environment YOU are interviewing in; NONE of us (including yourself) has any knowledge of how uptight the interviewer will be; etc.

Too many variables. That's why I opt for a fairly conservative interview outfit, just so I don't have to think about it. It becomes a non-factor, and I can think about other things. By conservative, I mean well-fitting navy or charcoal two-button single breasted suit with notch lapels, white dress shirt, black cap toe shoes, black belt, solid dark tie, no pocket square or french cuffs. Very boring. Fits in anywhere.

If you're limited to the three shoes in your first post... I'd say the black monks are the lesser of three evils. To me, tan is verboten for an interview, and burgundy is close behind it. My two cents.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by tim_horton

Will you be offering a SF discount?

This question - "Is [x] appropriate for an interview?" - is a loaded one. This is a site where you get people from every point on the conservative-fashion forward spectrum; none of them know your personal style; few of them (including me, of course) will have actual knowledge of the specific environment YOU are interviewing in; NONE of us (including yourself) has any knowledge of how uptight the interviewer will be; etc. Too many variables. That's why I opt for a fairly conservative interview outfit, just so I don't have to think about it. It becomes a non-factor, and I can think about other things. By conservative, I mean well-fitting navy or charcoal two-button single breasted suit with notch lapels, white dress shirt, black cap toe shoes, black belt, solid dark tie, no pocket square or french cuffs. Very boring. Fits in anywhere. If you're limited to the three shoes in your first post... I'd say the black monks are the lesser of three evils. To me, tan is verboten for an interview, and burgundy is close behind it. My two cents.
Thanks very much for your replies. Black is the only shoe colour for an interview then which is what I'd have probably worn anyway but wasn't sure about the style of a monk shoe being appropriate. I do have some very stylish Borgiolis in black but are probably a bit too stylish if you know what I mean. Most of my better and more expensive shoes aren't black though as I find other colours more interesting and appealing. I can't wear cap shoes and I'm not really fussed on black brogues. You're right, the black monks are the lesser of the 3 evils. Hmm. Do I need another pair of Church's Burwoods but in black? Black Church's Graftons would be too chunky for an interview I think and I may be wrong but I don't think they go with a suit.

 

[miurasv]

I guess a very smart brown Canali Pinstripe Suit wouldn't be appropriate for an interview either.

 

[jcmeyer]

Originally Posted by miurasv

Thanks very much for your replies. Black is the only shoe colour for an interview then which is what I'd have probably worn anyway but wasn't sure about the style of a monk shoe being appropriate. I do have some very stylish Borgiolis in black but are probably a bit too stylish if you know what I mean. Most of my better and more expensive shoes aren't black though as I find other colours more interesting and appealing. I can't wear cap shoes and I'm not really fussed on black brogues. You're right, the black monks are the lesser of the 3 evils. Hmm. Do I need another pair of Church's Burwoods but in black? Black Church's Graftons would be too chunky for an interview I think and I may be wrong but I don't think they go with a suit.

The inside of your head is loud. Go be high end, exotic, and prestigious! Beyond that I agree with Tim.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by jcmeyer

The inside of your head is loud. Go be high end, exotic, and prestigious! Beyond that I agree with Tim.

Please can you elaborate on the above.

 

[Quadcammer]

I wouldn't wear monks for an interview.

Is this a sleazy used high line dealer, a Mercedes/Porsche dealer, lambo dealer, or an antique dealer...because this makes a difference.

I'd dress as follows:

used high line...gaudy as possible
MB/Pcar...old money conservative
Lambo etc...flashy but with some taste
antique...cardigan or tweed, with cords and a pipe