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Opinions on this gray suit for finance interviews?

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I have an interview for a boutique strategy consulting firm coming up, and only had a black suit. Calvin Klein had a pretty good sale so I purchased this suit for my upcoming interview (and also other interviews I may have, e.g. in investment banking or grad school) --
http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12289142
However, now I'm not sure if it's too light of a gray? I've read that DARK gray / charcoal / blue / navy are the preferred choices. I'm not sure if my grey suit is appropriate or not. It probably doesn't help that I'm pretty terrible with colors.
Considering the price tag, and my expected use (this interview, future interviews either for grad school or other positions), I want to be sure I get it right, and if this isn't it, I can return it.
What do you all think?
I really liked the suit that Ryan Reynolds wore in The Proposal (yes, I admit I watched the movie, lol) -- http://cdn.sheknows.com/filter/l/gallery/ryan_reynolds_on_location_nyc_the_proposal.jpg
I don't know if the one I bought is similar to that, and even if it is, if mine is appropriate for interviews in finance or grad school.
Last question to ask: What shirt / tie combo for interviews? I was going to go with a solid white shirt, but wasn't sure on the tie?
Thank you!
 

zero neck

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I think you could get away with taht medium gray suit, but if you want a suit predominantly for interviewing purposes I would suggest a very dark navy or a charcoal gray. The medium you picked out is dark enough to work, I think, but you can never go wrong with navy or charcoal.
 
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Thanks for the replies!

I've checked the firm's website, and they only have a few people listed, and as far as I can tell, their suits are either black or more of the dark charcoal. Definitely a darker shade of gray than what I purchased, however based on what I know of the firm, they supposedly have more of a "relaxed / younger" environment. With that said, as I mentioned, I'm trying to use this suit not just for this interview, but for other interviews as well (in case I don't get this job, or even later on when I look for another position, grad school interviews, etc.), so I want to be sure I pick the right suit now, instead of buying ANOTHER one later.

I can easily go back and exchange it for a darker grey tomorrow if the consensus here is that it's questionable/ambiguous. I really don't want to take any unnecessary risk when it comes to interviews. I just happened to like this color, but again, I'm pretty bad with colors.

What do you guys think of that Ryan Reynolds suit I posted? I assume that color would be too light as well?

Can you guys provide some links that would show the "right" gray / charcoal? I'd prefer something from CK -- http://www.calvinklein.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3142672
 

zero neck

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For conservative interviews, you should be looking for a Navy or a Charcoal, and either should be very dark. Like, from far enough away they look black.

If this place is more relaxed and you might use this suit for like, a wedding for example, you could go with the ligher shade of gray, but if you're just going to be interviewing you should have something either navy or charcoal. You want the interviewer to remember you, not the color of your suit which stood out.

And I would avoid stripes.
 
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For conservative interviews, you should be looking for a Navy or a Charcoal, and either should be very dark. Like, from far enough away they look black.

If this place is more relaxed and you might use this suit for like, a wedding for example, you could go with the ligher shade of gray, but if you're just going to be interviewing you should have something either navy or charcoal. You want the interviewer to remember you, not the color of your suit which stood out.

And I would avoid stripes.

Would this be good? -- http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11538160

To be honest, that may be the one I bought (I'm staring right at my suit and the link, and I still can't tell! I told you guys I'm bad with colors!)

This suit will primarily be used for interviews as far as I can tell. I don't really have any weddings or other occasions I can think of that I'll be using it for, which is why I want to get it right. I was actually just going to go with my black suit for this interview since I'm awful with colors / formal fashion, but figured I would try and get it right this time around.
 
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Can you guys give an example (preferably from CK as that's where I'll be heading to return/exchange) of the darker gray / charcoal you are referencing? I'd really appreciate it!!!
 
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Here is the charcoal grey that the previous posters are referring to:

http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11783304

As for a shirt and tie combo, just go with a crisp white shirt with a solid color tie (blue works well). Simplicity is your friend. Forget the pocket square, tie bar, etc.

Good luck!


Oh, I see, thanks!

That one will unfortunately be out of my price range though. :(

How anout this one - http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11538160

Seems darker than the one I bought but a bit lighter than the charcoal.
 

add911_11

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I believed you are fairly young like me, in that case I wouldn't worry too much, a suit is a suit, the interviewer would treat you the same with a mid grey suit.

The suit that Ryan Reynold is hideous, 90% SFers do better than that

You do not want the interviewer to remember you as a person, you want to impress him so a good charm also helps which most Sfers lacks, you could look both sharp, fashionable and showing great personality at all the same time. How you behave matters.
 

randomhero88

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I'm in a similar field as you (Financial Advisor for a major firm I'd rather not say). What I see the most of that looks both bad and good:

I'll start with the bad:
Wide pinstripe suits- Unless you're an investment banker in New York, I'd shy away from this. It looks sleezy to me and unless you have the bank account to back it up, I'd stay away from it.
Double breasted suits- Again same thing as above. I rarely see it in my part of the world(South to Mid-west regions), but when I do, it's usually pulled off horribly by some overweight slob.

The good:
Thin pinstripe suits- It has the slimming effect, looks very modern, and avoids the vintage mafia look
light light gray suits-It's a tough one to pull off and it may not the best for interviews, but man does it stand out and look good with the right cut.
Dark colored suits- the most common thing I see at my firm is a dark navy or black suit. It's simple, it's a good starter suit, and everyone needs at least one.
Two button suits- You can't go wrong with a two button. Others may say 3 for a taller person, but in the end 2 button suits are what 90% of advsiors I see wearing no matter if they're 5'4" or 6'6"

Like said, go with something simple. The best decision I ever made was to build my business wardrobe over time rather than buying a whole bunch at one time every so often. It has allowed my style to evolve.


I'll give you a personal example:
When I first started at my firm I owned two suits: A dark navy(almost black) men's warehouse special, and an untailored tan jos a. bank suit. I had a few white dress shirts that were fitted for me before I lost 40 pounds, and a few ties I bought from TJ Maxx. It was pathetic now that I look back, but it was what I had at the time. The only thing I had going for me was a pair of Allen Edmonds Black oxfords my Dad had bought me as a graduation present.

Now 11 months later,my knowledge and style has completely changed. I no longer neglect the basics like matching my belt and shoes(exact color to color), tie/shirt combos, etc. I've also evolved to wearing almost exclusively french cuffed shirts. If I could see myself interviewing back then I'd most definitely laugh.

In the end, buy something you know will withstand time. Black and dark colored suits don't go out of style. There are suits from 30 years ago that you could wear today and no one would double take. Also, avoid the cookie cutter suit stores like the plague if you can or at least avoid their tailors and advice unless you KNOW they have more knowledge than how to make themselves look slightly less fat in a suit.
 

Mandres

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in my opinion the color of that CK suit you bought is fine, but the cut may not be. It looks more like a trendy, fashion-forward model than a conservative business suit. Can you post a pic of yourself in it?
 

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