Quick question on tie color for job interview

[SamuelH]

Hi everyone! I just have a quick question regarding tie color for job interviews.

I know there are many interview attire threads on this board, but I have gone through all of them in the past few days and I just want to know if they apply in my case.

First a little background: I am Japanese (typical Asian skin, not too tanned or pale), and 5'8. I will be interviewing with some conservative law firms in New York city soon.

I am just wondering, suppose I plan to wear a very dark suit (either pinstriped or no pattern) and white shirt (no pattern), what color tie should I wear?

Burgundy / maroon? If so, what shade? Any patterns?
Purple / Lavender? What shade? Any patterns?
Blue? Again, shade, patterns?
What about yellow? Especially given my skin color?

I want to stick out a little from the others, but I definitely don't want to be distracting. Thank you so much!

 

[tbone226]

Navy blue tie - solid or with a classic pattern

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by SamuelH

Hi everyone! I just have a quick question regarding tie color for job interviews.

I know there are many interview attire threads on this board, but I have gone through all of them in the past few days and I just want to know if they apply in my case.

First a little background: I am Japanese (typical Asian skin, not too tanned or pale), and 5'8. I will be interviewing with some conservative law firms in New York city soon.

I am just wondering, suppose I plan to wear a very dark suit (either pinstriped or no pattern) and white shirt (no pattern), what color tie should I wear?

Burgundy / maroon? If so, what shade? Any patterns?
Purple / Lavender? What shade? Any patterns?
Blue? Again, shade, patterns?
What about yellow? Especially given my skin color?

I want to stick out a little from the others, but I definitely don't want to be distracting. Thank you so much!

I've noticed that two of my partners -- one Korean-American, one Chinese-American -- both tend to look good with patterned ties (that is smaller repeating patterns) in lighter shades of lavender/pink/light blue.

 

[MunnyGuy]

Psychologically blue instills a sense of stability and dependabbility... thus evoking trust. I would go with a blue traditional patterned tie.


Good Luck!

 

[JordanB]

Burgundy or blue. Maybe lavendar on a call back. Not yellow.

 

[josepidal]

Don't get fancy; dark navy blue or burgundy will work.

Be conscious that a handful of these firms dress more conservatively than others.

Are you applying for a 2007 position or a 2008 position?

 

[odoreater]

I'd go with anything with blue in it. It can be a stripe as long as some of the stripes are blue.

 

[xkmasada]

I'm Thai/Chinese, with your height and I think similar skin-tone. I'm in management consulting.

When interviewing for a potential job, I always wear a navy blue suit, a plain white shirt, shined black shoes, and a navy blue tie with a subtle pattern.

Yes, I do look like an IBM salesman or a politician, an accountant or a CEO, but that's the whole point. I've been on the interviewer side of the table dozens of times in my career, and if I can remember what the interviewee is wearing the day after the interview, that means the interviewee has dressed badly. You want to dress as anonymously/conservatively as possible.

 

[Chauncey Gardner]

Wear exactly what you're most comfortable with and what you find flatters you. Yellow could be the right choice if it fits the outfit.

With all the competition for New York positions, it doesn't hurt to come across as someone who's confident with himself, and I don't think it hurts either to be remembered as an individual among the herd.

Of the colors you've suggested, the maroon sounds the least promising, but it all depends on the particular tie.

 

[SamuelH]

Thanks so much guys!

Any other thoughts?

 

[dirk diggler]

I practice law inhouse (but used to work at a firm) - I work at a very conservative place (although it is business casual). I suggest you wear a navy suit, white shirt, light blue tie, no pocket square. of course, if you have BALLS, wear a navy pinstripe, burgandy tie, with a silk pocket square in a puff. Again, you don't want to be too bland. more importantly, I disagree that if people remember what you wore, it is a bad thing. NYC has a stylish streak - as long as you don't over do it, they will appreciate a little color in your wardrobe.