mathmom

This thread makes me laugh. It's such a different world. My husband owns one suit which he's had since 1979 and has worn, perhaps a dozen times at most. He and his colleagues wouldn't know a good suit from a bad one. He got dressed up today because he had to meet with a group that had given him grant money - he wore a jacket and a short sleeve shirt with buttons. His usual summer uniform is t-shirt and shorts.

My brothers both went to a fairly well known New England prep school. One is a pretty natty dresser. The other doesn't bother. The latter actually probably does better business-wise.

UCgradmary

And we Californians think you NYC folk get dressed up nightly! Sex in the City isn't true?

And no black if the suit will be used for interviews moms!

avant-garde

Black suits can be worn at interviews. It just depends on HOW he wears it. Make sure its tailored so it hugs his shoulders comfortably. Slim is in. If he wears it with a nice skinny tie, not only will it be fashionable, it'll show interviewers that he's serious about his self-image. Pinstripe suits are quite popular nowadays as well. You can get a Calvin Klein pinstripe at your local department store for under $225 and you can get an H&M one for under $100.

ldmom06

Hopefully, there will come a time when proper attire will not be so crucial and a person will get to the point in their career where they can call their own shots in more ways than just fashion. (My husband and his two partners run their own company...and they don't schedule appts on Fridays; so, for them, that's jeans and flipflop day. They are the 'Michael and Elliot' of the oil field...lol)

But UCgradmary makes a good point, when it comes to interviews and entering the workforce out of college it's a different story. Whenever possible, level that playing field. Oftentimes, you can't...but don't pass up the opportunity when you can. If you can scrape up the extra money to step up the quality of a suit...do it. It is an investment that will pay off.

ldmom06

avant-garde - I'm going to have to disagree with you. There are plenty of locations and professions where looking like a male model in the latest thing (black suit or high contrast pinstripes) or placing too much emphasis on self image will be a huge negative. I'd say wear that stylish well cut black suit if you are interviewing in an East Coast city for an advertising job or the like. Do NOT wear that suit in Houston, Texas interviewing for an engineering position. Not only will be a turnoff...it's likely to be the source (butt) of conversation after you leave. Spend money on a good quality, conservative suit instead.

UCgradmary

Funny, I was going to say unless it's for a creative job at an ad agency or one at MTV!

cheers

My son owns a nice black wool jacket and my H owns an amazing black pinstripe Miyake suit but they are the exceptions. I've seen enough cheap black suits to make me cringe when the phrase is mentioned. Hardly anyone is wearing a great quality black suit--so yours gets cheapened by association. In my book.

Black is not the preferred colour on Capital Hill either but I disagree about wearing Japanese designer suits in Houston or the midwest. As long as the wearer doesn't appear too precious or too metrosexual, a Japanese suit on a creative type helps to close the deal--at least that's been my experience.

cbreeze

I have to agree that a black suit is very versatile. My son wore it when he made presentations at college, wore it for all his internship, job interviews and still wears it when attending all work related functions which call for a suit. When he was taken out to lunch during his last job interview in casual Newport Beach, CA, the waiter gave him a black napkin.....so it wouldn't leave lint on his suit!
He doesn't need to wear a suit to work in his Newport Beach office, just shorts and flips flops.........unless a client comes in.

UMrunner08

cheers: Unless you're a page, black is definately the most common suit color on capitol hill...

doubleplay

The OP was originally asking about what S should bring to college with him, so I was going on the assumption that he is around 18 and will be using the clothes for college activities. I'd bet that 99% of the kids, professors, and other professionals at my son's college don't recognize or don't care whether a suit cost $200 or $2000, and thank goodness for that. Just so it's clean, neat, fits right, and isn't outlandish in some way. After college, maybe that's a different story.

My son owns "good stuff" but doesn't take it to school with him. (Granddad's Rolex is best left at home for now. LOL) There are too many instances of stuff getting ruined, left in/stolen from storage or dorm room, inadvertantly traded at a fraternity event, whatever- you name it. I'd rather that not happen with a lifetime investment.

Most of the stuff my sons take to college with them are, more or less, "temporary" goods. If and when they need something really special, they can pick it up over Christmas/Spring/Summer break, or it can be shipped. Stuff like big interviews and weddings are known well in advance. Funerals are not, but hey, who's gonna fault a kid for not wearing a thousand dollar suit to a funeral???? Otherwise they travel to school with the bare minimum of uber-expensive clothing and accessories (if any at all).

PS. I guess I should qualify this by saying that my sons are just beginning their college careers. I'm sure the clothing investments will change as they move up in years.

TheDad

Ditto re the observation about black being a very common suit color on the Hill.

ldmom06

^lol....if it's congressmen(women), I'm assuming the black suit must look good for those photo ops.

ldmom06

Imho, the best thing a student or college grad can do is a little research to find out the standard for the company/location/industry in which they would like to be employed....and wear the best quality of whatever that is they can afford.

k&s

There is no need for the typical college kid to have a say, Brioni or Kiton suit, much less any suit (until interview season as a senior).

But rather than khakis (esp. khaki colored khakis) – I would just get a pair of flat-front slacks to go with a jacket (preferably w/o the typical blazer gold buttons) for social functions (such as formals, etc.).

lcraft60

Im not trying to bash anyone.. but the way people dress seems to be a little bit different depending on what area of the country you are in.

I live in Florida and went to college in Florida. I hardly ever see anyone in a suit! I would say most people down here just wear a shirt and tie. I was also in a fraternity while in college (Again no one wore a suit or sportscoat regurarly, we wore a shirt and tie once a week). Not too many people had the blue blazer/ khaki combo at my school.. it was called the "sailor" look. We just wore suits to presentations, formals and banquets ( maybe 2 or 3 times a year)

As far as where i got my suit.. Macys down here had a great selection. Check for sales! Quite often they have their whole suit selection 1/2 off or buy one get one free. I got a great black suit for around 250.