<p>I plan to bring DS to purchase a suit for interviewing in the coming year. What color/style do you recommend for a 21 year old college senior?</p>
<p>Gray, conservative, single-breasted, 100% wool. What sort of career is it that would require a suit? Unless he’s an MBA he would probably be a lot better off with a gray or navy sports coat, slacks, and a dress shirt. Do college kids even wear ties to interviews any more? No one in business (except lawyers and CEOs) wears them any more.</p>
<p>What industries will he be interviewing in? In what geographic region(s)?</p>
<p>In general, I’d go with navy blue or dark grey, two or three button single breasted jacket with a center vent (not a high lapel three button, but old school three button like you can find at Brooks Brothers) and flat front pants. A suit like this will never go out of fashion and he will wear it out, so I’d recommend paying extra for quality.</p>
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<p>On the east coast, and particularly in/near the big cities, many people wear them. I second AA in wanting to know where and what sort of industry we’re talking about.</p>
<p>Third the motion that it is critical to know industry and location. If he knows what the daily dress code in his target companies are, that would also help.</p>
<p>EG, if he’s interviewing in a start-up techie place in Silicon Valley, that is very different from interviewing for an investment bank on Wall Street. </p>
<p>In general, he’ll want to dress “up” a level for his interview from what is the standard dress code where he wants to work. If they all (execs included) where jeans and golf shirts or jeans and dress shirts with no tie and sleeves rolled up, then I’d second WashDad’s sport coat and slacks model.</p>
<p>But, tell us more…</p>
<p>We’re dying to step up with the fashion advice ;).</p>
<p>Can’t wait to read the fashion advice! I will share about interview attire and things to think about with regard to such–Son was home for a few days this past spring break. He did not bring home suit, sport coat, dress shoes, etc. He had an op to interview with a local software company during that time. He wore a casual button-down long sleeve shirt, cargo pants and tennis shoes thinking that “It’s a software company!” Well, he was offered and took the internship and has been home this summer. But, the dress is NICE button down shirts and NICE slacks, no jeans or tennis shoes!! He has been allowed to wear jeans on one Friday of the the month with a nice polo shirt, but NO tennis shoes. Moral–you never know just what attire the company lives up to! We are just thankful he got the internship, esp given his interview attire!!!</p>
<p>WashDad, I agree with everything you posted, except re the tie. If a gentleman arrives for an interview with me and no tie, it’s over in < five minutes. In my world, all men wear ties, every day. No exceptions.</p>
<p>Clearly it does depend on the region, industry, etc.</p>
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<p>I wore shorts to work today at my software company. Of course, half my coworkers wear sandals to work when it’s snowing, so you can see things are different here in the Great Northwet.</p>
<p>Heh. Clearly. My husband works for a large corporation in Philadelphia and they’ve never even had casual Fridays. <em>Every</em> man wears a suit and tie every day (well, except the guys in the mailroom, etc.)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input.</p>
<p>This summer DS is interning at Liberty Mutual where he has been invited to attend an “intern seniors forum” in Boston at their home office. From what I’m gathering, it will be 2 1/2 days of recuiting. They are putting him up in a hotel for two nights and have dinners planned each evening. Dress during the day is business attire (suit) and business casual one of the evenings. </p>
<p>DS is a double math major at Rice (Houston). We live in New England. He’s thinking he might be interested in actuarial work, but really doesn’t have a clue…he’s also mentioned the NSA. This summer he’s working as a techno geek in Infrastructure IT. </p>
<p>As for the type of suit, I was thinking a medium gray pinstriped single breasted two-button suit. I would definately get something of good quality and not a trend, as this will probably last him awhile.</p>
<p>One more question…business casual equals sport coat over kakkis and open collared shirt or something less?</p>
<p>FYI, I work at a University and most of the professional staff wear shirts and ties at a minimum.</p>
<p>Pearice, I’d go with a darker solid rather than a medium pinstripe, but it sounds like you are on the right track. I think your business casual is right on. I’m sure you know this, too: suits and coats are wool, shirts are cotton, ties are silk. The only synthetic material is the buttons on the shirt, which can be plastic. No synthetic or blended fabrics. </p>
<p>Land’s End has really good quality dress shirts for reasonable prices. I’ve been buying them since I started with Andersen Consulting back in the Dark Ages. They look sharp and wear like iron. Check out the stitching details and then compare them to comparably priced shirts anywhere else. Two thumbs up.</p>
<p>Just agreeing with WashDad on darker solid vs. medium pinstripe. </p>
<p>One more thing, if the back of the coat has a center vent (which I would encourage), there will probably be a few stitches keeping it shut at the bottom when you purchase it. Make sure you or your son cuts these stitches. I’ve seen a number of young men who haven’t–it’s just not a detail they’d ever think of–and it emphasizes that they’re new to the suit thing as well as looking silly.</p>
<p>Although it’s not as noticable as the back vent, frequently suit coat pockets are basted closed. Just a warning in case he decides to stash something in there in front of a potential employer.</p>
<p>Agreeing with WashDad and AdmAddict on a dark solid and their other advice. For what he is doing, I think the suit is the right thing, for sure. For the business casual, he may end up shedding the jacket - but having it to start with is a good plan. It could be that a polo shirt and khakis is business casual as well. He can have those, too. If it’s all taking place at the hotel and he hears/notices what others are wearing for that evening, he can make a quick change.</p>
<p>And natural fibers all the way. Good call, washdad. Whether it’s the dress clothes, the polo shirt or the tie. No polyester. It’s true that the microfibers and polyesters are so much better these days, but for the interview situation and someone just getting a feel for the right business clothes - cotton, wool, silk.</p>
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It seems to be <em>all about the shoes, lol.</em> DS is doing an internship at a biotech company. Golf/polo shirts and jeans are the daily dress code - every day of the week - but NEVER tennis/athletic shoes. Always brown leather lace-ups or loafers.</p>
<p>Capitol Hill interns. Whenever we’re in session, especially if you’re affiliated with a leadership office or a committee, suits are a must. Even when we’re not in session, some of us have to wear suits anyway, for a different set of reasons.</p>
<p>For me, a black suit or a conservative grey suit usually cuts it. Dress shirt without patterns, etc., and a striped tie/single-colored tie of some sort.</p>
<p>Update on the suit situation. We went shopping today and ended up with a dark grey two button suit from Macy’s. Looks and fits terrific. Also purchased two solid colored shirts, ties to match and black laced shoes. I’m waiting for the fashion show to start.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for their input. At least I know DS will look the part. Keep your fingers crossed that what comes out of his mouth is as dazzling.</p>
<p>peariceparent,</p>
<p>Let us know how it goes!<br>
Fingers crossed…</p>
<p>When my sons were toddlers, we would start flicking our fingers and saying “blinky blinky green light” whenever we were driving and coming upon a red light (so it would change from red to green). Miraculously, it usually did!</p>
<p>So…“blinky blinky green light” to your son!</p>