quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

Honestly, my plan was to rent a suit. I'll wear a week from Friday and when I score top 5 I'll wear it again the following Monday. However, the JCP clearance suit was about 80% off and cheaper than a rental so it made more sense to buy.

Nothing wrong with a JC Penny suit. A tailored in cheap suit in a basic style is perfectly fine.

The difference between a $100 suit off the rack at JC penny and a $400 suit off the rack at Nordstroms is essentially nil. They'll both be made in China, with a fused lining, made of some blend of wool that might possibly be from Italy. The difference will be the designer's label, and that's about it.

"Nice" suits are expensive. Once you get into the realm of fully canvassed suits from a retailer like Nordstroms, Saks, or Neiman, you'll be looking at the $900+ and up range.

I, personally, get by with half canvassed suits from Combatant Gentlemen. They're local to me here in Irvine, and I've met the people that created the company. They make high quality suits at a fraction of the traditional price by controlling production with their own factories, sourcing their own fabrics, and cutting out the retailer markup. Their $160 suits stack up nicely against the $400-600 off-the-racks that I used to regularly wear.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Can I wear these black shoes with a navy suit and grey shirt???

Definitely not. There's some good advice posted already.

I would only add that, depending on the job and how much time you will spend on your feet, it may be worth the investment in a pair of Allen Edmonds or other high quality shoes.

I say that after suffering for years in poor quality shoes that did not last more than a year or two. On the recommendation of a coworker, I got my first pair of Allen Edmonds. Once broken in, they were "bliss" for my feet and lasted over 10 years. IMO, in the long run good quality shoes are cheaper than poor quality shoes that cost less.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:


Nothing wrong with a JC Penny suit. A tailored in cheap suit in a basic style is perfectly fine.

The difference between a $100 suit off the rack at JC penny and a $400 suit off the rack at Nordstroms is essentially nil. They'll both be made in China, with a fused lining, made of some blend of wool that might possibly be from Italy. The difference will be the designer's label, and that's about it.

"Nice" suits are expensive. Once you get into the realm of fully canvassed suits from a retailer like Nordstroms, Saks, or Neiman, you'll be looking at the $900+ and up range.

Very true. You don't get a really good suit unless you spend almost $1000.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:


Nothing wrong with a JC Penny suit. A tailored in cheap suit in a basic style is perfectly fine.

The difference between a $100 suit off the rack at JC penny and a $400 suit off the rack at Nordstroms is essentially nil. They'll both be made in China, with a fused lining, made of some blend of wool that might possibly be from Italy. The difference will be the designer's label, and that's about it.

"Nice" suits are expensive. Once you get into the realm of fully canvassed suits from a retailer like Nordstroms, Saks, or Neiman, you'll be looking at the $900+ and up range.

Very true. You don't get a really good suit unless you spend almost $1000.

Yep. Like shoes, you get what you pay for in suits - unless you get lucky.

Back in the day, I used to scout a Goodwill near an affluent Chicago suburb and scored some nice lightly-worn Hickey Freeman suits for about $25 each. I felt like I'd won the lottery.

quote:

Back in the day, I used to scout a Goodwill near an affluent Chicago suburb and scored some nice lightly-worn Hickey Freeman suits for about $25 each. I felt like I'd won the lottery.

Nice... you did!
I just don't wear suits as much anymore. I used to wear one everyday.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

JAllen's example would be a good choice. They aren't to my taste, but they are "suit" shoes.

That is probably because, while you are a "geezer, and Aetocles is young and hip," I'm an old geezer.

There are a number of subtle ways to enhance your outfit:
https://www.uloop.com/news/vie...o-Dress-for-a-Job-In

One major item are socks. The over the calf black sock is most appropriate. This avoids flashing pale, hairy legs.

Brown or tan shoes should be part of your wardrobe but they shouldn't be on your feet during a job interview. Save the brown for a date or an ESPN appearance.

PS your belt must match your shoes.

Black wing-tips and gray pin-striped suit. If you can wear skinny pants, go ahead. But if you're fluffy like most of use, get a full cut. If you're a millennial dress how ever the hell you want

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
No loafers. Wear well shined dress shoes with laces.

I used to spend a lot of money on shoes, but when I had plantar fasciitis, I needed room for orthodics. I found Rockports, which has all kinds of styles, black, browm, etc. Dressy shoe looks classic, last a long time and are not expensive.

Look at http://www.zappos.com/p/rockpo...duct/7323951/color/3

That's a good shoe at a good price. Get a white shirt to finish it all off

Think of your interview outfit as a uniform. Your objective is NOT to impress. The objective is to create a blank canvass so that your interview, what you say and the skills you have shine. That is why you need to wear a generic suit. Clean, not too stylish and not out of style. Colors...navy blue, black or medium grey, no other colors. Shirt....white, only white....did I mention your shirt should be white. Tie should be a conservative red or blue geometric or striped pattern. Leather goods need to be black, brown or Cordavan and in a dress style. Jewelry should be conservative...not bling! Note ... You do not want the decision makers to be making their decision based on your dress. Too fancy or expensive and some one may assume you are a primadonna. Too shabby or cheap and they may think you are desperate or under qualified. I know it's not fair or correct but it is human nature.

Good luck!!!

Okay, now that we have the advice out of the way, let me ask something I have always wanted to ask.

Why do plainclothes cops, like detectives, all dress like plainclothes cops?

Usually cops don't wear dark suits (like navy or charcoal); taupe, brown, and medium gray seem more common. Shoes are always rubber soled, which I understand. But still, it is a tell. Shirts are more commonly non-white, but still usually solid colors like light tan, ecru, pale yellow. Ties are hard to describe, but they look like cop ties - they are coordinated to match (not contrast) the suit, and in patterns that are on the wrong side of fashion. The haircuts are usually a giveaway, too. Lots of crewcuts and flattops. I know there are exceptions, but in general this is true.

I was once went down to the courthouse, and a bunch (like 15) of suit-wearing men were in the lobby. I immediately knew they were cops, it was obvious. It turned out they were there to watch the adoption proceeding for a buddy who was adopting a child (which was sweet, and everyone loves an adoption at the courthouse), but there was no mistaking the plainclothes uniform.

Do y'all take a class? Or do you just absorb it by osmosis?

This is it. Would anyone doubt this is a cop?

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Why do plainclothes cops, like detectives, all dress like plainclothes cops?

Usually cops don't wear dark suits (like navy or charcoal); taupe, brown, and medium gray seem more common.

That explains why the PDs thought I was the interpreter at my first homicide prelim.

I hadn't gotten the memo yet and worn my Nordstroum blue pinstripe and Edmund Allens. That was the last suit I bought off a rack, found a Hongkong tailor who makes regular trips to the US.

For the OP, not to be insulting, but I've seen it more than I thought possible, be sure not to button all the buttons...but don't walk in with the coat unbuttoned

quote:

Do y'all take a class? Or do you just absorb it by osmosis?

No one mentioned looking comfortable in a suit. I think most cops feel like Billy Carter did with his famous quote of "I would rather eat shit than wear a suit." I can generally pick out the attorneys by the clothes they wear as well. I remember a colleague that did a lot of forensic work comment that when you walk into court, the first thing the Judge notices is whether your shoes are polished or not.

and empty your pockets before you get out of your car.

and don't fidget

and figure out how to sit w/o putting your hands in awkward places (like picking at your crotch (I sat on a board where after the guy left everyone said WTF was that with the pulling on your crotch)

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

Do y'all take a class? Or do you just absorb it by osmosis?

No one mentioned looking comfortable in a suit. I think most cops feel like Billy Carter did with his famous quote of "I would rather eat shit than wear a suit." I can generally pick out the attorneys by the clothes they wear as well. I remember a colleague that did a lot of forensic work comment that when you walk into court, the first thing the Judge notices is whether your shoes are polished or not.

I don't wear suits anymore, but when I did, I went to a great deal of trouble to be dressed right, dignified, tasteful, properly fitting, recently pressed. Shined shoes, shaved, hair neatly cut.

Sometimes, it pains me to say, you can't tell some attorneys at the courthouse from the hobos lounging around out on the sidewalk. It's a disgrace.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
and empty your pockets before you get out of your car.

and don't fidget

and figure out how to sit w/o putting your hands in awkward places (like picking at your crotch (I sat on a board where after the guy left everyone said WTF was that with the pulling on your crotch)

All great advice. Regarding the last part, maybe an unfortunate case of jock itch.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:

Sometimes, it pains me to say, you can't tell some attorneys at the courthouse from the hobos lounging around out on the sidewalk. It's a disgrace.

Lawyers are all over the map. Some (the big law guys, especially) look like Brooks Brothers custom shop ads. Some look like hobos mismatched suit parts, frayed cuffs, shoes with worn out soles, etc. Some look like mobsters - trying way too hard. Some even look like cops - and then you find out they are ex-cops.

quote:

Sometimes, it pains me to say, you can't tell some attorneys at the courthouse from the hobos lounging around out on the sidewalk. It's a disgrace.

Yeah I miss the old days. What was the comment during the 1995 OJ trial, something like DO NOT step on my Ferragmos?