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I wanted to have a discussion about something that is very important but often overlooked in the civilian/business world. How do you dress for success? What do you feel is the optimal suit/tie/shirt/shoes combination for a first interview? For everyday business? Any other tips or resources? Possibly some places for veterans to up their wardrobe on a budget? Feel free to add your input.
Transition
Business
Clothing
Fashion
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 4
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"Dress for the job you want" is something I've always been told. I found a (male) friend that my wife told me is fashionable and asked him to be my style mentor. I'm still working on it.
A good article I once read suggested buying 1/3 as many items as you thought you should and spending 3 times as much as you thought you would per item. I.E. spend the same amount on 1/3 the number of goods for higher quality... but I cant find it again.
Here's one that recommends spending more on quality and why (although this level may be a bit excessive).
http://www.quicksprout.com/2014/12/10/how-spending-162301-42-on-clothes-made-me-692500/
And one that gives more specific recommendations:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-buy-cheap-mens-clothing-2014-10#suits-under-650-1
A good article I once read suggested buying 1/3 as many items as you thought you should and spending 3 times as much as you thought you would per item. I.E. spend the same amount on 1/3 the number of goods for higher quality... but I cant find it again.
Here's one that recommends spending more on quality and why (although this level may be a bit excessive).
http://www.quicksprout.com/2014/12/10/how-spending-162301-42-on-clothes-made-me-692500/
And one that gives more specific recommendations:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-buy-cheap-mens-clothing-2014-10#suits-under-650-1
How To Dress Like A Wall Street Hotshot Without Spending Cash Like One
Surprisingly easy.
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CPT (Join to see)
There are numerous web sites that cover this subject in great detail. Take a look at them and find what suits your personality. The type company you are interviewing with will have a lot to do with what you should wear, as well. Try to do a little research, even surveillance, if possible and make your decisions on what you learn and see.
For interviews, the best bet is a nice blue or grey suit with a white shirt and conservative tie. Avoid the browns and greens. Avoid loud ties. Wear highly polished lace up shoes; avoid loafers with a suit. During that interview, observe what others are wearing and adjust what you wear to the next interview with them by what you saw/observed, but don't dress down too much. You want to make a great impression, but you also want the focus to be on you and not what you are wearing. Avoid anything that may be distracting. You'll have the opportunity to display your individualism after you get hired.
What you wear after you are hired will be dictated by that company's dress code. My recommendation is to always surpass the dress code; dress a little better than required. That will be noticed by those who count.
While I hesitate to advertise for any specific business, places like Jos. A. Bank and Men's Warehouse have some pretty good deals for folks starting to build a civilian wardrobe. Wait for the "two-for-one" or "buy one get two free" type offers they seem to routinely have and take advantage of them.
There are numerous web sites that cover this subject in great detail. Take a look at them and find what suits your personality. The type company you are interviewing with will have a lot to do with what you should wear, as well. Try to do a little research, even surveillance, if possible and make your decisions on what you learn and see.
For interviews, the best bet is a nice blue or grey suit with a white shirt and conservative tie. Avoid the browns and greens. Avoid loud ties. Wear highly polished lace up shoes; avoid loafers with a suit. During that interview, observe what others are wearing and adjust what you wear to the next interview with them by what you saw/observed, but don't dress down too much. You want to make a great impression, but you also want the focus to be on you and not what you are wearing. Avoid anything that may be distracting. You'll have the opportunity to display your individualism after you get hired.
What you wear after you are hired will be dictated by that company's dress code. My recommendation is to always surpass the dress code; dress a little better than required. That will be noticed by those who count.
While I hesitate to advertise for any specific business, places like Jos. A. Bank and Men's Warehouse have some pretty good deals for folks starting to build a civilian wardrobe. Wait for the "two-for-one" or "buy one get two free" type offers they seem to routinely have and take advantage of them.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
CPT Justin Rose
As I clearly stated in my response to the question, I was not advertising for Jos. A Banks or Men's Warehouse, simply answering the inquiry about building a wardrobe on a budget.. the key word being budget. While this site is not the place to advertise or argue about the pros and cons of specific clothiers, I feel compelled to, at least, respond to your statement.
I have a great many suits; some very expensive and some not so. Some of my suits came from Banks and Men's Warehouse and, while they may have cost less than ones I bought at Burberry or Nordstroms, for example, they are every bit as stylish as the less expensive ones. Banks sells varying-priced suits, from its Signature, Traveler and Executive collections, with prices ranging from $1,000 or more to $300-$400. For a person starting out and building a wardrobe on a budget, that is a good alternative, especially when they have sales. Those suits serve the purpose just as well as a $2,500 suit from Burberry.
However, what you say is absolutely true. If clothing/image is an important part of your job, you should invest in the best quality clothing and shoes you can afford. However, not everybody can afford Burberry or similar brands. Point well taken.
As I clearly stated in my response to the question, I was not advertising for Jos. A Banks or Men's Warehouse, simply answering the inquiry about building a wardrobe on a budget.. the key word being budget. While this site is not the place to advertise or argue about the pros and cons of specific clothiers, I feel compelled to, at least, respond to your statement.
I have a great many suits; some very expensive and some not so. Some of my suits came from Banks and Men's Warehouse and, while they may have cost less than ones I bought at Burberry or Nordstroms, for example, they are every bit as stylish as the less expensive ones. Banks sells varying-priced suits, from its Signature, Traveler and Executive collections, with prices ranging from $1,000 or more to $300-$400. For a person starting out and building a wardrobe on a budget, that is a good alternative, especially when they have sales. Those suits serve the purpose just as well as a $2,500 suit from Burberry.
However, what you say is absolutely true. If clothing/image is an important part of your job, you should invest in the best quality clothing and shoes you can afford. However, not everybody can afford Burberry or similar brands. Point well taken.
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CPT Adelman,
Great question to propose for individuals transitioning from Military Service. I believe that a few responses hinted at the dress code being in line with the company you applied to. However, I find that the time tested behavior of dressing for success by presenting yourself in most professional way is optimal. Some recruiters will be kind and recommend what you wear, others will not. This is where your gut feeling and "common sense" kick in. Put yourself in the interviewers shoes for a moment - How would you like to be interviewing people for a high profile job and see them come to the interview dressed casually? in Suits/Dress clothes? What would your initial impression of those people be?
No need to spend a ton of money on a new wardrobe - just be budget wise, shop around and use taste. Honestly, a very nice dress shirt, tie, slacks and dress shoes will take you FAR!
Good luck!
Great question to propose for individuals transitioning from Military Service. I believe that a few responses hinted at the dress code being in line with the company you applied to. However, I find that the time tested behavior of dressing for success by presenting yourself in most professional way is optimal. Some recruiters will be kind and recommend what you wear, others will not. This is where your gut feeling and "common sense" kick in. Put yourself in the interviewers shoes for a moment - How would you like to be interviewing people for a high profile job and see them come to the interview dressed casually? in Suits/Dress clothes? What would your initial impression of those people be?
No need to spend a ton of money on a new wardrobe - just be budget wise, shop around and use taste. Honestly, a very nice dress shirt, tie, slacks and dress shoes will take you FAR!
Good luck!
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