Buying my first suit.

Ok I am going to have to buy a suit for an interview. I don’t want it but clearly it’s not like I have another clever choice. So I might well throw 200€ buy the window but hey.
Bearing in mind that I know I will look stupid and ridiculous in said suit, what should I look for?
I am very slender (if not skinny) so I was thinking of a suit hour-glass shaped.
Any pointer gladly appreciated.
Cheers

Have a look in M&S good value or Slaters, both will measure you properly. Last time I got one from Slaters alterations were in too – it’s more like a proper mensware place rather than Next etc.

tbh, as long as you have a suit on people wont’ worry about your body shape.

In the UK I’d recommend just going to M&S and buying something that fits and looks ok. They’re decent quality, don’t make you look like you’ve been dressed entirely by George at Asda and aren’t expensive.

if you don’t already have a suit don;t forget you’ll need shiney shoes, a proper shirt and a tie to go with it 🙂

Shiny shoes check. Tie nope I can’t tie the bloody thing. The main problem is it will have to fit out of the box, as interview is likely to be tomorrow so no time to alter it. I am not looking for place to buy a suit (not inn the UK) but more general tips about how it should look like on me

Tie nope I can’t tie the bloody thing

Ask the man in the shop or call your dad!

If it fits it’s good enough, would be my advice.

You can get ‘pre-tied’ clip on ties.

Yes, you can get clip on ties. You can also get herpes. I wouldn’t recommend either.

Juan, for your budget and build, you could do a lot worse than Zara if there’s one around.

Bonne chance, mon vieux!

Ok colour wise? Should I go for black or should I go for a grey with very thin stripes?
Must the colour of the stripe match the colour of the shirt? What about the fabric?

Zara hummm could be a good idea. Merci I’ll go into town in a bit anyway plan is to try super cheap stuff (kiabi) just in case, and then classic celio burton and armand thierry

All of those boutique suits will be skinny and very fashionably cut, which may not be what you want for an interview.

At the moment classic business suits have two or three button jackets quite snug fitting round the waist, with slim fit trousers without pleats. If you’re slim you will find that the trousers recommended for your jacket size will be a couple of inches too big around the waist because blokes are fatter nowadays and there’s the problem of vanity sizing where a 32″ waist is actually 34″. The very best value for money is Marks & Spencer and their suits are mix and match meaning you can buy the jacket and trousers separately to fit you. If you go at a quiet time and put yourself at the mercy of a grown up and experienced assistant they will be only too pleased to help you. Don’t try this with a young assistant or on a Saturday morning though. A bigger M&S will have a wider variety of styles and sizes.

Colour-wise, go for something dark with a subtle stripe but not black, or you will look like an accountant. Do not go for colours or loud patterns or textures, these are difficult to match with shirts and ties and will be a constant headache. The rule is no more than two patterns, so you can have a patterned suit and tie but plain shirt or some other combination. Where ties and shirts are concerned, buy yourself a set of three M&S plain shirts in pale blue or blue-white-cream then look around (the assistant will help you) for a couple of ties. Here the rule is to try to find a tie with a detail, which picks up something in the shirt, so for example a red tie with pale blue dots will look nice against a pale blue shirt.

When I was 18 my Dad took me out and spent £100, a lot of money at that time, on a quality wool suit and it stood me in good stead for the first few years of my working life and definitely helped get me my first serious job.

Lastly, BLACK or dark grey socks and a pair of black shoes, not too pointy. Alternatively send me £20 and I’ll send you my almost new black size 7 Samuel Windsor brogues that are on Ebay right now…..

Oops, what a giveaway!

No tie for an interview – dont waste money on the suit …….

If the job is as a roadie with a rock and roll band, yes.

While Zara is OK, it’s just OK as quality has deteriorated over the last few years.
I’d have a look at somewhere like Cortefiel, Springfield or Massimo Dutti and see if you can pick something up in the sales.
I’ve got a few suits from Cortefiel and am very happy with them.

TK Maxx!

If you’re lucky enough to live in Lancashire the best value suits are at Boundary Mill Stores in Colne; I got 3 Austin Reed suits for £325.00 last month.

So long as the suit fits, as you say you’ll probably hardly use it so I wouldn’t give two hoots what it looks like. Go black suit as it’s easy and don’t bother with the trendy nonsense.

Tie definitely. Pretty surprised indeed that you can’t tie one!

Aye i agree global – i was suggesting if he isnt going to wear a tie dont bother buying a suit .

juan – Member

Tie nope I can’t tie the bloody thing

Free android app for this 😉

While Zara is OK, it’s just OK as quality has deteriorated over the last few years.
I’d have a look at somewhere like Cortefiel, Springfield or Massimo Dutti and see if you can pick something up in the sales.

not sure about the others, but Massimo Dutti is part of Zara (Inditex)… But I’d go there anyway, reasonable suits.

T M Lewin offer a reasonable range of suits at pretty sensible prices if you want something traditional. Might even have a small sale on at the moment.

Free android app for this

Still. Just got back with a suit, and a tie, It seems that no matter how hard I try I just can’t do the **** knot. I am now on my 8th attempt, and I am on the verge to call to cancel the interview.

What did you do at school? (In terms of tying your tie)

No tie at school, me being french and all that.

Ah…..really? I thought you were all the height of sartorial elegance.

ononeorange – Member
I thought you were all the height of sartorial elegance.

“they” are – hence the need to not wear a neck-strangler to (think you) look smart

Ah…..really? I thought you were all the height of sartorial elegance.

That’ll be the Italians.

“they” are

Oï I am too… Hence this being my very first neck strangler. Damn sometimes I do miss academics.

Can someone explain to me why my windsor knot looks nowhere as smart as the one on the tutorial?

juan – Member
Oï I am too

Sorry Juan, meant “you” to be one of “them” – no that sounds bad – anyway, what suit did you get in the end ?

A nice super slim/slender grey suit. I’ll post pic as soon as my phone is charged.

I had an interview for a “cadre” job with Lindt France. As it was Summer I decided against the suit and went in dark trousers, a Van Heusen shirt and suitable tie. I got the job. Research the corporate culture of the company.

Research the corporate culture of the company.

Amadeus. Suit and tie simple!!!

OK, there’s a Burton in Pau which has suits for the jeune cadre dynamique at sensible prices.

Tis ok I got my suit 😀
Just a minute and I’ll upload a pick

Sorry about the poor quality it’s a pic from my phone.

looking good 🙂
one tip, if you’re not used to wearing a suit, I’d wear it indoors this evening for a bit just to get over that “I’m wearing a new suit” feeling – good luck for the interview……..