Fashion question - interview suit

[underpants]

I have the first interview tomorrow of a few this week.

Wearing a black lightly pinstriped suit (trust me it fits in with this fits in with this organization), white shirt of course, and a solid tie (yellow/gold).

The question I have is about the shirt. Does a button down collar go with a pinstriped suit?
I have a regular collar that I prefer but the button down fits better.
My wife says the button down is fine.

Opinions?

[Rorey]

1. Sight unseen, I think the regular collar

You'll be wearing the jacket, so if it doesn't fit as well as the button down, nobody will know.

Then again, your wife has seen them, so she's probably right.

Good luck!

[jberryhill]

2. It's what you wear under the suit that matters

[TomSlick]

3. A button down collar is more informal than a regular collar.

That being said, in my experience the wife is always right.

[underpants]

7. She does have a fashion degree

I'm finding all kinds of opinions. Hipsters mix everything with pinstripes. Fred Astaire wore a button down with a suit.

[Sienna86]

4. Good luck to you

You’ll look great.

[Aristus]

5. I agree with TomSlick. A button-down shirt is considered fairly casual.

A pinstriped suit is considered very formal and conservative. A plain point collared shirt is what you want.

[underpants]

6. Okay thanks.

I may just go with that. I'm in between sizes right now.

[enough]

11. Agreed. NT

[Aristus]

8. I'd be happy to take a crack at any other fashion questions you have.

I used to sell men’s clothing, and am a pretty devoted clothes horse. So hit me with them if you’ve got them.

[TomSlick]

9. I worked in a men's clothing store in college and the owner never new I was color blind.

He did question my pairing of ties to suits sometimes but just thought I was being unorthodox.

[Aristus]

25. HA!

[Nay]

33. Well, that's pretty slick, slick. I agree with you about the non-buttondown shirt.

Underpants, break a leg tomorrow!

[3catwoman3]

63. How fascinating!

I'm sure I would have enjoyed seeing some of your "unorthodox" combinations.

[AJT]

27. What would be the appropriate footwear? Wingtips?

[Major Nikon]

42. Wingtips are a feature, not really a style of shoe

You'll find wingtips on both oxford or derby shoes and even boots, all of which are different styles.

The #1 best choice for a shoe to wear to an interview is a black cap toe oxford.

[AJT]

47. Nice....I don't think men understand how good they can look in a well

tailored suit, and the right pair of shoes.

[Major Nikon]

48. It's something of a lost art among men

There's a few basic fashion rules that shouldn't be broken, unless you know what you are doing and so many men don't. Things like which color and style of shoes go with which color and style of outfits. Women more commonly understand these things, and they have many more options.

[AJT]

50. For women it's both a blessing and a curse. So many beautiful options to choose from,

none of which are free.

[sprinkleeninow]

52. I always like that style of shoe for the guys. Smart. eom

[Major Nikon]

62. I have two pairs

One in black and another in burgundy.

Oxford shoes are generally reserved just for suits, but it's one of those things nobody really pays much attention to anymore.

[sprinkleeninow]

65. Very smart! 👍 eom

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

10. Are you a lawyer?

Why wear a suit?

[llmart]

14. Are you kidding me?

As a 35-year retired HR professional, dressing up for an interview was always impressive to me.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

15. Sorry, I'm just not the dress up type

I always try to avoid interviewing with the HR folks. They're more of a delay and complication than anything else. No offense.

[llmart]

20. Well, goody for you...

but most places that have an HR department consider their opinions relevant. I don't know what kind of places you've worked, but I've worked in different industries/public entities, some multinationals, some smaller places, different states, etc.

Your impression of the human resources function as a source of delay and complication in the hiring process may just be because you aren't that familiar with all the requirements that are placed on the department by an organization's policies and the law.

So, no offense taken but maybe don't be so hard on the HR folks. My "specialty" in my last job was with the visa process and making sure that the employees who were here on visas wouldn't get deported under this godawful regime. I personally signed off on some renewals before the USCIS could find a reason to not renew a visa.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

23. Trust me I know the way a lot of recruiters (headhunters) operate...

...a good HR person can do a world of good. I'm a consultant and the places I work for owe me nothing, hire me at will and can fire me the next day. They generally contact one of the agencies I have a relationship with and leave the technicalities to them. Mostly I interview by phone. I've worked on assignments that have lasted from 30 days to 6 1/2 years. I kind of like the place I for now and I might become a regular employee but that suit thing isn't required, thank God.

Glad you've been successful helping folks remain working and productive.

[underpants]

17. It's an office job

A suit for the interview is required.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

21. Cool and best of luck always, I just don't like suits and ties.

I've always worked in an office but things have become casual in the last 15-20 years.
Which is great in my opinion. I concentrate better when I'm comfortable.

[Major Nikon]

43. While the days of the Mark Zuckerberg office hoodie are upon us...

There's still no shortage of offices where a suit and tie are still standard attire. If I showed up for an interview and the person interviewing me was wearing a suit and I was not, I would feel at a disadvantage from the beginning. If they are wearing business casual and you still show up in a suit, nobody is going to hold it against you.

I always say every man should have at least one suit, preferably black or dark grey, or maybe navy. Interviews, funerals, and weddings are the occasions where you stand a good chance of needing one.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

58. I do work in the tech world

My boss generally wears jeans. The lead engineer in my department often wore jeans and a t-shirt. The project chief engineer generally only wears a tie when the FAA or a customer is in town.

I agree, everyone should have a suit. I'll put that on my list of things to prioritize.

[llmart]

22. I think the suit is the most important part.

I wouldn't sweat the shirt option too much. I'm sure you will make a good first impression. After the first impression, it's what you say and how you say it that is most important, plus your work experience.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[ailsagirl]

12. I found this... FWIW

A button down shirt, whether it be oxford cloth or not, paired with a suit is a fine combination. It is traditional and it is American. ... The button down collar is the least formal dress shirt, which one could argue is too casual to wear with a suit, especially a more formal suit like one with pinstripes.

http://www.thefineyounggentleman.com/america-fuk-yeah/a-button-down-collar-with-a-suit/

[underpants]

16. I saw that

I had no idea why my mind had to ask that question but it did. It's always been a classic look to me.

[Major Nikon]

44. My tailor wears button down shirts

He is the best dressed man I know. It's not really a big deal.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

13. Has nothing to do with color. A button collar is fine with a single breasted suit. Should never be

worn with double breasted.

[underpants]

18. Oh man I had a double breasted suit that used to kill

But that was 20+ years ago.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

19. Prior to retirement I was a VP and GM with the world's largest career management firm.

Starting from scratch, the default suit color for a first interview is dark/navy blue with a white shirt and either a blue or blue and red tie.

Second interview a grey suit with white shirt and grey and red tie.

No flashy rings or watches.

You’ve already decided on the suit for the first meeting so go with it.

When you go to the second wear the blue/navy as referenced above.

Need advice, please let me know.

[underpants]

24. Thanks.

One interview at a time but I've already got the second suit (blue) ready to go - this organization moves pretty quickly.

I have another interview Wednesday so I will probably go with the same first suit.

[underpants]

38. BTW - NAILED the interview

I'm pretty good at first interviews but this one was something else.

It actually got sort of informal and there were questions off the prepared ones (hint: not private sector) and not in order.

At the very end I asked a question (one of three I had prepared) about the next step in the process/timeline. The head of this organization said "Review...possibly a few applicants called back..unless there is one clear candidate to hire" He looked across the table at the person who would be the supervisor of this position and out of the corner of my eye I saw a bit of a nod.

Knock on wood.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

40. Outstanding! Follow up with a thank you letter reiterating any points you think are important to

the hiring manager. Add that you look forward to continuing the process and please contact you should he require any additional information or clarification.

[sprinkleeninow]

53. Totes fab! eom

[TexasTowelie]

54. Great news.

I tend to get nervous at interviews and can say that I only felt like I nailed the interview once which was in the middle of my career.

[underpants]

55. St. John's Wort

My wife turned me on to this a while ago. I little pinch between my cheek and gum yesterday before I started actually getting ready and my nerves went away.

What's funny is that this whole thread because irrelevant when I pulling out the two shirts I was deciding on. Turns out both were button downs. I went to shirts 3&4 and picked the best one. Point collar.

[TexasTowelie]

56. Good choice.

I used to wear Van Heusen point collar shirts made of poplin. They were comfortable and also easy to iron, plus they came in a rainbow of colors. They were relatively inexpensive for a dress shirt (less than $20 ten years ago) and they looked so sharp that one of the women asked me where I took my laundry and I told her that I did my own laundry and ironing--she was impressed! She was more impressed when I told her that I could also sew on a button.

[In_The_Wind]

57. Sounds good.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

59. Great! Hope you get it.

[underpants]

66. .

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211162267

[dlk]

26. A Regular Collar Would be More Formal. A Button-down is More Casual

Your call

[Laura PourMeADrink]

28. All the time I have been here though you

were female.

[underpants]

37. Lemme check

Nope. Male.

[elleng]

29. Remember your raincoat!!!

[bitterross]

30. Button down collars should not be worn with ties.

You really should never wear a button down shirt with a tie. Button down shirts are for infomal occasions.

[underpants]

36. This is all new to me

I've been wearing them with suits for a loooong time.

[bitterross]

46. It's pretty common. I know almost everyone does it.

It's still not appropriate. But hey, I'm an old-fashioned Southerner on this point. I guess you could call me "stuffed-shirt."

Have you ever noticed that many button-down collar shirts have a button on the back? Definitely a clue about the use of a tie.

[Major Nikon]

49. I do so all the time

Button down refers to any shirt that has a button down collar and many are made strictly for casual wear even (perish the thought) short sleeve. However, you'll also find oxford button downs that are very much traditionally worn with ties and have been for many decades, even though they do tend to be slightly more on the casual side. Most all the big names in US, English, and Italian men's fashion producers make oxford button downs designed to be worn with a suit and tie.

I particularly like oxford button down, because I can wear a tie during the day, take it off after work and not look out of place in either situation.

[SWBTATTReg]

31. No clothes advice, but just simply a 'good luck'...nt

[Turbineguy]

32. Other than the obvious

and always good policy of following your wife's suggestion, if the button down shirt fits better, wear it. A badly fitting collar might affect your performance. I always wear spread collars but I like double breasted suits or blazers.

[underpants]

39. Went with the pointed collar and.....NAILED IT!

See my response to Floyd R. turbo below.

[Turbineguy]

45. Nice!

[malthaussen]

34. Interesting responses.

I've been watching some TV from 1961, and every male wears button-down collars with suits and ties. I'm fascinated that button-downs are now considered more "informal" than "regular" collars. Can you tell I haven't worried about male fashion trends for at least a generation?

I also remember Dress for Success earnestly advising one to never take his wife's advice about business wear.

-- Mal

[underpants]

35. I've always worn them. Don't know why it popped in my mind

I guess it was just that the suit is so nice.

[Major Nikon]

41. A button down collar is considered less formal

A more traditional option would be to go with a spread or point collar. Most better quality dress shirts will include collar stays which go behind the points and are hidden. Other options are a hidden button down or use a collar bar with the latter option being a bit old fashion and somewhat fallen out of favor, although still considered acceptable for business formal.

That being said the unwritten rule about button down isn't that solid these days. You'll see many high level professionals using button down and I doubt many would even be aware of the faux pas and those who are wouldn't give it a second thought.

Personally if I had no other option besides a button down, I would wear a button down to an interview. It's not worth going out and buying a shirt just for the occasion. So I agree with your wife.

Don't forget to match your shoes to your belt (black only in this case). Your shoes should be a low quarter oxford or a derby in that order. There's other shoe options, but none that are as good. Naturally they should be polished. Do NOT wear patent leather. It's a good idea to match the tone of all your metal pieces. In other words if your belt buckle is silver, wear a silver watch and/or silver cuff links, etc. Black socks naturally. A pocket square is a nice touch, but not required. If you do wear one, make sure it's white and folded conservatively. Presidential is best or a one or two point if you must. Do NOT match the pocket square to your tie.

[malthaussen]

60. Just curious when the button-down became "less formal"

Mind you, I haven't been keeping track for a couple of generations, but in the early 60's, button-downs were about all there were, and everybody wore them with anything less than black tie. Google does tell me that they are the "less formal" choice now, I just wonder when that happened. In the early 70s, wearing spread collars was a sort of sign of rebellion.

Always fascinated when the attitude towards something changes 180 degrees over time.

-- Mal

[Major Nikon]

61. Who knows? I would guess since as long as they have been around

Before the days when collar stays were tailored into the shirt, you wore a collar bar which became pretty much a required accessory for point collars as it kept the collar down tight and made it wind resistant. As you wouldn't wear a collar bar with a button down, they became less formal. Today most dress shirts have slots for collar stays, so collar bars aren't as common. That's why nobody really notices that button downs are less formal. So some men know this, but most will not and those who do don't really pay much attention to it anymore.

There are some fashion faux pas that just say, 'I don't know what I'm doing', such as wearing brown shoes with a black suit. Wearing a button down shirt with a suit is not one of those things. I wouldn't be surprised if Prince Charles did it, well maybe a little.

To me a button down just looks more casual. As I stated before, I like them because I can wear a tie during the day and I have the option to remove the tie after work and it still looks appropriate, at least for something other than a suit.

[RobinA]

64. Patent Leather Shoes

to an interview Used to manage a mens furnishings department many moons ago. I happen to love collar bars, which were quite the thing when I was in the biz in the '80's. I always preferred a little bit of zing, even when dressing in the uniform. Maybe the tie. If I were hiring, the straight uniform would knock off a few points with me.

[sprinkleeninow]

51. Hellur, Spread collar with your ensemble. That's just my take. eom