Wow, I had no idea there were still offices out there that are that conservative. Neither DH, nor I, work in a place where this would be that big of a deal.
DH is getting into the web designing field, so obviously a little more creative & less formal. I've been buying him checkered shirts & printed ties. The horror!!
Those are totally fine! I'd keep the checkered shirts in the closet for interviews in stuffy places (they're probably fine for interviews in creative places, and they're fine for daily wear in stuffy places), but printed ties are okay even for interviews (as long as they're kind of boring printed ties) and are fine for every day. Vineyard Vines and Hermes ties, both of which can definitely veer far into whimsical territory, are very common among the very well-dressed men in the stuffy environments where I've worked. You just maybe don't wear your tasteful green salamander tie to an interview or court.
It's just a different world. He definitely doesn't have to follow the rules that seem to be applicable in your workplace. DH works construction, so he has no idea how to dress professionally. I've been dressing him for all his interviews so far & I'm definitely not picking out conservative combos. Usually no jacket, sometimes a vest, sometimes a tie (depending on the place). Every field is not the same.
I like the look of black suits. That being said I think gray is the ideal color for an interview.
H's company recently interviewed someone and one of H's coworkers said, "This guy is good. He wasn't wearing a really nice tie, so you know he's not going to be one of those really high maintenance finance types. "
Apparently in nerdy environments, dressing really well can work against you.
It's just a different world. He definitely doesn't have to follow the rules that seem to be applicable in your workplace. DH works construction, so he has no idea how to dress professionally. I've been dressing him for all his interviews so far & I'm definitely not picking out conservative combos. Usually no jacket, sometimes a vest, sometimes a tie (depending on the place). Every field is not the same.
Oh, of course every field is different. The OP was asking about a "general professional environment" so I think a lot of us tailored our answer to general professional (and therefore conservative and conformist) environments because that's what's helpful to the OP.
I like the look of black suits. That being said I think gray is the ideal color for an interview.
H's company recently interviewed someone and one of H's coworkers said, "This guy is good. He wasn't wearing a really nice tie, so you know he's not going to be one of those really high maintenance finance types. "
Apparently in nerdy environments, dressing really well can work against you.
Dressing too fancy I think can hurt you in a lot of places... you'll look too high-maintenance, or won't fit in.
Above the Law had an article a few years ago when the economy got really bad for lawyers about how to interview at smaller firms without looking like an ass (and I always remember it because it was so :-| -worthy). One of the tips was "4. Dress Appropriately. All of you know how to dress for a job interview, but leave your fancy cuff links, expensive embossed portfolio, diamond jewelry (even the tasteful studs), and logoed accessories at home. Wearing them will remind your interviewers how high your salary was at BigLaw, which may be more than they’re currently making right now, and they will hate you." Which, :-|
But I think generally it is good to keep flashy stuff at home during interviews.
Wow, I had no idea there were still offices out there that are that conservative. Neither DH, nor I, work in a place where this would be that big of a deal.
DH is getting into the web designing field, so obviously a little more creative & less formal. I've been buying him checkered shirts & printed ties. The horror!!
The question was about interviews, not regular workdays. Interview outfits are by nature more boring and conservative.
It definitely depends on company and field. H interviewed earlier this week for an advertising position. 1st in person interview after 2 phone interviews (so does it count as first interview if he'd spoke with them before for the "white shirt rule"? )and he wore black suit and a blue shirt with tie with blue/red/black design. He was called that afternoon for a 4th interview.
Post by msamyfarrahfowler on Dec 21, 2012 10:42:13 GMT -5
MH is a physician who's gone through med school, residency and fellowship interviews. For all of his interviews, he wore a patterned shirt, patterned tie, and a matching suit. Nothing clashes and everything is fitted. I think with men, the key is to look sharp and confident. If a guy is wearing a standard suit with a white shirt and blue tie, it looks very pedestrian and forgettable. MH doesn't even own a white dress shirt.
I think the conservative and boring route only applies to women that work in conservative fields that are traditionally dominated by men.