4 Things To Know When Buying Your First Interview Suit (2024)

FAQs

What is the best first suit for interview? ›

A good suit is never a bad idea, especially if you're heading to a job that also requires you to wear one. But we'd recommend you keep things minimal - a simple black suit is always a win, as is a grey. Navy is a little softer, but equally as sharp as those aforementioned colours. Also, a slim fit will do the job.

Basic suits are usually between $400 and $799. They're perfect for first-time buyers or one-time events. Mid-level suits range from $800 to $1,500. They're usually made of all natural fabrics and will be custom-made to fit you.

Ideally, your suit should be either navy blue or charcoal grey. It's often believed that black suits are good for professional situations, but this is something of a misconception. Meanwhile, charcoal or navy give off the air of reliability, credibility and trustworthiness.

Once you're wearing a suit regularly, they're fine, for the first suit, basic is best. A solid price point for the first suit should be around $500, give or take a little. There are plenty of options around and below that amount, but avoid very inexpensive suits, as they are often poor quality and will look cheap.

The expectation will be for you to dress conservatively, so a three-piece suit is a smart move. Don't just dig out your old black one though, you should step it up a little if you want to make a memorable impression with what to wear for an interview.

In most formal job interviews, you will always have a better chance if you're wearing a suit over wearing casual clothes. However, with the changes in corporate and workplace culture in modern society, wearing suits for interviews is no longer necessary.

Once again, gray is a great neutral color to wear for job interviews. It can portray you as a logical and analytical professional.

In most cases, when you attend an interview, you want to make sure that your attire aligns with or slightly exceeds what people typically wear in that workplace. If you are looking for a position in an industry or profession where wearing more formal clothing is the norm, then putting on a suit might be a necessity.

$1000 will get you out of the area of “cheap suits” into a good and presentable suit in business situations, but it's not extravagant or luxury or “stupid.” Where can I get a great suit?

What are the first two suits to buy? ›

A Navy Suit, #2 A Gray Suit. If you've already learned how to buy your first suit, this may seem familiar. The first two suits in your lineup should be a no brainer. This may sound like beating a dead horse, but a solid navy suit and a solid gray suit should always be your co-MVPs.

A cheap suit is made of Polyester or Rayon and shines in the sunlight. It has a blend of cotton, recycled wool, and synthetic blends. However, an expensive suit is made of 100% virgin wool, well-made details, fine luster, and super wool quality.

Something uncomfortable: Just as you don't want the interviewer to be distracted, you don't want to be preoccupied during an interview. Avoid ill-fitting, itchy, or uncomfortable clothing that may cause you to be more focused on what you are wearing than what is happening during the interview.

The best colors to wear to an interview are ones that are neutral such as black, navy, gray and brown. White is also an appropriate neutral color for a shirt or blouse. Depending on your preference, you can also add a pop of color to an interview outfit to introduce your own personality.

How to wear a 3 piece suit? Jacket can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned. The waistcoat must always be worn buttoned all the way up, leaving the bottom button open. In the past the open bottom button prevented the waistcoat from riding-up when on horseback.

While there's no objective answer to how many interviews are too many, typically any more than four interviews is too much. To avoid this, consider the size of your company before deciding how many rounds of interviews you're going to conduct.

The basic principle is to divide your image into thirds horizontally and vertically. These lines and their intersections act as guidelines for where to position important compositional elements in your frame. It is particularly helpful for positioning your subject correctly for an off camera interview.

Showing up completely overdressed suggests that you didn't research the company and have not paid any attention to the company culture. Employers want to ensure that they hire employees who will fit in with the general office vibe, and showing up to an interview overdressed can be a major red flag.

What color is calming for interview? ›

Brown is a neutral color that evokes feelings of calm. It is a great solid, neutral color for any interview. This earthy color means warmth, safety, reliability, and dependability. Brown doesn't have negative connotations, you'll send the message of being comforting and reliable.

In an interview setting, black is a good choice, just don't wear too much of it. Like white, black pairs nicely with most other interview colors. Black says you respect the formality of the interview and the authority of the hiring company. Avoid matching black with brown, charcoal, or dark grey.

Shoes? You don't have to wear heels to an interview, especially if you're not comfortable. Flats or wedges are perfectly fine. When deciding what shoes to wear to an interview, make sure they are closed-toe, with a heel no higher than 3 inches, and in neutral colors.

If you're applying for a formal role, it is best to wear a tie. In contrast, candidates applying for positions in the creative or entertainment industry don't need a tie. As such roles aren't formal, the hiring manager is unlikely to have strict dressing requirements.

You may want to wear a suit coat over the top to maintain a more professional appearance. However, if the company you are interviewing with is more casual, you may be able to forego the jacket.

But if you're shopping for higher-end apparel or business attire, you have more room to negotiate than you might realize. Stores that sell men's suits, for example, are always running enticing deals to get you into the store, and their price points are very flexible.

If you are on a budget, there are good-looking suits for $600-$999 that you can tailor to make look higher-priced. There are also great suits that you can find in the $300-$599 range that would get the job done.

That means you can go into any “brick and mortar” tuxedo shop or Men's Warehouse in your area and ask for complimentary measurements, and they will take them for you, free of charge.

We recommend sticking with dark-colored suits, like black, navy, or charcoal gray for a formal event. For a day at the office, an all black men's suit is way too formal. Instead, we recommend wearing a gray or navy blue men's suit to work.

What color suit is most versatile? ›

However, if you intend to wear your suit beyond rare occasions, then charcoal grey and navy blue are the superior choices. Why? They are the most versatile and useful suit colours that provide a great value for those who have to wear formal suits regularly and look for a classic and timeless option.

At the $1,000 price level, you can get a decent quality cloth that lasts, is soft and comfortable on your skin and drapes well on your body. Compared to a $100 this is a huge improvement. The biggest advantage of a $1,000 suit: Interlining & Construction.

Suits made of synthetic materials such as polyester can lose their shape, and wrinkle and crease more. They also suffer from shininess, giving it that characteristic 'cheap' look. Unlike wool, synthetic fabrics don't drape naturally.

You want to look clean and professional during an interview. Nails should be groomed and neat. Jangly jewelry: Don't wear more than two rings per hand or one earring per ear.

The Golden Rule of Interview Attire

You always want to be one notch above the people you're interviewing with. You'd much rather be wearing a suit into an office full of hoodies and jean shorts than show up wearing a t-shirt in an office full of buffed leather shoes and pant suits.

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.

Blue – Trust, Dependable, Strong. Green – Peaceful, Growth, Health.

Individual Interview

Often referred to as a “personal interview” this is the most common type of interview and is usually held face to face at the company's offices. Find out the approximate length of the interview in order to prepare; they range from 30 to 90 minutes.

Always wear an impeccably fitting suit

Walking into the office building for your interview is likely the first time your potential superiors, peers, and subordinates will see you in person, so it's crucial that you make a good impression.

Is the strongest candidate interviewed first? ›

Some hiring managers may choose to interview the strongest candidates first. This can be advantageous for a number of reasons. By interviewing the top candidate early, employers can gauge other candidates' performances against the benchmark set by the best candidate.