Interview Attire: Stripes
In our eBook on interview dressing etiquette, we make the recommendation to avoid striped suits. Many people have argued that they love wearing striped suits to interviews, and that they should be completely appropriate. For your interest, here are some further notes on wearing striped suits to interviews.
1. Remember that our eBook is merely providing a set of ideals. You should consider them as practical guidelines rather than do or die absolutes. While a striped suit might be a more risky choice than a solid toned suit, it can still be made to work. You must simply be aware of the image that you wish to convey and adjust your outfit accordingly.
2. Pinstriped suits generally are used to convey authority. Tighter, bolder stripe patterns are considered more flashy and fashion oriented. Younger interview candidates who wear boldly striped suits risk being perceived as arrogant. If you do choose to wear a striped suit, you can temper this effect by coordinating it with a very conservative shirt and tie. Try a pale blue shirt and a tie with a small, subtle repetitive pattern.
3. Not all striped suits are the same. A subtle, widely spaced pinstripe suit is preferable over tighter, bolder stripes. Follow the links below to see examples of three overly bold striped suits, and three "acceptable" striped suits.
Overly bold:
http://www.execstyle.com/Sproducts.asp?pid=1401http://www.execstyle.com/Sproducts.asp?pid=1077#http://www.execstyle.com/Sproducts.asp?pid=1402#Acceptable:
http://www.execstyle.com/Sproducts.asp?pid=436http://www.execstyle.com/Sproducts_sepa.asp?pid=1107http://www.execstyle.com/Sproducts.asp?pid=1016#
Wearing Black Suits To Interviews
People ask us, again and again, what is wrong with wearing a black suit to an interview?
Black is a color most often associated with formality and elegance. In an interview setting, black is too severe and somber. The interview experience needs a warmer, friendlier dress format.
Go to any major business center in any major North American city. You will see the most commonly worn suits in the corporate world are blue, followed by grey. Preferred shirts are pale blue followed by white with a subtle pattern.
Wear black suits with confidence to formal events; Balls, formal evenings and life cycle events such as weddings, communions and bar mitzvahs. Note that tuxedos and tails are almost always black to provide an air of elegance and sophistication.
If a black suit is your only option for the interview, soften the look with a pale blue shirt or a shirt with a soft pattern. Wear a tie with a pattern, not a solid color. Avoid formal ties, with too much black, white or silver.
Interview Attire: Colors
Our eBook may give the impression that we advise avoiding all colors except blues and greys. This is a misconception. We are not advocating any kind of Brave New World of business where all colors other than blue and grey are heretical. Rather, just as the eBook cautions to err towards formality, we too are erring towards formality in our advice. Blues and greys are not the only colors to wear, they are merely the safest.
In choosing shirts and ties, some colors are more risky than others. For instance, while pink shirts are being worn more and more in the mainstream, they may convey a less than professional image. If blues and greys could be said to be "professional" colors, then reds and pinks are more "creative" colors. The interview candidate must evaluate where the job lies on this continuum.
With that being said, wearing a dash of red or mauve in your tie is perfectly acceptible for formal business attire. Spend the time to make sure your tie looks great. An attractive and well-tied tie can make the difference between a drab professional look and a sharp professional look.
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