Interviews: Dressing to Impress
By CHRISTINA WALLACE (OB) and ALEX NELSON (OB), Contributing Writers
Issue date: 10/19/09 Section: Features
Whether you like it or not, how professional you look will factor into your overall success during recruitment. You certainly don't want to leave a negative impression based on your appearance and undermine your otherwise stellar interview performance. In this spirit, we've compiled some useful rules to help you make good choices.
10) Color
For girls and guys alike, there is a time-honored suit color palate for traditional industries: black, grey, or navy blue. You may choose plain or pin-striped. You may choose wool crepe or silk or some other exotic fabric from Italy. But you may not break this rule. In related news, black does not go with brown. These colors are not mix-and-match; a black suit requires a black belt, shoes, socks (!), and (ideally) bag. Navy can pair with black or brown accessories, but consistency is key.
When it comes to shirts (and ties), you can inject some color, but loudness only detracts from your finished look (see #1 below). Prints should be small - no cartoon characters, golf balls, or impressionist paintings that consume your tie. And gentlemen, it's best to choose an accent color for your tie (no matchy-matchy, but nothing off-the-wall either). When in doubt, buy a shirt and tie at the same store with input from a salesperson. (We recommend Brooks Brothers.)
9) Fit
Here's where a great suit can go terribly wrong. As Tim Gunn from Project Runway likes to say, "a suit is meant to enhance your figure, not hide it." Unless you won the genetic lottery, chances are an off-the-rack suit will not fit you perfectly. This is where a tailor comes in. You may need to shorten the sleeves or lengthen the pant hem, or adjust the darts. Generally, you should make the appointment at least two weeks in advance and be sure to bring the shoes you want to wear with the suit. This may cost between $20-100 depending on the amount of work needed, but (honestly) it is totally worth it.
A couple of common fit questions:
10) Color
For girls and guys alike, there is a time-honored suit color palate for traditional industries: black, grey, or navy blue. You may choose plain or pin-striped. You may choose wool crepe or silk or some other exotic fabric from Italy. But you may not break this rule. In related news, black does not go with brown. These colors are not mix-and-match; a black suit requires a black belt, shoes, socks (!), and (ideally) bag. Navy can pair with black or brown accessories, but consistency is key.
When it comes to shirts (and ties), you can inject some color, but loudness only detracts from your finished look (see #1 below). Prints should be small - no cartoon characters, golf balls, or impressionist paintings that consume your tie. And gentlemen, it's best to choose an accent color for your tie (no matchy-matchy, but nothing off-the-wall either). When in doubt, buy a shirt and tie at the same store with input from a salesperson. (We recommend Brooks Brothers.)
9) Fit
Here's where a great suit can go terribly wrong. As Tim Gunn from Project Runway likes to say, "a suit is meant to enhance your figure, not hide it." Unless you won the genetic lottery, chances are an off-the-rack suit will not fit you perfectly. This is where a tailor comes in. You may need to shorten the sleeves or lengthen the pant hem, or adjust the darts. Generally, you should make the appointment at least two weeks in advance and be sure to bring the shoes you want to wear with the suit. This may cost between $20-100 depending on the amount of work needed, but (honestly) it is totally worth it.
A couple of common fit questions:
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