56 Comments
 

Not necessarily. Some designers/(people) prefer cuffed pants because the added weight at the bottom helps keep the pant leg straight and the lines cleaner.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 

A tailor told me you don't want pleats unless your are hefty/fat. Their purpose is to provide extra room when you sit, so if you are thin and you get pleated pants it makes your waist look larger than what it is.

 

Making sure your suit/shirt fits properly is pretty key too (around the shoulders etc). Alterations are your friend.

 

Yeah true!

Shoulder alterations are more difficult and expensive so I always buy a jacket that fits my shoulders snugly and trousers that fit round the waist properly (altering a pair of trousers round the waist can mess with the pockets and pleats).

Save the alterations for simple things like sleeves/legs & bringing the waist in if needed but that's where they are most effective.

 
Best Response

Very basic, but good guide, nonetheless. Fit is the most important aspect of any outfit. Wearing a conservative, but ill-fitting suit is not going to do you any good because it will look sloppy. Likewise, you can probably get away with a little less conservative aspects of your outfit as long as the fit is good.

Some things that this guide didn't mention:

  • Structure of the suit's shoulders (padded shoulders vs. natural shoulders): a pretty minor detail to the average person, but does make a difference in how the suit is perceived (natural shoulders look a little less formal). You can read this article if you want some in-depth knowledge.

-Jacket lapels (notch vs. peak and lapel width): this one is pretty easy for finance guys. Stay the hell away from peak lapels. As for the lapel width, you can use your own judgement and eyeball it, but obviously nothing too narrow or too wide. The standard width is about 3 to 3.5 inches. If you come into an interview wearing one of those Tom Ford suits with those monstrous peak lapels, you're guaranteed to leave a terrible first impression.

 

Nice guide, too strict on tie length thought. I am not advocating too short/long tie but it's not mandatory that it falls EXACTLY on the buckle. But as a starter guide it's good stuff.

 

Based on the "Is it okay to wear flip-flops to an interview" questions, I'd take a tie of any length.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

Half-windsor all day erryday.

Also, nothing wrong with peak lapels. I have an excellent three-piece pinstripe navy suit with peak lapels. Adds a nice touch of formality to a standard suit.

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." - George Bernard Shaw
 

I'm not a fatty, and assume most here aren't as well...I think four in hand looks fine 99% of the time. Just don't make it ridiculously tight

humblepie

how do people feel about tie knots, I don't like the fat windsor look and mostly see try-hards/wannabes rocking that look... not sure if this is just my take though, do people agree?

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!
 
WalMartShopper

I'm not a fatty, and assume most here aren't as well...I think four in hand looks fine 99% of the time. Just don't make it ridiculously tight

humblepie:

how do people feel about tie knots, I don't like the fat windsor look and mostly see try-hards/wannabes rocking that look... not sure if this is just my take though, do people agree?

For me, it is just tougher to get a 4-in-hand to look as sharp as a half windsor. I'm a smaller guy so It also helps get the length right for me. The real moral of the story is, figure out which knot you like tying, and practice until you can get it consistently sharp.

 
humblepie

how do people feel about tie knots, I don't like the fat windsor look and mostly see try-hards/wannabes rocking that look... not sure if this is just my take though, do people agree?

My Opinion(just that, nothing more) is that it also depends on the stye of the that you're using. I try to make the size of the knot correlate to the width of the tie.

 

the bit about semi-formal at the top is dead wrong. semi-formal IS black tie (i.e. tuxedo). no ifs, ands or buts about it. If you wear a suit to a "semi-formal" event you will be underdressed. "formal" means white tie (i.e. tails, white gloves, waistcoat, white bow tie, etc.)

and as far as lapels...I wouldn't wear peak lapels to an interview, but they're perfectly acceptable for work if you know what you are wearing.

 

Agree with Governor Caesar. In this graphic, "Semi-Formal" should be labeled "Business" and "Formal" should be "Semi-Formal (Black Tie)". There should be another picture depicting "Formal (White Tie)" which you would really only wear to events like Christmas or debutante balls, and even then only if you're an active participant in the event (usually).

 

Jeans are not business casual but senior guys, especially at smaller shops where there's less general bureaucracy and rules, can do more or less whatever they like. I've been that guy many times-business casual or formal business attire environment and I'll show up in jeans and a sports coat. But I control my time and know if I need to be in full battle gear or if jeans cut it. If an associate does that there's a good chance if they wear jeans I may pull them into a meeting.

 

A few people addressed the full windsor look. It's a personal favorite but bare in mind that it doesn't work with thick ties. It's all about the fabric, if you are doing a more casual vineyard vines tie, then full windsors work perfectly but for some ties you just have to stick with four-in-hand. As far as jeans go, I had an Asset Management internship where jeans on friday were fine, but it all depends on the company really.

 

Just to add on, I have some other handy cheat sheets that some might find useful:

Regarding blazer buttons: http://i.imgur.com/qvJ4kh5.jpg Miscellaneous how to wear a suit: http://i.imgur.com/9ZyEGvb.jpg

Read some of the comments and I think WSO should just make an official WSO guide to dressing. Solve the age old question of "what should I wear" and so we can all get on the same page.

Once I did bad and that I heard ever. Twice I did good and that I heard never.
 

Why would you need to say to leave 1/2 inch of shirt cuff exposed then say jacket sleeve shouldn't exceed the knuckles. How big of a fucking shirt do they think guys wear?

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

Posting so I can save the thread

"You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are." - Mister Rogers
 

and after you offer her your handkerchief, ask if she wants a slice of penis pie too

You know you've been working too hard when you stop dreaming about bottles of champagne and hordes of naked women, and start dreaming about conditional formatting and circular references.
 

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