[Anonymous]

I’m a dude looking to update my decade old interview suit. What is the power color these days? Really curious about popular color and style. I don’t want to be that old guy wearing an outdated suit.

[Anonymous]

Black isn't outdated and still the most common/popular colour choice.

I am wondering if dark grey or dark blue is still okay if you are female ?

[How many letters do you need]

Styles change but the colors generally remain the same. I'm a huge fan of the classic blue pin/white shirt when meeting the head of finance. I usually go charcoal grey when meeting either the president/general manager/other department VPs or what have you. The pattern/thickness and brightness of the stripes or what have you will change….so I'll get a new one every 5 years or so….but generally you can't go wrong with a blue pin and a charcoal grey in whatever style is going on right now…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[ruggercpa2b]

I am a female and just interviewed last week. I wore a grey suit. I get bored with the dark colors at times so I switch it up. I think those colors are great colors, just make sure the suit fits. Take it to a tailor and get it fitted. I think fit it was sets the outdated from the more modern look these days.

Good Luck!

AUD - NINJA in Training
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AUD - 1/6/18
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AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
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I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I wouldn't wear black to an interview. I think dark gray has a good look to it. I should disclose that I am not a qualified fashion expert by a long shot. 🙂

[Anonymous]

As long as it's not a red or pink skirt suit, I think any of those colors are fine 🙂 I personally stick with the classic black suit but I also love navy or gray. I tend to stick with the dark colors because they're so classic. If you're a guy, spice it up with a fun tie.

[Anonymous]

1. you must get a suit that fits you well, baggy is very out dated, must get it tailored to fit you well ( example bringing in the waist of your suit jacket) The trend today is very form fitting with everything skinny, Tie's, lapels. Also NO CUFFS ON YOUR PANTS.

2. Dont wear black. What kind of people do you see wearing a black suit? President of the U.S, people at funerals, people at weddings, and actors at the oscars

3. Charcoal/Navy are the way to go for a first interview. Once you get the job get light colored suits to assert your fashion dominance over your associates.

4. Shirt/Tie color. This is where you put your personality. Classic would be white shirt/red tie. If you wanna get crazy go with a colored shirt and a colored tie (example blue shirt/orange tie, pink shirt/green tie) if you wanna get even crazier go with a checkered shirt and a bow tie (not recommended for a first impression, might be too crazy)

Please dont wear pinstripes, no one here plays for the yankee's or is a 90's drug dealer/pimp

[Anonymous]

Thanks 🙂 I am actively looking and so I need to find two decent suits. So going to the mall this weekend and check out if I can get something that would fit me well.

Normally that has always been a problem for me, the really nice suits are for more slimmer people and not so much for those that plus size.

[Anonymous]

I disagree about not wearing black suits. When I was in public accounting, I was in the financial industries group and everyone commonly wore black suits. If you're a female, they have great button up shirts in a lot of different colors at Banana Republic and J.Crew to brighten it up. Black is a classic suit color that you can't go wrong with.

[Anonymous]

Blue suit. Pinstripes may be a bit too flashy.

White, wide-spread collar. Half-windsor knot. Tie with pattern (not too distracting).

Brown belt. Brown wingtips.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what the fashion is for women, all i know is i went to a job fair with one of my friends and she happens to be very attractive. She had partners from firms literally chasing her around the job fair. Realistically for you can wear whatever color suit to a interview and it generally wont be the deciding factor on getting the job. I'm just against black because like you said that's what “everyone” wears, you gotta make your self stand apart from everyone else interviewing. If an interviewer see's black suits all day then wearing a different color would make you stand out more and maybe be more memorable in the eyes of the interviewer.

[How many letters do you need]

Amanda: You mean I can't wear my lime green leisure suit? 🙂

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I actually think black is a terrible business suit (for men). I save black for weddings funerals and work Christmas parties..

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[ridiqls]

I think it depends on the black. But color shouldn't be the first thing you consider on a suit.

They say you can tell a man's age by the suit he wears. If you're wearing a non-fitted suit or even baggy, it says you're 18-22. Usually because they're hand me downs like your dad's old suit, things off the rack and on sale, suits from Express, etc.

I believe there's nothing classier than a nice well-fitted suit. Fitted to your body which usually means tailoring. And if you can only afford one suit that's custom tailored/nice, then I'd go with a neutral color that goes with lots of color schemes and isn't so “in your face”. Otherwise if you wear it all the time because you don't have other suits, you're going to be known as the guy that wears “the blue suit” or whatever color it is.

Gray is a good choice, more on the charcoal side. Any lighter it looks really good but like I said, it'll be too attention getting and you dont want that unless you have an entire wardrobe you can change up. But they are good investments.

Always try to wear a suit jacket but this isn't sometimes possible given the weather. Make sure the jacket isn't too long (looks terrible when it's all baggy and too long for your arms) and when it's buttoned, it contours to your body.

Fat ties say power, skinny ties say fashionable. Skinny ties are in, fat ties are not. Red dress shirts also say power but you also look like a car salesman or you work at the Marriott unless it's worn nicely with accents and a jacket.

Subtle metal is key to going from looking nice to looking stunning. Metal accent cuff links that aren't too flashy and a nice watch with a black wristband and chrome face are good accessories. Watches are MANDATORY. I dont even use it for time cause I got in the habit of pulling out my smartphone but I wear a watch 100% of the time now.

Belts. Try to avoid those belts that you get at Ross where you put a little knob into the hole. It looks cheap and the fitment is never right. Belts should be well fitted and a leather strap with a good buckle that matches your cuff links are nice.

Boots should match. I'm not too big on shoes but they should match, fit and look classy. Helps if you're not tall and they give you a little lift, it seems most boots make you taller.

And of course, wear dress socks. Don't be wearing white socks with an all black suit that's probably the worst thing you can do. A nice fitted suit usually pulls up at the ankle when you sit or cross your legs. Socks will be exposed!

Also consider posture, eye contact, firm handshake, classy sunglasses that fit YOUR FACE (no Oakleys or sport type sunglasses please).

Remember dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

I will add that it helps if you're in shape when you're wearing anything that contours to your body. If you're fit and have muscles, that will show thru the suit. but it's not to say that if you're overweight that a nice fitted suit isn't going to be worth the money. It's ALWAYS better than baggy and a good tailor will make it right.

[jpowell31]

i agree with most of which was said (no baggy suits, especially) but color and style depends on your personality too. if you feel ridiculous in a blue suit, you look ridiculous in a blue suit. if you're overly comfortable (like someone i know who wears his blue fitted suit with a pink shirt and pink hankie – and it's the only colored outfit he has) you look like a d-bag. it still has to be something you'll get some good wear out of and it's much more noticeable whenever you pull out that one new and trendy suit compared to your other digs.

i agree the whole look is important, though. shoes are even more important and a tie should either be classic or trendy (and you can pull off trendy – i.e. skinny tie). belts are easy to hold onto as well. if it's too worn out, even if you don't notice your waistline once you leave your bathroom, others do. also – may be obvious but bring a portfolio with anything they may ask for and a notepad. you can jot cheat notes, keep info about the company/interviewer in there. and keep a picture of your family if it makes sense – it may encourage some personal questions and you want your personality to shine. you should not need a briefcase – fumbling around with it if you do need to get inside for the one piece of paper relevant to the interview makes you look like you're trying too hard.

2 cents coming from a female 🙂

-__-

[Anonymous]

Just throwing this out there… Accounting is still generally a more traditional and conservative profession, so I think the more daring suit combinations (not to pick on anything, but something like green shirt and orange tie would seem more daring to me) are not as appropriate in accounting as elsewhere. A colored shirt or a colored tie, but I think putting too much color in both places is a bit too modern for accounting!

That being said, I also live in a very traditional/conservative region, so I have double-dose of conservative/traditional to deal with in my attire. Add to it that I'm also very “shy” in my wardrobe, and I pretty much stick to the tried-and-true basics. 😉 So, my two interview suits are both black (with pants) – one has some pleated (not the right word, but only one I can think of) detail, the other is fitted without detailing. I have 3 tops to wear under them – burgundy, dark purple, and navy blue.

I think that jpowell hit on something super important, though – if you feel ridiculous, you'll look ridiculous. I'd feel ridiculous in a green shirt with an orange tie, so I'd look ridiculous in it. Maybe someone who feels professional and confident in it could look professional and confident in it. So, I think the most important thing is to try it on and look at yourself and go with your gut if you don't feel right in it…and then get advice from a couple friends or family members who know how to be professional – try it on for them and ask if you look right in it. If all concur that you look professional then you should be good to go. 🙂

[Author]

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