Need help finding a suit - YouLookFab Forum

Hello everyone,

I'm a first time poster here although I've been lurking on this site for at least a year.

A little background: I'm a postdoc researcher in science so I'm usually dressed casually. In a couple of months or so, I'll start searching for a real job and I need some help finding a good interview suit. I'm looking for a full time research position either in academia (but not faculty), national lab, or industry, so the suit should be appropriate for interviews at these three settings. FYI, I don't wear skirts.

I already have several button down shirts, so that's not a problem. I also have a pair of black dress pants and a jacket from the Gap that I wore to my thesis defense and postdoc interviews, but that was 2 years ago and the pants are now too big because I've lost weight in the past year. I also don't like them because the polyester material feels thin and cheap.

So here are my general questions. Please bear with me here, I'm kind of clueless.

1. I read somewhere that navy blue or dark grey suit is better than black because black is just a dull and boring color. Is this true? If I can only have one suit, which color is the most versatile? I have no personal preference, by the way. Navy blue and different shades of grey are all my favorite colors.

2. Are subtle patterns (e.g. pinstripes or herringbone) less versatile than solid colors?

3. Would black shoes work with any color suit?

4. In terms of mixing and matching pants and jackets for a less formal occasion, what colors work with each other? For example, would a grey jacket work with black pants? Is it not acceptable to mix and match colors at all? Or maybe the color contrast must be higher?

5. Do the bag, shoes, and belt (if I wear one) have to be in the same color/shade?

As for budget, my maximum limit is $250 for a pair of pants and a jacket. Here are a few brands I've looked at online:

J Crew - so many nice choices in great colors, but boy are they pricy! Way over my budget. Maybe after I get a real job and save up some money…

Gap - I don't trust their quality anymore for dress pants and jacket

Express - I might be interested in the Ultimate Double Weave Columnist (http://goo.gl/3fNV5) or Studio Stretch Columnist (http://goo.gl/iAosI) pants but they're only available in either black or brights and pastels. No navy blue or grey. The Studio Stretch Slim Leg Columnist pants (http://goo.gl/hCXyQ) are available in grey but I'm not sure if the slim fit is professional enough. I also can't find a jacket in a matching color online. Does anyone know what the material feels like? Are they good quality for a poly blend? I also looked at the Editor pants, but I don't like the wide flared legs. I am short (5'1") and flared pants usually make me look shorter.

Banana Republic - either the Martin or Logan fit pants might work, but the only matching jacket colors are either black or a lighter blue.

Ann Taylor - there are some great choices of pants that I saw online. Some of the jackets are pricier, but with 30% off I guess it's not too bad. The problem is a lot of the jackets seem so short. Does anyone have any experience with this brand?

I'd appreciate other suggestions.

I apologize for the long post. I'll probably go to B&M store to try on some clothes but I hope someone can help me focus on some specific stores/brands so I won't waste too much time walking around aimlessly in the city.

Thank you!

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi & welcome.

Can you get some pics of you in the suits? What looks great on you may not what appeals to me on the hanger:)

Suz

(website)

Welcome!!

It sounds to me like going into the brick and mortar stores first for a try-on (if you have access) would be really important. Trying even a few things on would give you more information about how things fit your particular body, and that in turn could help us direct you for a next step. I know Angie speaks really highly of Express for someone who is starting out and looking for an affordable suit. The pants fits (Editor and Columnist) work for different body types. Also, BR and AT often have sales to bring their prices down.

Re colour: Whatever works best for your own colouring and needs! I would go with navy or grey because these look better on me (as a rule) but you can try on all colours and see which feel best.

A subtle pattern would be just as versatile as a plain, perhaps even more so!

Black footwear should work with any of these...but it depends what your hair colour is, what colour shirt you are wearing, etc. Black might not be the best colour. Although it's probably safest for this current purpose.

Mixing and matching can work...where it does work. In other words, it's too difficult to say in the abstract. Need to see it.

Bag can be a different colour entirely!

Good luck!

Glory

Welcome! I would recommend a navy or grey suit as well. Personally I would likely lean more to the grey but it really is personal preference. Suz has given some great ideas on where to begin.
Suits can be tricky to you may need to try a few on. You may also need to tailor sleeves etc.
Black shoes would likely go with all and is perhaps the best starting point if you are beginning to build a work wardrobe.
Let us know how you progress and post some pics of it - perhaps we can help.

Anonymous

Do try things on in person first, and then you can shop online once you know your size. I know Angie highly recommends Express, so maybe that is a good starting point?

Rambling Ann

I used to organize faculty interviews for an engineering program. Don't worry about setting the bar so high you aren't comfortable (don't know about industry, ask your mentors about the corporate culture in each place). The folks at the national labs I knew, except high level management, dress more like faculty. The faculty I know don't do suits until they hit the dean's suite, if then. More blazers and coordinated bottoms even at the dean's level, but that's in the west, which is more casual than the east coast.

Here's a capsule you could put together on a post-doc budget.

Navy pants
Matching navy jacket
Grey pants
Patterned slightly more casual jacket that goes with navy and grey
Navy, black or grey shoes, comfortable to stand in
Handbag/briefcase in a color that you love (please not your back-pack!), like burgundy, red, orange, etc.
Navy, black or grey belt if you need it (easiest to match to shoes, but not necessary)
Some nice accessory that feels like you. No skulls, bright colors ok. Bangle, scarf, necklace, etc. Personalize it so it doesn't look like you walked out of Ann Taylor on your way to the airport.

Wear the black suit for the interview day, change to the casual jacket for the dinner, travel in the other pants, or combine with either jacket if it's a two day interview. Try the patterned jacket with jeans too, you'll need a house-hunting outfit for a second interview. It's tricky in academia, you want to look like you are respecting the process, but the faculty will be dressed in daywear so you don't want to go so corporate you feel ridiculous.

Make sure the jacket/blouse combination works for the talk-if you are a laser pointer user/talk with your hands, you want a blouse that stays tucked.

More than clothes, the most important is to read a paper by everyone on your interview schedule, have an interesting question about their work, and an idea of how you could work together, even if it would never come to pass if you actually took the job. Yes the interview is all about you, but if you get them talking about themselves, they will think you are a genius. Yes, I am cynical about the academic culture even though I love academics, esp DH.

kkards

i just want to add that you don't need to wear a button down shirt. if a dressy knit shirt is more your style, that's fine to. also, if you are wearing heels and are not used wearing heels or they are new shoes, make sure you wear them around your house for a few hours a couple of days before the interview. nothing worse then feet that hurt.
good luck.

DonnaF

Note that although Express trousers come in Short, their jackets/blazers do not come in Petite sizes so they may not hit you right. AT, BR, JCrew, & Talbots carry Petites at least online. Watch for sales; you may need to sign up online and bear with having you In Box clogged for awhile.

I personally think that navy is closer to being four season than gray which somehow feels heavier to me. Navy is tough to find, however, so I own nothing in navy other than jeans!

Best wishes on finding slimmer trouser pants! I know what you mean about the wider ones as I am also 5'1". Narrow pants are out there, but finding your size in stock and on sale is the greater challenge.

Yohana T.

Member

Thank you everyone for your responses.

Suz - Thank you for answering my basic questions.

Rambling Ann - Thank you so much for giving me specific examples! That's exactly what I need. The capsule you suggested definitely includes more than just pants and jacket, which was what I thought was all I need. So do you think it's wiser for me to spend $250 on all those pieces in the capsule although the quality may be compromised due to the cheaper price than to spend all the money on higher quality but pricier pants and jacket?

Another question: I will need to give a presentation, so my laptop (13" MacBook Air) must fit in the bag. Does the material of the bag matter (e.g. leather vs synthetic)? I have a totally plain messenger style black laptop bag (http://www.targus.com/US/produ.....fficial%20|%20Targus). Is this acceptable?

I will dedicate one day for trying things on in store within the next couple of weeks. I'll probably go to Express, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor as they are close to each other. I hope they carry petites so I can find the right size.

Thanks again all!

Yohana, your bag seems like it will do the job just fine, it doesn't scream undergrad pretending to be a grown-up. If it were me, I'd find the suit pants/jacket I feel awesome in for the talk, then back-fill with whatever money I have left and what's in the closet for the second outfit, which might not be needed until a second visit anyway, if the first one is short. I'd also keep checking for sales. If you choose the second outfit items well, you will probably use them on the job anyway. Since you have time for shipping, keep an eye on 6pm.com for the extra jacket. A great jacket adds a sense of authority for younger women when dealing with hoary old faculty members in committee meetings and such. Don't forget your consignment shops and EBay, especially for the extra goodies. Congrats on reaching this step in your career. I hope you find the perfect fitting lab, one that appreciates a woman who knows how to when and why to wear a suit.

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