[Troones]

Hi all,

There are some threads discussing this topic from a couple of years ago but there's a bit of a twist in my situation. That is that the suit is both flannel and chalk striped.

I just received my latest J Press purchase, which is a classic navy chalkstripe (and as it turns out, flannel) suit. It wasn't listed as flannel on their website when I purchased it, but since I did, the description changed and it went up in price! So looks like I did ok.

To be clear, I love the flannel fabric, even though I didn't realize that's what I was getting. Its been cold and miserable here for weeks now so its suited for the weather for sure.

I've been interviewing lately and I was wondering if it really is a no-no to wear chalk stripes and/or flannel suits for interviews. The consensus in older threads seemed to indicate that it was. I've interviewed for positions in both the health care (client services) field and financial services (which is my background) and I was wondering if I could throw this suit into the mix. It has a gorgeous, rich look, and the chalk stripes are nicely spaced.

Whether or not its interview-appropriate, its still a nice addition to my wardrobe. Any opinions welcome.

 

[Orsini]

A navy or char solid would be more optimal for a first interview but, these days, the flannel pinstripe is probably OK.

 

[derum]

I dont understand the viewpoint of not wearing pin stripes for interview. If the stripes, and suit are muted, as yours is, then it is fine.
When I worked at Shell Centre in London in the 90's everyone wore a pinstripe suit, and even today some traditional organisations in London class it as part of their dress code.
As long as you dont "dandy it up' with pocket square, loud tie, blingy cufflinks you should be fine.

 

[SG_67]

It depends on the industry I suppose. I believe the consensus is solid navy or charcoal.

If it’s your only suit, then I guess you’ll have to. It’s not exactly a sin of course.

 

[Troones]

It depends on the industry I suppose. I believe the consensus is solid navy or charcoal.

If it's your only suit, then I guess you'll have to. It's not exactly a sin of course.

Thank you. Actually, since losing weight I've managed to rebuild my suit wardrobe with a navy solid, charcoal solid, mid grey solid, and even mid blue. This suit makes five, and it's so nice I'd like to put it to as much use as possible.

 

[TDWat]

I personally wouldn't, just because I wouldn't want to draw attention to what I was wearing beyond acknowledgements that the suit fit well and was conservative. It's just hard to know how any particular person would react in an interview. If your interviewer is the type of person who wears sloppy clothing every day, a chalk stripe suit might seem too "dandy," even though they're pretty standard in industries where people wear suits every day.

 

[Orsini]

I didn't realize you had a navy solid. That would be better for the first interview. Then the char and then the stripe.

 

[FiscalDean]

Hi all,

I've interviewed for positions in both the health care (client services) field and financial services (which is my background) and I was wondering if I could throw this suit into the mix. It has a gorgeous, rich look, and the chalk stripes are nicely spaced.

I've worked in finance in healthcare and manufacturing as well as in financial services. I don't recall if I ever interviewed in a flannel chalk stripe but I'm reasonably sure it wouldn't raise any eyebrows. Given your geographic location and the fact that most interviewers are more interested in the quality of you work experience and how well you present yourself.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

I didn't realize you had a navy solid. That would be better for the first interview. Then the char and then the stripe.

I can agree with this.

However, this said, these days I'd be happy if an interviewee had on a properly tailored suit and nice shoes. You'd cringe at some of the bad suits and shoes I've seen on young attorneys.

 

[richard warren]

It would be fine. It escapes me why people on the internet give other people advice that their perfectly fine clothes are somehow lacking.

Some strange manifestation of the will to power?

 

[Cowtown]

The suit looks very conservative and I think you will be fine wearing it to interview as long as paired with a solid shirt and appropriate tie which will not be disharmonious with the stripes on the suit. Good luck in your search.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

It would be fine. It escapes me why people on the internet give other people advice that their perfectly fine clothes are somehow lacking.

Some strange manifestation of the will to power?

Eh, he mentioned he has a solid navy suit. So this is more people telling him to choose one item in his closet over another.

 

[FLMike]

Thank you. Actually, since losing weight I've managed to rebuild my suit wardrobe with a navy solid, charcoal solid, mid grey solid, and even mid blue. This suit makes five, and it's so nice I'd like to put it to as much use as possible.

I hope you end up getting a job that requires suits (or at least where they won't be inappropriate), so that you didn't rebuild your suit wardrobe in vain.

 

[Troones]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all responses both for and against the interview appropriateness angle. Lots of food for thought.

I'm also hoping to wear this socially. I know pinstripes are usually associated with business (which I agree with) but what about fuzzy flannel chalkstripes? Would the softer look suit a casual social function? I used to be a banker up until a couple of years ago. I would have loved to own this suit back then. I feel like it has "office holiday party" written all over it. It would have been perfect I think.

 

[Charles Dana]

I'm also hoping to wear this socially.

Life's short. Time to turn those hopes into reality without a qualm. Now that the holiday season is upon us, get going. Putting aside your hesitation and putting on the suit will make you feel as if you've permanently gotten past one of life's trivial (and self-imposed) hurdles. The resulting sense of accomplishment will be liberating.

I know pinstripes are usually associated with business (which I agree with).

I agree with your agreement, but don't worry about it. In today's hyper-casualized business and social world, the cultural practices governing when to wear different types of clothing have relaxed. If you are wearing a conservative suit to an event where a suit is appropriate, it doesn't matter if the suit has subtle stripes--as long as they are vertical. (And as long as YOU are vertical. If you reach a point in the festivities where it's no longer possible for you to remain vertical, then your suit style won't be your problem.)

but what about fuzzy flannel chalkstripes? Would the softer look suit a casual social function?

Yes. Flannel chalkstripes will be soft and fuzzy enough for most social occasions. They will match the soft and fuzzy brains you'll encounter as the evening progresses. There are social functions where a harder, edgier look would be more appropriate, but that's a topic for the soon-to-be unveiled Kink Forum.

I used to be a banker up until a couple of years ago.

Congratulations on your decision to go straight.

In conclusion, it would be a shame if you let your internal hang-ups prevent you from wearing that fine-looking suit. Just wear it. It's later than you think.

 

[Fading Fast]

... but that's a topic for the soon-to-be unveiled Kink Forum....

I believe we've been seeding that Forum with half of the posts in the Trad-side-of-the-house thread "What Does a Trad Girlfriend Look Like."

 

[Troones]

Life's short. Time to turn those hopes into reality without a qualm. Now that the holiday season is upon us, get going. Putting aside your hesitation and putting on the suit will make you feel as if you've permanently gotten past one of life's trivial (and self-imposed) hurdles. The resulting sense of accomplishment will be liberating.

I agree with your agreement, but don't worry about it. In today's hyper-casualized business and social world, the cultural practices governing when to wear different types of clothing have relaxed. If you are wearing a conservative suit to an event where a suit is appropriate, it doesn't matter if the suit has subtle stripes--as long as they are vertical. (And as long as YOU are vertical. If you reach a point in the festivities where it's no longer possible for you to remain vertical, then your suit style won't be your problem.)

Yes. Flannel chalkstripes will be soft and fuzzy enough for most social occasions. They will match the soft and fuzzy brains you'll encounter as the evening progresses. There are social functions where a harder, edgier look would be more appropriate, but that's a topic for the soon-to-be unveiled Kink Forum.

Congratulations on your decision to go straight.

In conclusion, it would be a shame if you let your internal hang-ups prevent you from wearing that fine-looking suit. Just wear it. It's later than you think.

Oh man, this had me laughing out loud and inspired me at the same time! I thank you. :beer:

Just what I needed, sitting here in the home office, on a gloomy Tuesday, looking out the window at the grey sky (which the weather guy promised would finally be blue.)

 

[Mr.D]

I like it.

 

[Adriel Rowley]

I forgot to reply when back at home at the laptop, cellular isn't ideal.

I'm also hoping to wear this socially. I know pinstripes are usually associated with business (which I agree with) but what about fuzzy flannel chalkstripes? Would the softer look suit a casual social function? I used to be a banker up until a couple of years ago. I would have loved to own this suit back then. I feel like it has "office holiday party" written all over it. It would have been perfect I think.

My Opa had a similar navy calk stripe suit to yours, good possibility was flannel, bought in the late '40s. He wore it to the gun club dinners they regularly have and going dancing with Oma until about late '70s when raising grandchildren took priority. My point is, if could be done back in a conservative time, certainly could and worn mostly to social events (he didn't attend Church and was an aircraft engineer).

And good luck with the interviews, not a lot of employment opportunity out there in this recession.

 

[Charles Dana]

....not a lot of employment opportunity out there in this recession.

?????