[Petter]

Hi all!

I've been lurking on this forum for a bit but I figure that I would post something and ask for a bit more personalized advice.

Anyways, I am a student at an ivy league school who will be starting to going to interviews and recruiting events. So first of all, I am looking for advice on what should be a good "first" suit (colors, fit, brand) for interviews and my two or so internships. (my current suit isn't suitable as is i think) If it helps, I am 5"11-6" ish/167 and im back in shape after my freshman year bloat.

And along with that, a decent pair of shoes that I could wear to career events and also to formal events at school. I've seen a lot of love on these boards for allen edmonds park aves but im not sure if it would be worth the effort for me to find an affordable pair through ebay or a sale and to maintain it.

Also, any recommendations for a good college student priced casual belt for shorts/chinos? preferably in brown?

And do people recommend wearing blucher mocs as a current college student? I havent really noticed the footwear of my peers so im not sure if it would be out of place...

Thanks in advance!

 

[bd79cc]

I am a student at an ivy league school [. . .]

Which one?

 

[ryn]

I'm basically in the same boat as you are, almost finished with college and time to buy nice "grown up" clothes. I asked about trad in college and got a lot of good advice. I've just placed an order for the blucher mocs from llbean to wear to class and out to the bar.

I happen to live in the city that makes allen edmonds and until I found this site I had not even gone in. I just went and bought the parks at the factory store, and they're great shoes. Also you really don't need to bother with looking on ebay or other sites if you're feeling lazy or whatever. You can call the factory store and tell them what you want and they will take your order with a cc and send it out ups. Make sure you tell them you want the 2nds as they are cheaper and I cant really see anything wrong with the 2nds I bought.

I bought a BB madison suit in grey that was on sale and they tailored it for me in about a week. You could also try like jpress since you probably live near one.

 

[SCsailor]

welcome to the forum. My opinion is that your first suit should be charcoal or navy. I prefer navy, but most would probably tell you to go with charcoal first. Spend as much as you can afford on quality items. It will be worth it. First of all quality in a suit or shoes or just about anything shows not just in how it looks, but in how long it lasts. It's better to have a few high quality items than a lot of lesser quality.

I second the advice on calling the allen edmonds factory store. Get the park aves. They are a versatile shoe that will last years and years. A nice thing about allen edmonds is that you can send them back to the factory for recrafting when the soles wear out.

 

[Topsider]

If you're only going to own one suit, make it either charcoal gray or navy blue, and make sure it fits well. Believe it or not, fit is more important than quality, not counting extremes of either...that's what most people will notice. An inexpensive suit that fits well will always look more impressive than a costly suit that doesn't.

For shoes, I'd go with a pair of cap-toe oxfords in burgundy or black (if you're only going to buy one pair and you need to look "dressed up" at times...like on a job interview...go with black). The AE Park Avenue is certainly an excellent choice, but a bit spendy for most people who are just starting out. Similar shoes are available from other makers. However, keep in mind the old adage "the first thing they look at is your shoes." It's actually true...you can't go wrong stretching your budget in the shoe department. Plus, they generally last longer, so consider a good pair of shoes something of an "investment" (provided you take appropriate care of them).

Hope this helps!

 

[cglex]

Forget what to buy, focus on where to buy. For a first time suit buyer, you need a small mens' store with good tailors who won't let you leave until the suit fits properly. You won't find that in BB and obviously not on the internet, mail order or Banks. Fit is everything and be willing to spend a little to get it.

Black shoes, particularly for a first pair. AE's are decent, but not great shoes. I personally, find Park Avenues a bit boring, but make sure you get a bal and not an oxford. Like the Park Avenue, the leather should be closed just under the end of the laces. Also, buy the shoes before the suit, so the tailor gets the break in the pants right. Wear a well fitting dress shirt when you buy the suit.

Solid navy or charcoal are the most versatile. You will naturally look better in one of the two so try both and see.

 

[A.Squire]

... Also, buy the shoes before the suit, so the tailor gets the break in the pants right. ...

Seems like good advice, but every alterations tailor I've ever been to makes me slip on a pair of oversized loafers. I've always wondered why. Any ideas?

 

[Zhivago79]

I am a student . . . who will be starting to going to interviews and recruiting events.

My suggestion is in keeping with others here: Go with a charcoal or navy (solid, no pattern/stripe) suit.

A great, somewhat minimalist (understanding that the term minimalist is subject to debate) student wardrobe would consist of a suit in charcoal or navy, a navy blazer, a pair of odd wool trousers, several pair of khakis, a week's worth of oxford buttondowns, a few ties in solids and repp stripes, a pair of black captoe oxfords, a pair of burgundy weejuns, and a pair of boat shoes (e.g., Bass or Sperry Topsiders), black and burgundy leather belts, one surcingle belt, and an inexpensive and simple analog watch with a grosgrain strap.

Add to that a few shetland sweaters, a duffel coat, hat and gloves, and scarf with the proper school colors, for the cooler seasons, and I should think you'd be off to quite a good start.

 

[jacflash]

Petter, for the suit... colors should be "navy or charocal gray flannel" and fit should be "the best you can possibly manage". I think you can get away with a very simple pinstripe on a navy suit, but definitely keep it simple. Don't worry about brand, put your focus into finding something with good sturdy wool fabric, a classic cut (single breasted, narrowish lapels with notches not peaks, natural-looking shoulders, etc) that hangs well on you and -- most important -- getting it tailored properly. A $1200 prestige-brand suit with a nasty collar gap is much, much less impressive looking than a $350 no-name suit that fits you properly.

If your Ivy League school is Harvard, go to Frank's Custom Tailoring at Downtown Crossing in Boston, tell them you want something single-breasted and BB-traditional with natural shoulders, and put yourself in their hands. You'll end up with something from a brand you've never heard of that looks great and fits you beautifully, and it won't cost you a bundle.

I can tell you that LLB blucher mocs were a favored look at Cornell 20 years ago for both men and women (with or without the little corkscrew knots), as were the camp mocs, but I haven't a clue if anyone college age still wears them.

 

[smujd]

I'll generally echo the suit advice given thus far.

With respect to shoes, it is hard to beat the Park Avenue. If they are too expensive, Cole Hahn makes a similar shoe which can often be found for ~$100 at DSW and similar stores.

Regardless of which shoe you end up with, make sure it is polished to perfection for each interview. Although I wear beaten to hell loafers and topsiders most days, I wear perfectly polished Park Avenues when meeting with clients, etc. I expect every person I interview to have well polished shoes--it shows care and attention to detail. While I don't expect everyone to wear $300 shoes, I do expect them to care for whichever shoes they choose for an interview.

 

[stainless]

If your Ivy League school is Harvard, go to Frank's Custom Tailoring at Downtown Crossing in Boston, tell them you want something single-breasted and BB-traditional with natural shoulders, and put yourself in their hands. You'll end up with something from a brand you've never heard of that looks great and fits you beautifully, and it won't cost you a bundle.

What does "not costing a bundle" translate to? I'm in the market for a suit but I'm on a pretty strict budget right now. Any other information about Frank's you care to share?

 

[wnh]

Also, any recommendations for a good college student priced casual belt for shorts/chinos? preferably in brown?

No one has addressed this yet, so I'll give it a shot. I'd actually suggest a solid navy surcingle belt, in cotton or wool, instead of brown leather. Can be found at Press (here and here), , O'Connell's, and certainly most smaller men's shops.

 

[Topsider]

Seems like good advice, but every alterations tailor I've ever been to makes me slip on a pair of oversized loafers. I've always wondered why. Any ideas?

I always bring my own shoes.

 

[jacflash]

What does "not costing a bundle" translate to? I'm in the market for a suit but I'm on a pretty strict budget right now. Any other information about Frank's you care to share?

I haven't been there in years so any price I'd quote would be out of date. But they have been a kind of secret mainstay among young guys from good schools who come to Boston to work at places like Fidelity and Brown Bros for years, drawing business by word of mouth passed down over time. Fifteen years ago when I got my first good job in Boston I dropped about $1000 at Frank's and left with four great suits that fit me beautifully. I suspect if you apply an inflation curve from there you'll come out near whatever they charge now.

Edited to add: Frank's isn't exactly a trad stronghold -- a lot of their stuff was Italian-influenced, IIRC -- but they should be able to set you up with a few choices in the general neighborhood of a BB sack.

 

[wolfhound986]

If you're only going to own one suit, make it either charcoal gray or navy blue, and make sure it fits well. Believe it or not, fit is more important than quality, not counting extremes of either...that's what most people will notice. An inexpensive suit that fits well will always look more impressive than a costly suit that doesn't.

For shoes, I'd go with a pair of cap-toe oxfords in burgundy or black (if you're only going to buy one pair and you need to look "dressed up" at times...like on a job interview...go with black). The AE Park Avenue is certainly an excellent choice, but a bit spendy for most people who are just starting out. Similar shoes are available from other makers. However, keep in mind the old adage "the first thing they look at is your shoes." It's actually true...you can't go wrong stretching your budget in the shoe department. Plus, they generally last longer, so consider a good pair of shoes something of an "investment" (provided you take appropriate care of them).

Hope this helps!

^^
I agree with this advice, if you're going to have one suit, make it charcoal or navy, and make sure that it is fitted properly. If you are on a budget, try JAB - they have regular sales on classic suits. And make the investment and purchase a good pair of cap-toe oxfords like from AE or Alden.

...buy the shoes before the suit, so the tailor gets the break in the pants right. Wear a well fitting dress shirt when you buy the suit.

Seems like good advice, but every alterations tailor I've ever been to makes me slip on a pair of oversized loafers. I've always wondered why. Any ideas?

It's good advice to wear a dress shirt and the shoes which you will be wearing with the suit, I always do this. You can get an idea of how it will come together, I think it just feels more complete when you are looking in the mirror being fitted in your suit while in a dress shirt and dress shoes, as opposed to a t-shirt and sneakers.

I believe that they have those oversized loafers for those who are not wearing dress shoes when getting trousers altered. The last time I had wool trousers altered, the tailor mentioned something about taking a measurement from the heel to get the desired break.

Perhaps a tailor on the forum can chime in...