Peaked lapel appropriate for interviews?

TrojanGarb · Sep 28, 2008

Wanted to know if there was any rule on type of lapels for interviews? Would color/buttons make a difference in your opinion? Did a search and surprisingly little came up on the subject.

Some info about my particular situation:
Interviews are coming up and I'm going purchase a solid navy suit for them. I'm most likely going to buy a m. valentino from the wizard of aahs ebay store. Seems like something a little slimmer fit with the best price / quality ratio.
The interviews will be with consulting firms or engineering companies. So no law or I-banking super conservatism.

The ebay store has a notched and a peak navy 2b
M. Valentino Peaked lapel (I'm 38R but this came up first)

M. Valention notched lapel (They have a silk blend as well, any experience with that fabric?)

Personally, I like the peaked lapel better, but if it would look completely out of place then I'd take the notched suit.

PS. This is my first navy suit and I'd need to buy shirts and ties. Any color or pattern suggestions for interviews in a navy suit would be much appreciated.

fongstar · Sep 28, 2008

Peak lapel may not be as conservative an image as you would with a notch. But in your pics - I think it's fine to go either way.. it's quite subtle imo. But, I could be wrong when it comes to first impressions.

beny · Sep 28, 2008

Peak lapel would be fine.. that notch is also hideously large and too highly placed and the lapel is too wide IMO.

kdaust · Sep 28, 2008

If you like it go for it. You will be more confident in something you like than somehting you picked just because it was conservative.

I don't think the interviewer would even notice.

OxxfordSJLINY · Sep 28, 2008

Originally Posted by kdaust

If you like it go for it. You will be more confident in something you like than somehting you picked just because it was conservative.

I don't think the interviewer would even notice.

In that case, a one-button single breasted jacket with a notch lapel or peak lapel (but most likely not a shawl lapel) would also be suitable for a job interview.

TxdoHawk · Sep 28, 2008

Originally Posted by kdaust

I don't think the interviewer would even notice.

I have to go with this. Anyone who did would probably be more interested than annoyed, and in that case sticking out from the pack in such a non-intrusive way would only be to your benefit.

Film Noir Buff · Sep 28, 2008

I doubt it would raise eyebrows if only because I see local news men and game show hosts wearing single breasted, peak lapel jackets. These people pander to the lowest common denominator and thus cannot afford to look elitist.

I hear a lot more about interviews going badly because the candidate is poorly groomed. I have never heard someone not getting a job because they were well dressed. If an interviewer for any sort of corporation dings a candidate for being well turned out, he is hurting his own organization. Almost all white collar jobs revolve around image and a neat, well groomed person demonstrates competency.

globetrotter · Sep 28, 2008

1. what are you interviewing for?
2. what is the career situation of the people who have answered your question?

basically, in 99% of the time, I would say don't get either of these suits, get a conservative Brooks Brothers type suit for interviews. you don't want anybody to remember what you were wearing, you want them to remember that you offered a good impression.

needshoehelp · Sep 28, 2008

If you basically need one staple interview suit, a peaked lapel suit is not it. The Wiz has lots of other suits appropriate for business (charcoal, other navy suits, charcoal pinstripe) with notch lapels. Any of those would be preferable.

porcelain monkey · Sep 28, 2008

Originally Posted by globetrotter

basically, in 99% of the time, I would say don't get either of these suits, get a conservative Brooks Brothers type suit for interviews. you don't want anybody to remember what you were wearing, you want them to remember that you offered a good impression.

This is good advice. Get a conservative cut notch lapel suit for the interview. It will be a staple for a long time. You can get the peak for your next suit when you have the job.

MrDaniels · Sep 28, 2008

Originally Posted by needshoehelp

If you basically need one staple interview suit, a peaked lapel suit is not it. The Wiz has lots of other suits appropriate for business (charcoal, other navy suits, charcoal pinstripe) with notch lapels. Any of those would be preferable.
+1

While I like a peaked lapel, I think it is too fashion-forward for an interview suit, unless you are going for a job for a young, hip company in a creative field.

Cary Grant · Sep 28, 2008

If you like the suit and look great in it and you feel confident- go for it.

If for some silly and arcane reason you don't get the job because of your lapel style, would you really want that job?

Moreover, if you interview and they remember your lapels but not you, you weren't going to get that job anyway.

crpz32 · Sep 28, 2008

Originally Posted by needshoehelp

If you basically need one staple interview suit, a peaked lapel suit is not it. The Wiz has lots of other suits appropriate for business (charcoal, other navy suits, charcoal pinstripe) with notch lapels. Any of those would be preferable.

+2

the Wiz has excellent suits. I would go with the notch lapel you just posted. Just received a M. Valentino suit from the wizard myself. Made a post asking for critiques at aaac. feel free to check it out.

I would not drop $600+ for a BB interview suit at this point. highly recommend the Wiz.

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=86815

DocHolliday · Sep 28, 2008

I'd vote for notch for interviews. Some interviewers wouldn't notice, but some might. If you're young and starting out, you don't want to be perceived as "fancy" or "uppity." Most places are looking for a hard worker who is willing to play as part of a team, not a dandy who might think he's too good for the work. The goal of the interview is partly to show you understand the unspoken workplace protocols, and one of those is, "wear conservative clothing to the interview." You'll be judged not just on what you say, but the way you present yourself, and every aspect of your appearance factors into that, whether or not the interviewer is conciously aware of your peak lapels.

Again, many interviewers likely won't reach a negative conclusion, but there's little advantage to peaks and the potential for a very real downside.

warmpi · Sep 28, 2008

do not wear peaked lapels and do not wear brown shoes. they can't help you, but they can break you.
e.g. there are two equally qualified candidates except one is dressed less conservatively. all else being equal they will choose the more conservative individual

Peaked lapel appropriate for interviews?

Senior Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Senior Member

Classic Menswear Featured products

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

It’s a mark of quality and craftsmanship

I like it when it’s subtle

I don’t like visible stitching

Doesn’t matter to me

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: