Ask A Woman: Suit & Tie 5 Days a Week
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Hi Beth,
I am in my early 20’s, just graduated graduate school, and transitioning to my first real job. Not only does my job require a new wardrobe but I am also relocating from Ohio to Las Vegas. My job requires a suit and tie Monday through Friday and unfortunately my closet right now wouldn’t be able to cut it.
Do you think it wise to purchase what my job requires before moving? I was thinking at least 5 suits, 10 dress shirts, ties, shoes, etc. I am hoping to build a solid office wardrobe. Only thing I am afraid of, other than the bill, is if I should wait and see what styles and trends are in the office or Nevada before making any significant purchases and having to get them to my new place. My job is within Nevada’s U.S. District Court and may at times require me to appear in court.
Any help or even direction to a previous column answering a question closely resembling mine would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
– Zack
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Great question, and one we haven’t really had before so let’s dive in. I’m so excited!
If you’re starting your new job as soon as you get to Vegas, you need at least a couple suits/shirts/ties ready to go. Even if you’ll have a week or two to get settled, having a handful of ensembles already set is ideal. Moving + starting a new job = major stress. You’ll be finding your way around a new city, furnishing new digs, learning the ropes at work. You’ll be exhausted and frazzled. Best to give yourself at least a week’s worth of no hassle outfits. Then you can add gradually as you figure out what works best for your lifestyle, and what is expected at the office.
I know nothing about corporate Vegas styles–shocking, I know–but I do know about classic style, so I can at least steer you in the right direction for your first couple of suits, and then you can add to your collection later on. Navy blue is where you want to start. You can go solid or pin-striped. Charcoal is another great, classic color, again solid or pin-striped. Time out, am I suggesting wool blends during the very hot Vegas summertime? Yes–it’s been my experience that in hot places, they air condition the beejeebus out of every building, so you’ll probably be comfortable inside, and maybe make a mad dash between your car and your workplace to minimize your heat exposure.
For those not in a suit 5-days a week, less expensive suits will do. 5-days a week PLUS court appearances? Take the plunge. And keep it dark & wool in front of the judge. Left: Brooks Brother’s Milano Cut Solid Navy & Regent Fit Charcoal Pinstripe. Both $698.60, regularly $998, with further markdowns potentially coming next week. Credit to Kyle over here for that tip.
If you just can’t bear the thought of wearing a dark wool suit, this poplin suit would be lighter, as would this linen suit. The light colors make them not quite as formal or classic, but I don’t think they’d be a faux pas in the office by any means. If you get to Vegas with two suits initially, I think you’ll be fine because you can mix up the suits with different shirts and ties for different looks.
Sounds like you’re a man on a budget, so I’d recommend spending the bulk of your money on suits. They’re expensive no matter what, so may as well do it right. Go cheap on the shirts and ties, at least this round of shopping. Buy a handful of dress shirts, mainly white, and then some light colors or minimalist stripes/patterns/textures, all of which you can wear with both suits. Buy basic ties in stripes, small patterns, and solid colors that you can wear with both suits. Ask a salesperson to help you match if you’re unsure about it. Once you get to Vegas, take note of your co-workers’ style, but also ask around to find out where people buy their suits locally. Then over time, build up your collection of suits, high-quality ties, and dress shirts.
Finally, Zack, I leave you with a video clip that needs no introduction…
-Beth
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