Menswear can be a minefield. You have to know the fashion rules — and when to break them. So if you’re going casual, guys, go smart casual or go home.
Smart casual is a great way to introduce a less formal flair into the workplace and add a punch of personality. When business casual first entered the workplace, it was bad news as it “rapidly declined to ill-fitting khakis and over sized golf polos,” says Tia Katz, head stylist at gotstyle.ca.
Katz is on a mission to add smart to casual. “The vast majority of corporations are realizing that casual has been taken too far and now are strongly encouraging employees to dress up appropriately.”
When pulled off, smart casual sends a message of professional, well-dressed, comfortable and confident, says Katz.
“If the look is not constructed appropriately, it conveys a message of lost and confused. It usually looks something along the lines of ‘about to go meet a client’ and ‘about to take the kids to the park’ all in one outfit,” says Katz, of Gotstyle menswear stores in Toronto. “A bad outfit is usually more noticeable than a good one.”
Your resumé was polished and they loved your cover letter. Perfect. You got the interview. You know you can nail it, but one big question remains: what are you going to wear?
Dressing well for an interview shows professionalism and that you understand the culture you’re going to enter. It’s a great way to make the right impression and be memorable to the interviewer. It’s not rocket science, but there are some things you need to know.
Consider three things when picking your outfit:
Industry — Would you wear the same thing to a conservative bank as you would to a casual tech startup?
Job function/department — What flies in marketing may not be greeted as enthusiastically in accounting.
Seniority — Younger guys should err on the safe side, versus someone more established in their career who has “earned” the privilege to dress with a little more flare.
The common theme here? Know your audience.
Unless you’ve been specifically told not to,wear a suit. You’ll look your best and most professional. It shows you respect the interviewers’ time and take this seriously.
Now, let’s get into the details.
THE SUIT When dressing for a job interview, the safe play is a dark charcoal or navy blue suit. Charcoal tends to be the more conservative of the two — but you really can’t go wrong with either. If you’re having trouble deciding, once again: consider your audience. Paul Betenly makes an awesome starter suit in both charcoal and navy.
If you’re interviewing for a more senior position or a job in a more creative industry, a brighter blue or lighter grey suit can work too. A black suit is never okay unless the job is in the funeral business.
THE SHIRT Your interview shirt should also fit great. Check out our video guide for finding the perfect shirt to make sure you’re doing it right.
For the style details, go with normal cuffs (not french), and a spread or semi-spread collar.
In terms of colour, solid whites and light blues are most conservative. These go well with any suit. Stenstroms and our own Gotstyle-Lipson shirts are both fantastic options.
For a bolder look, try a micro pattern. A geo pattern like the one below from Oscar works well.
THE SHOES Never, ever wear a square toe dress shoe. Say no to square toe.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I recommend black or brown leather oxford dress shoes for an interview. You can’t go wrong with an oxford shoe in a business setting. The Gotstyle Cap Toe Derby Shoe is a perfect example.
Double monkstraps are a riskier alternative. Only consider these in situations where — you guessed it — you’re interviewing for a senior or less conservative role. And again, keep the colour to black or brown.
No matter what shoes you choose, make sure you give them a good shine and that you’ve worn them before. Often a new pair of dress shoes takes some time to work in, and the last thing you need is blisters on the day of your interview.
THE ACCESSORIES
Belt First things first, your belt should match your shoes. Black with black, brown with brown. Keep your belt sleek and simple — no big buckles. Anderson’s black or brown pebbled belts are perfect.
Tie Here is your chance to show some personality. Choose a colour or pattern that’s stylish and memorable — just make sure it’s setting appropriate and that it matches.
For creative industries (especially in the winter), add versatility to your formal look by trying a more casual, texturized knit tie. When choosing a tie knot, go with a half windsor or four-in-hand. Knots are not the place to experiment.
Google Images
Socks Have some fun! It’s fine to show a little colour or pattern, as long as they don’t clash with the rest of your look.
Watch If you’re going to wear one, keep it sleek and understated.
Everything Else Save the funky lapel pins, cufflinks, and tie bars for once you get the job.
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Got any more questions? Our team of stylists is here to help, with private appointments and free wardrobe consultations. Book your appointment today at 416-260-9696 or info@gotstyle.ca.
Good luck (not that you need it). You’ve got this!
Don’t be two-faced, be four-faced because no one likes a basic b%$#h! Just like you wouldn’t wear the same outfit to work that you wore to your buddy’s wedding (unless it’s the morning walk of shame in which case, good on you). Why would you wear the same watch to every occasion? Watches like any other article of clothing or accessory in your closet serve a purpose and when paired together properly can make all the difference. Like we’ve said it a million times the devil is in the details so don’t skimp out.
Make an impression with the bold dials and distinctive look of The Sentry 38. It’s understated size and simple design suggest you always know what’s up.
The defining moment of a man’s sartorial acumen comes when he masters the way in which he pairs his suit, shirt and tie. Learning to successfully match these elements is an undeniable art. Fortunately it’s one you can easily master. Here are your 5 tips on how to match your suit, shirt and tie during your work week.
– MONDAY TIP –
Match a detail in the tie with the dominant colour of the shirt.
– TUESDAY TIP –
Vary pattern type. Avoid having the same pattern appear in both your shirt and your tie.
– WEDNESDAY TIP –
Your Tie (typically) should always be darker than your shirt.
– THURSDAY TIP –
When outfitting with a suit or blazer- ensure that 2 of the 3 items have the same colour scheme
– FRIDAY TIP –
Always pair larger patterns with smaller ones. Avoid mixing patterns that have identical proportions.
Forget about 9 to 5 style and relish in the joys of patio season attire. Whether it’s a classy garden party or wild pig roast, here are your 5 summer essentials to lounge in style.
1. The Unconstructed Blazer
Keep the look, lose the weight. Dress it up or down, a deconstructed blazer is the answer to all your sweaty style problems.
Outfit Details: Vito Bowie Tooth Embroidered Stitch Blazer $198, Tiger of Sweden Cotton Linen Crew Neck T-shirt 129, John Varvatos Bowery White 5 Pocket Pant $188, Anderson’s Woven Belt $135, buy now.
2. Light Denim
Keep it light, not tight. These aren’t your dad’s jeans. Rock’em, roll’em, get down and garden in them. A little dirt never hurt anybody.
Outfit Details: DL1961 Russel Slim Denim $215, Mood’s Of Norway Kristian Vik Embroidered Polka Dot Shirt $159, Anderson’s Woven Belt $135 buy now.
3. Duffel Bag
Don’t check it, duffle it. Stay-cation or vacation- a weekender is the answer to packing light and right for a quick and easy getaway. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Outfit Details: J.Lindeberg Leopard Print Polo $125, Vito Solid Cotton Short $89 buy now, Anderson’s Woven Belt $135, Monte & Coe Duffel Wool Felt Bag $389 buy now.
4. Updated Swim trunks
A cut above. A swimsuit that fits will give you confidence, make you look trimmer and even out those tan lines. In this case, shorter is better.
Outfit Details: Benson Anchors Print Swim Shorts $98, buy now
5. Bold Floral Shirt
Be a big, bold, no umbrella in your cocktail type of flower. People will comment, but that’s kind of the point.
Outfit Details: Circle of Gentleman Botanical Print Shirt $300, The Daily Chino Pant $95 buy now, Anderson’s Woven Belt $135, buy now.
A lot of guys come to us complaining about how they can never find anything that fits them when they go to the “other” stores. Fortunately for them we’ve got an owner that has made it her life’s mission to scour the world to find those very brands that will fit them just right. Whether you’re 6’4 and 260 lbs like Billy here or 5’7 and 140 lbs like our good friend Reggie, we’ve got something just for you.
If you’re big and tall we recommend checking out brands like Circle of Gentlemen, Blue Industry and Benson. They offer a great fit while still giving that sleek tailored look. Also, who says big guys can’t wear colour or patterns? When the fit is right you can pretty much do anything- here is proof.
– WHAT HE WORE –
Circle of Gentlemen Blazer: $750 – Circle of Gentlemen Check Shirt: $275 – Doro Lapel Flower $19 – Hudson Francis Brogue Shoes: $185
If you’re short and slim we recommend brands like Tiger of Sweden and J. Lindeberg. Both these brands offer a modern European fit that is great for people with a trim stature. The shorter blazer helps elongate your body as do the skinny jean. Don’t forget that nothing fits perfect off the shelf especially when you’re short. So make sure to hem your pants and jacket sleeve appropriately to complete the look.
– WHAT HE WORE –
Nudie Grim Tim Jeans: $179 – Hudson Weave Derby Shoe: $175 – Tiger of Sweden DB Blazer: $599 – Paolo Verri Bright Stripe Shirt: $145
