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I have a nice dark gray (charcoal) suit that I've used for interviews.
Unfortunately, I can't pay the big bucks to go purchase another suit for 2nd/followup interviews.
Normally I wear the dark gray suit, with a white shirt and a navy tie for a first interview.
How can I mix it up to make the outfit look a little different for second interviews? It seems like people say to avoid red ("It's a power color, intimidating"), and to not match the color of the tie to the suit (gray).
What does that leave?
I want to look different for different interviews, but can't figure out what shirts/ties would go with a dark gray suit other than white shirt / navy tie.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Any color of blue tie, silver, gray, or a mild purple. In your situation, if you can find a friend or relative the same size it would be nice to borrow. You can get ties cheap at a thrift store but the way the styles go fat and skinny over the years it may be hard to find the right style.
you are assuming people remember the suit... if it is a generic color one, why couldn't someone have the same color? Or just wear a different color shirt and tie, keep the suit the same.
I like have a red, purple, yellow, blue, and silver tie. One for each day of the week The shirts are mostly light colored, off white, white or silver. I do have other colors like light blue, light red (lets call it pink), purple and blue. They all work find, just don't wear the same color tie as shirt since the contrast is nice.
A dark gray would go with any light color shirt and a darker tie. A pink color shirt and a dark gray tie would be nice
When you guys say silver tie, would you wear it with the white shirt and dark gray suit? I like that combination but wasn't sure if it was conservative enough to wear a lighter colored or slightly shiny tie to an interview?
As noted above, all kinds of colors go with the dark suit. I have been wearing a plum or purple colored shirt lately and have been getting a lot of positive comments about it. A pocket hankerchief would also add a splash of color. Some guys wear white shirts and dark suits every single day of the week. It is no big deal. Just change the tie, or go to the thrift store and get another shirt for $5.
Of all the people I've interviewed, the only guy's suit I remember was the one that didn't take the tags off the sleeve. All of the suggestions above are good. No one will remember whether you came in a blue or gray suit.
Guys have an easier time getting away with wearing the same thing, so I wouldn't worry too much. I'd just go for a blue shirt and different tie for the next interview.
Sorry, I work in the tech industry, there are no ties, suits, and handkerchiefs unless we're having a dress like it's 1988 party.
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