Since the airlines might actually hire over the next decade..........

Hootie said:
Is above average $400 ish? I don't really want to spend more than I have to since this suit will occupy closet space 364 days a year.

Thanks for the all the helpful advice.
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$400 is absolutely above average. The fit is far more important than the fabric I would think. A lesser suit with an excellent fit is going to look far better than the inverse.

As for color, I'm not saying black is not sharp looking I'm just saying it's not typically associated with a classic conservative business suit that is preferred for some interviews. Is it stylish? Certainly. At Southernjets the charcoals and blues were the obvious fits for the atmosphere but we're talking about an old school southern company that still wears the hat with the summer uniform. Heck half of the interviewers were retired Southernjets pilots who hadn't thought of let alone bought anything but charcoal or blue suits in 40 years.

Like Eagle421Flyer and Dan208B pointed out, every interview is different and to a certain extent the dress reflects the identity of the company. You should know this culture going in as has been mentioned. SWA gives a thumbs up to a clown suit and Southernjets likes Brooks Brothers. There's nothing wrong with either but there's no doubt they are different places that attract different people for a whole host of reasons. Different corporate cultures that we can all find an identity with....Even Doug in his paisley tie

I think I still have a paisley cummerbund somewhere that is absolutely hideous. Wore it to my senior prom in '96. Damn Derg is old! ;) How many points did you have in that last early out? :D
 
Cav is definitely right about the fit being more important than the cost of the suit. A $200 Men's Wearhouse suit that is altered by a master tailer to perfectly fit your body will make you look a hell of a lot better than a $1,600 Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece suit that is just bought off the rack with nothing done but hemmed trousers.

The best bet for someone not willing to drop a lot of coin on a suit is a Hart Schaffner Marx suit altered by a tailer. Price at Dillards is usually less than $400, a tailer can make the appropriate alterations for less than $200 to make it fit like a glove, and the suit is excellent quality for the price.
 
Derg said:
I've been hearing more rumors about a certain global airline based in the South starting hiring earlier than anticipated.
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Is no one else going to jump on this and do a table dance of joy at this thought?

Also, I'm digging the fact that I'm reading a thread about.... Well.... Threads.
 
What Cav & ATN said. The fit is key to a man's suit. Before I got involved in this airplane mumbo jumbo, I was in the hiring department for a consulting firm that did work for some Fortune 500 companies. First impressions are key to an interview.
 
ATN_Pilot said:
The best bet for someone not willing to drop a lot of coin on a suit is a Hart Schaffner Marx suit
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I went looking for one of these today. The only ones under $500 were like ugly tan plaid suits. I went to most of the big dept stores. I found what appeared to me to be nice wool suits at Macy's in the $300 range. Tomorrow Im gonna try JosBanks and MensWearhouse. I dont know if that is better or worse than Macys.
 
Well, of those 40,000 they are going to pick 100 of them. So why can't you be one of them?

In 2006 Tiffany & Co. opened a new store in Indy. There were about 30 positions available to be filled to work at the new store. They received over 1500 applications for those 30 spots. I got one of them.

It can happen. The only way it absolutely can't is if you don't try!
 
I am glad Cav and ATN pilot pointed out the fit being a lot more important. The fabric is important too, but the fit is king. I no longer buy off the rack anymore. I only wear custom suits and shirts. Buying them in Asia for cheap (as low as 105 dollars for pant and jacket in Shanghai) helps. The ones in Korea and Hong kong are a lil better quality, but mostly in the inner lining. the fit and fabric is all the same. What I would recommend is checking out www.indochino.com I haven't ordered a suit from there yet, since I have enough suits. But my friend has ordered a couple and loves them. He says when he walks into a room, he easily has on the best fitting suit. They are in the 300 dollar range, and are custom fit. No need to spend extra money on alterations.

As for black suits, they are too formal. Like everyone says, navy blue or charcoal gray work best. A nicely pressed suit and shirt, and a fresh haircut are obvious. But dont forget the little details. Get your shoes shined (on your own or pay someone), get yourself a nice belt too. I even go as far as getting a manicure. Sounds crazy? but i feel very confident at my interview knowing i did everything to look my best, head to toe. As of now, i am 5 for 5 *knock on wood* in airline interviews.

I think Cav mentioned allen edmonds shoes. those are pricey! If you can afford them, have at it. I have a pair of hugo boss' shoes that i got at a Sample sale. But they slip-ons, so I think I will invest in some lace ups. Good luck
 
Hootie said:
I used to get excited at rumors like these, but then you come to the realization that they are hiring 100 people and they already have 40,000 qualified resumes.
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Trust me, when Delta starts hiring, it won't just be for 100 positions. They were holding off on hiring because once they start, they don't want to stop. The idea was to set up the system so the hiring would kick off to lead the retirements and would run for the next 25 years. In that time, we will retire close to the entire list, at least 3/4 of it. That is a hiring wave you want to be at the front of.

Rumor has it that the top 500 will be offered an early out in the new contract. That is what is driving the early hiring rumor.
 
Hootie said:
I went looking for one of these today. The only ones under $500 were like ugly tan plaid suits.
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HSM shut down their production line for a little while to move to a new factory, so that may be driving prices up on their suits. That could be the explanation. Once the new factory opens up, prices should go back down to normal levels.

I went to most of the big dept stores. I found what appeared to me to be nice wool suits at Macy's in the $300 range. Tomorrow Im gonna try JosBanks and MensWearhouse. I dont know if that is better or worse than Macys.
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What was the brand name at Macy's? They carry some decent stuff, and some nasty stuff that will look ok on the rack, but then become trash after the first cleaning or the first time that you get a little rain on you. That's because these cheaper suits are "fused," which means that the fabric in the lapel and on the front of the suit is held together with glue instead of being stitched to internal canvas. Some fusing can be ok on the better brands, because they use more advanced processes, but the cheaper brands use cheap, quick fusing methods that don't hold up through rain or cleanings.

Jos A. Bank and Men's Wearhouse carry mostly junk. They have some better stuff, but the prices are typically inflated to the point where you're better off buying something in a better brand from Dillards or Macy's.

Don't be too cheap on a suit. It's an investment.
 
blee256 said:
I think Cav mentioned allen edmonds shoes. those are pricey! If you can afford them, have at it. I have a pair of hugo boss' shoes that i got at a Sample sale. But they slip-ons, so I think I will invest in some lace ups. Good luck
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Expensive yes but consider this. I bought my Allen Edmonds in 1998 and they still look brand new. Keep them shined, store them in shoe socks, insert shoe trees, and have the soles replaced every 10 years or so and they will literally last forever. That's not a bad investment for a couple hundred bucks if you ask me. Unlike the suit you can even gain a pound or two and smile when you put them on :)
 
My friend here just told me he wore his uniform pants, a jacket from goodwill and an old tie for his interview and he got the job.
 
If you have never bought a suit and had it tailored, go to the tailor first and get measured.

Many people are surprised by the size they need. I have a long torso, so it turns out I need a 46L, which they then take into a 44/42, but it gets the cuts to fall in the right places. I was ordering 44r before that.

My wife noticed the difference immediately.

Not to mention, the guy sizing uour suit has prob. Been doing it for a long time, and will have a great idea what cut to start with for your body type. Depending on your shop, he may have some quality stuff on hand, and after a fitting you may just be willing to pay the extra.

Maybe it's just me, but going into an interview with an awesome looking suit makes me feel that much better about it.
 
Cav said:
Expensive yes but consider this. I bought my Allen Edmonds in 1998 and they still look brand new. Keep them shined, store them in shoe socks, insert shoe trees, and have the soles replaced every 10 years or so and they will literally last forever. That's not a bad investment for a couple hundred bucks if you ask me. Unlike the suit you can even gain a pound or two and smile when you put them on :)
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I wear nothing but these shoes. I have had a pair for over ten years and they still look brand new. I wear them for work and not only are they airport friendly but comfortable at the same time. It is also good to know that both you and ATN are active metrosexuals on this topic. I get made fun of consistently from Seggy on this topic.
 
Ive been rockin the Johnston & Murphys now and there is nothing better than having a good looking and comfortable/quality shoe. Not as nice as Allen Edmonds IMO but definately up there.
 
Not as nice as johnston & Murphys or Allen Edmonds, but I like to rock Dock Martins, they are very comfortable, some what cost effective, and I think they say something about your personality.
 
Fly782 said:
Ive been rockin the Johnston & Murphys now and there is nothing better than having a good looking and comfortable/quality shoe. Not as nice as Allen Edmonds IMO but definately up there.
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My shoes are a mix of Allen Edmonds for the nicer special event shoes, and Johnston & Murphys for the more everyday shoes. Both are excellent shoes and will last pretty much forever with the right care. The Allen Edmonds shoes are definitely a step above, though. The only thing better is getting bespoke shoes, and that can cost upwards of $5,000.
 
amorris311 said:
I wear them for work and not only are they airport friendly but comfortable at the same time.
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The problem I've always had with trying to get Edmonds shoes for work is that all of them are leather soled, which is usually what you want in a fine shoe, but not so good for walking around on the ramp in glycol during the winter. Don't you fall on your ass constantly? I mean, before you were a big shot captain and stopped doing walk arounds, of course. ;)
 
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ATN_Pilot said:
The problem I've always had with trying to get Edmonds shoes for work is that all of them are leather soled, which is usually what you want in a fine shoe, but not so good for walking around on the ramp in glycol during the winter. Don't you fall on your ass constantly? I mean, before you were a big shot captain and stopped doing walk arounds, of course. ;)
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The ramps are usually ok, but the glycol in the leather makes walking up the jet bridge -interesting- no traction at all
 
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