I'm... Too casual for this shirt? (UK)

September 6, 2006 6:40 AM

I have to go on a few job interviews for web producer positions in the UK. I've got a suit, and a collarless black jacket/suit which I quite like and isn't too far off the norm. But I need a good shirt. What colour shirt should I go for? White? Blue? Lilac? Should it be a "name" shirt eg Boss, Ralph Lauren or will any good quality shirt do?
posted by badlydubbedboy to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

The jacket is collarless - like a motorcycle jacket? Have you worn a dress shirt with it before? I am having a hard time picturing a collared dress shirt with a collarless jacket. I think a nice T-shirt would look best. Or is that too casual?
posted by LoriFLA at 6:57 AM on September 6, 2006

(pssst! you've got your tags and title mixed up)

I'm in new media and going for these positions too atm. I've had good results with green or even purple shirts, just good quality, not labels. But my suit is light brown because I'm so pale I'd be mistaken for a penguin if I wore black.
posted by randomination at 7:08 AM on September 6, 2006

I think I can envision a collared shirt underneath the jacket. I would leave a button or two undone, and maybe the collar out. I would choose the color of the shirt according to your skin color. There are certain colors that look dreadful on certain skin tones, and there are colors that look awful with black (red, pink, yellow).

I think white, blue, burgundy, dove gray, and charcoal gray look great with black. I would keep the contrast low, so white might not be the best bet. Most people look great in blue, you can't go wrong with blue.

Good luck on your interview.
posted by LoriFLA at 7:34 AM on September 6, 2006

If you can afford it, get a fitted shirt. It'll look great and hopefully last you for ages. The trick is to get a shirt that, well, suits you. The brand is secondary to how it looks on you (though Boss is probably going to be nicer to wear/look at than Primark).

I bought a really sharp-looking shirt from Muji. A subdued grey that looks really good with a black suit with or without a tie. The slightly unusual cut of the shirt is nice as well. They don't seem to list the shirts online, I'm afraid.

And as stated above, if you're not sure, dress slightly conservatively. So the lilac might not be the way to go.
posted by slimepuppy at 8:16 AM on September 6, 2006

Go with white. It projects honesty (I'm not kidding, I've read it said in several places). Plus, you get a greater selection of ties available to you.

Make of shirt really doesn't matter as long as it looks good and is well ironed. I have 2 white shirts double-cuff (button will also do) from Next which do the job just fine.
posted by mr_silver at 10:39 AM on September 6, 2006

Response by poster: If you want to know what a collarless suit jacket (or as I term it a Nehru jacket) looks like, then I've just uploaded a photo of me wearing it (with a generic white shirt which I really ought to improve on, if I can ever figure out what a quality shirt looks like).

Forgive the slightly drunken look...
posted by badlydubbedboy at 3:13 PM on September 6, 2006

Response by poster: Oh I'm Chinese if that makes any difference...
posted by badlydubbedboy at 3:14 PM on September 6, 2006

Don't wear a button-down collar with a tie. Our dear American cousins and I disagree frequently on this point. They're wrong and I'm right. Also: don't wear a tie with a shirt if you can't do up the top button.

Pale blue would work well with your skin tone.

Don't wear a "cutaway" collar as it will make your neck look wider. Go for a classic collar with stiffeners. Nothing too pointy, mind.

If it were me, I'd avoid the jacket & tie if it's an agency gig. If the job is in-house then you may want to dress more conservatively.

Avoid labels - spend the money on having a shirt made for you instead. Will cost around £100 and it'll last for years.
posted by blag at 3:57 PM on September 6, 2006

ps good luck
posted by blag at 3:58 PM on September 6, 2006

If you're already in the UK, visit Jermyn St, London. THis is where all of the best shirtmakers in th UK reside. Charles Tyrwhitt, TM Lewin, Pink etc.....
Great shirts, lots and lots of colour choices.

And if possible, do without the collarless jacket, it's not a good look.
posted by the_epicurean at 2:25 AM on September 7, 2006

Also I agree with BLAG, button down collars should never be worn with a tie, unless you are a mod wearing a skinny suit and tie.
posted by the_epicurean at 2:28 AM on September 7, 2006