Black Suits Yes or NoAny opinions on black suits? I always associated black suits with funerals..... but what about for job interviews and corporate dress? Is this considered a power color?
There are conflicting opinions about black interview suits for males, and many people do think it's a bit too much, so it's better to play it safe and go with gray or navy blue. There is no rule I've ever heard of against black suits for women, and many women do wear them to interviews. It's a double standard I guess :)
That's funny you brought that up because I was thinking that i've seen women wear black suits to interviews, but I wasn't sure about men. I personally think both men and women look sharp in black suits, but I don't know if it's a bad idea for an interview. Maybe I will stick with dark blue just to be safe....
There's nothing wrong with a black suit. Many business executives wear black suits, so it's no big deal. During an interview, it's important to dress professional. That's it! So whether it's a black or blue suit, that's a minor detail that's not going to make a difference at all.
Like I said, there are conflicting opinions. I personally agree that black suits look good on everyone and would not disqualify a candidate based on that. However, some "old school" hiring managers (a VP at my company is one of them) believe that the only black suit one should wear is a tuxedo. That's why, IMO, it's better to play it safe. In most cases, the wrong suit color won't cost a qualified candidate the job (unless of course it's some crazy color like yellow or purple), but it contributes to the overall impression of a candidate, so why risk it? Plus, I've never met a man who didn't look distinguished in a nice dark blue suit, so it's not like you'll be giving up your only opportunity to look sharp by not wearing black.
Go to Brooks Brothers. They don't even sell most suits in black. Black is formal wear. Then again, I used to have a black suit, but I did mostly wear it to evening occasions. For interviews, you can't beat navy blue or charcoal gray. Why try? When I interviewed for my current position, I wore a black Armani suit. I gifted myself with an Armani suit a year before I was fired from my former job. I was dressed better than the person who interviewed me. But I stood out because I saw a lot of eyes on me as I walked through the offices. Everyone thought I was from Corporate! I do not look good in gray or blue so most of my suits are black. I do have sport coats that are dark gray or dark blue but that is about it. I love black as a suit. Black suits are not for interviews. Not even for women. They are harsh and impersonal and very much reminiscent of a funeral. If somebody walked into an interview wearing a black suit I would probably have an extremely hard time with it because it also puts me in mind of someone who thinks they are self-important. Everybody, and I mean everybody single person I know on a personal vs professional level owns one black suit and that particular suit hangs toward the back of the closet or wardorbe waiting for the day when it can be released and worn to a dearly departed's going home ceremony. Even on a professional level, I have met just one person who had a black suit and when he realized that noone else did, he asked to be taken back to his hotel room so that he could change into his reserve suit. In all my years going to court on cases with the various attorneys I worked for and with, I have never met anybody who wore a black suit. One reason, according to one of my bosses, is because black represents power in the courtroom and no attorney, plaintiff or defendant wants to be viewed as more powerful than the judge. (And we know what color he wears sitting on his bench above all others). I was in the conference room while members of the jury explained why they voted as they did (we, the defense, won the case) and the one juror who stated he initially wanted to cast his vote for the prosecution, but subsequently changed his mind after listening to more arguments and reviewing his notes, stated that the reason he had a hard time with the defendant was because the male members of the defendant's family who were sitting in the gallery were wearing black suits and it reminded him of a bunch of Boston Mafia Hitmen.It turned him off. It actually turned my boss and I off also, which is why I requested that they wear a different color or hue for the next day's proceedings.
That's one of the most asinine things I've ever heard. I own a black suit and have worn it to many interviews, as have many, many people before me, and I have never in a million years thought someone (nor I) looked like they were heading to a funeral. I've worked at corporations and many business associates have worn black suits...and oddly enough, no one thought that a relative of theirs had died. If your odd assumption were correct, black suits certainly wouldn't be sold in the quantity that they are. I guess all the people I see walking down the street here in NYC are heading to honor their bereaved. Give me a break. Black suits are just that - black suits. Professional attire and perfectly acceptable to wear to an interview. | |
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