<p>"Oh, and NEVER order a frappuccino during an interview."</p>
<p>Oi! that's exactly what I did, at a starbucks, for my columbia interview, the interviewer didn't even notice until I began slurping at the small ice cubes when I was finished :p. He still highly recommended me and I got in.</p>
<p>"GQ or any other fashion adviser is consistent with what I've said"</p>
<p>hardly matters what they say, white undershirts still look good and are preferable to any chest hair. I've worn them all my life with dress shirts (for interviews and work), they've served me well.</p>
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hardly matters what they say, white undershirts still look good
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<p>They look good to who? They look tacky and horrid to me and probably a whole lot of people who know anything about proper business attire.</p>
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I've worn them all my life with dress shirts (for interviews and work), they've served me well.
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<p>For an interview or important functions, you're presumably wearing a tie and you're all buttoned up such that nobody can see your undershirt. That's not the issue.</p>
<p>Examples of how you can look perfectly normal not showing a visible undershirt and w/o the top shirt button buttoned:</p>
<p>As contrast, you look like you're from revenge of the nerds if you show your undershirt:</p>
<p>Lol, as a heterosexual man I can tell you that comparing Anderson Cooper or freaking James Bond to a random nobody with earrings and slacks will of course play in their favor. </p>
<p>Besides those pics are completely different different in both poses and style. Not to mention that if you're gonna go for nice shirts and jackets like they're wearing for an interview....you'll probably just add the tie to remove that "exposed joie de vivre".</p>
<p>In other news: this really is a metrosexual age we live in, isn't it?</p>
<p>I thought i'd chime in here....</p>
<p>C02 is absolutely right! wearing a visible white undershirt under a dress shirt looks atrocious. Same goes for wearing an undershirt with any sort of print on it that is visible through your dress shirt. Both look immature or frat-y. The easy solution is to either wear a "wifebeater" or a v-neck undershirt. Both are quite readily available. </p>
<p>I also agree with C02 that you aren't meant to "protect" your clothes while you wear them. The clothes are there to serve you, not the other way around. Also, I'm quite sure you aren't wearing $300 Armani dress shirts so its not like it'd break the bank to replace a dress shirt after wearing it ~100 times. </p>
<p>I'm surprised by C02's fashion sense....kudos </p>
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Lol, as a heterosexual man I can tell you that comparing Anderson Cooper or freaking James Bond to a random nobody with earrings and slacks will of course play in their favor.
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<p>the point is that anderson cooper, obama, etc all have people who know fashion dressing them and as you can see they never show their undershirt whereas random dude from the last picture is clearly clueless</p>
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you'll probably just add the tie to remove that "exposed joie de vivre".
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<p>i dont think wearing a tie at inappropriate times or when you're uncomfortable doing so is a good solution....especially given the solutions i gave above.</p>
<p>For an interview with a dean of admissions in their office....a full suit right?</p>
<p>Dean of admissions? yes, definitely wear the suit, can't go wrong--even though the admissions office is more of a business casual place. But you don't know that :)</p>
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In other news: this really is a metrosexual age we live in, isn't it?
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<p>Um, no. This isn't metrosexual stuff. This is classical and timeless stuff about how to dress properly.</p>
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Besides those pics are completely different different in both poses and style.
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<p>The point of those pics is to show that people who know how to dress (or have handlers to dress them properly) uniformly DO NOT show undershirt when wearing a dress/sport shirt. There's a reason James Bond doesn't wear a visible undershirt -- not because he wears better clothes than the nerd with the earing, but because he knows you're not supposed to wear one.</p>
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Also, I'm quite sure you aren't wearing $300 Armani dress shirts so its not like it'd break the bank to replace a dress shirt after wearing it ~100 times.
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<p>Correct. And if you can afford to buy $300 Armani dress shirts (not that Armani dress shirts are that great), it won't break the bank to replace those after they wear out.</p>
<p>Hate to break it to you, but that's just the latest trend and not timeless by any means. In 10 years there will be another trend of how to wear shirts that will be defended tooth and nail as 'timeless and classical'. I think 'in vogue' would be a better term. </p>
<p>Not that there's anything wrong with that mind you. It's the normal progression of things. </p>
<p>(Fashion really is the most annoying thing to discuss around here I've found)</p>
<p>doesn't have to be a shirt and tie kind of outfit - just neat. more importantly - don't put too much emotional energy into these interviews. they won't help your application. they are essentially a waste of time and are there mostly to screen out applicants who are obviously wrong for that school. you would have to be pretty obnoxious for the interview to count against you - but it won't actually help you very much.</p>
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Hate to break it to you, but that's just the latest trend and not timeless by any means. In 10 years there will be another trend of how to wear shirts that will be defended tooth and nail as 'timeless and classical'. I think 'in vogue' would be a better term.
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<p>It's not "the latest trend" that you NEVER SHOW YOUR UNDERGARMENTS. That's always been a rule. Tell me in what era that was ever acceptable to show your undershirt. Or go find me a picture/movie of Cary Grant or Humphrey Bogart wearing a dress shirt where you can see his undershirt.</p>
<p>Trends with shirts may be cuff-links vs. button-cuffs, stripes vs. checks, particular collars, etc. But there are timeless RULES -- your shirt shouldn't be wrinkled, your shirt should be tucked in, your undershirt shouldn't be visible, your shirt should properly fit you, etc.</p>
<p>Columbia2002:
What would you wear to an interview with a dean?
I'm just curious...</p>
<p>@Columbia2002
I think you're confusing basic hygiene and comfort (wrinkle and fit) with the optional matters (tucked in, undershirt).</p>
<p>Plenty of people wear their shirt un-tucked and it's fitting in more leisurely situations: <a href="http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2006/07/juicy-wool-blazer.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2006/07/juicy-wool-blazer.jpg</a></p>
<p>Some even go for the undershirt + sportsjacket/blazer combo: <a href="http://www.superchismosa.com/wp-content/photos/nicklacheymtvhb1.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.superchismosa.com/wp-content/photos/nicklacheymtvhb1.jpg</a> (although it's not my taste, unless black on black)</p>
<p>I get what you're saying but no matter how many caps you use, there's NO OMNIPOTENT RULE when it comes to the undershirt. That's just false. It may not be considered in vogue these days but it's still completely optional and done by many (Admittedly on more -very- casual situations).</p>
<p>*Tell me in what era that was ever acceptable to show your undershirt. *</p>
<p>Where were you for the 90's, mate? The white undershirt-jeans shirt-black blazer combo was close to everywhere. It was a constant almost of the late afternoon get-together crowd. I'm even seeing it as we speak on a Seinfeld rerun- though to be fair, I'll agree that sitcoms shouldn't be a clothing reference.</p>
<p>And to be clear, I never recommend it (Though if there's a place where it would be right at ease it's definitely a coffee shop interview). I just didn't think it was the socks-and-sandal abomination it was said to be. A Google search turned up this page which in my opinion has the best collar guideline. And agree with the V-neck-no-seams recommendation for those who want to keep their shirt less used. AskMen.com</a> - Wearing undershirts</p>
<p>Lighten up with the fashion flaming sword, jesus.</p>
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I think you're confusing basic hygiene and comfort (wrinkle and fit) with the optional matters (tucked in, undershirt).
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<p>You're totally going off on a tangent. We're talking about business dress.</p>
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Plenty of people wear their shirt un-tucked and it's fitting in more leisurely situations: <a href="http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/20...ool-blazer.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/20...ool-blazer.jpg</a>
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<p>Your point? One doesn't wear jeans, a blazer and an untucked dress shirt as business dress. You're right that such a look is totally fine for going out.</p>
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Some even go for the undershirt + sportsjacket/blazer combo: <a href="http://www.superchismosa.com/wp-cont...cheymtvhb1.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.superchismosa.com/wp-cont...cheymtvhb1.jpg</a> (although it's not my taste, unless black on black)
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<p>He looks like a total douchebag there (not that he isn't a total douchebag in all situations). And that look -- which every other guido in NYC seems to attempt -- is horrible.</p>
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Tell me in what era that was ever acceptable to show your undershirt.</p>
<p>Where were you for the 90's, mate? The white undershirt-jeans shirt-black blazer combo was close to everywhere. It was a constant almost of the late afternoon get-together crowd. I'm even seeing it as we speak on a Seinfeld rerun- though to be fair, I'll agree that sitcoms shouldn't be a clothing reference
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<p>Again, business dress. Stop ranting.</p>
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Columbia2002:
What would you wear to an interview with a dean?
I'm just curious...
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<p>Are you a guy? Nice pants and a nice shirt. No need to wear a jacket/tie.</p>
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Again, business dress. Stop ranting.
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<p>You jump down someone's throat for suggesting a visible undershirt and then accuse me of ranting....when I answer your direct question word-for-word?</p>
<p>Riiight. </p>
<p>And for the record, we were never discussing business wear uniquely but simply shirts and slackers/pants (as per your posted pictures) but if this gives you validity for a last word then power to you. Anything to end this drivel. </p>
<p>Like I said before fashion topics around here tend to quickly dissolve in one jackass screaming louder than the rest that his fashion sense is finite. this has been fun but I'm out. </p>
<p>I think the OP got the advice he was looking for quite a while back. Probably already had the interview lol :D</p>
<p>for the dean interview i'd say skip the jacket but wear a tie with a nice dress shirt and nice slacks. </p>
<p>for once I have to say that C02 is on point throughout this thread...we are talking about proper interview attire which is in fact the same as business casual in most cases so LionHeaded, i dont think that your example of douche bag nick whatshisface is a proper counterargument.</p>
<p>Academia is a very business casual place. Except at formal functions - dinners, dances, etc - business casual is the way to go, and you will never look out of place. Bollinger wears a suit because he's an executive and has that appearance to maintain, but in his presence wearing dress pants / dress shirt, sans tie / jacket, is perfectly acceptable.</p>
<p>For a business interview, of course, business attire (suit/tie) is expected. Let's just be clear that we're talking about academic interviews.</p>
<p>I have asked some higher authorities on the dress-shirt-no-tie quandary (to undershirt or not to undershirt, that is the question). I'll report back.</p>
<p>The Report Back, first from my two experts:</p>
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Since any well-dressed man is wearing an undergarment, this will show when the shirt collar is unbuttoned. This is not considered rude, and probably looks more professional than chest hair unless you're James Bond (no necklaces or medallions, please). This is all based on business attire for professional settings- what you wear off the clock is your own business (undergarments optional).
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Undershirt always, and avoid the "V" neck undershirts. However, a broad oval can be OK, so long as the line of the undershirt doesn't show through.</p>
<p>All in all, best to have the circle of the undershirt showing than otherwise.
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<p>And from the "Dress Smart for Men" book from the Simple Chic book line, which is my personal professional style guide:
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There is no occasion for which a white shirt is inappropriate. It goes with everything from a sport jacket to khakis to jeans, and when paired with a suit it sends just the right message: Neat and efficient. A white shirt with a straight collar works with any face shape and any coloring, but it will all be in vain if it isn't cleaned and pressed properly.</p>
<p>Like a white shirt, blue is an all-purpose choice. And in some ways it may be better. Whereas white may reveal a certain conformity, a blue dress shirt signals that you are your own man. Once again, keep it clean and pressed, and wear a white T-shirt underneath to keep it dry.</p>
<p>Never let 'em see you sweat
Interviewing can be a stressful-enough process without having to worry about perspiration. **The best defense against it? A white cotton undershirt. **Although perhaps counterintuitive because it requires putting on another layer, a white crew neck or V-neck T-shirt will keep dress shirts looking drier and make white shirts even brighter.
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<p>I consider my case rested.</p>
