# Question about formal business meeting attire **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 21, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852 "2009-04-21T15:14:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/61 "2009-04-22T18:09:36Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > Holy Christ, that’s disgraceful. Oh, it is not. In a country were A-shirts and gym shorts are acceptable summer attire, Connecticut casual is the paragon of elegance. And, but for the $200 price tag, their boater would be totes mine; I’ve been looking for one to complement my seersucker combo since two summers ago. ---
**Author:** ![mariposalabrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@mariposalabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mariposalabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/62 "2009-04-22T18:14:17Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Oh, it is not. In a country were A-shirts and gym shorts are acceptable summer attire, Connecticut casual is the paragon of elegance. > > And, but for the $200 price tag, their boater would be totes mine; I’ve been looking for one to complement my seersucker combo since two summers ago. So glad someone else likes it. I would totally wear that if I was a guy, but I’m a big fashion whore. I am cracking up over here at the term “Business Sweatpants”, by the way. Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/63 "2009-04-22T18:51:46Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > And, but for the $200 price tag, their boater would be totes mine; I’ve been looking for one to complement my seersucker combo since two summers ago. Seersucker? Not on my salary. Best I can afford is Nearsucker. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/64 "2009-04-23T00:31:54Z")
IMHO, outlet stores are better than Men’s Wearhouse and the like if you have the time to spend shopping. Why? At Men’s Wearhouse and the like you can get a $400 suit for $400. At outlets you can get a $1000 suit for $400 (or a $5000 for $2000, if that’s more your bent) (depending on what they have and the season and the alignment of the stars YMMV not valid in ME, AK, TY, or LP). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/65 "2009-04-23T00:44:35Z")
Yes, but the advantage of Men’s Wearhouse or a decent department store like Macy’s or Nordstrom is the presence of a knowledgeable salesperson. ---
**Author:** ![fruitbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@fruitbat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fruitbat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/66 "2009-04-23T01:07:43Z")
I love the Brooks Brothers outlet store. I pay about $250 for my suits. The outlet seems to not have the golf course preppy crap that the website highlights and is almost all very high quality dress shirts and nice comfortable suits. Even more useful is the sales staff who will just pick out good combos for me with almost no effort on my part. It is a bit pricey, but for the quality it is hard to beat. ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/67 "2009-04-23T01:25:08Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Yes, but the advantage of Men’s Wearhouse or a decent department store like Macy’s or Nordstrom is the presence of a knowledgeable salesperson. And late hours, and a tailor on site, and being used to handling people with a sudden need for a first suite like the OP. Just don’t be surprised when they ask if you want your pants left or right. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/68 "2009-04-23T12:54:21Z")
> [@not\_alice](#): > > And late hours, and a tailor on site, and being used to handling people with a sudden need for a first suite like the OP. > > Just don’t be surprised when they ask if you want your pants left or right. 🙂 Yeah, they measure with it on the left, then move it over, then measure again. What? ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/69 "2009-04-23T13:36:49Z")
> [@Jodi](#): > > Socks the same color as shoes. Question on this – I’ve been told by more than one person that black socks are okay with khakis and brown loafers. As casual work attire goes, is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/70 "2009-04-23T14:46:48Z")
> [@Sauron](#): > > Question on this – I’ve been told by more than one person that black socks are okay with khakis and brown loafers. As casual work attire goes, is that correct? I don’t think so. I think the socks need to match/coordinate with either the shoes or the pants, or both. Black doesn’t fit in there. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/71 "2009-04-23T14:53:10Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I don’t think so. I think the socks need to match/coordinate with either the shoes or the pants, or both. Black doesn’t fit in there. I tend to coordinate my socks with my pants rather than my shoes. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/72 "2009-04-23T16:27:45Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > I tend to coordinate my socks with my pants rather than my shoes. I think _in general_ guys usually match socks to shoes, and women match socks to pants. Either is fine, but do either one instead of black socks with khakis and brown shoes. Ick. Especially for women, matching the sock to the pant/trouser will visually lengthen the leg (since many women’s shoes have a much lower vamp and reveal more of the foot past the trouser). Matching the sock to the shoe (say, grey trousers, black sock and shoe) will make the foot look a bit stumpier. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/73 "2009-04-23T16:56:14Z")
> [@Sauron](#): > > Question on this – I’ve been told by more than one person that black socks are okay with khakis and brown loafers. As casual work attire goes, is that correct? Absolutement non! One matches the leathers (belts and shoes) with the trousers. Socks should be in the continuum between the trousers and the shoes. Black/gray trousers – black belt and shoes Brown/beige/tan trousers – brown belt and shoes Blue trousers (suit) – cordovan or, less preferred (especially with dark blues), black Blue trousers (jeans) – brown or black ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/74 "2009-04-23T16:56:26Z")
Some great advice here. Everyone should own one tailored suit. My inlaws bought two for me at Men’s Wearhouse when I graduated from college, and they carried me through my first year of work until I could afford better clothes. My personal shopping: Nordstrom’s Rack - $1000 suits for $400 and up. Budget another $50 for tailoring, depending on how much. Nordstrom’s & Macy’s “reduced” racks at the back of the store. I just picked up a Hugo Boss charcoal suit for $459 tailored to me. Macy’s often has dress shirts for $20. They won’t have a perfect fit, but they will be a step up. If you EVER find yourself in China, pick up a few custom suits. $250 for a perfectly tailored suit that would cost me $1500 in the US. Men win because we can buy classic suits that will last forever. I will argue against taking the threads from the pockets, though. Too many men then treat their suit pockets like a pair of cargo pants - completely destroying the shape of the clothes. Leave the stitching in unless you have good self control or a very thin phone. Good luck - being asked to dress up for a client meeting is a positive opportunity for you in your career. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/75 "2009-04-23T17:03:02Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > I will argue against taking the threads from the pockets, though. Too many men then treat their suit pockets like a pair of cargo pants - completely destroying the shape of the clothes. Leave the stitching in unless you have good self control or a very thin phone. Ditto! ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/76 "2009-04-23T17:15:04Z")
Another option, especially if you are a (ahem) difficult shape for off the peg clothes like I am, is to find a tailor. While buying a suit from a tailor can be cost prohibitive, the price drops rapidly if you can get others to go in with you. Three of my suits were from a private tailor, bought while I was in school, two of them for $400, one for $500; those prices included a dress shirt and tie with each suit. There really is nothing like the feel of a suit that was actually made for you. And if you are going to be wearing it regularly, try to get two pairs of pants, as much of the time you will find the jacket is hanging up, while the pants will have cheeks firmly pressing them to a chair. The pants then are more likely to suffer wear (and also require more frequent cleaning, which adds to the wear). ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/77 "2009-04-23T17:16:15Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > IMHO, outlet stores are better than Men’s Wearhouse and the like if you have the time to spend shopping. Why? At Men’s Wearhouse and the like you can get a $400 suit for $400. At outlets you can get a $1000 suit for $400 (or a $5000 for $2000, if that’s more your bent) (depending on what they have and the season and the alignment of the stars YMMV not valid in ME, AK, TY, or LP). There’s a guy I’ve known since Hippie days; he also went through an Urban Skate Punk phase. A stylish guy, even if the styles weren’t business-friendly. Eventually, he had a family to support & started shopping for suits. And he discovered that Really Good Suits, purchased at outlets, were _much_ more interesting than the [Robert Hall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hall_Clothes,_Inc.) suits he’d avoided in his youth. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/78 "2009-04-23T17:46:34Z")
My boss wore very casual capris to our account kick-off meeting. On the customer’s home turf!! I cringed for her for a week. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/79 "2009-04-24T03:07:19Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > I will argue against taking the threads from the pockets, though. Too many men then treat their suit pockets like a pair of cargo pants - completely destroying the shape of the clothes. Leave the stitching in unless you have good self control or a very thin phone. > . Agree with this. You can ruin the suit shape stuffing the pockets (including trouser pockets) with crap - put the crap in your bag. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852/80 "2009-04-24T13:02:27Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Absolutement non! > > One matches the leathers (belts and shoes) with the trousers. Socks should be in the continuum between the trousers and the shoes. > > Black/gray trousers – black belt and shoes > Brown/beige/tan trousers – brown belt and shoes > Blue trousers (suit) – cordovan or, less preferred (especially with dark blues), black > Blue trousers (jeans) – brown or black See, this is what I’ve always thought. In recent years, though, I’ve seen black shoes/belt/socks with khakis, and (more appalling, in my opinion) brown or cordovan shoes with grey suits. It’s more than one person doing this, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formal-business-meeting-attire/493852.md?page=5)