#interview suit

Another Option for Suits on a Budget: Jomers

It’s hard to overstate what a wasteland the entry level suit market was a decade ago. When I was coming out of college (more than a decade ago!), nearly every guy I knew was going to Joseph A. Bank or Brooks Brothers (if they had a little more scratch) for their “interview suit.” I wanted a nicer suit myself, but I was working as a bartender and felt $250 was a stretch, let alone $500--I ended up with a boxy 3-button number from Joey Banks (on sale!). Not much has changed. A few years back, Derek wrote a great guide to first suit choices at any price level--there were only two options at $500 or less.

So I was glad to read about Jomers suits, which intend to offer higher quality and more modern styling at a consistent price of $250, about the same price as the current model of my old Joseph A. Bank suit. (Jomers also makes trousers, shirts, and polos, all in a modern, trim, generally Italian style.) Jomers sent me two suits to review and try on, and I talked over email with Jomers’ CEO Meyer Dagmy. So what can you get for $250 these days?

The Nicest Suit You’re Likely to Find for the Price

The Jomers suits I received were both in 100% wool, Italian fabric from Vitale Barberis Canonico, one in a lighter blue and one in navy with a little tonal variation (you can see my natural light photos of both above--closeups of the jacket are the darker blue). The fabrics are certainly nicer than what you’d find in a mall--more depth to the color, more interesting weave, and they hang well. They seem about in line with SuitSupply, which is our usual recommendation for suits <$500 and the line you most often see Jomers compared against.

The construction and quality is solid for the price. They’re half canvassed, which is a measure of quality you may not appreciate until you’ve worn the suit a decent amount (for what it’s worth, my 2000s Joseph A Bank suit eventually got the dreaded bubbling in the chest and lapel as the fusing fell apart--suits that are half canvassed have a better reputation). The suits are mostly machine made (not a criticism--you won’t find a lot of handwork in off-the-rack suits under $1000). Meyer told me that there is some hand stitching in the shoulder, as well.

The Jomers suit wasn’t stiff out the box and the lapels and body were shaped well--without a long-term test it would be hard to know how it would break in. I did see a few loose stitches here and there, but nothing structural. I’ve seen some complaints online that the suits arrive wrinkled, but that seems like a ridiculous thing to complain about. You should expect to get any off-the-rack suit altered, and your tailor can steam or press the suit. 

Cut and Styling

Jomers cuts a modern suit in a style that should suit most young-ish guys who want a slim suit for work or formal-but-not-too-formal occasions. The suits are two-button, single breasted, with flap hip pockets and double vents. The lapels are a moderate width and the gorge is on the higher side. They have a barchetta-shaped breast pocket (not as exaggerated as I’ve seen on some Italian jackets). Trousers are a standard drop six (e.g. a size 40R jacket comes with 34 waist pants), flat front, trim, and tapered. They have a split waistband in the rear, which in my experience helps the waist give a little with movement.

Jomers’ model is pretty much exactly what you’re looking for in a first suit. A current-looking suit that doesn’t take a lot of chances. If the only suit in your closet has a ticket pocket, contrast stitching, and a peak lapel, you overdid it. Jomers suits are restrained in that aspect--although they do offer a more casual model with patch hip pockets. The horn buttons complement the fabrics and the lining is industry standard Bemberg (pants are lined as well).

Jomers suits feature pick stitching (a decorative line of edge stitching in places like the lapel and pocket flaps), a detail that in the past was seen on higher-priced suits that you see more often these days--sticklers for conservative dress might find it overly decorative.

Fit and Sizing

Jomers aims to make a trim suit (one of the things that differentiates them from the low-armhole, lowest-common-denominator budget suits out there) and they aren’t kidding. I found the suits I handled to be a bit tighter all around than any of my other off-the-rack jackets, save maybe Italian brand Boglioli. Without alterations, the shoulders were trim but OK (see photo); the chest fit quite close and the waist button pulled. The armholes are high, but not constricting. (For what it’s worth, I measured these Jomers size 42 jackets as about 22 inches across the chest, or 44 all around. This measurement can’t capture the shape of a jacket but it’s a decent shorthand for slim vs looser fits. I don’t wear particularly slim suits and most of my jackets are in the range of  45-46 around the chest.) 

A competent alterations tailor can tweak some of the fit of a jacket (which anyone buying a new off-the-rack suit should account for, in time and money). Take care, however, that a new suit fits how you like in the shoulders and chest, which are a challenge if not impossible to alter significantly. 

I’ve tried SuitSupply’s Napoli and Sienna models in 42 as well, and I found Jomers’ suits to be slightly tighter in the chest and waist. Meyer told me that some customers have said Jomers suits aren’t as trim as they’d like--based on the suits I tried that surprises me.

Currently, the suits are offered only as a jacket with the accompanying drop-six trousers. Jomers plans to offer separates in the future to allow customers to order trousers in a different size, and may do so in their next run (slated for January 2018).

The trousers fit me rather well. I wouldn’t alter a thing except have the hems finished. I found the rise on the trousers to be neither very high nor very low.

Buying Jomers Suits

One thing Joe Banks and Brooks have going for them is they’re in every decently sized city. Walk in and you can try stuff on, and even line up alterations. Jomers is able to offer their suits at such a low price at least in part because they don’t have to pay for retail spaces and sales associates all over the place. The upside for customers is obvious--you can get a suit that might otherwise be out of your price range. The trade off is that you have to order online without trying on, and in Jomers’ case the supply and demand are such that you pretty much have to order as soon as wares become available (stuff sells out quickly). Meyer told me they intend to double the number of units available in the next batch, which had 200-250 suits available in each fabric.

Jomers offers free shipping, and has a 14-day full-refund return policy (buyer pays return shipping). So the only real risk in ordering is that the suit you want may not be available when your return is complete. If I were ordering a Jomers suit today, I would likely order my usual size and one size up, then return the size that didn’t fit as well, and factor the return shipping cost into the cost of my suit.

  I was chatting with a coworker about this the other day. I don’t have a formal ‘desk’ at work, and I wasn’t sure if I could have my purse with me at my ‘desk’ because it’s sort of in the lab. I was assured that it was fine to have it, and then the conversation veered off to guys, and how men can live with just what’s in their pockets all day. We female-types tend to prefer to carry a purse for…

Is this your first interview? If it is your first time going on an interview the same rules apply as if it were your tenth time. What should you wear as an interview suit? Is an interview suit different from a regular business suit?

What you want to be looking for is something classic and conservative. What is trendy or the fad at the moment is not suitable for an interview suit. I would not choose the current super slim looks with narrow lapels, but something more timeless and classic in nature. The suit doesn't have to be a box, but should have a modern comfortable fit. There is no reason you should look like you were squeezed into the garment like a sardine. Conversely, you don't need to look like you are wearing your father's suit, even if he was a snappy dresser.

When recommending the first interview suit I usually go with charcoal grey solid over navy blue solid. The reason being, charcoal is softer than navy. Navy can create harsh contrasts with your shirt and tie. That's perfectly fine, but for the first time being interviewed it's better to have a more neutral tone in your dress. Pull the charcoal grey suit together with a new white dress shirt with button cuffs and choose a tie that has some color, but not too much. I enjoy small printed patterns and have been moving away from some bold stripes in neckwear. Use the tie to show some of your personality. Ties are very personal in nature in terms of pattern and color. I have sold many conservative, plain looking suits to international businessmen and have them choose very wild colorful ties.

If you are a veteran of the interview then the navy blue suit would work well. I would use the same type of combination with the navy blue suit as with the grey suit above. For interviews I always ask for a white shirt to be worn. It is clean and crisp and makes your face light up and stand out since white reflects light. Darker colors, even a sky blue, absorb some of the light spectrum and only reflect one color. This can create a cast of color on your skin. You need to be careful here to know exactly what color types are correct for your skin tone. If you choose wrongly then your face could become washed out or grey looking. In my opinion the white shirt is the way to go with an interview suit.

Another important item is the model or design of the suit itself. It's best to choose a two button single breasted suit. Right now the two button suit is the most popular style selling in stores so they are easy to find. Wearing a three button or double breasted suit would not be acceptable because both are not being readily used in the business world today. Having pleated or flat front pants is a matter of personal style as well. Most suits today are found with flat front trousers. This is what is selling on the retail floor so manufacturers are more inclined to create that type of pant.

So to answer your initial question.  If you're talking about this shirt:

My instinct would be that it is, indeed, a bit too casual for the type of formal OCI type interviews coming your way.  Honestly, I think the main reason is that I think of a gingham print as being a very casual, country print (which makes it a fun thing to mix into a business casual wardrobe as a way to add some fun) - but you're not looking to add some country fun to your interview wardrobe.

Now, moving on to other shirt options.  Are you married to a button down look?  Starting with those, in case you are -  I think there are several solid color button downs that can add some softness to a black suit.  My personal favorite is a pale blue.  I particularly like this option from Lands End.

This same shirt also comes in this beautiful purple which would look absolutely lovely with a black suit.

Now, personally, I tend to gravitate more towards button downs with pinstripes.  I swear by Brooks Brothers non-iron button down shirts (they are amazing, really.)  I swear by the classic fit because I'm a bit barrel chested, but if you are more slim of frame, you  might prefer the tailored fit.  They are a bit pricey, but I also think the ones from the outlets are great (and cheaper).  I like a bunch of their pinstriped ones, but this purple and blue one would look nice under a black suit.

Another nice option under suits, if you want button-down but a bit less harsh then a traditional button down shirt, is a silk (or silk blend) button down.  (Though a side note here, I would avoid anything that trends towards the satiny shiny world - again - go as conservative as possible.)

I like both the gray and green options of this Soho Shirt at Boden.

I also like this Long Sleeve Tunic from Lands End (though it goes without saying that it would be tucked in, lol.)  Comes in a variety of colors.

Now finally, my actual most preferred style under a suit for interviews is a simple shell.  The collar is unlikely to get messed up with the collar of my jacket and it doesn't get too warm if I get nervous.  My two go-to places for shells are generally Ann Taylor and Boden.

At Ann Taylor right now is probably this seamed shell - though I do wish it  had short sleeves.  They also have a nice one without seams.

From Boden, my favorite is the Ravello top.  It comes in a variety of great colors, but I think this pattern would look GREAT with a black suit and you could work in a nice pattern without being too aggressive with it.