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[mshonle]

My hunt on the academic job market is in full swing, with places already applied to. Now, I need to focus on the next step: The interview.

Thus, I have been researching fashion.

In no particular order, here are things I didn't know about one month ago:

• Your socks should match your suit. Navy suit, navy socks. Charcoal suit, charcoal socks.
• If you have a pinstriped suit, be sure neither your tie nor shirt have vertical stripes.
• Your shoes should match your belt. (And there I was, thinking I knew all there was about belts when I heard that you shouldn't wear a belt with suspenders.)
• For the vegans, you can get a really cheap suit that looks great. I don't know how long my Merona Poly/Rayon Suit will last, but given that I don't expect to wear it much, that hopefully won't be an issue.
• There are several secrets to making a suit look great. The most essential is that you get it tailored well. When you go in for the alterations, ask for the suit to be slim and the sleeves narrowed (not tight, but fitted), and show some cuff.
• The next secret is to have a pocket square. A pocket square is like a handkerchief, but more about looks than function. A white one seems to be essential to have in your rotation, and then I believe the other colors can be used to match your tie or your shirt, but on that point I know less about.
• Speaking of going in to the tailor, get your shirt fitted too. You'll have less cloth floating around under that suit jacket. And get it shortened if it's too long, so that you'll have less to tuck in. I also had them move the button at the neck, to give me some more room.
• Get a tie bar. I always thought they were called tie clips, but they seem to be called tie bars now.
• Fashion is about expressing yourself. If you don't feel like "you" in your suit, you're probably doing something wrong.