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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,

Comments

[inverted_man]

Really great list. I never could get tha hang of cuffs and tie bars, myself. I always go without them when I know I shouldn't.

Not swimming in your suit is a huge plus, so I am very keen on getting specific with my tailor - I have never directly asked for some cuffs to show, they've all just allowed that naturally, but I realised after reading this that it actually does make a huge difference in the presentation of the suit itself.

When getting my pants tailored I also ask them whether it's the style to have that fold at the bottom or to have them be "straight". A few years ago the fold was in style - now we're back to straight. It's like the suit's Mendelian trait.

Fashion in general has planned obsolescence in the bag.

[mshonle]

And it seems the planned obsolescence thing applies more the more expensive the item gets. A pair of $1000 pants (in theory) would signal the great wealth of the wearer. But if it's even a couple of years out of date it could mean the person acquired them used, lost their wealth, or never had much in the first place.

But conspicuous consumption arms races aside, I think it's ultimately about being confident and "pulling it off." Is that guy in 70s garb totally uncool, or is he a trend setter?

As for cufflinks, I know nothing about them really. Aren't they for really formal things, like weddings?