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Hi All,

So I am in the hunt for a new opportunity and found a few I am interested in but have an issue: I do not have a suit that fits for any possible interviews I can snag. I have dress slacks and shirts and a Brooks Brothers navy blazer and that won't fit for long. I've lost 40 pounds over the past few months and am averaging 10 pounds per month. I expect to continue to lose weight...at least another 40 pounds. All of my suits are way too big and alterations aren't possible after all this weight. I am the sole wage earner as my wife sacrifices to stay home and care for my parents (Alzheimer's) so cash is something I need to be careful with.

Any suggestions? Is my only option to pony up the money for a decent suit and cross my fingers I get in the door for an interview before it no longer fits? I can alter it again but for how long? Another 40 and that's too much.

Is it acceptable to wear dress slacks, shirt, tie, and a blazer? Can I explain prior to the interview? Is this something they would understand (generally speaking)?

I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!

Regards,

13B

PS - Obviously, there is no guarantee I even get an interview any time soon...which makes the purchase of a new suit even harder to swallow. And waiting until my "weight loss run ends" isn't really a feasible option in my mind.

timrutter's picture

What sort of roles and companies are you going for 13B? That'll help in working out what sort of attire is acceptable.

If a suite is a mandatory, I get my suites from a bespoke online taylor. They do take about four weeks but being bespoke, they have room on the seams for tayloring to the changing body. Last time I ordered one it cost me $130 AUD with two trousers. (Hint: Millitary taylors are amazing with jobs like this if you live near one)

Another possibility is charity shops (don't laugh!). I suited myself for the first five years after leaving school with some pretty amazing schmutter that I got taylored.Hope this helps a little

Hope this helps a little

Tim

 

mrreliable's picture

Check the thrift shops. I've given away some real nice suits because they didn't fit any more (not for the reasons your clothes don't fit any more - somehow mine started shrinking over time just hanging in the closet). It's hit and miss on sizes, but it's very worth checking out.

williamelledgepe's picture
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First off - someone needs to say well done on losing 40 pounds.  It is a tremendous feat - and you deserve congratulations!

Second - I like the approach of using a thrift store combined with a good tailor.  Even a cheap suit can be made to look a few hundred dollars nicer with a good tailor.  Men's Wearhouse has pretty good prices - so that is where I buy my jackets.  My last couple suits came from Mervyn's - but after a good tailor it looks great.

Consultant2001's picture
Licensee Badge

First off congrats on losing the weight! that is an amazing feet- I lost 60 lbs recently and it was an amazing feeling. I budgeted about $500 when I got within about 10 lbs. I went to the nordstroms outlet and got one of their frequent cards (Its free and you can link it to you bank account if you dont want a credit card. 

They offer free tailoring for any suits that you buy there (up to $100). I bought 3 calvin klien suits, three dress shirts and had them tailored for under $500. 

 

Hope that helps!