Business Casual Clothing?

[ClassyMica]

My nephew is finally (5th year senior!) graduating from college and I'd like to help him out by getting him his business casual clothing for job interviews.

I really have no idea what's in style these days for a 21 year old. It was suggested to me that I just get a subscription for a year so he gets a new outfit each month.

Right now I'm leaning towards "Bombfell" -

https://www.thriftycrates.com/bombfell-box-review/

From what I can tell, the style of clothing would be perfect for job interviews. I'm just not sure of the quality.

Have any of you used this service before? Are there other men's subscription boxes that you'd recommend instead?

 

[Bushman]

As a 25 year old myself, I'd say for the interview a khakis with a button down shirt and a tie would be best for a business casual atmosphere. Once he has the job, he could lose the tie, and just keep with collared shirts and the khakis. Personally, though, I wouldn't go in wearing that attire with gym shoes. For the interview, black dress shoes would be better. Brown is more casual and would work once he has the job.

 

[ClassyMica]

As a 25 year old myself, I'd say for the interview a khakis with a button down shirt and a tie would be best for a business casual atmosphere. Once he has the job, he could lose the tie, and just keep with collared shirts and the khakis. Personally, though, I wouldn't go in wearing that attire with gym shoes. For the interview, black dress shoes would be better. Brown is more casual and would work once he has the job.

Thanks... but do you have any suggestions in relation to my question? lol

Was looking for suggestions on business casual clothing monthly subscriptions.

 

[Barefoot Friar]

Personally, though, I wouldn't go in wearing that attire with gym shoes. For the interview, black dress shoes would be better. Brown is more casual and would work once he has the job.

Cordovan or oxblood is the color you want when wearing tan/khaki/taupe pants and navy blazer or navy pants and camel blazer. Brown in a pinch. Black shoes should not be worn with brown pants.

It is permissible to wear brown shoes with navy or gray pants and suits, but I find it to be garish and distracting. I prefer black always. Just because you can do a thing does not mean you should do that thing.

 

[Edward]

Worth doing a bit of research as to what constitutes 'business casual' in whatever field he's going into; 'business casual' in the lawfirms I've dealt with implies jacket and trousers instead of lounge suit, and maybe button cuffs in place of cufflinks....

 

[GHT]

When my brother's daughter graduated in medicine, the family wanted to help her with her wardrobe. She would be attending interviews at various hospitals. My wife found a rather suitable greeting card, in it we wrote a congratulations, well done message then added that some say it's vulgar to give money so look upon this as gift coupons that are accepted everywhere. I ran it past my brother who said that he and his wife thought of doing something similar. That way she can buy exactly what she thinks appropriate.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I can’t give an opinion about bombfell. But I can say the idea of such a subscription for a 21 year old graduate is very thoughtful. You’re catching him just as he needs to make good first impressions and just when he is (most likely) too impecunious to invest in nice clothes for himself. Well done.

 

[Mathematicus]

I have several reserves on both the appropriateness of "business casual" as a meaningful expression and whether it is wise letting a designer/stylist dress you. I would never accept someone deciding on my behalf what type of clothing I should like or not, I find it an offense to intelligence.

It is also fair to say that putting together a "business casual" attire (in a very broad sense) requires a lot of skill in matching colours, textures, various items coming from different environments. Probably the packages you are looking for are created exactly to waive people from the stress of deciding what to put on in the morning.

But it everyone wore suits at work, there wouldn't be any of these problems...

 

[GHT]

But it everyone wore suits at work, there wouldn't be any of these problems...

Amen to that!

 

[Bfd70]

As he doesn’t currently have a job, time is in abundance for your nephew. Pick a day. Spend it shopping for an interview wardrobe. End with a martini, steak, and some sage advice. More thoughtful imho.

 

[Canadian]

I've graduated from university twice, the second time without great fanfare (at least no major gifts, save a couple ballcaps and a diploma) and I would say that perhaps the best gift is, indeed, "coupons accepted everywhere.". People think they would be doing me a favor by getting me a g/c to, "Mctavish's House of Fine Bagpipes" which might be just what they think I need, but I'd probably say that 50% or more of the g/cs I ever get are unused. Another problem with g/cs or such is that you sometimes show up at the store with a 20 dollar coupon and the item you really want is 40 bucks.

I agree that business casual can be very confusing. Many young men think a job interview (especially in the areas outside politics, finance, law and religion) means dark wash jeans with distressing and a polo shirt. Don't purchase what you want him to wear, I'd still go with cash, as he can use it, for example to buy his first work outfit after he gets a job.

Also, it's worth noting that you should never give a gift which requires an exchange. Every year, my mother would get a pair of shoes which she would have to go back to the store and trade off. The shoes were from my father, he meant well, but those items were so specialized that unless she were to try them on in person they didn't work. Pants, suits, shirts are the same.

C.

 

[HudsonHawk]

As he doesn’t currently have a job, time is in abundance for your nephew. Pick a day. Spend it shopping for an interview wardrobe. End with a martini, steak, and some sage advice. More thoughtful imho.

I second this suggestion. I'm not familiar with the any clothes of the month club, but this sounds like an opportunity to spend some quality time with him, help him prepare, and share a genuine interest in getting him off on the right foot. I don't know if that's an option, you may live in different cities, for example, but if so, I'd consider it.

I need to do this with my own nephew...what to wear for the occasion, basic manners, how to ask a girl on a date...Lord knows he's not gonna hear any of it from his father.