The ties that bind

For some of you young men it will be time to get your "interview suit." That's the easy part. Just get a dark one (black, blue, maybe gray) that fits (no roll at the neck, bottom of jacket falls into cupped fingers with arms extended; slight break at bott0m of pants crease, you know about the sleeves and slightly extending shirt cuff, etc.), and make sure it's pressed. White shirt, neat collar, polished conservative shoes. Obviously. The interesting issue is the tie. Not the way you tie it (point just touches top of belt buckle when standing erect, balanced knot- I like the Double Windsor myself, and dimple optional), but the tie you choose. A man's tie is really the only opportunity he has to express himself in business attire, and therefore it's sometimes really the only item that gets noticed (OK, women notice shoes, maybe). So let your girlfriend or wife pick out every article of your clothing, if you like, but preferably not your interview suit (doubles nicely for funerals, too, if you've got a staid tie to go with it), and give some thought to the tie. Just remember that wearing a correct suit shows that you know what you're doing, but your tie shows who you are. (On interview day you're more serious and conservative than you imagine, so a simple matching print tie is you; once you have the job, more of the real you will emerge.)