I know I'm very late on this thread but as someone who grew up with a father who is a serious traditionalist when it comes to things like work clothes I thought I'd chime in with my two cents. I think a lot of the reason people worry about the "right" thing to wear and not "breaking the rules" so to speak is that we all know that at a certain level we are judged (in a business environment/interview) in some way on our clothes. Though this is silly, I think that myself and a lot of other people would rather dress according to the rules than be judged, no matter if it is for good or for bad, based on our clothes. It is for this reason that growing up my dad hammered home such seemingly arbitrary rules like:

-When wearing dress socks always make sure they are over the calf and not ankle length. You never want to show skin (as a man) when crossing your legs.

-Always wear a belt, no matter what,

And other seemingly tiny points that I am only now, as I start contemplating a reality where I have to wear a suit every day, fully appreciating. Some of these rules I've disregarded (notably, the one that a guy's hair should never be so long that it touches his collar) but for the most part I'm happy that I had these lessons drilled into my head as a kid. It simply makes life easier if you don't have to worry about standing out because of your clothes, and I think it allows you, at a certain mental level to try and focus on setting yourself apart based on your merits. At the end of the day the little rules of sartorial arcana (like what kind of lapels your tuxedo should have or how many button holes for studs your tuxedo shirt should have) are, in my opinion, where one's clothes can truly denote class and be used by utter snobs to distinguish themselves from those they feel "do no belong." However, when it comes to wearing a suit and dressing for work and interviews, I personally believe the rules exist, and should be followed, to remain essentially innocuous, so that people can see and judge you for you, not for your clothes. Think of it as camoflauge in a way.

Also, finally to help ease peoples' fears if there are lingering doubts amongst anyone out there (and unfortunately I'm speaking mainly to the guys out there) as to what to wear for interviews and the dos and donts of dressing to be "part of the class" then I'd suggest a simple trip down to 45 and Madison to the big Brooks Brothers store (or the nearby J. Press). They've been dressing the same group of young, twenty-something students, interviewees, and professionals for ages, they're almost never overly flashy (these are the guys who made the relatively loose fitting "sack-suit" the standard dress for young american men) and they can help you find the kind of basic, simple shirt and tie that will be appropriate in absolutely any situation. Plus when you walk in you'll realize that a lot of the salesmen have been working there it seems like since the store opened and have the experience to answer almost any question you have so that you avoid looking like one of those ridiculous ex football players you see on TV every sunday in the fall wearing some shiny 5 button monstrosity of a suit.

-- AlexLawrence - 02 Jun 2008