What's Your Ideal Interview Outfit?

emeejeeayen · August 2012

So, I work in PR. My job in NYC was in beauty PR, so my boss regularly hired girls based on how "cute" they were. (This resulted in the-worst-ever-hire who literally did not know how to save documents; as in, she asked me, "How do I save this thing I'm currently working on?") Needless to say, interview outfits were preferably trendy vs corporate/conservative.

Jobs in SF were similar but a bit more corporate, so I think I wore something more conservative but also not a suit for interviews.

I'll be moving to DC soon to be with FI, and I'm starting the job hunt. It seems like things are much more corporate/conservative both interview and day-to-day wise on the dresscode front. I honestly look odd in a suit (I think it's my gangly proportions?) so I'm on the hunt for a conservative and nice work dress and some nude pumps.

In other news, I'm bored and internet shopping.

What's your go-to interview outfit? Or if you haven't interviewed in a while, what's one you've seen on someone you've interviewed you quite admired? How do you think your appearance ranks in terms of importance within your industry?

ETA: I'm a crazy person who always writes too much; condensed.

Avion22 · August 2012

Are you talking about pants suits that make you look weird, or skirt-suits? I think skirt-suits tend to look better on women. There are some nice dress-jacket combos out there too, but I think they're less versatile.

If you're just looking for some nice work dresses, then I highly recommend Ann Taylor.

emeejeeayen · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_ideal-interview-outfit?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:7ff5c4a7-52a6-4ed8-b51e-cdbd71e6276cPost:3c91bce3-7e2c-4cfd-a5d2-9536d3b574e3">Re: Ideal Interview Outfit?</a>:
[QUOTE]Are you talking about pants suits that make you look weird, or skirt-suits? I think skirt-suits tend to look better on women. There are some nice dress-jacket combos out there too, but I think they're less versatile. If you're just looking for some nice work dresses, then I highly recommend Ann Taylor.
Posted by Avion22[/QUOTE]

<div>Nah it all looks a bit odd on me. I have some blazers I like that I wear with skirts sometimes, but not matchy matchy.</div>

[Deleted User] · August 2012

I work in HR for a large financial organization... so I pretty much expect everyone to interview in a suit. That being said, I personally find suits to be pretty boring and stuffy. When I was interviewing, I always tried to add some of my own personality to the outfit - brightly colored blouse, fabulous shoes, great accessories - the suit is really sort of a blank canvas. I usually steer clear of black suits, I think they're kind of harsh looking on most women. My "lucky" interview suit is actually a darker cream color (I've landed 2 jobs in it... hence "lucky").

I'd hit up a higher end store where you can get some personal assistance from the sales staff to help you find a cut and color that flatters - there are tons of options out there. And as PP said, expect to have it altered to fit you.

GoodLuckBear14 · August 2012

For DC you need to have a properly tailored suit made of a natural fiber, preferably wool.

freebread03 · August 2012

Ditto PPs. I've worked in DC for the past 6 years, and it's definitely a more formal rather than trendy town. With all the Federal government influence, and Capitol Hill, lots of black and navy suits. Since you hate suits, what about trying a dress and matching blazer? Ann Taylor, Niemen Marcus, and a few other spots often have great black dresses with matching blazers. With nude pumps and a great necklace, it would be both formal enough for DC (since it's basically a suit) but not your plain traditional outfit (good for PR). Or instead of a necklace, a pretty silk scarf. [Now I kind of want to go buy this outfit myself!)

Also, if you're going to be in DC, invest in some heels with a thicker heel (i.e. stilettos kill me on the metro and rough DC sidewalks and their metal grates). Most wear flats and change when they get to the office, but even so, I used to tear heels up just going to lunch or walking to a different building for a meeting when I didn't feel like carrying an extra pair of shoes.

Summer2011Bride · August 2012

I'm a teacher, and though people do wear suits sometimes to job interviews in that field (around here), it isn't required.

I wore a suit when I went to job fairs and was meeting and interviewing with a bunch of school districts.

On job interviews where the school called me to come in, I think I wore a suit a couple times, but not all of them. In fact my interview at the school where I currently work, I wore dress pants, heels, and a nice blouse tucked in. Nobody wears suits when teaching around here and my school is fairly causal (like khakis and polos are totally acceptable to wear).

I do think appearance plays into interviews, but I also don't think every industry requires a full-on suit. I think for ladies, often a nice conservative skirt and blouse is fine or dress pants and blouse. It depends on your area and your field. For PR in DC, you probably need a suit.

emeejeeayen · August 2012

I actually think the point about black being harsh is solid advice. Could just be a color issue. But I would definitely have to get it tailored, my proportions are just too odd for most suits.

I think my main issue with suits is that I look very severe in them (yes even the skirt suits), and my struggle (especially in PR) is getting people to believe that I'm friendly and inviting. It's actually a huge challenge for me in any situation right off the bat. (I swear I'm a nice person, my face just doesn't read that way at first.) So, competence? Always been easy for me to assert. The people person aspect? Not so much. And I've found that what I wear really influences people's perspectives of the latter.

But DC PR is heavier on public affairs than consumer media relations, so I guess I'm suit shopping this weekend.

em105 · August 2012

Ditto all the stuff everyone above me has said.

I've worked in a political city before and it's still an old boy's club. Black makes most people look too severe- I am blonde and fair skinned and it just doesn't flatter me. What does flatter me much more is a nice grey or even a colored suit. I also love the polish that adding a blazer to a sheath dress adds.

When I was in Banana Republic yesterday, they had LOTS of great sheaths with either defined/belted waists or just good construction. Check there, maybe.

Navy is another great option and Navy and pearls always look so... polished to me. A great pair of nude heels with a more substantial (read: non stiletto) heel are worth their weight in gold.

Also- my favorite wardrobe tip EVER came from a friend who was used to working in DC in summertime. She uses pantyliners in the underarms of her blazers on hot days. Yes, you can get 'dress guards', etc. but plain old pantyliners!! They're cheap, come prewrapped and have seriously cut my dry cleaning bill down noticably.

cwaggoner07 · August 2012

Ann Taylor has great suits in tons of 'prints' (don't know a better word).
And I tend to think most suits for women look better with skirts, but that's me. I also find that since I'm so petite up top that big blazers just drown me, so I am very careful to get understated blazers.
I am a CPA and I work in a public accounting firm, and if you're not wearing a suit to an interview, it's a death wish.
But like PP said, I like to put a nice blouse underneath, maybe a little frilly (not over the top, but just something with texture).

emeejeeayen · August 2012

I wish Banana Republicfit me better. I always go in there and nothing fits. I'm not sure about Anne Taylor, but I don't think there's a location near me.

I'm actually very tall and skinny (I know it sounds like I'm complaining about stuff I shouldn't complain about) but with large bone-structurally hips (doing my best to get the JLo booty from squats but so far no dice) and a bit of a chest. I am typically a 0 but then the arms are too short, I can't button the shirt, pants never fit right, etc. When I wear blazers with jeans to go out I always roll the sleeves up because of this. I think suits highlight how thin I am in a very unattractive way, but perhaps a lighter color would help this. Is it so wrong that I just want to look like Christina Hendricks?? :P

I'm also a giant in heels so I try to avoid wearing them, but alas, they just make the outfit look so much more polished!

WHAT is this about pantyhose in the armpits? This is something I have never heard of. Dress guards? What? This sounds like something I should have been told about years ago.

Also, for funzies story time, my mom has worked in film/tv making sound effects for 30-40 years (so she wears sweat pants to work since her clothes can't make noise), and she goes (100% serious), "You want to wear a suit to an interview? I would never hire someone in a suit. Why can't you just wear jeans?"

em105 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_ideal-interview-outfit?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:7ff5c4a7-52a6-4ed8-b51e-cdbd71e6276cPost:6112ad0d-f124-45ba-8487-15dc838b3bfe">Re: What's Your Ideal Interview Outfit?</a>:
[QUOTE]WHAT is this about pantyhose in the armpits? This is something I have never heard of. Dress guards? What? This sounds like something I should have been told about years ago. Also, for funzies story time, my mom has worked in film/tv making sound effects for 30-40 years (so she wears sweat pants to work since her clothes can't make noise), and she goes (100% serious), "You want to wear a suit to an interview? I would never hire someone in a suit. Why can't you just wear jeans?"
Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Pantyliners! I KNOW! It changed my life... Especially when it's 95 degrees outside and 60 degrees in the rooms I have meetings in but I need to walk outside to get to said meetings...</div><div>
</div><div>And I totally hear ya with the crazy mom advice. When I first told my hippie mom (she's a nurse in Vermont) I needed to buy professional clothes, she bought me a nice pair of clogs and offered to knit me a few vests.</div><div>
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