Ooh, Maya, this is very exciting news! Hurray!! How about adding a jacket in a pattern, such as houndstooth, that might coordinate both with your pants and skirts? Something that might look like this when you put it all together:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....goryId=187

Ooooh I absolutely love that Laura. Do you think it would work with a brown skirt? It doesn't have to, I'm just wondering. I can put colors together like a pro, but putting neutrals together is completely unfamiliar territory.

A purple jacket that works with your pinstripes? Purple is seen as a creative colour.

Brown is a very down to earth colour

Black can be intimidating and unapproachable

Red draws attention and makes you memorable, but if you have an extrovert or dramatic personality may make you appear grating.

I would look for jackets with unusual construction detail

Maya, I am completely on the other end of the spectrum as far as interview wear so I have no advice to give you but I wanted to say good for you for looking for new opportunities. You do yourself no harm to look and you never know what's out there unless you try!

I'm no expert, but what about looking for jackets that have a less traditional/blazer-like shape? (Shorter sleeve length, or without a collar, or cropped length...) It might look less traditional/conservative if that's what you are trying to avoid.

For interviews that were more on the casual side (due to the company being pretty casual), I've sometimes paired my pants or skirts with a red seersucker peplum jacket with capped sleeves. The unusual fabric and girly shape made the pants/skirts look less suit-like while still being (I hope) appropriate.

Maya, as a graphic designer, I’d pop you into something more arty and creative. Picture this:

o Pinstripe black slacks
o BRIGHT graphic T - in turquoise or purple
o Charcoal grey jacket with design features (puffy sleeves, pocket detailing, nice seaming). Laura made a good suggestion.
o Statement earrings or necklace (no head band)
o White watch
o Brown UO satchel
o a bit of bronze lipstick
o I leave the shoes to you (what are our options?)

OR, add the black pencil skirt and your new EM boots, no hose.

Good for you Maya! It can't hurt to start looking around.

I LOVE Angie's suggestions (when I read your post I was also wondering if it's absolutely necessary to stick with a button-down, and there you go...).

I've developed a new interest in jackets myself lately, so I had quite a few in my Favourites. Maybe some will appeal to you too?
(They are pricey, but you do have your birthday coming up AND jackets are good investment pieces;-)

http://www.revolveclothing.com.....tton+Front

http://www.revolveclothing.com.....tton+Front

http://www.revolveclothing.com.....sc=Blazers

http://www.bluefly.com/Nanette.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Alice--.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Chaiken.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Priorit.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Develop.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Elie-Ta.....detail.fly

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st....._sku=T1R94

http://www.bluefly.com/Robert-.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/Diane-V.....detail.fly

http://www.basicboutique.com/i.....rodID=1024

Maya,

How about a military jacket or a knit biker jacket?

Ooohh... I love Angie's recommendation!! And Inge some of those jackets are simply amazing...

Fitting in with Angie's reco's, how about this jacket?
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

Maya, since you are a graphic designer I would focus on color and how it works together, as well as the lines of the outfit, and texture too. Think of yourself as a walking work of art. You could even wear a dress with a jacket - your options are truly limitless, which of course makes the challenge much more of a challenge.

If you're looking for jackets to pair with the pants and skirts you listed above, it sounds to me like you need at least two:

1) One to go with the black pants, pinstripe pants, and black skirt;

2) One to go with the brown tweed and brownish-gray skirt.

Since we're heading into Spring, I would focus on challenge #1 instead of #2 - tweed to me is more fall/winter (am I wrong about that?)

How about this jacket:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

An interesting jacket will get you tons of mileage, but I also suspect you could do a waistcoat and have the same pulled-together effect.

I really like this jacket - it's youthful, fun, funky, has a nice pop of color... but I don't think it will go with black bottoms - although it is shown with a black dress:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

Completely unrelated, but I just saw this dress and thought of you:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

... hmm, this dress (provided it was not too short) would look adorable with that army green and pink jacket popped over it....

How about this jacket? I know you don't like belts, but it is removable.
http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....&size=
I am going to keep an eye on it and see if goes on sale, b/c I have been looking for a neutral jacket with some interesting detail to wear with all my black pants and skirts.

How about a vest instead of a jacket? With a interesting shirt with some color.

Thats what I envision. It's unexpected yet still polished and allows you to show some more personality.

Oh I bet this would look cool with your black/purple pinstripe pants.
http://www.thelimited.com/deta.....et/8028269

This would look good with tweed I think:
http://www.thelimited.com/deta.....et/2448456

One interview look I am loving is the shrunken blazer with a bright colored button-down shirt underneath (so the shirt peeks out at for a few inches at the sleeves and bottom). This might work well in showing off the fantastic shirts you already own. I love the idea of a traditional suit that's reinvented in this way, but unfortunately in my field (insurance), the point would be missed.

I had a perfect example yesterday, but of course I can't find it now.
By the way, I am also loving that white house black market tweedy ruffly link above!

You already got so many great suggestions that i have nothing else to add. I just wanted to wish you good luck!

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies.

I thought about this extensively last night (because I could not sleep thinking about how much I hate this job--and no, don't worry, I am not typing this from work, hehe).

I think I would like what I wear to reflect my design aesthetic. I am a big fan of minimalism and simplicity and I always make a point to eliminate what is unnecessary. I also like to work with subtle details. Of course this is not always appropriate, but the jobs in which it IS appropriate are always my favorite.

So having said that, I agree with what Shiny said about playing with color and line. Out of all my bottoms, I like my black pencil skirt the most because it has a little flippy pleat in the back (sorry, don't know the technical term for it), and it kicks it up a notch from an average pencil skirt.

Angie, I love the sound of the outfit you put together. I'm not too sure about the graphic T though (or bronze lipstick...I just never feel right in lipstick). I think to achieve what I wrote about above, I'm most interested in the drape, texture, silhouettes, and seaming of different pieces, rather than making a very loud and obvious statement with a graphic T (though if I got the job, I would definitely wear that to work).

Shoes are a potential problem. I used to carry around a pair of Ferragamo pumps I thrifted and change into them once I got to the interview, because they are excruciating to walk in. But now I think it's time to retire them. They are painful even as sitting shoes--my toes are literally on top of each other. I have my gray patent Natural Comfort shoes, but I don't like them with skirts. They look great with pants though (I can only wear them with my plain black slacks though, since my others are hemmed for flats). I might have to pick up a pair of pointy toe sitting flats or something of that nature. I can also wear my NC low wedge shoes with skirts.

I just remembered this morning that Angie, Laura, and I (and maybe Tanya though I think she might have still been in the fitting room) saw a gorgeous jacket at Mango that I absolutely fell in love with. I think it was cream though, which I'm not sure would be a good color with the pieces I already have (I'm inept at combining neutrals, as I mentioned). I had made a note to ask for it for my birthday because it would have been too pricey for me. I might go back and see if it's still there, if it gets the thumbs up. If not, I'll probably go back to Mango anyway because I absolutely adore their attention to small details and I think that kind of design sensibility is exactly what I'm after.

Now I shall go through all the links everyone posted :)

I hear you Maya. At the risk of coming across incorrectly, I want you to look like a funky and creative 25 year old. Nothing too sophisticated, strict or “old”. Polished, absolutely. There is part of me that wants to put Converse with your ensemble. I’ve dressed people for creative interviews before and I did that with one of their looks. It worked really well.

You can tweak my suggestion to fit your aesthetic preferences. That makes total sense. Ask yourself: “What do my clothes say about me?”

Try a bit of sparkle on your lips. It’s going to liven up the look. Needn’t be lipstick, it can be something else.

Get yourself off to a BIG Zara, MNG and H&M. That’s the flavour you’re after.

Maya I am an older person and have sat in on many interviews of younger people. What I can say about dress is.
1. Dress true to your usual syle. trust your design instincts
putting together an interview outfit that is not you're usual style usually makes your body language give you away in the interview that you're not comfortable.
2. No matter how artsy the business you want to convay that you'll be focused on the job not putting on a daily fashion show for the other staff members. go for the 'suit look' for the interview. You define what that is.
3. Relax you want you're answers to the interview questions to stay in their minds not the neon T-shirt and earrings you wore... (you know what I mean)
4. Most of the examples the others posted look really appropriate..

Good Luck on your interviews..

Just a thought as a follow-up to Adrienne's advice: Maya, if you want to try a more artsy look but aren't sure if you'd feel comfortable in it for your first interview, you can always lean slightly more conservatively (while still showcasing your creativity & personality) the first time, but after seeing how people who are interviewing you or who work at the company dress or assessing the vibe of the company more closely, you can maybe adjust your wardrobe for second rounds of interviews (since multiple rounds seem to be pretty common nowdays.)

Maya -- can't wait to see the photos of the great outfits you come up with based on all these suggestions. And most of all, GOOD LUCK!! It's always worth looking because you never know what you will find.

I was taught - ages ago - that interviewers always look at your shoes. You don't need expensive, fancy shoes, but ensure your shoes are polished and in great shape. Have them re-soled if necessary.

It is true that when I've interviewed others, I do indeed notice their shoes. I also notice people's fingernails (men and women). You don't need to splurge on an expensive manicure but well-groomed, short nails go a long way. And lastly, I notice their bag (handbag, briefcase, portfolio - whatever they are carrying). It's weird - I don't really notice their interview suit quite as much as these other details.

Maya, if you're not used to lipstick, try Infallible lip gloss. It's from the drug store, and it comes in nude shades. (I also personally love the mauve). It adds a nice slick of very subtle, natural-looking color. Just make sure to check your teeth right before the interview! :-)

Maya, how about this jacket, which is on my wishlist?

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....CH_RESULTS

Gorgeous jacket Brianna, but not over my chest. I'm kind of overwhelmed thinking about this right now. There are too many possible directions and I need to narrow things down a bit.

My price range is going to eliminate many of the choices posted here. Jackets are investment pieces, but I'm not willing to invest in anything except footwear right now. My size is not consistent enough for it to be worth it. I can't tell you how disappointed I am lately. I have been doing a closet sweep and there are so many things I bought thinking that they would be versatile, solid investments, only to have to throw them away. I'm definitely not spending over $100. I'd like to keep it under $80 if possible. With all the sales and clearances going on now I'm sure it can be done.

Kendra, I like the Limited jackets you posted. I haven't been there in ages. Might be time to revisit.

Right, I forgot you're more busty, Maya. Hey, what about that fuschia H&M jacket you bought and returned during the YLF NYC meetup? Wouldn't that be perfect for interviews???

Good luck with the jacket shopping, and especially the job hunting!

Definitely! IMO Limited has the best selection of on-trend (without being trendy) suiting pieces for a bargain shopper. I am in love with the color of that purple jacket.

Maya,

Good luck with the interview!

I work in a casual environment, and I know that when I interview people, I care about what they have to say and how they respond to my questions, not about what they wear. Of course, you should look presentable, but I am afraid such a subtle and nuanced message about yourself that you are trying to convey will be lost upon the interviewers :) All options look great, and I am sure you will be fine!