Oh good luck, Maya!
I think of clasic styles like buttons dowbns and cardi's with pencil skirts. Have you looked up their website to see what is in the current collection?

That is kind of what I find confusing about J Crew. Individual items tend to be very classic, but they combine them in a very creative artsy way (not as artsy as Anthropologie, but still, not uber conservative either). Considering half my wardrobe comes from H&M or Urban Outfitters, it might be a bit difficult to use classic pieces that way. I have a rough sketch in my head that involves this cardigan:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1856.jpg

with this skirt:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1494.jpg (the only brown item in my wardrobe, but I like brown and pink)

Crazily enough, I do not own a single buttondown. I mean, I own two but neither of them close over my generous bust anymore, so I have just been avoiding them, even though they make a great layering piece.

They seem to be using a lot of bold jewelry in their latest catalog. I don't know if I have anything quite like it. Hmm...

Hmm....I think of J. Crew as sort of "deconstructed preppy," or "messy preppy" which is kind of traditional prep with an urban/equestrian edge. The sales ladies I see at J. Crew are usually wearing some kind of woven button down tucked into a skirt with knee high boots or ankle socks and heels, and they are wearing a lot of accessories to keep it from looking too "school girl." The button down doesn't have to be white, it can be any color. I know you don't usually wear woven button downs, so maybe you could layer a cardigan over a knit top, and tuck the bottom layer into a skirt with boots, or leave it untucked and wear it with pants of some kind, either nice, dark jeans tucked into boots, or slacks of some kind. Really, I would have fun with accessories if I were you. That's really what is most noticeable. So, maybe a few necklaces layered, or one big statement necklace (what about your pearls?), and do you wear hair accessories? If so, you may think about wearing a cute headband or barette or something like that.

Is that helpful? Is there anything else specific that you are wondering about?

If I were going to an interview at J. Crew, I would wear my bright orange/red pants, grey heels, grey and white striped knit top, and some kind of jacket over the top, probably the dark blue denim one. I'd also wear a cuff bracelet. Or, I'd wear my denim pencil skirt, nude microfishnet stockings, cream button down and the orange tweed jacket layered over it with a cognac skinny belt. Not sure which shoes I'd go with, I'd have to think about that.

Bright scarves could be another good accessory. Twist it and tie it in an interesting way.

Can't help one bit with your outfit conundrum, but wanted to wish you luck! Did you ever hear back about the other interviews? Namely the one at the second Anthro store?

Michelle, I haven't heard from either of them. I called the Soho store today and they told me they would get back to me by the end of the day. Depending on what they say, I'll give the other store a call as well.

Ana, you reminded me that I do have a couple of headbands from J Crew. Good call.

I just went through my stuff and can't help but feel like my wardrobe is too casual and young for J Crew. I do not have a polished, preppy, or sophisticated style. This is going to be tough! I don't have any jackets, appropriate necklaces (other than maybe the pearls), and no "fashion" (as opposed to functional) scarves. I have been finding lately that even accessories are so ridiculously expensive so I just haven't been bothered to explore them. Forever 21 would be great but I don't have one near me :(

I think I'm just going to have to go in with a passable outfit. Something that will work but maybe isn't extraordinary. I'll try putting a few together this week and posting them. My wardrobe always seems so hopelessly incomplete at times like this...

I hope you hear good news back from Anthro Maya! I will be holding thumbs for you.

I think that is is perfectly fine to go with a passable outfit ( i would not really call that passable, I think your outfits are much nicer than that). Just beacuse you are interviewing with a certain retailer you do not have to look like one of their mannequins. In fact, if I just stick to your usual cool style, you might stand out from the crowd - which is a good thing.

I have the desire to put you into a funky suit outfit, Maya. I'll be back to comment on this thread later.

Good job on the interview and keep us posted on Anthro.

I don't own anything even close to a suit Angie! I await your thoughts! Anthro did not return my call, which greatly annoys me, since they said they would call today itself and I have been sitting by the phone since 3:00. Hmph.

Maya,

I like Ana's thought of pencil skirt...add some cute flats, a colerful sweater or scarf...I am intersted as to what Angie puts you in:)

The thing is Maya ,everytime I walk into Jcrew I am not struck that any of them look like Jcrew models....ever....very difficult for anyone to pull off those looks head to toe...just try for a general Jcrew vibe I think :)

keep us posted:) good luck

Maya, I wouldn't have much of a clue as to how to dress for the JCrew interview (I don't go to the store much since it is a bit of a drive to get there) but I just wanted to wish you good luck :-)

OK, I'm so far from having any fashion sense that I can't really give you any trustworthy clothing advice, but I *will* say that I like your cardigan and skirt and could definitely see them going together in a J. Crew-like way (say, with an interesting blouse with some collar detail accessorized with some layered necklaces, a belt, or rolled sleeves, etc.). Maybe you could check the J. Crew Aficionada group on Polyvore and see how some diehard fans combine their J. Crew pieces for inspiration?

Either way, congrats on getting the interview, and good luck!

Good luck with the interview Maya.

My knowledge of J Crew is limited to the links on peoples thread so I'm not the best person to advise on an outfit. However, from these links it is the colours and tailoring which strike me the most.

Have you tried to private message Laura Elizabeth or Danya for advice? Danya buys most of her wardrobe from J CREW.

In terms of accessories, could you thrift a scarf before your interview?

Dropping in to wish you the best of luck at the interview, Maya. I'm sure Angie and everyone will get you sorted before Friday. Good luck! You can do it!

And my fingers are still crossed about Anthro.

Maya, I am running out the door but I want to wish you luck. From my experience, store employees definitely dress J Crew. In fact, I could have sworn that I read somewhere that some stores require employees to wear a certain number of items from the store??? Don't quote me on that though!

I don't think you have to buy anything new and I bet you have alot of pieces that will work - just need to put them together in a J Crew sort of way. I like the idea of pencil skirt, cardigan, statement jewelry or scarf plus your knee high boots.

I have a bad feeling about Anthro after they didn't return my call yesterday. I think my application might have been misplaced. I was in the middle of filling it out when the manager called me (and the other girls) for the interview, so I had to finish it after the interview ended. By the time I completed it, the manager had moved on to another set of interviews, so I had to hand it to a sales girl. I wouldn't be surprised if she put it down somewhere and just forgot it. It has been a month since I went in so I would have expected to get a call back by now, even if it was a rejection, and the lack of a returned call yesterday made me suspicious.

Anyway, I called them again today, but none of the hiring managers are in, so supposedly they will return my call tomorrow. We'll see if they actually do or not.

I'm still waiting for a return on the mall interview, and if that doesn't work out, J Crew it is. Far from my top choice but oh well.

Shana, I think you might be right about the dress code. I heard that from someone who worked there.

Is that legal--to force you to buy their product to work there? I worked at Express a few years back, and they specifically said it was illegal for them to force us to wear Express, but that our dress had to be "Express-like."

Good luck, Maya! One thought on the outfit. A while back the forum had a conversation about one of the looks JCrew is showing in the catalogs - pumps with ankle socks and knee length skirts. You mentioned that you already do this. Have you considered that as an option? I can't see how you can go wrong with emulating the catalog.

Interesting Ana! Hmm, perhaps it's a state or local law. One of the reasons I'm not as enthusiastic about working at J Crew is because I'm reluctant to buy a lot of stuff from there that isn't going to be useful to me long term.

That's a fun idea Alecia. I would totally do that. Mine are knee length socks though, but I think I can manage new socks on my budget :)

Hey, you could buy the "Maya" cardigan if you get a job there and I insist that you get me one with the discount since it is on my wishlist too :)

I was at the mall today - for a lunch meeting and not shopping, I swear! But I did pop into J Crew and looked at what the employees were wearing. All were in various J Crew looks - one was in a sort of boring preppy look - black wool pants, white shirt, J Crew blazer, another was in a hipster preppy look - BF jeans (rolled), graphic tee, cashmere cardi, pumps, tons of necklaces (pearls, metal), headband, another was in a cord skirt, boots, ruffly shirt and cardi - there was definitely a cardi theme going on!!

Hullo! I glanced at the forum this morning, and look what happened since I was last on - you've got an interview, Maya!

First of all, I didn't wear J. Crew to my interview either - in fact I was worried I would get passed over because I wasn't looking like a J. Crew clone like everyone else in my group interview. If you're comfortable promoting items to customers, mentioning the benefits of the J. Crew card and willing to be a good customer service representative while maintaining company interests you'll be fine!

J. Crew does NOT require you to wear their clothing, although they give a generous discount and will encourage you to buy J. Crew items (twist my arm!). My husband reused the back sides of the my old J. Crew manual to print syllabi for his classes, so once I find it I can let you know the specifics of their dress code.

I would recommend that you wear something that will make you feel professional and confident for your interview. I worked with men and women at J. Crew whose personal styles ranged all over the place, and it was all acceptable as long as the style guide was followed. In interviews, my hiring manager was understanding that not everyone owns J. Crew before they work there - she looked for candidates who were dressed professionally, unafraid to ask questions or show initiative, and able to demonstrate a sense of what J. Crew was about. (So research the CEO, the look book online, and other info so you have some company facts to refer to in your interview!) Honestly, info from YLF put me ahead of other candidates because I had soaked up so much info here!

I was hoping LE would chime in! Thank you. Your suggestions for Maya are invaluable.

So Maya, have you got an outfit sorted yet?

Oh yay! Thanks LE. That was very helpful indeed.

Honestly, I still have no idea what to wear, but at least I know I don't have to look like a catalog model. Most of my wardrobe just IS NOT appropriate for J Crew: too arty, young, and casual. So I'm simply going to have to draw on the few items I have that don't have that vibe and see what I can do. It will probably be something a bit dull, but I guess that's okay. I really hate my necklace collection right now though. I don't know how I amassed so many styles with wooden beads but I hardly ever wear them. A statement necklace would have really done the trick I think.

OK, New York Anthropologie is a no go. I finally got a postcard today telling me so. At least I know now. I'm not too disappointed since I kind of figured that I didn't get it.

When I go for the J Crew interview tomorrow, I'll probably swing by the Anthro in the mall to ask in person.

Sorry about the NY position Maya, I think following up your interview with a visit to the store tomorrow is a great idea. I really hope this interview goes well.

I didn't feel like waiting so I called. The response was a very unhelpful "we'll call you and let you know." Argh. If I get turned down for that job, I'm going to be very distressed. I did really well at that interview. The more I think about it, the more depressing it seems. I got turned down for a RETAIL job that pays $11/hr. This does not put me in a position of confidence, which is very bad the day before another interview.

Oh Maya, I'm sorry to hear of your "no-go's." Job searching is SO hard. Hugs to you and evil glares and mumbled curses to Anthro when I pass by on my commute tomorrow.

You know, I can't find my old "style guide" from working at J. Crew, but I was thinking about you today, and I was going to suggest that you go with your arty and young look because it's *you*. As long as you look pulled together (you certainly do in your posts!) and are confident in yourself you will do great! I know you aren't feeling super confident now from your inquiry at Anthro, but I know J. Crew looks for people who can confidently sell their items, and from what little I know of you, you've got skills they shouldn't pass up. You've got SO much good info about fit and current style and you've got a designer's eye - plus, you speak your mind but you are also tactful. From your posts on your job searches it seems like you are determined and a hard worker - also qualities that JC will be looking for.

You'll do great, Maya. They are fools if they don't hire you.

Hard luck, Maya. That’s just absurd. BIG HUG. Holding thumbs for the other Anthro position, AND the J. Crew position though. Onward and upward! NEVER say die.

My question to you is WHAT do you feel good in at the moment? And you are not allowed to say “sweats” or “nothing”! I think you need to work in your EM boots.

LE, you are a gem.