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Job interview outfit?

Astrid

Veteran

I might need an interview outfit before my big trip after all. I currently don't own anything that is suitable, so I have a clean slate. Which is good because I can pick things that go well together, but it also means I have to buy everything.

I wonder which would be the most inexpensive and appropriate solution? A suit skirt with a blouse? Do I need a blazer? The jacket would probably be the most expensive part of a new outfit. I think I'd prefer a skirt over pants because skirts are much easier to fit for me (and easy to alter for good fit).

I also need new dressy shoes, I was thinking of new dainty oxfords or something similar I can wear with a skirt and hose.

Any thoughts? Ideas? I would be greatful for the collective wisdom of YLF.

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I think having 1 good suit is a good idea. You can break it up into seprates. A skirt sounds like a great idea for you.

I like the idea of a kitten heel .

Sal

Veteran

That sounds exciting Astrid.

Different jobs, locations, age, industries have such different expectations of interviews, it is hard to recommend. But I would pick something that will have good use afterwards.

I think a smart dress can work, pants and a jacket, or skirt and jacket. I attended a job interview this year ( I had to withdraw in the end due to work at our business) and I wore a black dress, black opaque tights and black low heels, with a silver pendant.

My person preference is pants rather than skirts, because of ladders in tights and I have very long legs that I feel can stand out if not wearing tights. I also avoid shirts/button downs but I do think they are a logical appropriate choice for many people.

El Cee

Veteran

First of all... congrats on your upcoming interview. I am nodding along with Ledonna's idea to have one nice suit (can be either a pants or a skirt version) and a couple nice tops/blouses... viewing the pieces as "separates" that can be mixed and matched a bit according to the formality of the work environment. You could even build on this small capsule by adding a dress (as Sally suggests).

harmonica

Veteran

Congrats, Astrid! So excited for you and crossing my fingers.

As Sally pointed out it's difficult to suggest anything because the dress code is varies so much, also depending on what kind of job it is within the same work environment. For instance, I think the dress code for a pre-tenure position (ph.d., assistant professor, research assistant) and a tenure position within the same department and field would be slightly different.

That said, you would get a long way with a skirt, blazer/ nice jacket and a nice top. You can get some really nice pieces at H&M, Zara or second hand and don't have to go out of budget.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Forgot to say congratulations and enjoy your upcoming trip.

Astrid

Veteran

No congratulations necessary yet, it's not sure I will be asked for the interview(s). But if yes it might be fairly short notice and I still have so much to do before February that it makes sense to sort this out now to be prepared if I'm lucky. And I'm going to need an outfit next spring in any case. I wasn't even looking right now, but my mum sent me the advertisements when she saw them in the paper.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Seems like a (skirt) suit seems to be the most obvious solution. I didn't even think of a dress but that might work too if I find something with three quarter or full sleeves. I'll keep that in mind. I had a quick look at the first brand that came in mind when I thought about it and they have a few business options. A lot of combinations I saw online were a bit too "stuffy" for my taste, I like that this blazer has a boyfriend cut. Not cheap though. I might have a look at H&M and Zara, but I think the quality might not be good enough and there would probably be fit issues, from experience. I don't want it to look cheap. If I pick something like this I would have a new option for funerals too. Although black isn't my best color.

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El Cee

Veteran

Those pieces are lovely, Astrid. I especially like that jacket. I agree with you about not going too cheap on these items. I say, buy the best quality that you can within your budget. These pieces may be real workhorses for you down the road. You will want them to last for several seasons.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I agree. I might need them quite a bit, who knows how long it will take until I find something. I think I can go less expensive with a blouse/top, but it probably makes sense to spend a bit more on the rest. I will have a look tomorrow if they have the blazer and/or skirt in the B&M store to try them on.

rachylou

Veteran

A skirt suit in navy I think is the most versatile. I have a suit (not navy admittedly, but I'm old and long in my profession) from H&M that is super - it's actually skirt, trousers, dress and jacket.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Rachylou - navy would definitely be more flattering for my coloring than black. There just seems to be a lot more black out there.

Astrid

Veteran

I just saw in another thread that Lands End seems to be having extra sales going on and went over to have a look. I ordered this blazer and skirt combination in two sizes each, with a lot of mark down. Made out of a 93% wool and 7% elastane mix (no polyester!). Lands End is usually decent quality and doesn't look cheap, if it fits (or can be altered to fit) then it will definitely be a good solution. I'll let you know how it works out.

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unfrumped

Veteran

Good luck with both interview and suit - shopping.
While it depends on your environmental norm, I would also look at footwear more dressy than a laceup . I can't do kitten heels myself, but either a blockheeled pump or a dressier flat. As you say, some " daintier" Ixfords may be out there.
However I do struggle with balancing comfortable footwear for skirts with what my " eye" expects to see. Opaque tights season helps a lot there as sportier styles work with that.

carter

Have you looked at Pure Collection? Fantastic sale through tonight. I love this blazer.

https://www.us.purecollection......y_ivory_20

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Is it for a job in academia, Astrid?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Unfrumped - guess my Berlin style shows because lace ups with skirts look completely normal to me. I don't wear heels so pumps are out (and I don't need to look that formal). Ballet flats don't stay on my feet. I definitely would pick ones that aren't too casual!

Thanks Clementine. I'm not in the US though. But it looks nice!

UmmLila, no it isn't. I'm hopefully done with academia at the end of term. I'm a librarian, one job is in an university library, another at a provincial government institution.

El Cee

Veteran

I think lace-ups would be perfectly fine... especially when worn with dark tights/hose. Perhaps something along the lines of the Clarks Hamble Oak brogues would work well with a suit. I was also thinking that a loafer style shoe might be an option -- one with a high enough vamp to stay on your feet. (I cannot do heels right now due to an orthopedic issue -- so I have been living in my loafers. I wear them with skirt outfits all the time.) Even tall black boots might work, considering the season.

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harmonica

Veteran

Your Lands End pieces look great! Keep us updated when they arrive. I like El Cee's shoe options, too. I think they would work well with your style.

tulle

Veteran

I like the look of the Lands End outfit, and think it will work for you if the fit is right. I would give a lot of thought to the blouse you wear under it, though. Shop your closet first, but if nothing there seems right, I would look for something that makes you feel great. One of those v-neck tie-collared silk blouses would look professional and on-trend. Good luck!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You absolutely need a blazer, or jacket of sorts.

rachylou

Veteran

I hope the LE works. It looks just the ticket.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I agree with Angie on the jacket. Either position sounds like you should lean conservative/traditional in your dress.

JAileen

Veteran

Astrid, are you fnishing grad school to be a librarian? I think Angie's suggestion is right on. If you have the interview and then get one of the jobs, then you'll see what is appropriate. It might be more casual, but I think it's best to err on the conservative side for an interview. At the very least it shows you're serious about the job.

Dottie

Congratulations! My 21 year old daughter and I just went shopping for an interview outfit for her this past weekend. We were successful at Loft and everything was 50% off. We bought the gray pencil skirt, the flutter sleeve top in 3 different colors so she could switch them out as she liked, and the black blazer.

P.S. She is interviewing for graduate school in the medical field, but I think the outfit we chose could translate to many professional interviews.

Two Button Knit Notched Blazer

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Lace Yoke Flutter Top

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Seamed Scuba Pencil Skirt

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BrieN

Veteran

Would you consider a mary jane with just a bit of a heel for your "dressier" shoe?

Astrid

Veteran

El Cee, thanks. I do like the loafer suggestion, although I haven't found a pair that worked on my feet yet. The easiest solution would probably be to get something similar to my Gabor lace-ups (mine are still wearable for everyday stuff but too worn out for everything else).

Thanks Harmonica and Rachylou.

Thanks Tulle - I definitely need to buy a blouse too! I don't have anything suitable that would look fine with or without the blazer. I definitely want some color and/or pattern, but of course it can't be too busy or casual either.

Thanks Angie and UmmLila, you're right about the blazer/jacket. And yes, leaning traditional would be a good idea I think.

JAileen, I'm not quite sure how your system translates to Germany, but I think yes? I'm going to have a master's degree.

Dottie, those pieces look great! Good luck to your daughter.

BrieN, if they were comfortable, why not. But I need to be able to walk in them, I don't want to look like I'm playing dress-up in my mum's shoes (and I never wear heels).

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Astrid, I can see you wear dark separates with a skirt or pair of trousers, blue blouse and black oxfords.

JAileen

Veteran

Astrid, that's what my brother did. He got a master's degree and was a reference librarian for years.