Opinions on interview outfit and new jacket - YouLookFab Forum

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Opinions on interview outfit and new jacket

marianne

I decided to abandon the idea of gray pencil skirt at least for a while. I am trying to work with what I have, which is an old slightly A-line light brown skirt. Do you think this outfit works for interviews or do I need a longer skirt? The goal is to look very boring but not frumpy or outdated.
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_6317.jpg

Another option is an old navy pant suit, but I haven't been able to get a picture with enough light. I am not sure it's still current. I'll try again:
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_6307.jpg

To avoid starting a new thread - here is a new jacket inspired by biker jacket discussions here. Yay or nay?
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_6322.jpg

Thank you!

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from marianne

Anonymous

Marianne, I really liked the first outfit with the skirt for a conservative interview outfit and don't think the skirt is too short. You have great legs.
The pants suit, from what I could see, is more "boring" if that's what you're after. For either outfit, have you tried adding a narrow dark belt over the jacket?
The jacket gets Yay from me.

Lee Hovey

I love the idea of a belt over the jacket, I think it would update bot houtfits, and lend interest without really making it too exciting. I would also suggest a colored shirt, instead of white. Can be a solid color so it's still "boring" (maybe simple is a better word?), but I think a nice pastel color or something would update it and probably play off your skin tone nicely.

Also, I love that jacket! Where is it from?

Dani

Veteran

I, too, prefer the first outfit. You could add a pin or scarf for a little more color. The pants suit isn't anything to get excited about. I like Joy's suggestion of a belt to update the look a little.

I'm not getting a strong vibe from the jacket. It doesn't scream definite keeper but I don't have the urge to tell you to return it. I'm not quite sure. What are you looking for with the jacket?

shiny

Veteran

I actually quite like the pant suit - do not think it is dated - and prefer it to the first outfit, although I must have missed the original thread - what is the job you are interviewing for?

I could see the pant suit working with the right accessories. Some killer shoes, a killer purse, and a white watch.

The jacket is fab. What about trying it with the pants? If the interview is for a more creative field, I think the two together could totally rock.

shana

Veteran

Marianne, I believe that you said you were in the IT field right? If so, I could see how boring might be best (it's sort of that way in engineering too). I think either one would be fine although I would lean towards the pant suit. I also do not think it is dated - pretty classic in my eyes. You could go for a different color button down if you wanted to spice it up a little (I wore a pink and white pinstriped button down with my boring black suit for my interview). I assume you would wear different shoes too, right?

I love your white coat - where is it from? You rock the skinnies too!

marianne

Thanks ladies! I am interviewing for IT/engineering positions, so no killer accessories The suit is 10 years old, and I am not sure about the style - it has 4 buttons and it closes fairly high, is it a problem? I'll try to take a better picture of it when I get a chance to show the fit. I do sense that pants are more appropriate, but skirt might work depending on the place and I feel like the skirt outfit is more up to date. Shana, I would wear different shoes with the suit, I was too lazy to change.

For the skirt outfit, should I wear nude or black sheer hose?

Just to be clear, the white jacket is not related to interviewing. Dani, the jacket is supposed to be spring momwear - it's casual and machine washable. Lee, the jacket is from Esprit online outlet. I can't post direct link but it's in the outerwear section:
http://www.espritshop.com/Shop.....g?cache=no

Lee Hovey

Hmm, now I am wondering why interviewing for IT/engineering means you must appear boring?? I am in IT too (IT operations manager), and when I have interviewed people I never preferred the boring ones. I preferred the one's who showed show creativity and personality.

I think interviewing for IT you should avoid anything overly feminine, because despite it our attempts to rid the industry of sexual descrimination, it exists! But being less feminine in dress, doesn't necessarily translate to boring! Just my 2 cents...

Patience

Veteran

I prefer the pant suit (and this may be because you are a rectangle). I like the jacket in the first photo but whole outfit is not working for me. (Keep the esprit jacket for momwear).

I'm with Kendra on appearing boring for your interview. You have suggested yourself that you tend to not be adventurous when it comes to your wardrobe which makes me think that you trying to be overly conservative will be disastrous. In other words, I don't think you are in danger of being too out there for your interview. I hope you don't take offense. You could really rock a pant suit which is evidenced by photo #2.

kbosh

I think the pant suit for sure, with a colored shirt and a belt. The color will make you more "memorable" and the belt will update the jacket just enough to make it look new. Otherwise keep accessories to a minimum. The pants look great, and in a male dominated field, you want to look like you'd fit in with them. And honestly, the skirt is super cute, but it seems a little dowdy with the jacket and white shirt.

I love that motorcycle jacket. And it looks better on you than on their model!

Lee Hovey

Thanks for backing me up Patience, thats exactly what I was trying to say.

I think if you rock the pant suit with a fabulous colored shirt, you could do a shoe that has some texture, but in a neutral color. (I typically wear my black heels that have a sorta obi bow on the toe). I would do simple stub earing, but maybe put on a chain or double chain necklace or a pretty bracelet (not both).

IMO, at an interview you want to show some personal style, and some personality while still being conservative.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

ITA with what Kendra said. Pants suit, colored blouse or shell, textured shoes would be great.

I'm also in IT, and I wear all kinds of nicer clothes at work. I think I am the dressiest person here! Many of the women have increased their dressiness since I started, but the guys are all still frumps. For the interview, though, you would do fine in almost any kind of suit.

marianne

Here is a picture of the suit I took outside while kids were napping - I didn't have time to change the shirt. Does it look dated?
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_6335.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_6334.jpg

Hmm I don't really want to get into this discussion again, but here is my reasoning. The interviewers will be men wearing old convention giveaway t-shirts and such. If anything in my outfit stands out, they will think - she probably would rather spend time shopping rather than reading about the latest technical thingamabob. I know IT environments vary quite a bit, but the ones I worked in have been that way, and engineering even more so - except one consulting place that was more relaxed about it. If I were a one-in-a-million specialist, I wouldn't be as concerned, but you all know what the job market is like right now, so I may be overly cautious about it.

Patience, I know I tend to be very conservative in my dress - ideally for myself I would like everything to fit perfectly and have best proportions but be very simple. I never really thought much about it before, but it was very helpful to get a new perspective on it here. I always feel like I am trying too hard if I get more elaborate. I'm not offended at all, and I really like to hear your opinions. After all, I would never have tried many things if it wasn't for YLF.

Patience

Veteran

Marianne, I think you should just shoot for what you want-- that is perfect fit, good proportions and simplicity. My concern is that in trying to be conservative, you run the risk of being frumpy which is what you do not want. Does that make sense? In other words, go with your gut about how you would like to look and it will be just right for the interview.

Seeing the suit in the the light, the jacket does look a bit A-line rather than fitted at the waist. Is it possible the new jacket would work with the pants? Or maybe a self colored belt over the old jacket would give a bit of waist definition. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at making suggestions but I think I still like the pant suit better.

It's really too bad that your experience has been that way in the work world. I'm also in engineering and either I've been lucky or I'm completely oblivious. Ideally, your know how should be speaking louder than your outfit anyway.

Antje

Veteran

Marianne, I'm actually with Patience, I think you're erring a bit too much on the side of conservative at the risk of appearing frumpy and dated. I definitely got that vibe from the skirt ensemble. I think the pants ensemble is better, but -since I have met you in person- I know that you can do better, without having to spend a lot of money and without getting trendy/funky/flashy and whatever else you are appropriately trying to avoid. Maybe we can chat a little more about this at the clothes swap on Saturday, or maybe you could show us a few more skirts, pants and jackets that you own so we can make further suggestions.

Again, I agree with you that you want to play it safe and don't want to attract much attention to your outfit, but I also think you want to portray an image of being modern/current, and a little bit more tailoring and a little bit of modernizing (in terms of cuts) and accessorizing would help with the latter.

(I LOVE the white jacket!)

Lee Hovey

I second what Antje just said!
I think the cut of the jacket is what I don't prefer. I think a 1 or 2 button blazer with a lower cut V would really flatter your figure much more without being "trendy or flashy".

Nicole

Veteran

Hi Marianne...I showed my husband your two outfits. He has worked in IT for many many years, and has been the interviewer on several occasions.

He thinks the pantsuit is less likely to "fluster the geeks". He didn't dislike the skirt, but when I told him what your concerns were with this interview process--he said definitely the pants. (but he does not wear industry tee shirts to work--unless he's going to be moving computer racks in the lab).

To his point, I'd like to add--that I think the white shirt is too boring. Can you wear a colored shirt? Or maybe even a knit top--like a sweet pea top with the pant suit?

Nicole

Veteran

Oh and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the moto jacket!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The last outfit is KILLER. WOW!

Marianne, can you bring these interview outfits on Saturday - pop them on for me quickly?

JewelryGirl

I'm with Lee & Patience and in IT as well. I would go for the pant suit but jazz it up with a different top, some color, conservative yet stylish jewelry. I'd opt for a strand type necklace, nothing long dangly.

Tanya

Veteran

I am late here, and have nothing more too add. The white jacket ( and the whole outfit) is killer! I would go with the pantsuit for the interview.

Mellllls

Veteran

FIrst, I really love the new jacket. I have been looking for something like that....would you say it is a fall weight jacket?

I am a fairly new lawyer (out of law school a year and a half) and my law school ingrained into me the appropriate attire for interviews. So I don't think that you can be too conservative at an interview. That being said, I think you could add a colorful button-down shirt under either suit and fold the collar of the shirt over the collar of the jacket (does that make sense?) I think that would improve your look without losing any conservativeness. I've also worn non-collared shells under suits and I think that is fine for an interview as well but the button down shirt is more conservative.

I think either suit looks fine on you....for what it's worth, my law school recommended that women wear a gray or navy blue suit to interviews. I'm not sure why.

Good luck!

Dani

Veteran

I think I read through this thread too quickly and I apologize for misunderstanding the purpose of the white jacket. Totally a keeper for momwear! Wear it and rock on (sigh, and it's machine washable too)!! I need to get out more

I don't have anything to add to the interview outfit selection process other than I'm completely jealous that you have access to Angie and others to help you out in person!!! This place is soooo great! Good luck! Can't wait to see what you decide.

shana

Veteran

Marianne, I still think the pantsuit looks O.K. It doesn't look as fitted as more modern suits. I kind of see what you mean about the 4 buttons too - I guess most suits these days are 3 buttons or less. So if you wanted to use this opportunity to upgrade, you might think about it. But if you'd rather not, I think this suit will work just fine. I don't think it looks frumpy. I think you would be all set with a colored button down, the right shoes and accessories.

As far as the discussion about different work environments, I believe I can relate to what Marianne is trying to say . I think it depends on the culture of the company where you are interviewing. Even in IT, there's a big difference in what you might wear to interview at Google or Apple vs IBM. I was using the word "boring" when what I really meant was "conservative." Having worked in Silicon Valley and on the east coast at large engineering firms, I definitely feel that going conservative is usually a safe bet for interviews. Now is not the time to show off my fashion sense or my love of quirky accessories etc. I want the interviewer to see me an engineer and focus on my skills, knowledge and experience.

marianne

Thank you very much for your input and support! I am glad to know that the issue resonates with you. Antje, Patience et al - I see your point about getting too frumpy. That's why originally I thought of getting a gray pencil skirt to wear with the black jacket, but I agree, pants are better, but they are harder to find and more costly. I don't hold much hope for the suit, since it is 10 yrs old. I think I can maybe come up with one more outfit... stay tuned.

Angie, thank you for offering! I'll bring them on Saturday. Maybe the suit can go straight to the donation pile after that.

I am also glad you all like the white jacket, I am excited about it! Mellllls - it's unlined and fairly light, so def. not fall weight.

Nicole, that is funny! But it's nice to know the other side's view.