Please Help Me Brainstorm the Job Interview Outfit

Hello lovelies,

The title should give a good explanation for my recent absence. I'm preparing for a job interview and it is intense. I manage to take a sneak peek at the blog, but can't afford more time than that. Still, I must ask you for help.

I would normally feel ready regarding the outfit, I always have white button up ready and at least one type of black bottoms (skirt and/or pants), but the company I'm interviewing for is not like any of the previous places I worked at where the typical, classical interviewer look was a no-brainer. I'm afraid of looking too corporate in the environment where I believe a big focus will be on demonstrating relaxed, open minded side of myself. Based on the feedback and information I have so far, I am afraid of sticking out like a sore thumb if I show up in total classic! My gut feeling is that what we consider here on YLF as business casual, would work just fine. Some colour would be great. But I can't for the life of me imagine myself going to the interview in jeans, however dark they are.

Ideally, I want understated outfit, but still with some character. Minimum makeup. Dresses are not an option (too dressy).

One of my interviewers (male) has a fantastic professional photo on his page - suit jacket in some dark taupe-ish colour and dark red shirt (great combo!), no tie. What can I read from that?

Can you please help me brainstorm this one. I'll (hopefully) post a few photos when I have a few ideas to choose from, but no promises. I hope you understand.

Thanks so much in advance for your input.

9 years ago

Unicornio

Member

what about a dress in a bright color? and maybe ankle boots or heels, depending on the weather.

Sorry, I'm new at this :p

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

No problem Unicornio. Thanks for mentioning dresses, I have added the original post that they are not an option.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

How about jeans/trousers + shirt + tunic cardigan.

Or a fluid pullover over a pair of trousers.

A skirt or dress might be too formal.

ramya

Ok Sweety I am going with my gut instinct here. What I wore 2 years ago around same time is this.
Black cauldrons red sweater and booties. I wore no jacket coz I didn't want to be too warm.
I wore a long chain too. For the next round I went with my dark skinniest and pink sweater with booties because I knew I would look classic no matter what I wore when the guys wear sweats

Susie

I like Angie's suggestion. How about something in red as it's beautiful on you and looks 'energetic.' Good luck!

Astrid

How about a pencil skirt with a fluid pullover, if a dress is too much?

approprio

I think you look fantastic in this.

texstyle

This is easy, wear this outfit you posted:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....me-wear-it

You loved it, everyone here loved it. It's casual, yet sophisticated...did I mention I love it?

rachylou

Suit with a tee shirt?

annabelle

I'd like to second your WIW referenced by texstyle (you look confident and gorgeous), and the rachylou "suit with a tee shirt." The fact that you even mentioned suits in your OP tells me that interview suits is still a thing, in your industry and region. It is way better to be over-dressed than underdressed for an interview. For example, I dress business-casual for a meeting with an investor, in jeans and a slim leather moto or other jacket, with a lot on the line. But I would not wear that casual to an interview. The spice in your suitiness is what will make you more approachable, warm, friendly. If not a t-shirt, then a fun crazy print blouse that shows you have a sense of humor. I used to wear my Faconnable black wool pants suit with a $30 pink lucky brand t-shirt with the giant logo visible at the neckline, for contrast. And shoes. Wear fun shoes.
Break a leg, Ornella, while having a blast on the interview. Congratulations!

ETA I also love the WIW with the red dress and black jacket. Wowza.

Suz

I was going to suggest the one that tex suggested. You might feel that white jeans are either not wintery enough, too "bright," or (because denim) a bit too casual? If so, what do you have for trousers? Or a pencil skirt? That plaid one you wore in this thread?

Gaylene

You've got some good suggestions from everyone so my only contribution is to wear the outfit that makes you feel fabulous and confident so you can forget about your appearance as soon as you walk out the door.

And wear something that you are comfortable if you get remembered by it--as in "the woman in the white pants", or "the one in the red sweater". That "signature" part of your outfit should be a good fit with the company and the position.

I also like the idea of the outfit Texstyle linked to, but I'd be very hesitant about the white jeans. To me it's just not a look that's all that common here, especially in colder temperatures. I don't think they fit the setting and you already mentioned you'd feel off wearing jeans. I'd prefer to see a skirt with it instead, maybe the one Suz suggested. Of course then you'd have a lot of black, which might not be ideal either...

Dimity

Active Member

I once interviewed a woman wearing a bright yellow summery dress (it was warm weather). It wasn't standard interview attire, but I loved it because it showed a fun, sunny side. She got the job, and she was great.
I agree about wearing something that you feel confident in, because it's the non verbal stuff that's important and you need to be relaxed to respond best.

Yes, maybe if the white pants don't feel right the plaid skirt would work with it as Suz suggested?

*laughing*
Oh, yes, being referred as "that woman in all black" or "that one with the slogan on her chest" isn't the best way to be remembered when being discussed by the review committee. It used to make me cringe when I'd hear candidates referred to by an article of clothing, but that's often what leaves a strong impression. Better to be "the guy in the red sweater" than "the one with a stain on his tie".

shipskitty

Have you considered wearing your standard outfit but upping the interest by adding a scarf or statement necklace that shows the 'warmer' you? This keeps the interview outfit at 'interview' but would allow you to express some personality?

Or a combination of blouse and necklace / blouse and scarf that lifts the outfit and says what you want? This is the approach I would take.

Anonymous

Don't you have a really cool leather jacket that you wore to a concert? How about that with trousers and a blouse or sweater?

Thanks so much everyone for ideas and finding my old outfits to reference them (that was unexpected and simply fabulous).

A must for me is to feel comfortable, there's no way I can relax and get in the zone if I have to think about any aspect of my clothing.

I've put the main points on paper and I will hopefully manage to photo some outfits and download from camera, crop and upload here I have until the end of next week. The interview overlaps with the deadline for the final project of one on-line course I've been taking and to which I invested a lot of time and effort, so I have to balance the two things somehow. Life, eh

Thanks again for your help. Have a great weekend. Hugs to all.

Zibbets

Hi Ornella!
Looking at the thread Suz linked to, have you tried pairing the plaid skirt with the black sweater, leather jacket and boots?

My first instinct was RED! because you wear it better than anyone I've ever seen.

Good luck! <3

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