Claire, you are right about the booties. I could have worn them just fine due to the dressiness of the rest of the outfit.
Mona, Dress for Success is a non-profit that helps disadvantaged women get jobs. They partner with groups that do career counseling, and DFS provides interview outfits and starter work capsules. It's a really great program!
Jeanne, that's great news! I would not mind working at Talbots at all - I always seem to see great coats and jackets in their catalog. The closest one to me is not all that close, but it's not all that far, either.
Manidipa, thank you! Not all my outfits are this based in practicality, but this one was all about it.