https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 19 May 2026 22:00:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview/page/2#post-796282 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:07:51 +0000 Gaylene 796282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like Lisa's (Privilege) formula for a "business casual" work environment:</p> <p><a href="http://amidprivilege.com/2011/07/4-key-rules-womens-business-casual/" rel="nofollow">http://amidprivilege.com/2011/.....ss-casual/</a></p> <p>Her idea of not trying to emulate the men, but wearing one item that is similar to what a guy might wear and then upping the polish a notch or two has worked for me in the past when I've had to conduct workshops for techies. So a button-down shirt (resemble the guy item) with a skirt and sweater, and a good watch and shoes to up the polish might be a possibility? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview/page/2#post-796260 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:25:44 +0000 Jenava 796260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Recruiter says no need to wear a suit and since it's Friday the office will be even more casual than normal. Ugh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview/page/2#post-796257 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:22:09 +0000 Jenava 796257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, based on past feedback I come across as a bit reserved, so I think going for something less formal is probably in order...maybe even a sweater instead of a jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview/page/2#post-796214 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:28:45 +0000 Gaylene 796214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dressing for an interview can be so complicated these days. Given that one of the main objectives of the interview is to check out the fit between the candidate and the company, I think you are wise to think about why "business casual" is suggested instead of "business dress". If the corporate culture is quite informal (polo shirts, khakis, denim), showing up in a more formal garb might make you seem unapproachable or unwilling to adapt to the requirements of the position. I think the key here is to dress for the requirements of the prospective job/organizational culture, and not on what, in theory, ought to be an appropriate interview outfit. </p> <p>To my eye, you look wonderful in both of your outfits, but they do have a more formal, reserved air about them. Since many interviewers read quite a bit into the primary impression that they get when the candidate enters the interview room, it might be worth thinking about it from that perspective. Some of us just naturally appear more formal and reserved, even in our casual clothes, while others can struggle against looking too youthful even in a business suit. What we choose to wear can reinforce or counter our natural tendencies so we can control that primary impression to some degree. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview/page/2#post-796154 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:31:16 +0000 Jenava 796154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No email yet...I'm going to go get a manicure and then try the skirt with the tweed jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview/page/2#post-796149 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:27:01 +0000 sinead 796149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenava, I just wanted to wish you good luck in your interview. I think you have lots of great options here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-796056 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:17:34 +0000 ManidipaM 796056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the dress. Smart. Snappy. Not a suit so certainly more casual though businesslike </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-796054 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:14:03 +0000 Amy 796054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your new jacket would be perfect! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-796049 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:11:10 +0000 Angie 796049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What did the assistant say about wearing a suit? </p> <p>I was going to suggest the BOSS skirt and your new tweed jacket! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-796017 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:47:48 +0000 Jenava 796017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, this is great feedback! On the one hand, given the type of company it is I would be surprised if they were concerned about candidates not knowing they need to dress up for an interview (although...it IS seattle....). So I am kind of taking this as a "hint" to NOT wear a suit.</p> <p>I will try on different jackets. I mostly have leather jackets, though, which might not be great. I can try my tweed jacket with the skirt and see how that feels. I can also try on a couple of trouser outfits and see how those are with the trousers that aren't too small. Unfortunately I wore my tweed trousers to work yesterday and they are looking a little rumpled and need to go to the cleaners before I'd wear them for this interview. Plus, with trousers comes the need for PPL...</p> <p>ETA, and I've just emailed the recruiter's assistant, who sent the instructions, for some guidance on wearing a suit or not. That was good advice as well. I mean, if you are concerned you should speak up, right? cocolion, this is TOTALLY a male-oriented statement...ugh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795873 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:53:09 +0000 Sveta 795873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my understanding it means no jeans. Suit is not required for this code but it is acceptable so if you want to wear the suit go ahead. I think it is always safe to err on the more conservative side.<br /> Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795854 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:21:01 +0000 kkards 795854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>is the recruiting office that you mentioned an external head hunting firm? if so, they should tell you exactly what that means, and give you feed back on what experience others have had.<br /> if the recruiting office is part of the organization that you are interviewing with, is there a recruiter there that you have been talking to? if so, i would reach out to them and ask. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795843 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:50:44 +0000 ManidipaM 795843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenava, I think since your suit is a relatively formal/conservative cut and colours (like Angie's, in the link from Denise), it probably does need some firm steering in the direction of 'dressing down' on this occasion. </p> <p>You probably can't do casual belt and booties with a skirt suit; but maybe choose a fun coloured or patterned shoe, rather than say black pumps? Definitely a bigger, bolder or colourful bag. A relatively casual top --- Angie does the unbuttoned button-down, but I suspect even that may be harder to casualize in a dark skirt suit...</p> <p>Using a different blazer --- ie, breaking up the suit, a la the men's option of dress pants with standalone blazer and not matching suit jacket --- would be a big step in this direction too, I suspect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795821 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:06:25 +0000 CocoLion 795821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think adding "business casual" to their interview information is such a male-oriented comment. To me this is written at men, it tells them: guys, you don't have to wear a suit and tie. You can wear slacks and a button down shirt, maybe a blazer. Men immediately understand these rules.</p> <p>As a female, you have way more leeway. I would pay attention to the industry that this firm operates in, and let the degree of conservativeness guide you. Following Angie's rules how to casualize a skirt or dress may help. <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/07/18/how-to-dress-down-an-outfit/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2011/07/.....an-outfit/</a></p> <p>In particular her example #2 where she's dressed down a strict suit, would apply to your situation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795817 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 07:43:58 +0000 christieanne 795817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend to agree with Adelfa - mix up the suit into separates to dress it down a notch but still look professional. If they spell out the dress guidelines as business casual, they want the interviewees to appear at home in their company culture right away. Good luck - you will knock em dead with your skills in any case! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795783 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:39:32 +0000 Amy 795783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah is so smart. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795779 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:26:52 +0000 Adelfa 795779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have interviewed dozens of people in a business casual environment. To me the look that strikes the right note, over and over again, is a jacket on top of an unmatched bottom. With great shoes (definitely wear the Kate Spades) and a great bag or tote.</p> <p>Wearing the suit skirt without the jacket is also a viable alternative if you're polished on top as I'm sure you would be.</p> <p>I agree that the "business casual" is a warning note. A relative of mine once wore a suit to interview in a casual environment and it turned out to be a big distraction, garnering lots of not very favorable comment.</p> <p>Just what I've seen, fwiw--have a great interview. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795776 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:12:41 +0000 Deborah 795776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenava you look great in that suit. I would find it very hard to attend an interview in anything too casual. My current work place is 'anything goes' as far as dress code goes. For my interview (it was summer) I wore a tailored dress and topped it with an unstructured jacket. I was more dressed up than my two interviewers. After I got the job my colleague told me how unimpressed she was with the presentation of the other candidates!</p> <p>I was an employment consultant for a number of years and my expereience says that a smartly dressed person will have little trouble 'acclimatising" to her work environment and achieving a more casual but still smart work look if necessary, however a person who comes to an interview inappropriately or under dressed is less likely to know how to "smarten up".</p> <p>I'd wear the suit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795704 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 03:10:00 +0000 velvetychocolate 795704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like the suit you mentioned, and I think it will work beautifully - and would maybe 'casual-ize' the top, bag, shoes etc. as a nod to their "business casual" recommendation. </p> <p>Soften up the suit a wee bit, and you're in business, imo. I'm not sure exactly how you'd do that, but certainly a more casual top with the suit ...no starchy shirt or what have you. You don't want to look banker-ish when they've explicitly suggested 'business casual.' </p> <p>Take that fab suit, and see if you can find a way to kind of 'un-crisp' the crispness of a suit, somehow. I know you're a fan of blush colours - is there a way to incorporate this bit of softness into the strict-looking suit? </p> <p>I'd still go with a suit for the interview, and I'd try to incorporate a bit of casual, relaxed, fun and easy-going-ness into the mix. Instead of trying to de-bombshell a pencil skirt, we're looking at how to un-stuff-if-y a corporate suit. Take a bit of the starch out, so to speak. </p> <p>Start with the suit, and ' business-casual' it from there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795689 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:49:02 +0000 Nadya 795689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenava, I so agree with what Angie said: wear what you feel best in and tweak it to show you "got the memo". You can just carry the attitude of that "these shoes and blouse make it business casual, don't you know?" Are you into arty or unusual jewelry? An interesting pin or necklace could get the point across that you're dressed down a bit.</p> <p>Classically Casual: your story reminds me of an engineering job I had early in my career. My office was business professional (not suits only, but definitely formal). When going to see our clients at Intel though I was told,"wear your jeans, and not your GOOD jeans. If they think you're afraid to get dirty they won't take you seriously." I saw this for myself when a new male engineer showed up on site with a perfectly pressed white dress shirt on. He didn't do that again! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795674 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:26:37 +0000 Classically Casual 795674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jeneva - My experience isn't current, so filter accordingly. Back in the day, there was a certain large tech company who was "business casual". My employer was one of their vendors. "Business casual" was taken very seriously by the large company. We were a suit wearing company...traditional and all that. We were told very explicitly to never bring our suit wearing ways to meetings, etc. where they were present. Based on that experience, I would honor the dress code you've been given if you want to make a good impression. (I'm in your geographic area.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795640 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:54:28 +0000 Suz 795640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm useless on the dress code, but I was scrolling through your outift diary and going wow, wow, WOW!!! </p> <p>I do think the suit skirt with a different jacket would be terrific. </p> <p>By the way, I saw your new J Crew jacket in person. It is better there than in the photos (and it's already great in the photos!) and I can imagine it must be even more stunning on you in person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795633 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:46:49 +0000 Emily 795633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jeneva, I like the idea of the suit with soft blouse. I don't think you can go wrong being a bit overdressed, but if you're worried maybe swap the suit jacket for another topper? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795620 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:26:57 +0000 bj1111 795620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i would take the outfit you showed, remove the jacket and swap for a structured sweater or swacket. done! you get to wear an outfit that feels "suity" but adheres to their brief. i love the burgundy hose with the burgundy shirt.</p> <p>that skirt is the "boss" *snarfle* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795619 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:24:58 +0000 rachylou 795619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What kind of business consulting?</p> <p>I'd go with a suit personally. If I felt a need to dress it down, I'd maybe wear a tee-shirt instead of a blouse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795610 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:07:12 +0000 Jenava 795610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The suit makes me feel more confident, by far. It is a black Hugo Boss skirt suit.</p> <p>Here is a link that shows my suit:<br /> <a href="http://outfitdiary.blogspot.com/2011/01/preparing-for-interview.html" rel="nofollow">http://outfitdiary.blogspot.co.....rview.html</a></p> <p>I would wear it with sheer hose, round toe patent pumps and an orchid pink drape-neck sleeveless blouse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795594 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:54:31 +0000 rachylou 795594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When people tell me that, I wear a <em>business casual suit</em>. Mine is from Target. Navy cotton with visible white stitching. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795588 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:48:36 +0000 Thistle 795588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in a business casual office. Khakis and polos are pretty standard for men, and i go by that as our office is 90% men. even so, I still expect to see interviewees in a full business suit unless it is for a clerical position. </p> <p>I knew a candidate wouldn't fit in when she arrived with blue nails. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795582 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:39:43 +0000 Amy 795582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you about wishing there were less ambiguity about what to wear! So stressful. I like the idea of wearing a jacket and skirt that aren't part of a set. Wear heels if you like, but perhaps opt for lower heels, which would be viewed as more relaxed. I wouldn't wear much jewelry. Small earrings and a watch? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-business-casual-for-an-interview#post-795578 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:29:14 +0000 amyreh 795578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just hopped over to your blog and I would suggest perhaps your gorgeous winter white trousers with a blouse or sweater and heels, maybe a casual blazer to top it off. Something like your "Muted Winter" post. Or if you go with black pencil skirt then maybe a blouse or sweater rather than a button down. Good luck! </p>