Buying the Interview Dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Buying the Interview Dress

ironkurtin

Veteran

I wonder if I need one? I work in a very casual industry, and in a very casual city. If I'm interviewing for a game job, I need to look neat and tidy - but if I show up in a suit, I look a fool. On the other hand, I am also talking to some agencies and online businesses - also VERY casual places. But I wonder if I do need to step it up for them, to show I can dress like a grownup?

Or am I just trying to justify buying a new dress...?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

Kristin L

Veteran

I think it can't hurt to dress nicer than expected. If you think a suit is too much, then go with the dress. Do you have any pics of dresses you're thinking about?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Kristin, there is NO way a suit is appropriate. I'm talking about one step up from jeans. Even a dress might be too much! It can actually work against you if you look too nice - like you are trying too hard or don't get the industry.

I'll understand if the majority of the forum doesn't "get" the kind of casual interview outfit I'm talking about. Tech/entertainment is very different from most fields.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

What kind of dress? Do you have any examples?

dizzys

Maybe separates are the way to go. Not matchy matchy but still put together. A nice blazer could also be used in a more casual dress code or paired with jeans.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

For example I found this but it's probably too warm for Austin

http://www.shopbop.com/striped.....orId=11947

Kristin L

Veteran

Gotcha. I like dstalksalot idea of a blazer with jeans.

Diana

Veteran

I was thinking a sweater dress style too, like the one Anna showed. Or a drapery jersey number? You could dress it up with a blazer, or dress it down with denim (jacket, or even over jeans) for different occasions.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Ag - I love Band of Outsiders, but yeah - the real hitch is how freaking hot it gets.

By the time I interview, it will be too hot for jeans OR a blazer! I will arrive at my interview with heatstroke!

I was thinking linen dress or separates.. maybe cotton.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

http://www.shopbop.com/jamie-d.....orId=14768

ironkurtin

Veteran

Shirtdress! Good idea.

Anonymous

Love Anna's idea.

Anonymous

You just need a pulled together (maybe non-denim) outfit with really good shoes. Linen sounds perfect and I like the idea of a shirt dress.

Kalli

I work in tech and I interview in dressy casual. Not quite a suit (I lost that one after graduation) but in dressier than jeans now. Since I've been upgrading as I age, most in their late 20s have been moving away from jeans, Ts and hoodies of the Facebook type culture and go into a dressier version of such. Dressier jeans/pants, some collars and just cool individualism.

Note on the blazer. Carry and wear separately until you are in the building.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Kalli - I work in tech entertainment - games, apps, media. I doubt these guys would touch a blazer on a bet. I'm sure that's true in tech, but in applied tech like this, not so much. I would LOVE if they even upgraded to nice casual.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I like the shirtdress idea! Polished, but still casual.

MNsara

Veteran

I'm definitely shooting in the dark on this one - TX and the gaming industry - but reading the other comments makes me wonder about black linen (slightly slouchy?) trousers and a silky day-officey blouse, then carry some sort of topper.

Oh, the fun of dressing for the unknown, when you do care about the outcome!

Kalli

Lol ironkurtin I beg to differ slightly, my friend who is a gaming design engineer decided he'd start to dress better and the female friend decided to start not caring anymore. So, time to take up the torch and bring some class to that industry!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If it's indeed as casual as you say, then don't buy something new specifically for this interview. Wear a great outfit you already own and save your money for something you simply want.

Nicole D

Veteran

I agree shirtdress with a funky necklace or cuff. Could even be a chambray dress.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Kalli - I like to think I already do.

Gaylene

Veteran

IK, I think I get what you mean. Whenever I give a workshop to teams in the IT/Games/Apps world, it can take a couple of seconds to distinguish the males from the females in the ubiquitous uniform of baggy shorts/pants, T's, hoodies, and flipflops (and this is in a Canadian winter!)

I've always liked the concept of deconstructing a workplace "uniform" and then picking one, or two, places to upgrade so the whole outfit comes off as vaguely familiar, but just a bit more polished. For example, last summer, I wore a pair of tailored, knee-length, linen shorts, a silk T, cotton cardigan, and wedged sandals for one workshop. Not my usual teaching outfit, but, in that setting, it seemed to go over quite well--not too dressy, but definitely a cut above what most of the workshop participants were wearing.

DonnaF

Veteran

I think your usual *uniform* looks pretty good: Quality, a little edgy or at least not conventional, and it won't evoke images of their moms. Just wondering why you feel your standard garb won't work.

Also, do you have to make it through an HR interview first before you meet the techies? I can see where that might make you feel like you should maybe buy something.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I paged down to respond first. I also work in a field where a suit would be down right ludicrous. That is why I bought my Express suit that could be way easily broken up into separates, and was far from boardroom corporate staidness. Ruched sleeves, zig zag print, etc.
I think a dress with the right funky blazer, or even trousers with nice blouse could work well. FWIW, I was in a mixed media cobalt top and black skirt with black flats when I landed my golf course job a year ago.
Good luck! (off to read responses)