Can you wear the same interview outfit twice? - YouLookFab Forum

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Can you wear the same interview outfit twice?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Have a dilemma - I am going for a second round of interviews next week. I've been in for one round already. I am wondering, can I wear the same outfit? Two of the people I'll be meeting next week were people I've already interviewed with in the first round.

My instinct is that it's fine to wear the same thing, but sometimes I get lazy in that regard. What do you think?

Dressing

40 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Debbie

Veteran

I think its fine. Is their some small way you can change it up accessories, shoes, bag. Honestly when I interview people more times than not I couldn't tell you if it was the same outfit. I seem to notice the bag and shoes more.

Barbara

Veteran

Laura, even though I'm sure you MUST have made a positive impression on your first interview, I seriously doubt ANYONE would remember exactly what you wore! My instinct is to wear the same thing. And good luck to you!

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Haha - I'm with the others...I'm sure they were paying more attention to what you said than what you wore. Generally, people take in just superficial assessments - like, oh, she looked pulled together and polished, etc. Maybe just trade up accessories for your own enjoyment.

Good luck!

Carole

Veteran

It's probably true, that no one will remember what you wore exactly the first round. But I would be inclined to change it up a little, different blouse (if you wore a suit), handbag, shoes, or jewelry. Good Luck!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

We seem to be thinking alike. I highly doubt the two interviewers will remember what I wore the first time around - and even if they did, would it matter?

I need to buy a skirt, though, the exact same skirt that I have, but in a regular size. The skirt I have with my suit is a petite, and when I sat down, it rode up higher than expected. Let's just say I kept my notebook strategically positioned on my lap!! I guess I could buy a new blouse too, depending what everyone here says.

Jonesy

Veteran

Echoing what everyone else said, I think it's totally fine. Good luck with the interview!!

bj1111

Veteran

good luck laura...channel all that newfound syc insight and wow them!!!!

MsMary

Veteran

Yes, I think it's fine, too. Good luck!

Scarlet

Veteran

I think it's fine. I often wear the same outfits over and over anyway. I wouldn't buy anything new unless you feel it helps you be on your game.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I also think it is perfectly fine. In fact I would be wearing exactly the same outfit to the second interview just because it was lucky for me the first time!:-)

Isabel

Veteran

I totally agree with other people ! I doubt anyone really noticed, but you could change up the accessories.

Most importantly, though, GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!

( For what it is worth, when I worked in corporate, many people had their "interview" suit/suits. It was pretty common )

Louise

Veteran

I doubt anyone would notice but I would change the accessories and top under the suit if possible x

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I will "throw a spanner in the works", as Angie says, and caution against wearing exactly the same outfit twice. People do notice more than you think.

That said, if it is just a basic black suit, then wearing the whole suit again is fine, but change everything else. Different blouse for sure, but if you wore striking accessories or shoes, change those up for this round too.

I am going to pretend I did not see you write "buy a new" anything, LOL!

Jonesy

Veteran

Good catch, Kristen! I think she meant "hand-loom some fabric and then sew a new blouse" :).

Scarlet

Veteran

Good point, Kristen! That slipped right past me.

LOL, Jonesy!

Marley

Veteran

I'm with Kristen on this one. I used to interview a lot of people and I always noticed what they wore (but then, maybe that's just me.) I think (if you wore a suit to the first interview) that you could wear it again for the 2nd one, but everything else should be different - different colored top, accessories (if you wore a necklace before, wear a scarf this time, etc. etc.) wear different shoes, carry a different purse and so on. To me, it made a HUGE difference when I interviewed someone the 2nd time around to see how they dressed - I knew they would bring their A plus outfit to the 1st interview, but the 2nd one was more of a test. I felt like (right or wrong) that they must not care that much about the job if they didn't even make an effort to change up their outfit - which I (again, right or wrong) thought reflected on how well they would do the job. I'm assuming that you will ace the interview - so its the little things that will make you stand out to the interviewers - so, I vote CHANGE your outfit!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I agree with what Marley said...You sure dont want them thinking you have only one 'go to' outfit for interviews! Good luck and please let us know how it pans out.....

Laura

(website)

Veteran

This has been an education!

Funny you should mention the "buy" word. I have been growing silk worms in my back yard all summer, and luckily they have been hard at work and I can weave myself a new top over the weekend

I don't know what the SYC stance is on this, but if everyone feels I should change up the top, then I'm going to buy a new top. It's not like I'm going on some huge shopping spree to indulge some whim, it's for a job interview, so c'est la vie!

taylor

Veteran

I would change up the accessories, shoes, necklace and /or handbag for sure. I am awful...I notice everything that people wear for interviews.

Kristine

Veteran

Congratulations Laura and all the best with the second round!!

Vix

Veteran

Good luck with Round 2!

You don't mention what you *did* wear, but even if it was super-basic I am on the "change up everything but the suit, if you can't change the suit" side.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

So, I got to the mall and made a quick SOS call to Kristen and she happened to be getting her hair colored nearby. She came to the rescue and helped me pick a knitted top at Ann Taylor - a really pretty fine-gauge, teal scoop neck sweater with pewter buttons up the wrist. I'll wear my chunky pearls to fill in the neckline. Then a stop at Banana Republic for the same skirt, longer length.

Black suit, black tote, teal sweater, pearls, microfishnets, black Clarks Mary Jane pumps. I'm set! Thanks for all the good wishes.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

For the record, I felt AWFUL enabling you with shopping. But at least i kept you down to one piece, and it is one you can get a lot of wear from in casual or dressed-up environments.

Plus, it's a great color on you and you will knock 'em dead.

Mae

The job search requires a pause on the shopping ban, for sure. GOOD LUCK!! Your second interview outfit sounds fantastic!!

Scarlet

Veteran

Good luck on your second interview! It sounds like you will look very fab. That is so great that Kristen was able to help you out.

Meditating more on the theme here, it probably depends on what field you work in, i.e. how important your appearance in this field is and how many people were interviewed in the first place. Besides that, I would guess that male interviewers are much less likely to remember what you wore than women. Apparently some ladies around here are very observant, which shouldn't surprise, I guess.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh good, Kristen, I'm glad you feel awful because it was All. Your. Fault!!

Yes, I agree Scarlet - women here are very attuned to what people wear! Much more so than the people I am potentially working with

Upon reflection, I could have tried to borrow a top from a friend. That would have been the way to go to stay completely in keeping with SYC. But really, it's one top and a big job interview!

lynne

Veteran

And its one beautiful top that you will wear often, right? And its the top that you were wearing when you won the job (fingers crossed).

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just wanted to:
A. Go on record as a member of team Subtle Changes and give exuberant thumbs-up to the outfit you chose...it sounds perfect and versatile!
B. Wish you the best of luck for the interview itself! Do let us know how things went when you're so inclined!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What did I miss? Laura, what did you purchase?

I am going to be the spanner in the works - I suggest wearing a different outfit for sure. It denotes extra forethought and polish. Attention to details.

Good luck!!!

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