Does this color work for me? - YouLookFab Forum

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about my style goals and things I realized I needed. One of these things was a suit. A few days after my post, a lady on my swap site posted a new sz 8 Ann Taylor Outlet suit. I swapped for it thinking that if it didn't work, I was only out about $10 (the cost of shipping my things to her) and I was able to get rid of a few things I didn't need. I couldn't see the color in her pictures very well, but she described it as a medium brown. Brown can be a bit tricky on me, so I need a bit of advice. How does the color look on me? The suit feels like it fits, and if I need to let the pant hems out, it's not connected to the liner, so it should be a pretty easy fix.

I should also mention that the shoes I'm wearing for the pics I would wear for an interview. I just needed a pair of 1.5-2 inch heels.

I'm still going to be on the look-out for a grey, navy or black suit.

My camera and I aren't working together today. Hence the weird eyes and trash can.

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12 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like it. It's a summery brown, you could try it with blue tops. And the length of pants look fine to me, not worth messing with. What height heels are you wearing in the picture? If you had heels 1/2" less that would probably equal PPL.

Suz

I think you can definitely make this work, Kristin. I love Denise's idea of pairing with blue. It is tough to say but it might also look good with a sort of orchid colour. Are the pants a bit snug in the rise, do you think?

Freckles

I say no give it a pass.

When you go to an interview you want to look appropriate but fabulous. I think you have things that would make you feel a lot better than this suit and since you will still be looking for another in the right colour it is not worth trying to make it work.

Kristin L

@Denise and Suz - Thanks for the color ideas. I was wearing a white t-shirt just to help with defining the suit. And the pant are a hair snug right now, but I've a few problems lately and that should calm down in a few days.

@Freckles - I'm really embarrassed to admit this, but I have almost nothing right now. I have a few short sleeve button down shirts, a pair of black dress pants and a pair of chocolate brown dress pants. I returned the black blazer from a few weeks back and donated the other 2 that didn't fit/looked dated.

Since I have had too much try and make it work in my wardrobe in the past that was the first response and you did say that you would still get another.

So...

Does it work with anything currently in your wardrobe that you would wear for an interview? If not, how much money would it take to make it work? Would you ever be really happy and confident in it for the dream job interview? Can you afford the time, money, commitment and dedication to find the perfect suit (other than this one) now or in the near future?

Caro in Oz

Do you need to wear a suit? If not I'd try this jacket with either pair of your dress pants.

You'll have to forgive me. All the tech in the house went down a couple of months ago and I just got my laptop back yesterday. Brain not fully functional yet.

You're a grad student right?

Totally different answer....yes keep.

The Vivienne Files has a post on how to build an interview capsule for grad students. I sometimes go to her site when I am overwhelmed by all of Angie's great advice and I can read a few words and see step by step pics.

http://theviviennefiles.blogsp.....-grad.html

Diana

Hmm, as it is it does look like too much brown to me. However, I think you could make it work by a) adding something bright, like a blouse or a scarf, between it and your face, or b) breaking it up and wearing one of the pieces with something colored.

The jacket fit looks good, I can't tell about the pants (would have to see them from the waistband down and also from the back).

@freckles - Thanks so much for the link! I 100% see your point. If I already had a work/interview capsule put together, this suit would not have even been on my radar. I already have one top that I think will look awesome with the suit and I can keep my eye out for another one. I'm not going to lie, this suit is not a 10 in my book. But I think it will be a great placeholder should something come up and I need one between now and when I find the perfect suit.

I hope my response to you didn't come across as sharp.

@caro - Everyone I have seen interview and most of the people who have defended have worn suits.

@Dianna - You're right, it's a lot of brown. I'll be wearing a brightly colored top with the suit. And this would look nice broken up as well. For this post, I thought it would be best just to show the suit and not how I would have styled it. And now that I think about it, the top I would have worn is in the laundry.

I understand Kristen - I think a bright top would be great with this:)

Nicole D

I would call this a |:camel" colour which is classic and fab and would be refreshing to see on an interviewee (usually get a sea of gray and black). But, I do think you need to put a brighter colour or more interesting pattern next to your face, such as a burberry inspired black, red and cream scarf or blouse, touch of animal print, turquoise, etc.

Thistle

So, I think this suit is absolutely appropriate for an interview, and I am a conservative old accountant! I would add a bit of "you" to it by putting a pretty colored top underneath. Maybe a necklace. With your coloring and that of the suit, a nice blue shirt would be perfect. Turquoise would be my first choice.

I will defer to the rise tightness to you as it sounds like you have that covered. I would give it the few days and then do the sit test. You sit a lot in interviews!

Not at all sharp Kristin, it is I who must apologize. Not being able to be online for the last few months I totally lost track of things. This is a perfect suit for a grad student who needs to have something to wear at a moment's notice and build from there. The price sure doesn't hurt a grad students budget either!

Thank heavens my kid has a suit, five or so dress shirts and a couple of ties in his closet right now. One shirt and tie were my pick with a more conservative affair or interview in mind.

Sarah A

You have gotten a ton of great advice. I like the suit for what you need it to do. It is classic looking and the jacket fits well IMO, hard to tell exactly on the pant but I think you have it sorted. Adding a pop of color through your blouse, blue, fuschia (?), plum (?), or scarf (that Burberry idea is fab!) sounds like a great solution for the interim.

deb

I can see the pieces broken up but I do not care for it all together. It washes you out to my eye.

Anonymous

Kristin, you have lots of good advice. I just wanted to add that the bit of bright white showing in your photo looks great on you. You could also tame the brown with a bright white shirt or blouse, letting more of it show than in the photo.

Beth Ann

You are showing great fashion sense by having something ready in your closet before your interview is scheduled! I think a suit needs to be a "canvas" to let you shine. You can add interest by breaking it up or bringing in other colors in your top and accessories. Brava!

lyn67

I vote keep, and do the alterations needed. Then, team it with bold statement belt, bag and shoes(for ex red) and a crisp white shirt, with sharp collars poped over the unbuttoned jacket- so you are done, have good luck with your interviews! Peraps my advice is not a conventonal one, but you are young, and I like to see young folks having a bit of joy with fashion even for an interview!

I think as a starter for your interview capsule it is a keeper. A bright coloured top would go well with this. It would be nice to know you have something suitable in the closet while you look for a suit!

rachylou

I like the colour of this suit on you. It's a sort of golden on golden. Strikingly pretty like blondes with brown eyes.

The jacket looks a smidgen big to me, the sleeves a little long. The pants look fine to me.

I would totally keep it. I like it as an interview suit actually, formal but not too sharp. Unless you're senior management or marketing, a really sharp suit can be too much for an interview.

texstyle

I think it would work with some added color for your blouse choice - it is a very neutral color so I'd try to add a good bit of other color to amp it up just a bit - maybe even a patterned blouse. I think the suggestion of blue might be good for spring - thinking of a blue button down so plenty of the color would show up at the top. I also like camel with black or with some grays but those are more fall/lwinter color combos.

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