Informational Interview Attire..and I am now a Veteran!

Aquamarine

Happy weekend everyone! I logged in to find I am now a Veteran...yay me LOL. I feel like I have been here so long (in lurker mode for years) that I guess I have always felt like a Veteran....while far from a fashion expert, I have learned so much from each and every one of you. THANK YOU!

I have an interview scheduled next week with a startup publishing group. This is more of a "drop-in and see what we're about" situation than an official job interview. Any thoughts on what to wear? I am thinking non–denim pants and booties, but am a bit stumped for the topper/third piece. Instinctively a blazer feels like too much. A dressier long cardigan maybe? I sense this is a very casual group, and having worked in the field years ago, I know even business casual might be overdressing.

Thanks for your thoughts.

10 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Aquamarine

Anonymous

Congratulations on becoming a veteran!

How exciting having the interview lined up. I don't think you can go far wrong with the pants and footwear you suggested. I do like the idea of a long cardigan too, as long as it's definitely on the dressier side. I know a lot of ladies on here always say to err on the dressier side when at interviews, no matter how informal. Hopefully some will chime in with more ideas. I've been self employed for so long I wouldn't have a clue!

10 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I work in a very casual office but when interviewing candidates for a job I do consider the level of effort they put into making a good impression and this includes the clothing they wear. I would go a bit dressier than the industry standard for those who already work in the company/industry. Dressing better rarely results in a negative impression but under dressing can. A dressier cardigan sounds like it would work well with the right supporting pieces.

Good luck.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations! On both achievements! That's terrific news.

In your situation, I would probably wear a jacket anyway, but not a matching one. But then I am a huge jacket lover and wear them really easily so I don't think they look "businessy" on me. Then again, I usually wear them with jeans, so that's a different situation.

Where are you located -- I mean, what is the climate where you are?

Another option that might work is to wear the kind of pants you've described, booties, a great shirt or pullover or other top -- and a trench coat. Especially if the weather might be rainy.

10 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Aquamarine - Congrats on the interview and veteran status!! I like your ideas so far with non-denim bottoms and a great bootie and bag as your statement pieces. I second the motion that dressing more professionally is usually perceived. A non matching blazer, knit blazer, soft unstructured blazer would be my choice but then I'm a blazer girl. A dressy cardi or a cardigan jacket could also be awesome. A light weight topper that can replace a blazer indoor/outdoor piece. As Suz said, you can't go wrong with a stylish trench either. What pieces do you have that you were considering?

10 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Congratulations! I worked in a casual environment but when we interviewed someone for a job we and the candidate dressed up more. I never wore a suit but I always wore a nice blazer and good pants. Angie posted a cardigan that looked like a blazer in one of her round ups. That would be nice.

10 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I am technologically challenged. I am now going to try and post the finds. These are the cardigans I was thinking of that look like jackets. I personally would wear a jacket. (Smythe but that is a different story).

Nordstrom

Curio Moto Zip Patchwork Cardigan

$158.00 $78.98

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

Karen Millen

Check and plain cardigan

View Info

Top Pick

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats. Thanks for the YLF support.

I vote smart casual. Dress up jeans with great boots and a jacket.

10 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Congrats on the veteran status!

I would still err on the side of caution and wear a ncie jacket, and then dress it down with a pair of smart dark wash jeans.

10 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions everyone. Suz, I am expecting a nice Fall day, around 58 F. So a single topper would be sufficient, weather-wise. I have a deficit of current blazers, I think...a few shorter ones, more casual than not (corduroy, etc.) I could break up a suit, but I truly sense that would be overkill. I admit I was excited to read both Angie and Tanya suggesting nice denim with a jacket...THAT would feel like me

I was specifically thinking about black pants, black booties, and black top with a light grey, long dressy cardigan. I am partial to a column of color when I "dress up." It feels neat, uncluttered, and slimming...basically a boost to my self-confidence. It might skew too dressy, though.

10 years ago

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