Interview outfit - first try ETA Update

I'm looking for an interview outfit, here is the first thread.

The Lands End blazer and skirt arrived today. Quality is lovely, but the blazer is definitely way too big and the skirt would need some serious alterations, so I was thinking I would return them. But would love to hear your thoughts. The blazer is available in a size down, but without the mark down I ordered it with.

I'm also showing a blouse I had ordered and I think I'm keeping that one - any opinions? I really like the way it paired with my simple pearl earrings. There are two sizes and I think I'll keep the bigger one. It has a lot more room in the waist, but I think shoulders and sleeve length look better and it would also work untucked because it isn't too tight in the hips.

Here are some pics. These are overexposed so you can see the fit of the black items better. Please ignore the shoes/hose/bare face...

#1
Skirt and smaller sized blouse. Waist is too big and I think it's too long too. And the fabric is not very forgiving (but feels fantastic).

#2
Way too big blazer. It also has shoulder pads which I'm not a fan of.

#3
Skirt hem taken up a bit.

#4
The whole skirt taken up a tad further with the hem unchanged. This is the blouse in the bigger size.

#5
Close up of the pattern.

ETA

Keeping the blouse in the bigger size! And I've ordered another blazer and skirt combo, both in navy and taupe. Pictures further down.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

9 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

I have found that LE is not really cut for people with a waist. I like the skirt and the blazer for a classic interview suit. The skirt does look too long, but if you think you can find something better fitting for the money you would spend on these items plus alterations, then go for it! I definitely prefer the blouse in the larger size.

gradfashionista

(website)

Hard to say without the blazer in a smaller size. At the risk of projecting, I liked the last outfit best because it projected confidence and a sunny disposition. The proportions seem better than the other photos. I wasn't a fan of the blazer and skirt combo because they seemed to dwarf you. That mightn't be the case if they were modified, but I think I'd still prefer the blue shirt on its own. Fabulous color on you.

LaPed

I think I'm with GF on this one -- l like #4 the best. The blazer/skirt combo feels like too much black, esp with the shoes and opaque tights. The looser top paired with just the skirt feels more genuine to me.

I wonder if it would be worth considering a non-black suit? It does feel like too much and dwarfs you a bit, as GF says. I'd be curious to see you in navy or grey since the blue top looks so nice.

Astrid

Thanks Liz! My favourite skirt is Lands End with the waist taken in, so I thought it was worth a try. I guess I probably need to fit my hips and tailor down with most brands. I already cut the tags of the blouse in the larger size, definitely keeping that one. The suit would have been a good bargain, but not if I order the blazer in a size down. So I think I'm just going to return it.

Thanks gradfashionista! Definitely agree about #2 looking not that great, I just wanted to show you how it ended up looking on me. But I still think a skirt suit in general would probably be lovely, with the option to simply take the blazer off when it's warm and just wearing the blouse plus skirt.

La Pedestrienne, thanks. I ordered the black because it was a bargain, but black is definitely not my best neutral! I do look better in navy or grey. I'm going to have a look if I find something other than black. I would probably not wear opaque hose on the day, it just was the only thing available right now. And I'd buy new shoes too.

How about this? The blazer is marked down, skirt full price. Available both in navy and taupe. The skirt should be knee length on me.

Had another quick look and the navy blazer was already sold out in the 36! That was quick. I now ordered the blue in a size 38 and the taupe in a 36, with the skirts both in a 40 so that I would be able to tailor it down and it doesn't end up too short.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

bj1111

Love the navy esp in that texture.

If you are getting new oxfords, one with a pointier or almond toe rather than round would read dressier.

You look fab in knee or slightly above the knee in skirts. Just do the sit down test.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The vibe of the outfit is dead right, Astrid. But as you yourself mentioned - fits are off. Skirt and jacket are too big. Blouse looks good.

JAileen

When I'm buying something on a huge sale and I'm not sure of the size, sometimes I'll buy it in two sizes. Then I get the sale price on the item I keep. Sometimes this isn't practical, of course.

Greyscale

Sometimes a store will honor the sale price on an exchange for a different size. I don't know if that applies as often outside the US.

I love the look - very professional and your oxfords add a cute note. The overall concept is great so I'm sure you'll find a skirt and jacket that work.

El Cee

Angie is spot on. The vibe is perfect... but the items are too big. Keeping fingers crossed that sizing down will do the trick. The blouse is lovely.

crazyone

blouse is great, suit is too big. I would also go with a color other than black if possible.

Thanks everybody! Glad you all like the blouse. I'll let you know how the new order works out. I'm hoping the navy fits, although the taupe might work too (good reminder about doing the sit down test). Then maybe with grey (taupe) or blue shoes? Although I guess black might work too, there's black in the pattern of the blouse. Oh and I did order two sizes of both skirt and blazer, but the fit is off compared with the size chart. This is the bigger skirt and smaller blazer. The smaller skirt fit in the waist but was too tight in the hips. I didn't even open the packaging of the bigger blazer.

Category