Interview outfits for retail jobs

Anonymous

I have three interviews later this week with REI, Talbots and J. Crew for part-time work. The REI and Talbots interviews are with a manager, and the J. Crew interview is with a group (I assume with other applicants, not other employees?) and with a manager. What would be the best thing to wear to each of these interviews?

I usually work as a staff member at a university, so I'm prepared to wear the typical business suit separates, but I feel like that might be overdressing. Can anyone give some suggestions, and I'll try to create an outfit to post for your approval? The employees at these stores all seem to wear the brand's merchandise and dress smart casual, with the exception to REI (oh dear; back to my nemesis: the fleece jacket worn in an everyday outfit!).

Thank you!
- LE

16 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good going on the interviews, LE! I hope they go well.

Hmmm. Don’t know what to suggest wrt REI interview, but let me think about it. You can probably wear the same outfit to the other two interviews. What do you feel good in at the moment, LE?

16 years ago

taylor

Veteran

For Talbots and Jcrew I might suggest anything that looks like what they may sell. If you have anything dressy from Jcrew , wear that. I doubt you have anything from Talbots...but a skirt ,blouse ,or jacket.. seasonale and age appropriate
REI...I'm lost with that...what do the sales staff wear at REI?

16 years ago

rute

Veteran

I think that for interviews there is no such thing as overdressed, even if the other employers dress usually dress in a more casual way, you should always be impecable and polish for interviews. Go with your first ideia (the business suit separates).

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

For retail, I think that full business wear is a little much. I agree that wearing something that looks similar in style to what the shop sells is a good idea (even if it isn't actually from there). For REI, I would go smart casual with an eco, boho, or outdoorsy edge. You want to look like you would fit into their retail environment. The clerks there tend to dress very casual and athletic.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

REI - casual and athletic. I think Chewy is right on the mark here. I bet you could get away with your best dark wash denim, and top/jacket in eco-friendly materials in earthy colors?

Talbots - classic and conservative - your suit separates may work fine for this, but I would not necessarily wear a matchy-matchy suit. I would opt for something flattering but not super-trendy. If you don't own Talbots clothes, go with something in their color palette if you have it. Check out their site, but as general rule of thumb, tomato red, black, white, yellow will work. Think strong, primary, classic colors.

Jcrew - think Michelle Obama! Here again if you don't own Jcrew, find something that matches their color scheme. Flip through their site and you'll get a sense of it. The colors to my eye seem best for Springs (think: Ana colors). For this interview, a matching pants suit in a light summery color would probably work just fine, but that wouldn't be your only option either. A pencil skirt with a cardigan would be sweet. A sleeveless sheath with a cardi would also work just fine. I would also put some attention into accessories for this interview. Flower pin, chunky pearls, charm bracelet (see their accessories to get ideas). And do wear ballet flats! In my mind, Jcrew is all about the ballet flat.

Yeah... if I was interviewing at Jcrew I would go with: pencil skirt, silk shell with ruffle or other interesting detail, crewneck cardigan, long strand of pearls, ballet flats... all clothes in soft muted colors.

For Talbots I'd go with a black/white checked pencil skirt and a red suit jacket with a white shell, black patent low heels (conservative-looking pump), and short strand of gumball pearls. All pieces giving a "timeless" vs trendy look.. because that is what Talbot's aims to achieve.

For REI, I'd be stumped... since casual and athletic, boho and eco aren't really my style. Possibly I'd choose the brown dress with leggings outfit on today's blog! Or dark denim trouser jeans, bronze flats, earthy-green cotton top, khaki short-sleeve jacket. Minimal jewelry.

Good luck!!!

16 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks for all the input! So much to think about - here are my thoughts so far:
Angie, lately I've been most comfortable in skirts and dresses, although bermuda shorts or smart denim are also possibilities. I just need to *get* some smart denim.

One idea I had was to wear one of these dresses with bronze flats, a denim jacket and perhaps leggings:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tall1inart/3583720559
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tall1inart/3188054717

I'm not crazy about this dress, but would it work with flats and a black or white cardigan? http://www.flickr.com/photos/tall1inart/3188891422

Or this ensemble, maybe with a white cardigan for Talbots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tall1inart/3188892720

I really need to buy some smart-looking denim ASAP, but for the REI interview, I was thinking of wearing smart denim and this brown cotton wrap jacket with a longer top: http://www.flickr.com/photos/t.....671537325/

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I like all of your ideas. Not sure about leggings for a place like Talbots. My favorite is the tie-neck outfit - it looks very professional and orange cardigan makes it stand out. For REI, I think you have a good idea - they probably don't care much about what you wear, but you'd probably have to look athletic and low-key

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think you’ve nailed it, LE. Great ideas. Well done! Go get a smart pair of denim jeans asap. Let us know how the interviews go. Good luck!

I adore the purple dress. Why don’t you like it? It actually scores a 10!

16 years ago

Vani

Veteran

I like the neck-tie+cardi for Talbots too. Like both dresses to but I really like the orange one on you, very nice! And the REI outfit looks right on. Good luck on the interviews! Let us know how it goes.

16 years ago

Anonymous

Angie, I think I'd like the dress better if it was another shade of purple - the muted shade is lighter in person than it shows in my awfully-lit apartment. The color is what I'm not wild about.

I'm wearing the skirt and orange cardigan ensemble for Talbot's today; I'll check in and let you know how it went!

16 years ago

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