No idea what to wear tomorrow - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

No idea what to wear tomorrow

Maya

Veteran

I am meeting a job recruiter tomorrow. I don't know if I have to dress like I'm going for an interview, but I was planning to err on the more formal side. However, after an incident involving a jar falling on my toe, I am unable to wear any closed toe shoes. They put too much pressure on my nail, which is now a bit dislocated from the rest of my toe. So I really do not have any choice but to wear my brulees. I'm assuming when they see my toe bandaged, they'll be able to put two and two together.

My real dilemma is how to build a professional outfit around these shoes. I can't wear a skirt (I returned the white BR one and it's too hot for my other pencil skirts...the rest of my collection is too casual). I'm left with dressy black slacks or straight leg purple pinstripe pants. I just don't know what to do with the rest. I can't help but feel like the Brulees are going to look silly and disconnected with those pants and I was hoping I could make the rest of the outfit work at least.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Chris

shiny

Veteran

For recruiters I think you should dress for the job you are going for. So, in your case, creative. What about what you wore for your last interview? Wouldn't that work with the brulees?

Otherwise I think the brulees will look just fine with either of those pants. It's summer afterall, and you are applying for a creative job, not a law firm. I would recommend a jacket though, to keep it interview-appropriate. Needn't be matchy (better if it's not - you want a creative look). Do you have options that could work?

You want to dress interview-appropriate because the recruiter is evaluating for how you will dress if he helps you get an interview with his clients. The recruiter's reputation is at stake - he's not going to send you out sight-unseen. If already employed, and you are interviewing on your lunch hour, a recruiter will make allowances and figure this is what you wear on the job, not necessarily on an interview. If unemployed, then dress as you would to interview if he sent you to his client. Does that make sense?

As for the toe, (so sorry! hope you heal fast!), I find it helps to make a joke. It's always good to break the ice on interviews anyway, so I usually think of something to say in the first minute or so (puts me at ease, if nothing else). My standard recruiter joke is something along the lines of how "as you can see, I do not have three eyes." (I usually set this up beforehand - "of course I can come in and meet you; I'm sure you want to make sure, before I meet your clients, that I don't have three eyes." So you can say something like "no I do not have three eyes... but unfortunately I nearly lost one toe recently."

Maya

Veteran

I do not have a jacket so that's out. I keep meaning to get one, but never end up finding one that doesn't look overly boring and conservative (or one that fits over my chest).

My summer interview wardrobe is pretty poor. That's why I got the BR skirt, but it was too expensive and not really comfortable enough for me so I gave it back.

I don't think the last outfit would work with the brulees and it is too hot now anyway. It was too hot even then. I really would like to find a structured A line skirt instead.

Chris

So if you wore the black pants with the Brulee shoe, do you have a dressier blouse to wear on top? Do you have the pewter sandal (can't remember) or a color? Try to bring in a bold necklace to keep focus up high.

You could do the cardi/top route as well and for summer I think that would be fine for recruiter meeting. Just style it "up" as much as possible

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Remind me, what colour brulees did you end up buying? If you got one of the neutrals, I can't imagine any reason why it wouldn't work with the purple pinstripe pants. Do you have any white pants or dressier white capris to pair with a pretty summer blouse?

Maya

Veteran

I do not have white pants. It's on my to buy list...but I can't buy anything until I get a job. it's a vicious cycle...

Anyway, turns out even the Brulees aren't going to work the top strap is hitting me on my sore spot. It looks like I'm going to have to go super inappropriate and wear some thong sandals that I don't even think are going to be comfortable, but there is nothing else that won't rub my toe. Of course, I'm also nervous about leaving it exposed, for people on the train to possibly step on. Ugh, what luck I have.

I don't really feel like I have any "nice" tops. That is a real weak spot in my wardrobe. Unfortunately I only notice weak spots under the most dire circumstances. But it's hard to find nice tops when you're well endowed. I rely on lots of stretch to fit over my chest and stretch makes things look cheaper.

I'm thinking of just wearing a dark denim skirt, a nice top, and explaining that I usually dress better but circumstances were not in my favor...

shiny

Veteran

Maya, I suggest you wrap your toe up in a huge, thick bandage - not just a band-aid. Something obvious. Then wear the thongs and limp a little (well, if it's genuine). Point to your foot, laugh, and say something about your rotten luck hurting your foot the day before. Then leave it at that. Don't over-explain your clothing choice but do have a humorous, short, self-effacing story about how you hurt your foot. "I can't open jars without dropping them on my foot BUT <insert amazing skill you have that no other candidate can offer>."

You will be memorable!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A frock gets my vote. I think you should put on your purple/blue mod frock with a waistcoat and new white cross body bag. Add the brullees and that cute pewter headband you have on in your face book profile.

So sorry about your toe. Rotten luck. :0(

shana

Veteran

Maya, I think Shiny makes excellent suggestions (LOL at the limp!). I know money is tight for you but you really need to make an allowance for some interview appropriate clothing. It really is an investment in your future and you cannot be scrambling to try to put something together every time opportunity knocks on the door.

I totally get what you mean about finding appropriate tops/jackets etc. This is always my weak spot too (which is why I have a gazillion pants but hardly any decent tops). I have put myself on a pant ban (have been on it for quite awhile now) so that I can focus on tops & dresses.

Maya

Veteran

Shana, I don't think I'd be as stuck if I wasn't resigned to these shoes (which are not actually the Brulees anymore--see above). I don't need to look exceptionally "conservative" or anything, but with such casual shoes I feel the need to step it up. Otherwise I could really get away with much more than most people, since my field allows for it. I didn't even know the skirt I had was too hot until I actually wore it in the summer less than a month ago. Now that I know I would like to find something else, hence buying the BR skirt, but it ended up being just as uncomfortable and too expensive right now.

Honestly I am sort of against spending a lot of money on interview clothes right now. I did that 3 years ago and now I can't wear anything I bought because I have gained so much weight. I'm not sure when I'm going to finally level off, so it doesn't really make sense for me to do any extensive shopping.

I think while I'm in the city I might go around and look for skirts and a jacket. The tricky part will be finding clothes that LOOK expensive even though they're not.

Ariadne

Veteran

Maya, I know the feeling, I was in the same position when I was interviewing a little while ago. I hate shopping for interview clothes. What about Angie's idea, though?

Maya

Veteran

I love Angie's idea but I'm just not sure it will work with thong sandals. They just seem to drag the whole outfit down and make it so casual (they are not dressy sandals). I guess that's my problem: Everything is going to look casual with these shoes, unless I wear them with an outfit that isn't casual by definition (for example, dress pants or a suiting skirt). And if I wear something like that, it just looks incongruous.

I think after writing that out, Angie's idea might be the best way to go. At least it won't look out of place.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I like Angie's idea, and Shiny's suggestion is really great. If it's obvious your foot is hurt and that's why you're wearing thongs, then it won't really bring your outfit down anymore than if you had your leg in a cast and had to wear a brace or something. Sometimes things like that just happen, and most people are understanding.

Good luck tomorrow. I'm sure you'll do wonderfully!

shell

i like the idea of your H&M vest. perhaps pair it with your green polka dot blouse and some dark wash jeans? or how about a cardigan?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just had to say that Shiny's idea of the huge bandage as ice-breaker is genius on so many levels. It would solve your fashion dilemma, make you stand out and also be a great conversation starter! Natural icebreakers are so incredibly helpful for interviews. I have a built-in one with McClure (guide dog)!

Just realized you may be at this meeting as we speak. How'd it go, and what did you end up wearing? Angie's suggestion sounded great.

HannahC

Maya, I don't have any ideas, just wanted to wish you good luck with your interview! And also for your toe - hope you feel better soon!

BTW, Shiny is a genius! Seriously, the suggestion of a think bandage and bringing it in the conversation? - pure gold. I might write it down somewhere to have it handy in case I need something like this.

April

Veteran

Oh, Maya - how frustrating. Is there some kind of gel pad that could protect your toe inside a closed-toe shoe, or is anything touching the toe just unbearable?

Loving Angie's outfit idea; I hope you can find a way to make it work.

Maya

Veteran

I wasn't terribly thrilled with the outfit I wore. I tried Angie's idea, but didn't like how the vest caused the dress to sort of bunch up. It seems too voluminous to work under something so fitted. I tried it with the vest unbuttoned, but didn't like it much that way either.

I ended up wearing my previous interview outfit (the green polka dot shirt with vest), but with my pinstripe pants and brulees. I wasn't crazy about it, but it got the job done and she didn't seem to mind...

While I had extra time, I went around Soho and did some interview/work clothes shopping. Finally got a short sleeve jacket for summer and the Club Monaco pants. I'm still on the hunt for a great skirt. I found an amazing plaid fluted skirt at Express, but it was too expensive.

Chris

I am glad you found something that worked with the recruiter. The jacket you picked up sounds like just the thing.
Hope the toe feels better soon!