Panic for the job interview - YouLookFab Forum

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Panic for the job interview

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

ETA lighting in these pix is not the greatest. Please see the short descriptions I wrote of items n each photo.
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I just pulled up the website for my job interview tomorrow and was startled to realize everyone is wearing something more formal than the red flares I was thinking I’d wear. The text is all about how non-stodgy they are, but dang there were a lot of blazers, even if some were unlined.

So I flew to the cellar & pulled out a bunch of stuff I haven’t seen in ages. I’ll check back in a few minutes to see if there are basic questions, then will be gone until 10 am when I hope to receive collected wisdom of the blog.

I will wear navy or black tights and one of these 3 pairs of shoes—navy pumps, black pumps, navy oxfords. Yes, I’ll wear a bra & makeup & put my hair in a nice bun.
1. Navy J Petermann skirt, purple Caslon knit blazer, paisley top (same as in recent flares pic)
2. Navy skirt, cranberry top, pointelle (I think) Free People blazer
3. Botanical print skirt, cranberry top
4. Navy J Peterman skirt, pinstriped shirt, textured jacket thingy from Soft Surroundings
5. Navy dress, blue Anthro jacket
6. Black & gold sheath
7. Bright blue Lands End dress, blue Anthro jacket.
8. Detail of blue Anthro jacket
9. Detail of blue jacket thingy from Soft Surroundings. It has 3/4 sleeves
10. Is this jacket from Free People pointell?
11. Detail striped shirt
12. Paisley blouse—sleeveless
13. Paisley blouse—long sleeved.

Predicted temp tomorrow is 20 c

ETA pix from the website, sloppily edited.

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Urgent

56 replies

Latest reply was from ChristelJ

Sal

Veteran

I think all could work.

I am drawn to 2 and 4. I like the way the jacket and the skirt in 4 play together - it is smart but not too formal. I can't see if the paisley blouse would work with this jacket or not but I do love that blouse for you in this setting.

I do like the skirt in 3 and would wear that to a job but maybe not for the interview.

It is hard to see the colours on my monitor but I would wear the shoes in the best condition that blend with the outfit - which I think might be the navy pumps.

rachylou

Veteran

My preference is for the purple dress because it has the longest skirt.

Synne

Veteran

How fun and intriguing! Best of luck on your interview! Fingers crossed. You haven't told what field you are applying for. But how about conservative trousers, black slacks, and a more festive top under a formal jacket? A little glimpse of the wild undercurrent under a professional and polished shell?

Once I wore purple glasses without strength to an interview, just to appear more interesting and... intellectual.. lol. And it worked!

rachylou

Veteran

I’m back to say that the purple has a long skirt that says ‘serious’, but it’s purple, so it’s ‘fun.’ I feel even more strongly about it now.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Sal! The jacket in 4 has 3/4 length sleeves. If I wear it with paisley, should I go for the ls or sleeveless? The pumps are def in better shape than the oxfords. I cleaned/conditioned the oxfords this weekend and realized I need Navy polish for them

RL, skirt length—good point! If I wear that dress, what would I wear on my legs? Neither the navy nor black tights would work. I suppose I could go get some my skin color pantyhose in the morning, if they sell them at the grocery store. Oh, and it isn’t really purple. It’s blue.

Synne

Veteran

And I'm agreeing with rachylou. The purple dress is the best of the bunch here!

Sal

Veteran

Is that the dress in 7 - I agree that one is also good especially if blue with the navy pumps.

An idea - would a long sleeve shirt work under this dress instead of a jacket....I think it is sleeveless and I do really like that look.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Finds for the royal blue (not purple) dress, a white cashmere top I could wear, a 3/4 sleeve cardi that matches the color in that dress, and a couple other items shown here.

by Stagiaire Fash

View Info

S.Oliver BLACK LABEL ÄRMELLOS - Bluse

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Top Pick

7

Soyaconcept NELLE - Bluse

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Top Pick

2

by Stagiaire Fash

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by Stagiaire Fash

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by Stagiaire Fash

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by Stagiaire Fash

View Info

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sal, I’m scratching my head at what shirt to layer under. I have ls Ts, but wouldn’t that make it pretty casual? The paisley blouse has poofy sleeves and a bit of extra fabric all round, so I don’t think it works under a slim-fitting dress. Is part of what you are saying that you don’t think it works with the blazer? My favorites when I tried them on were your first 2 pix, btw

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Agree with Rachy on purple dress! Best wishes for the interview.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks PP. But it’s not purple! The find shows it more clearly.

Runcarla

Veteran

#7, or #4. The shoes in the middle (that look like tweed). Neutral/natural hose. Good luck!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Carla, the black tweedy shoes with blue? I know it is possible, am just checking if it’s what you meant.

nemosmom

Veteran

Good luck with the interview - as an aside, is it in-person or online? I ask because it may open up opportunity for your red flares after all. And as a bonus, you won't need shoes

ETA: I like #7!

celia

Veteran

I like the royal blue dress the best but understand the challenge of layering. Would the navy knit jacket work with it?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I should be sleeping, but just realized I do have pants that could work. Synne suggested trousers or slacks. I’ve got honey mustard pants that would work with the jacket in 2 & 11 and the cranberry top.

Celia, I’m not sure if you mean the Caslon knit jacket from pic 1, which is purple, or the blue unlined jacket from Anthro in pic 8, which is woven.

Nemosmom, I’ve got a phone interview on Thursday, but this one is in-person. I’ll take a mask, but don’t know if I’ll be expected to wear it or not. Thanks for the good wishes!

Sal

Veteran

Fashintern - I agree a tee won't work. I have done that look before but you need a close fitting shirt so it can be tricky to get all the components right.

I still think 2 or 4 work or the royal blue dress with the jacket. It is hard to see the colours on the screen so you will have to judge that part. I like mixed blues or blues and blacks, it is just getting the components right. If you have a black handbag maybe the black shoes.

I used to do a lot of recruitment (and still do some). Our firm is pretty casual so clothes don't worry me as long as the person looks like they made an effort (clean polished shoes, tidy nails, tidy hair) I definitely wore the wrong thing to some of my earlier interviews and in fact was told that in one - but I got the job.

All the best.

rachylou

Veteran

Lol re purple Royal Blue is even better.

Minaminu

Veteran

How about the dress in picture 6 with a cardigan? Good luck with the interview!!!

rachylou

Veteran

Also: do you need something under it for warmth? Would there be a problem
showing shoulder you think?

Cee

Veteran

Break a leg, kid !

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Rachy said. I like the blue dress in t#7 best because the hem length is the longest. Can you go bare legged with navy pumps? Good with the jacket. Best of luck!

slim cat

Veteran

I'm late to discussion - I like an option of navy skirt from #1 with white sleeveless cashmere top and purple knit blazer ( with tights - navy to go with skirt or black to go with shoes - no on socks ).
The dress in #7 is great option but I'm not sure what topper/jacket/cardi is the best. Solid colors are usually the way to go for interviews ( or very subtle print ). Good luck!

SarahD8

Veteran

I might be too late, but my vote is the royal blue dress, tweedy pumps, and nic & zoe patterned topper (in finds in your second post). Nude or sheer black hosiery. Caveat: provided that the blue of the dress and the blue in the topper go well enough. Very professional/classic silhouette but the tension between the topper and shoes seems like it has the potential to be lurking quirk personified.

Oh haha, I see slim cat recommends only subtle patterns at most for job interviews. I suppose I should also issue the disclaimer that I haven’t been on a job interview since 1998.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Absolutely the royal blue dress because of its length, which looks by far the most professional. It’s also a really smart looking dress. And then the jacket you are wearing with the dress- OR, jacket/shirt/whatever it is from pic 2. The middle shoes.
Good luck, yay!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the dress in #7 too. Good luck!

Roxanna

Veteran

Another vote for the blue dress because of its length. I do think that anything above the knee for a job interview can read unprofessional. Best to go more conservative for the First impression and then ease up if the environment allows it.

anne

Veteran

All the best for the interview! (I'd just be following Angie's advice - I always find it hard to decide too!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the comments and good wishes. You’ve convinced me to wear the blue dress. I’m about to rummage around for appropriate hosiery. Remembering a comment Astrid made once, I don’t think bare legs are the right answer, especially if I’m trying to be a bit conservative, but I might have a pair of Wolfords that would work.

ETA found ‘es!

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