Which top for job interview? - YouLookFab Forum

Hey all! My big important job interview is tomorrow and Tuesday. I've settled what I'm wearing, except I can't decide on a top. Unfortunately, I don't have time to take photos, but here's a description.

I will be wearing the new high-waisted Alice + Olivia trousers and my awesome Theyskens Theory blazer. The overall look is oversized and slouchy in a way that I love.

The options for the top are:
*Everlane light gray silk tank
*Everlane black silk sleeveless button-down

In the Finds below, click through to see either option untucked (the main photo shows it tucked). I will definitely wear either one of them untucked; in both cases that works much better with the oversized blazer.

I was all set to wear the tank, but I remembered it having a higher neckline than it does, and I'm afraid it looks too casual without the jacket. It will be in the high 60s so I may need to take off the jacket to stay cool.

For academic jobs, my goal is to look properly dressed but without looking like an investment banker. That means little touches that de-formalize the outfit are needed.

So, which top would you pick?

The Outnet

Alice + Olivia Anders stretch-wool straight-leg pants

View Info

Top Pick

Everlane

The Silk Sleeveless

View Info

Top Pick

Everlane

The Silk Tank

View Info

Top Pick

Barneys New York

JAG o Blazer

View Info

Top Pick

9 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think I like the idea of the black one, untucked. But only if the blacks all match. This top has a great shape to it, professional yet arty. The grey seems a bit more "normal".

Good luck!!!!

carter

I'd pick the tank. I like the relief from the black, and I like not having a collar on a collar. This last one may not bug anyone but me, but I find a collar on a collar very fussy, which is the last thing I'd want in an interview. If you feel like the tank is a touch too low, do you have a scarf or a necklace to take up some of the real estate (may not be your style?)? Personally, unless there was cleavage involved, a slightly low neckline wouldn't bother me.

Joy

Ditto what Elizabeth said. If the black top and jacket /trousers are different textures, I think that they will work together. If not, could you add a scarf or statement necklace to the white top to make it less casual?

Suz

(website)

I like the black one. The tank feels a bit "uncovered" for me, personally, for an interview (not necessarily later, when you have the job) and the black top feels arty somehow in a good way.

Current

Active Member

As a fellow academic I appreciate how hard it is to strike the right balance in a field with very few "rules". I think that your choices do not scream banker, but they do indicate that you understand proper interview dress.
I think that either shirt works well. Day long, academic interviews are grueling and unpredictable, so I think you should choose the top that you think looks the best sans coat. I like them both, but think that the untucked button up could look like a vest- and give you a pseudo three picked suit look. My only reservation would be color. They all appear to be black. I think two shades of black is fine, but three may seem unintentionally sloppy-- a bit too much of the dreaded absent minded professor!

elpgal

Grey for the same reasons Current states.

rizamei

I vote for the grey to break up the black. I like all-black outfits, but I think this might be a bit much for June. (Assuming you're in the northern hemisphere...) I like the idea of using a scarf if the grey tank feels too low. A necklace might work there as well and add some character.

If you think you'll have to take off the jacket during the interview day, I would find a top with sleeves. Which might be a bit warm while going to/from the interview, but surely the interview location itself would have the usual arctic A/C?

Greyscale

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm still waffling.

The jacket and trousers are almost identical fabric despite being from different collections. They look the same up close. The black silk is washed silk - so it is a bit faded and has a very different texture than the wool. The blacks all go together quite nicely. (I ruled out other combinations because of mismatched blacks.)

shiny

If you wear the black top, which it sounds like you'd feel more confident in, then break up all the black with non-black shoes, belt, bag. Good luck!

Staysfit

I like the grey and I would pick a subtle statement necklace to go with it. (An oxymoron right?!)

Summer

I prefer the light tank, colourwise, but, if you are likely to be taking off the jacket, I think the black top would look more professional.
Good luck with the interview.

kkards

i prefer that tank because, well its a tank, so it gives a totally unbanker vibe without being casual. for me, i personally never remove my jacket during an interview, i just roll up/push up the sleeves, so that would not be a problem. but if you're concerned about how it looks without a jacket, i wouldn't wear it. the most important thing about what you wear is that you have to be comfortable.

viva

I think you could go either way but I have a slight preference for the washed black silk button up, especially if you will be taking your jacket off. If you think you can get by with pushing up the sleeves, then the grey tank, just because visually it seems a more interesting outfit.

Fantastic look overall either way, though. Best of luck in the interview!!!

BTW, GOOD LUCK!!!!

Susie

I think there are good arguments here on the pros and cons of each. Since there are fans of both tops, I would go with the one that feels most comfortable. Good luck!!!!

Anonymous

Good luck Greyscale!

Re long sleeves - I just realized there's a late-breaking third option, a long sleeve black silk shirt. It gives the same effect as the sleeveless one. Hmm.

I have to get dressed in ten minutes, and still haven't decided! Will report back later.

Amazingly, I'll be carrying a brown leather bag for my laptop, the first non-black bag I've ever bought. I had to buy it a few weeks ago after my old computer was stolen, so I already had the interview in mind, and the desire for things to take the edge off my professional look.

Final result:

I wore the gray silk tank. I kept my jacket on all day. I love this outfit, and it felt so much like me.

For the second day of the interview, I wore my black R13 crossover jeans, a fluid-fit black silk shirt (long sleeves), and pointed-toe flat boots. Carried my more professional-looking vintage Coach bag rather than my computer bag, since I didn't need the computer.

I am so happy with what I wore. Not that appearance matters for this beyond "looks reasonable" but I feel like I really projected myself well.

I didn't get photos of either, but might re-create for the record, later.

As for the job, I'll find out if I'm still in the running in a few weeks. I get the sense that I'm a contender but not at the top. But my presentations went well, and I got a lot of compliments on my work (including from that department's Nobel laureate) so I'm glowing even if I probably won't get the job.

Thanks for all your advice on this and my earlier thread!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

OH, I'm pleased it all worked out, Greyscale. Your outfits sound 100%, and we are holding thumbs.

Congratulations! It sounds as if you were well prepared and looked the part. Hoping you get some more positive news soon.

yeah for compliments on your work- and from a Nobel Laureate!

approprio

A bit late to this party, but so glad to read your presentations went well. FWIW, that's a fantastic professional capsule look. Great that it carried you through the process. Good luck with the outcome!

Category