Sooooo….
Let’s say I need to dress nicely next week. Say, for an interview. Or maybe a bar mitzvah. But probably an interview. I’m not saying that I am going on an interview, but let’s say that I’m saying that I am even though I’m not saying that I am. Follow so far?
What should I wear on said hypothetical, but not, but really, but not, interview? Given that I have never been known for being a full suit type of gal and button-down shirts and I do not get along, I’m trying to think of alternatives that are professional, nice looking, but if all possible still feel slightly like pajamas yet don’t look like pajamas. Even though these pajamas are sort of awesome.
They have hoods! And feet! They're hoody and footy!
But, I digress from something that didn’t really have a clear focus to begin with. So, to recap, I am going to be playing with interview outfit pairings this weekend, and welcome all advice and suggestions, both real and imaginary. But be sure to leave the imaginary stuff in the comments, too, just so I don’t miss it.
As a starting point for this game of dress-up via the Academichics, I like A’s two outfits here and E’s first outfit here.
A wrap dress? I have worn a wrap dress with a camisole and pumps or boots for an interview before, and have interviewed people in a similar look.
Also separates can also work, a blazer, knit shell, trousers or skirt. As someone who does interviews, I really like it when people don’t show up in boring black suits. I feel I know a little more about them. As long as it fits, the skirt isn’t super short, and it shows respect for the position (not too flamboyant or trendy), I like it.
It really depends on what kind of place your non-interview is going to be held. For faculty on-campus interviews, which are usually two-day affairs, I would generally go with a very traditional skirt or pant suit on the day I was delivering my talk, even if it meant I out-dressed the department chair by a good bit, and then I’d wear an outfit with more personality for the second day.
My “more personality” outfits look remarkably like some of the dressier “little jacket” outfits I’ve worn in the last two months — skirt, non-matched blazer, boots, with bright/patterned blouse or even an interesting heavier-weight tee. E’s purple jacket outfit is something I might have worn on a second day.
If you want to go traditional though, you can, and be comfortable. All of my interview blouses in my 2005 tour were Talbots stretch silk (hint — right now, red hanger sale, 50% off!) and they made me very, very happy with the unbuttondownlike comfort and non-gapping. Most of my suits and little jackets also have stretch.
It’s a one-day, one-hour event, so I think I’ll be fine with pieces that are tailored and nice without being a suit. I’m going to peruse your “little jacket” outfits of late for some more inspiration!
What about pants/a skirt with a coordinated (but not matching, since you don’t like full suits) blazer, with a shell underneath?
P.S. probably too late to help you now, but if you need a button down in the future the ones at mycurvyclothes.com have some extra boob room
http://www.proficiscamur.com/2009/11/stay-with-me-people.html
Thanks for the shirt suggestion; I’ll be sure to check them out!
I think a little jacket would work well, with a pair of nice trousers or a skirt, and a blouse with some personality! I’m not much of a traditional suit gal either, so I think that’s what I’d go for, depending on the environment. You seem creative (from what I know over the interwebs) so I would let that shine a little
I really like A.’s first outfit and E.’s second one.
You don’t seem to wear many trousers, so do you have a good skirt that could work? Any fitted blazers? You have scarves galore, so you could easily do the scarf-inside-jacket-neckline look favored by both A. and the newlywed Maria Von Trapp… Maybe a conservative suit and jacket with a kicky scarf and colorful shoes? You have lots of jewelry… hmm….
If the feel-like-pajamas-but-aren’t-pajamas criteria is top priority, what about an ensemble based around a jersey dress? Particularly in a dark color (black?) they can look dressy/professional depending on the accessories. Black jersey dress, colorful (but not too bright) jacket, scarf, neutral tights, pumps? I’m assuming you aren’t (hypothetically) interviewing at a law office or anything, so slightly quirky interview wear should be okay?? And then for the rest of the day, you could wear a cardigan instead of a jacket if it was too un-pajama-like!
That’s a good suggestion. You’ve all given me some ensemble ideas – I’ll have to put them together and do a little internet fashion show.
Ooh, how exciting! I always like to wear an A-line skirt, a colourful shirt and usually match a piece of jewellery to the colour of my shirt (for example, in my last job interview I wore an electric blue shirt with an enormous electric blue ring – hey, it seemed to work! ;D I got the job!) and pair it all with some heels
Good luck!
a simple dress with jacket.
Yes, green wrap dress and blazer?? This might be subjective to what it looks like though. I wonder…