White after labor day?

[LAblondeGPhi]

Since this has morphed into a job interview attire thread, here are my two cents on that issue:

IMO, college-aged women in general do a relatively poor job of dressing for professional interviews. Whereas men have worn suits for every major formal function since toddlerhood (weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, etc.) women don't typically wear or own suiting until they are interviewing for an internship or job.

I'm having a hard time placing the white rule in with job interview attire. The much more common issue I see is clothing that is too short, too shear or thin, generally poorly fitted, pieces that are the same color but don't match, iffy fabrics, etc.

Some classmates and I worked on a womens' suiting concept last year in business school, and conducted about 100 interviews with 20-somethings on their professional clothing choices. I was shocked how many of the 20- to 22-year-olds were purchasing their internship and job interview clothes at Zara and H&M. And this was not a strict matter of being able to afford these pieces, it was a lack of awareness of what is acceptable.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi

I'm having a hard time placing the white rule in with job interview attire.

Exactly.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi

I'm having a hard time placing the white rule in with job interview attire. The much more common issue I see is clothing that is too short, too shear or thin, generally poorly fitted, pieces that are the same color but don't match, iffy fabrics, etc.

Some classmates and I worked on a womens' suiting concept last year in business school, and conducted about 100 interviews with 20-somethings on their professional clothing choices. I was shocked how many of the 20- to 22-year-olds were purchasing their internship and job interview clothes at Zara and H&M. And this was not a strict matter of being able to afford these pieces, it was a lack of awareness of what is acceptable.

I agree with the bolded! But, we do not have too many Zara's around here to make any judgements on the store, but H&M has pieces that are very work appropriate. I would wear a lot of these blazers! http://m.hm.com/us/subdepartment/LAD...94866589#items I think it is much less about the store. I've seen and more about learn how to shop for pieces that fit, are appropriate and maintaining personal style. I dreaded wearing businesswear growing up because it looked so boring! I think with marketing, girls and juniors clothing is so much more colorful and fun and then one day we say, "Whoa! Tone it down!" I work with college students who are making that transistion. They do research presentations across the country so we do wardrobe checks before they pack. Some of these girls loathe the process of having to kind of "conform" in their style. We ask for appropriate colored suits or suit pieces, heel heights, even down to the nail polish color so they will be taken seriously. (Mind you I don't like it just as much as the students, but that's the culture we live in.) I think grown women do have fun business clothes, it just takes time to make a proper transistion from "junior land."

[LAblondeGPhi]

Originally Posted by PersistentDST

I agree with the bolded! But, we do not have too many Zara's around here to make any judgements on the store, but H&M has pieces that are very work appropriate. I would wear a lot of these blazers! http://m.hm.com/us/subdepartment/LAD...94866589#items I think it is much less about the store. I've seen and more about learn how to shop for pieces that fit, are appropriate and maintaining personal style. I dreaded wearing businesswear growing up because it looked so boring! I think with marketing, girls and juniors clothing is so much more colorful and fun and then one day we say, "Whoa! Tone it down!" I work with college students who are making that transistion. They do research presentations across the country so we do wardrobe checks before they pack. Some of these girls loathe the process of having to kind of "conform" in their style. We ask for appropriate colored suits or suit pieces, heel heights, even down to the nail polish color so they will be taken seriously. (Mind you I don't like it just as much as the students, but that's the culture we live in.) I think grown women do have fun business clothes, it just takes time to make a proper transition from "junior land."

I agree that the transition is a harsh one for women. Most casual wear for women under 30 is far too tight and short to be worn to the office. There are very, very few stores that provide decent quality (read: minimal polyester, well-constructed, will last a little while) and a design aesthetic that young women can love. I think Banana Republic comes closest, but most women don't start to appreciate that style until their mid-20's.

I was a major offender of work fashion in my first job: I was looking for cheap pieces just to build up my wardrobe, because I had almost nothing that was work appropriate when I started. I wound up buying a lot of crappy pants, skirts (none of which matched anything) and button-down blouses that lost their shape relatively quickly and looked sloppy within 6 months.

My concern with H&M is that you need to exercise VERY good judgement when picking pieces. These are all in their "wear to the office" section, and I consider them all no-nos for any moderately conservative office:


That skirt is too short and the zippers could really go either way.


This dress!! The second you sit down, you're going to fully expose yourself! You might as well keep a large file folder in your lap at all times.


She looks like she's in a sexy librarian strip show. That skirt needs at least 5 more inches of fabric.

Also... I'm a stickler for matching fabrics. Just because two "work" pieces are black does NOT mean that you can wear them together as a suit. They actually have to BE THE SAME FABRIC.

/end rant

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi

I agree that the transition is a harsh one for women. Most casual wear for women under 30 is far too tight and short to be worn to the office. There are very, very few stores that provide decent quality (read: minimal polyester, well-constructed, will last a little while) and a design aesthetic that young women can love. I think Banana Republic comes closest, but most women don't start to appreciate that style until their mid-20's.

I was a major offender of work fashion in my first job: I was looking for cheap pieces just to build up my wardrobe, because I had almost nothing that was work appropriate when I started. I wound up buying a lot of crappy pants, skirts (none of which matched anything) and button-down blouses that lost their shape relatively quickly and looked sloppy within 6 months.

My concern with H&M is that you need to exercise VERY good judgement when picking pieces. These are all in their "wear to the office" section, and I consider them all no-nos for any moderately conservative office:


That skirt is too short and the zippers could really go either way.


This dress!! The second you sit down, you're going to fully expose yourself! You might as well keep a large file folder in your lap at all times.


She looks like she's in a sexy librarian strip show. That skirt needs at least 5 more inches of fabric.

Also... I'm a stickler for matching fabrics. Just because two "work" pieces are black does NOT mean that you can wear them together as a suit. They actually have to BE THE SAME FABRIC.

/end rant

I can admit I am not as conservative as you are, and that is fine! That's why there are so many different stores and styles! Keeps us from dressing like clones. Banana Republic is just flat out expensive for most people. (I just found a version of the top skirt at Banana Republic for $70 bucks, while it's $30 at H&M.) I do shop at their outlet on an occassion, especially when they have sales.

We all have to watch where and what we buy because we cannot tell how something looks until we try it on anyway. The average catalog model is around 5'8" and very slender. The middle dress may hit the knee on someone who is 5'3" and may be an acceptable choice for them. I am 5'9" so there are dresses that are flat out inappropriate for me. All of my "business appropriate" skirts sit slightly above my knee. I am conscious of the fit/material (especially having a curvier derriere and thighs) but I do not plan on being a slave to the knee length rule. Some items are tighter on me, but may be much looser on a woman who does not have curves. I do agree that on THAT particular person, those items might appear to be too short for the office.

I am blessed to work on a college campus where we just aren't moderately conservative. Generally, the campus is business casual (unless you are talking the higher administration folks) and some folks wear jeans. I only do the suit/dress pants thing when our students have presentations or we have meetings/interviews to conduct.

[AOIILisa]

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi

I agree that the transition is a harsh one for women. Most casual wear for women under 30 is far too tight and short to be worn to the office. There are very, very few stores that provide decent quality (read: minimal polyester, well-constructed, will last a little while) and a design aesthetic that young women can love. I think Banana Republic comes closest, but most women don't start to appreciate that style until their mid-20's.

I was a major offender of work fashion in my first job: I was looking for cheap pieces just to build up my wardrobe, because I had almost nothing that was work appropriate when I started. I wound up buying a lot of crappy pants, skirts (none of which matched anything) and button-down blouses that lost their shape relatively quickly and looked sloppy within 6 months.

My concern with H&M is that you need to exercise VERY good judgement when picking pieces. These are all in their "wear to the office" section, and I consider them all no-nos for any moderately conservative office:


That skirt is too short and the zippers could really go either way.


This dress!! The second you sit down, you're going to fully expose yourself! You might as well keep a large file folder in your lap at all times.


She looks like she's in a sexy librarian strip show. That skirt needs at least 5 more inches of fabric.

Also... I'm a stickler for matching fabrics. Just because two "work" pieces are black does NOT mean that you can wear them together as a suit. They actually have to BE THE SAME FABRIC.

/end rant

I have to disagree with the above. I have every single one of these items in my closet (except the pink blouse and my black skirt is plain) and I wear all of them to work, but I'm 5 5" so the skirts are a little, but not much, longer. I get most of my clothes at Banana Republic, Nordstrom, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, etc.

I'm in middle management for a large healthcare system - but I've also worked in banking, insurance, law, and communications and have never ever had a problem with anyone thinking I'm dressed inappropriately. And this place is by far the most conservative place I've ever worked. My best friend here is a VP and she dresses pretty much the same. I would not have a problem with any of my younger staff members wearing the above to work.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What are appropriate colored suits or suit pieces?

Not white after Labor Day, that's for sure.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Not white after Labor Day, that's for sure.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/galtim...b_4768367.html

This needs to be updated to accommodate "seasonal attire" interviewers.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What are appropriate colored suits or suit pieces?

Understand this is my bosses beliefs more than mine, but I have to follow the team. Appropriate meaning, "let's not wear the lime green suit to the presentation." That type of thing. Maybe incorporate it in a top or jewelry, but let's not do the bright orange suit for presentations/interviews. We are not saying be void of color or print for all of eternity, but make sure they begin to have neutral pieces for interviews and presentations (this is the first time many of the students are buying business attire), because they will be judged on their appearance. (I say after the they get the job, bring out the colored suits and the bright nails! But I'm not a fan of the traditional business culture).

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PersistentDST

Understand this is my bosses beliefs more than mine, but I have to follow the team. Appropriate meaning, "let's not wear the lime green suit to the presentation." That type of thing. Maybe incorporate it in a top or jewelry, but let's not do the bright orange suit for presentations/interviews. We are not saying be void of color or print for all of eternity, but make sure they begin to have neutral pieces for interviews and presentations (this is the first time many of the students are buying business attire), because they will be judged on their appearance. (I say after the they get the job, bring out the colored suits and the bright nails! But I'm not a fan of the traditional business culture).

Gotcha. That is taught in most career services and job training (including services and trainings for people across cultures and marginalized groups).

Have you all ever considered teaching people about the seasonal colors and white after Labor Day thing? Some interviewers take it mad seriously.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PersistentDST

Appropriate meaning, "let's not wear the lime green suit to the presentation."

LMAO. One of my old (amply endowed) bosses had a lime green suit that was way too short and too tight and every time she wore it people would say she looked like slutty Kermit.

And she brings up another point. Just because it has a designer label on it or is the most expensive thing in the shop, doesn't mean it's right for you. PersistentDST was right in that H & M has quite a few business appropriate pieces, and if you're not sure your first job is going to be one you're in for many years, it doesn't pay to spend zillions.