Need interview attire help - Page 2

nikki1920 · #16 08-18-2008, 04:43 PM

Wear colorful accessories, but not too loud. Or go buy another suit.

33girl · #17 08-18-2008, 04:44 PM

Wear a necklace or other piece of jewelry that you like - even if it's under your blouse, you will feel better wearing it.

If it's the cut you don't like, get something new. If it's suits in general - well, you just have to suck it up and get used to it.

Scully · #18 08-18-2008, 04:50 PM

I'm a suit-hater as well. I never feel like myself! Instead I opt for separates at Express. They carry pants in several cuts and coordinating jackets in the same fabric. Personally, I love how the charcoal grey looks. Then you can pair it with a bolder shirt or one bold accessory.

phimu88 · #19 08-18-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda6035

I'm bumping this because I have an interview in 2 weeks that i'm super nervous and excited about. It's literally the job of my dreams, and if the phone interview and email communication is any indication of how things are going to go, I think I'll be pleased at the end of the process.

However, I wanted to ask what you guys think about appropriate interview attire. I have a black suit that I wear to just about every single interview I go to. However, I am NOT comfortable in it, and I think it shows. I try to give off the best impression I have, and I dont know if it's just that this suit isn't cut right for me, or if I'm just more relaxed and laid back than a suit makes me feel, so therefore I feel stuffy and appear stuffy when wearing one...

Is there anything else that would be appropriate to wear to an interview? If so, can you show me some pictures of appropriate looking outfits that might be okay?

I have a feeling I'll err on the side of caution and wear the suit anyway, because I'd be paranoid not to. Any ideas on how to get over the stuffiness feeling so that I can give off the appearance that I'm alot more confident and comfortable than I actually am?

Thanks!

I dont know where you live but it seems almost every area had the "outlet malls" and I have found AWESOME suits for under $100 at the Kasper outlet store! I like to buy off season too for even deeper discounts! Last year I got 3 dress suits regularly priced between $250 - $350 for under $50 each!! I got tops that were normally $50 for like $5 - $10 and scarves for like $5 that were like $30 regular price!! I love finding those kind of savings!!

phimu88 · #20 08-18-2008, 04:54 PM

oh and then when you save that kind of money you can really splurge on the accessories!! Spend some extra on your shoes & purse!!

amanda6035 · #21 08-18-2008, 04:58 PM

Thanks everyone! Yeah, I guess I have an excuse to go suit shopping again! I need some good shoes too, though. I cant...absolutel cannot walk in heels (believe me, I've tried because the hubby tells me my legs look hot in them....lol), but flats look ridiculous. So I think if I can find something with a chunky heel that looks professional but is studry so I dont feel like I'm going to topple over, I'll feel better about the whole thing.

There's a couple of outlet malls about an hour up the interstate from where I live. I'll have to go check those out. Thanks for the input!

SOPi_Jawbreaker · #22 08-18-2008, 05:02 PM

The first suit I got was from Macy's. I needed a suit in a hurry, so I didn't really take the time to pick out a suit that I really liked. The suit I got made me feel frumpy. I think it would've been a fine suit for someone that's in their 40's but it was too wide/boxy for someone in their 20's. I got my second suit at New York & Co. Like Scully mentioned about Express, the pants and coordinating jackets could be purchased separately. Also, it was a much more youthful/stylish cut than my first suit. The pants and jacket were a more fitted cut so I didn't look like a big rectangle.

This is sorta like the shape of my first suit was like

This is sorta like what my current suit is like...except mine is blank and the pants aren't flared as much.

EE-BO · #23 08-18-2008, 09:29 PM

If it comes to where you have to wear the suit you have, put it on at home the day before the interview and sit in an upright chair at home while reading over your resume and thinking about the kinds of questions you might get asked and how you would answer them.

Sounds silly, I know, but trust me. If you do this, then you will go into the interview wearing what you were wearing when you were getting ready and excited. It will help.

Good luck and do post how it goes!

amanda6035 · #24 08-19-2008, 03:01 PM

Okay, so I went to Lane Bryant on my lunch break and tried some stuff on.

I'm thinking about getting this jacket:

with these pants:

and this shirt:

with these shoes, in black:

The only problem with the shirt is it has that style where it hangs out and peeps from under the bottom of the jacket. To me, it looks extremely sloppy - that style annoys me, but the shirt isn't long enough to tuck in the pants and stay put. I like the shell look that the model is wearing in the first picture...but does it look professional enough fo an interview? If so - should I use white, or should I use a different, bold color?

What do you guys think?

Scully · #25 08-19-2008, 03:56 PM

I think that unless the blouse is long enough to tuck in, you should go for the shell. Your jacket should be on during the entire interview and will be covering most of it anyway! White is nice and always good to have, but try different colors under the suit and see what you like best. Good luck!

texas*princess · #26 08-19-2008, 11:59 PM

I like grey suits... I have a light grey one and a dark grey.

Personally, I think all brown suits are hideous, but that's just me.

I also like a bold (but not too crazy!) handbag or other type of accessory to make the outfit "pop"

SassyPantsAGD · #27 08-20-2008, 01:46 AM

I have a total of 6 suits.

My favorite interview suits are my basic black and my tan suit.

I usually like to pair a colored tank top underneath (small chest I can get away with those without a cleavage problem

)

New York & Company is where 80% of my suits are from and then I found a couple at Old Navy on extra special clearance. NY & Co. always has the most trendy and best colors hands down.

stuartdenley · #28 08-20-2008, 02:15 AM

I think Grey suit and light pink shirt is the right combination, if the interview is professional you should follow the conditions. Best of luck for interview

stuartdenley

Nebraska Drug Treatment

OtterXO · #29 08-20-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda6035

I'm bumping this because I have an interview in 2 weeks that i'm super nervous and excited about. It's literally the job of my dreams, and if the phone interview and email communication is any indication of how things are going to go, I think I'll be pleased at the end of the process.

However, I wanted to ask what you guys think about appropriate interview attire. I have a black suit that I wear to just about every single interview I go to. However, I am NOT comfortable in it, and I think it shows. I try to give off the best impression I have, and I dont know if it's just that this suit isn't cut right for me, or if I'm just more relaxed and laid back than a suit makes me feel, so therefore I feel stuffy and appear stuffy when wearing one...

Is there anything else that would be appropriate to wear to an interview? If so, can you show me some pictures of appropriate looking outfits that might be okay?

I have a feeling I'll err on the side of caution and wear the suit anyway, because I'd be paranoid not to. Any ideas on how to get over the stuffiness feeling so that I can give off the appearance that I'm alot more confident and comfortable than I actually am?

Thanks!

Do you like the general look and material of the black suit? If so, I would take your black suit to a tailor and see what they can do with it. It might seem expensive (I'm not sure how old you are) but I've found with all my suits that tailoring makes them look 100% better than when I buy them.

So my advice is, get your behind to a tailor tomorrow with your suit and tell them you need it a couple days before your interview.

Thetagirl218 · #30 08-20-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scully

I'm a suit-hater as well. I never feel like myself! Instead I opt for separates at Express. They carry pants in several cuts and coordinating jackets in the same fabric. Personally, I love how the charcoal grey looks. Then you can pair it with a bolder shirt or one bold accessory.

I am the same way. Since I am a teacher, I have to dress up every day, and I hate wearing suits!!! I like New York & Co, Kohls, and Dressbarn. I haven't tried Express yet! I like to mix and match my tops with skirts, pants, and capris.