Hey everyone,
Great thread!
Couple of questions though . . .. advice would be awesome!
1) I have a navy blue blazer I bought like a couple of years ago. I think cause it was one of those suit separates, they didn't give the garment bag with it . . .so it has gathered dust particularly near the shoulder pad areas. Is this something a lint roller can fix? Or do I have to dry clean it?
2) Do we absolutely need to bring a watch in? Can't we just use our cell phones during the break and during lunch to see what time it is? Or is this more unprofessional?
3) How far ahead did you all buy your suits, make-up, pursues and shoes?
Should you wait for an interview invite prior to buying all of this? Or can you buy this like 4 months ahead of time( considering that the stores have sales during different times)?
4) What about renting women's suits(especially jackets)? Is that expensive in the long run? Are there any good places?
5)When we buy a suit . . . .does the sleeve have to hit your wrist or does it have to go further?
Also how far down( like . .. should it hit your waist? or a little above your waist?)?
Thanks!
1) Depends on how set in the dust is. Simple solution, though...get out the lint roller and try it. If it doesn't work and you want to wear it, get it dry cleaned. Although, if it's been sitting in your closet for a few years, there's a chance it's gathered a certain musty/old scent, so you might just want to get it dry cleaned anyway!
2) I don't now if it's absolutely necessary, but I guess the question is, if there's a chance someone might see you looking at your cell instead of interacting with other interviewees and think it's unprofessional, why would you risk it? Especially when you can pick up a decent watch at Target for less than $20...it might not last a lifetime, but it'll certainly get you through interview season.
3) and 4) I'd say unless you're planning to gain a significant amount of weight in the next few months, you're fine buying it now if that's what you want. I bought mine about two weeks ago because I found the jacket and skirt on sale. If you're doing it this way, I think it would certainly be easier/cheaper than renting (can you even do that? I've never heard of renting women's suits). You don't have to go out and buy a set, you can buy things piecemeal as they you find them as long as you make sure they'll look good together. (Hint: if you're looking for shirts, get over to a Coldwater Creek before the liquidation sales wipes out their stock, they've got great collared shirts that you should be able to pick up at a steep discount right now.)
5) That's a personal taste question, I think. Sleeves certainly shouldn't be so long that they are at the middle of your hands, but you don't want them really short either. It's a Goldilocks thing, I guess. I like the hem of the jacket to be just below the waistband. Much higher than that and it just looks funny when you lift up your arms. When you're buying your suit, though, go for structure and fit even if the sleeves are a tad long. You can easily get those taken up by a tailor.
. Looks nicer than it really is, but actually so-so (material quality wise). Blazer, pants, top, and belt cost me around $80
