Women's interview attire

[athomas]

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I read in a few places online that skirt suits in black, navy or beige are best for formal interviews as pant suits are considered less formal. I also read blouses should be white cream or a light blue. Pantyhose and sort dark pumps are recommended as well.

My question is this-are all of you following this, and is it ok to deviate from this?

For example could you get a dark suit skirt and a conservatively colored suit jacket with a solid blouse? Or do your suit jacket and skirt have to match? If you do matching pieces, can you wear a printed blouse?

Also for those with long hair, are you going to blow it out or wear it up?

 

[sjv]

I read in a few places online that skirt suits in black, navy or beige are best for formal interviews as pant suits are considered less formal. I also read blouses should be white cream or a light blue. Pantyhose and sort dark pumps are recommended as well.

My question is this-are all of you following this, and is it ok to deviate from this?

For example could you get a dark suit skirt and a conservatively colored suit jacket with a solid blouse? Or do your suit jacket and skirt have to match? If you do matching pieces, can you wear a printed blouse?

Also for those with long hair, are you going to blow it out or wear it up?

Check out: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=842732

 

[CleverThought]

Check out: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=842732

I second this ^^ I found that thread to be very valuable. As far as me, I'm thinking a grey skirt suit with either a blush or purple blouse.

The hair will probably be a game day decision - my hair sometimes refuses to behave.

 

[y3nd0]

Are pantsuits frowned upon? (Since they're considered "less formal"). I really don't like skirts and if I can take the second option without penalty, then I will gladly do so.

Can anyone else comment on that?

 

[athomas]

Are pantsuits frowned upon? (Since they're considered "less formal"). I really don't like skirts and if I can take the second option without penalty, then I will gladly do so.

Can anyone else comment on that?

I read that they're not a bad option but you need to make sure it fits very well and the pants are not too trendy of a cut like really wide legs or cigarette pants. Personally I think a skirt will be more flattering on those of us with wider hips. Nicole Miller apparently said pant suits are always less formal

One of the posts in another thread said some old school interviewers may perceive it as less formal but they can't just flat out say they didn't like you because you wore pants.

 

[athomas]

I second this ^^ I found that thread to be very valuable. As far as me, I'm thinking a grey skirt suit with either a blush or purple blouse.

The hair will probably be a game day decision - my hair sometimes refuses to behave.

Yeah I have long thick wavy hair and I can't blow dry it smooth myself. I don't really want to straighten it though because it looks like all I did was straighten it. I also have a super bad habit of tucking my hair behind my ears and I'm sure that would be unprofessional looking

 

[y3nd0]

I read that they're not a bad option but you need to make sure it fits very well and the pants are not too trendy of a cut like really wide legs or cigarette pants. Personally I think a skirt will be more flattering on those of us with wider hips. Nicole Miller apparently said pant suits are always less formal

One of the posts in another thread said some old school interviewers may perceive it as less formal but they can't just flat out say they didn't like you because you wore pants.

Geez, fashion is so complicated. I'll just suck it up and go with the skirt. A few hours a day isn't so bad, especially if my future hangs in the balance. 😛

 

[afranchise]

I wore a gray pant suit to my first interview this year, and of the other girls at the interview the majority were wearing pant suits. A couple were wearing skirt suits and one wore a black dress, but I thought everyone looked professional! I just felt more confident in a pant suit so that's what I went with, I paired it with a black blouse and pair of black heels.

 

[y3nd0]

I wore a gray pant suit to my first interview this year, and of the other girls at the interview the majority were wearing pant suits. A couple were wearing skirt suits and one wore a black dress, but I thought everyone looked professional! I just felt more confident in a pant suit so that's what I went with, I paired it with a black blouse and pair of black heels.

Wow, okay then! You gave me the push (and confidence I needed) to get me a pantsuit. I would feel more comfortable and more confident wearing that, I am sure. (Too much of a tomboy, I guess. Heh).

 

[dadou91]

I interviewed last cycle and wanted to keep it conservative and formal but also wanted to stand out slightly. I wore a nice grey calvin klein pant suit from i believe Macys and wore a light soft pink button collared shirt with pearl necklace. My shoes were black and covered all of my feet so no heel or toes showing. I looked really professional and was comfortable. When i went to interviews, mostly all the girls wore a black suit with white or blue top under their suit.

 

[afranchise]

Wow, okay then! You gave me the push (and confidence I needed) to get me a pantsuit. I would feel more comfortable and more confident wearing that, I am sure. (Too much of a tomboy, I guess. Heh).

Just go with what you feel best in! I'm sure you will look great either way 🙂 I got my suit at Banana Republic and it fits perfectly, never had to get it altered. I actually have all of my suits from there and they are really good quality and Banana ALWAYS has 40% off deals, so if you're going there don't ever buy your suits full price!

 

[dadou91]

Here another really important bit of advice: make sure your shoes are COMFORTABLE! I had to go back and buy new shoes because it was so painful being them all day and some tours involve walking inside and outside.