Women's Interview Clothing #3!

Started by Geekchick921
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biophilia said:
That is pretty 😍 and more my style than a very conventional suit. Thanks for the link, km17!

I just came across a NYT article about interview suits (I have not yet read through the entire old thread so sorry in advance if this has already been posted elsewhere):

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/fashion/13INTERVIEW.html
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I think this guide (especially the comments) is very informative:
http://corporette.com/2010/08/09/the-corporette-guide-to-interview-suits/

Granted, it's geared toward law interviews instead of med school interviews, but it's still relevant.
 
I'm having the hardest time finding modest button up shirts. Any suggestions?
 
I'm thinking that I want to wear a light gray suit...I'm not into black and navy blue isn't really my color (I'm blonde, have olive skin, and green eyes). I'm thinking a light gray suit with a green or purple shirt? Does this sound like it would be too much color?
 
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cowsgomuon said:
I think this guide (especially the comments) is very informative:
http://corporette.com/2010/08/09/the-corporette-guide-to-interview-suits/

Granted, it's geared toward law interviews instead of med school interviews, but it's still relevant.
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I own two of the Banana suit featured there (not in tall).

nysw said:
I'm having the hardest time finding modest button up shirts. Any suggestions?
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I also wear the Banana non-iron button ups (wearing one right now actually), and leave the top two buttons unbuttoned. For modesty, I pin the gaps immediately above and below the top-buttoned button. I've heard of people basting in snaps or hooks in those locations for a permanent solution.

Under suit jackets, I'm not the biggest fan of leaving a button-down buttoned half way and showing a lot cami, but if you need to, a lace edged one looks more like an accessory than another layer.
 
nysw said:
Thanks! The victoria secret button up body suit idea.. LOL. I want to try it, but at the same time, I'm worried about giving myself a wedgie while walking around on tours or something..
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You can accomplish the same effect by tucking your shirt into pantyhose...I wear pantyhose with slacks sometimes for this exact reason!
 
TheMightySmiter said:
I'm thinking that I want to wear a light gray suit...I'm not into black and navy blue isn't really my color (I'm blonde, have olive skin, and green eyes). I'm thinking a light gray suit with a green or purple shirt? Does this sound like it would be too much color?
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Mine is gray too!! well, more of a charcoal color but I love it. don't like black suits, not digging the b/w penguin look

maybe purple? depends on the shades though..for some reason whenever i picture green i think of bright neon green.
 
biophilia said:
That is pretty 😍 and more my style than a very conventional suit. Thanks for the link, km17!

I just came across a NYT article about interview suits (I have not yet read through the entire old thread so sorry in advance if this has already been posted elsewhere):

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/fashion/13INTERVIEW.html
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Very interesting article...I haven't seen it yet. My perspective on formalness of interviews would be...

Less Formal: Newer industry jobs, some non-advanced degree jobs
Formal: Corporate/Business/Medical/Law/Professional degree jobs
Highly Formal: Banking and more prestigious firms
 
SexyDoctor said:
I kinda want to wear pantsuits just so I can wear super high heels (to hide them haha)...and that's only because I'm a firm believer that tall people are hired more often. http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/S...&c=Page&cid=1309521964188&pagename=vsdWrapper

but then I want the advantage of showing of a pair of sexy legs :meanie:
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I think if the cut of your shoe is conservative enough and you keep it under 4", you won't raise too many eyebrows. I also like feeling tall 🙂

With regards to the suit...extra wide flare legs are somewhat trendy and not everyone can pull them off. If you can and aren't looking to invest in a suit for the future, then ignore my comment.
 
tiktok22 said:
Mine is gray too!! well, more of a charcoal color but I love it. don't like black suits, not digging the b/w penguin look

maybe purple? depends on the shades though..for some reason whenever i picture green i think of bright neon green.
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Haha, I think I'll skip the neon green...this is more what I was thinking.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=51166&vid=1&pid=715604&scid=715604212

Geekchick921 said:
I like it a lot, too! I think those colors would look nice, but think about a bright pink, too.
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Okay, thanks for your and km's advice! 🙂 I really like the look of purple or green. Bright pink would be really pretty too! With my coloring, I can wear pretty much any color save for red and navy blue--both of which are apparently power colors, lol. Too bad for me. So I want to wear something bright that stands out.
 
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TheMightySmiter said:
I'm thinking that I want to wear a light gray suit...I'm not into black and navy blue isn't really my color (I'm blonde, have olive skin, and green eyes). I'm thinking a light gray suit with a green or purple shirt? Does this sound like it would be too much color?
Click to expand...

My only reservation with light gray would be that it might seem out of place in the cold weather locations (Rochester, Philly, Chicago, etc) in the dead of winter.
 
TheMightySmiter said:
I'm thinking that I want to wear a light gray suit...I'm not into black and navy blue isn't really my color (I'm blonde, have olive skin, and green eyes). I'm thinking a light gray suit with a green or purple shirt? Does this sound like it would be too much color?
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That's exactly what I wore to my interviews: gray pantsuit with a purple top. The gray wasn't too light, but not dark enough to be charcoal (I can't find a pic of my suit, but here's what the color was basically). However, instead of a button-up/collared shirt, I just wore a shell top with short sleeves. I only went to interviews in CA, so it was either hot or warm weather. And for some reason, the suit jacket + button-up shirt look just looks weird on me, and I was always afraid the shirt would bunch up when taking my jacket off and on :laugh:.

Cold weather interviews: When I was planning on going to an interview in DC, I bought a gray wool coat that almost matched my suit (it looked like it was made for the suit!) and a pair of leggings to wear underneath my pants if it was too cold (as I said in an earlier post, I bought a suit with lighter material). But I ended up canceling this interview when I got into my top choice CA school 🙂.

Short-sleeve jackets: I think only women can pull them off :laugh: (there was an sdn thread on this topic), and maybe if you're going to interviews in hot weather, it would be okay. But I still personally like long-sleeved suits better, I just think they look more professional.

Matching suits: In my opinion, I think matching suits (top and bottom same color/material) look a lot better. And every single person in the interviews I went had on a matching suit :shrug:.

Skirts vs Pants: As others have said, I really think it doesn't matter. Most women I saw wore pants, but there were still plenty of women wearing skirts. Honestly, pick what looks best on you.

Shoes: I highly recommend you not wear high heels of any sort unless you've been wearing them all your life. For my first interview, I mistakenly wore heels (not even that high of heels). I wore them for a few hours at a time on a few occasions to break them in and they felt fine. But my first interview day lasted almost 9 hours! And we had quite a bit of walking all around campus (lots of stairs, gravel, and uneven terrain). I wanted to chop off my feet one hour into the interview day. I noticed a majority of the women at my interviews wearing flats of some kind. I bought a pair of comfort non-high heels from Naturalizer for my second interview, which were comfortable all day. Trust me, the last thing you want to be focusing on during your interview day is your feet!
 
biophilia said:
What do you guys think about jackets with shoulder pads? (I dislike both the way shoulder pads feel and the way they look, but I've noticed that many jackets have them.)
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Most of my jackets have them. They've gotten thinner in more recent years, so I don't mind them as much. I think they do help the suit lay better across the lapels by providing more structure for the draping. If you're wearing a suit without lapels or of stiffer material, you probably won't need them.
 
LizzyM said:
My only reservation with light gray would be that it might seem out of place in the cold weather locations (Rochester, Philly, Chicago, etc) in the dead of winter.
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That's a good point...I wonder if it would be okay if I paired it with a less summery color?

tiktok22 said:
oooohhhh I love this! such a pretty color. I think I should investing in banana republic/gap..I've bought so much of their clothing recently :laugh:
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I love BR for work clothing! 🙂

biophilia said:
What do you guys think about jackets with shoulder pads? (I dislike both the way shoulder pads feel and the way they look, but I've noticed that many jackets have them.)
Click to expand...

I don't like shoulder pads, especially because I don't have small shoulders to begin with and I don't want to emphasize them. I think most modern, fitted jackets don't have them? I'm not sure, it's been a long time since I needed to wear a suit for anything.

And this should hopefully go without saying, but don't underestimate the importance of tailoring!! It might cost you an additional $20-$50 depending on what you need tailored, but very few women fit perfectly into clothes off the rack and it makes an enormous difference in how the clothes look, especially with professional clothing.
 
If you feel like a member of the Dallas Cowboys in one jacket, try something else or check with a dressmaker/tailor. I had a thrift shop boucle jacket with 1980s shoulder pads and I split the seams in the lining at the shoulder, excised the shoulder pads and closed the splits in the lining. Voila! A more contemporary sillouette.
 
TheMightySmiter said:
That's a good point...I wonder if it would be okay if I paired it with a less summery color?
Click to expand...

Suit material, such as a wool blend, will go a long way towards making something less summery, especially for a daytime interview. A darker blouse, such as an eggplant purple, will also probably help. It's hard to judge without seeing the color in person.

TheMightySmiter said:
I love BR for work clothing! 🙂
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Me too. It's a problem.

TheMightySmiter said:
I don't like shoulder pads, especially because I don't have small shoulders to begin with and I don't want to emphasize them. I think most modern, fitted jackets don't have them? I'm not sure, it's been a long time since I needed to wear a suit for anything.
Click to expand...

I think this varies by clothing retailer.

TheMightySmiter said:
And this should hopefully go without saying, but don't underestimate the importance of tailoring!! It might cost you an additional $20-$50 depending on what you need tailored, but very few women fit perfectly into clothes off the rack and it makes an enormous difference in how the clothes look, especially with professional clothing.
Click to expand...

Cannot emphasize this enough. Note that you should always buy jackets to fit in the shoulders because this is the one dimension than cannot easily be altered.
 
km17 said:
TheMightySmighter,

Since you like Banana, check out this collection in the dark charcoal...the color is actually somewhere between the lighter color shown and a true charcoal.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=41699

BR has frequent online sales, so you can probably snag this for about 30-40% off if you keep an eye out.
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This! They're having a 30% off everything sale online right now, but it ends today. They'll have another 30% off sale (the invite-only Give and Get Sale) pretty soon, which is online and in stores. I got my suit from Banana during one of the sales and it was great. The best thing was that I got a petite jacket and regular skirt to fit me perfectly, and I didn't have to get a single part tailored. Their suit pants looked pretty awful on me, but if you're not too hippy, then they should work.

I also recommend the Cole Haan shoe collection. They have rubber treads on the bottom so they're not clicky when you walk, and they've got padding so they're comfy enough to get you through an interview day. 👍
 
NoNotYouLionel said:
So...purse or briefcase?
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You're going to hear a lot of differing opinions here, but your main options are a purse, tote/briefcase, or a zippered padfolio. Honestly, I think you'll be fine with any of them, but I'd recommend a tote over a briefcase.

If you go with a purse or tote (I define a tote as a bag that holds letter-sized notebooks or a laptop, and would not be carried as an everyday bag otherwise), make sure you've cleaned out the non-essentials so you don't have to dig through junk in your bag in your interview.

I prefer a tote and then carry a thin folio in it, but to each her own.

EDIT: To expound upon this opinion: in your interview day, they will most likely give you a packet of information. You should also have a packet of important documents such as your personal statement, AMCAS activities, etc. If you are holding a purse in one hand and a folio in the other, it is more difficult to shake hands with your interviewers as you enter/leave. If you can get away without a purse by just carrying a zippered folio, or if you're like me and have to have a bag, then if you carry a tote in which to put the packet, then it saves you the awkward hand switch / stuff adjustment phase. It's also one less thing to carry on tours. Silly reason? Maybe. But that's my thought process 🙂

(FYI, this is my tote -- in black, not red, and they did a horrible photoshop job re-coloring the picture on the front page...the "more photos" link is better) http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLAT...Category=11-1001-1002|Level=2-3-4|pageid=6578

Regardless, the bag should match your shoes in color, and be leather, faux leather, or quality microfiber.
 
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km17 said:
EDIT: To expound upon this opinion: in your interview day, they will most likely give you a packet of information. You should also have a packet of important documents such as your personal statement, AMCAS activities, etc. If you are holding a purse in one hand and a folio in the other, it is more difficult to shake hands with your interviewers as you enter/leave. If you can get away without a purse by just carrying a zippered folio, or if you're like me and have to have a bag, then if you carry a tote in which to put the packet, then it saves you the awkward hand switch / stuff adjustment phase. It's also one less thing to carry on tours. Silly reason? Maybe. But that's my thought process 🙂
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This is very good to know; thanks.

biophilia said:
LOL, I actually only know of nanette lepore because I have several very tall (female) family members (e.g., 6'1'') who swear that they can only wear nanette lepore suits because other brands do not fit properly.
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Ack, finding the right brand to fit my body type is probably going to be a concern for me. I look best in pencil skirts, but because of my proportions stuff that fits across the bum is gaping at the waist.
 
NoNotYouLionel said:
Ack, finding the right brand to fit my body type is probably going to be a concern for me. I look best in pencil skirts, but because of my proportions stuff that fits across the bum is gaping at the waist.
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Any tailor can take out some fabric and move the location of a zipper if this is your problem, no worries.
 
biophilia said:
I like that tote. Did you order from this website?
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I did. They periodically have sales, maybe once a month or so?

It's hard to see in the photo, but the bag has white stitching around the edges. I love the way it looks (makes it more interesting than just black leather wall), but just FYI 🙂
 
Ya what are you guys' opinions on the shoes? No peep-toe pumps?? Would you guys recommend bringing a pair of black flats for the more walking around campus portion of the day?

Finally, what do you guys wear for shoes in the winter? I love my uggs and I can't imagine running in the snow/ice in dress shoes.
 
I talked about this a little bit earlier in the thread:

km17 said:
I'd say don't learn to walk in heels for an interview. I love heels, but if you hate them, don't make yourself miserable.

If you want an easy heel to wear, look for shoes with a chunky heel, cushioning in the sole at the heel and ball of your foot, and without a platform. There seems to be a general agreement here that you can change into flats for the tour.

If you want advice on flats, avoid the ballet slipper look (large bows and flowers too). Flats can look professional with a nice buckle or metal accent.

In general, black leather (or fake leather) shoes are your best bet (unless you're wearing a shade of brown). I'd keep a pair of shoes just for interviews so they look nice and don't wear out. If you're buying new shoes, avoid patent because it's technically only to be worn between Easter and Labor Day, and it's never business formal. If you already have patent shoes, don't sweat it.
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flyinkstar89 said:
Are heels a must? I would hate to take a long tour around campus in heels for a few hours!!
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I think the above answers your questions flyinkstar. In general, heels can be dressier, but if you get the right flats, you should be just fine.

medschool2016 said:
Ya what are you guys' opinions on the shoes? No peep-toe pumps?? Would you guys recommend bringing a pair of black flats for the more walking around campus portion of the day?

Finally, what do you guys wear for shoes in the winter? I love my uggs and I can't imagine running in the snow/ice in dress shoes.
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Medschool2016, no peep toes or slingbacks. If you want to change into flats for the tour, go for it!

I was travelling for work this winter, and we got hit by a snow storm, and I had to trudge around the northeast on icy and snowy roads in 3.5" stilettos = not fun. Avoid this at all costs.

I doubt you'll be running in the snow or ice for an interview, but you could probably manage a chunky heel dress shoe with a rubber sole (I doubt they'll be taking you out in super treacherous conditions). I think dressier boots would be a good answer too, but I wouldn't consider your typical Uggs to meet the bill.
 
biophilia said:
What about jewelry? Earrings? Necklace?

Also, what about makeup and eye makeup (mascara? eye shadow?)
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MAKEUP:

Without makeup, I think you can look sleepy. A natural face highlights your features which I feel is important since you are going to be speaking face to face with an interviewer.

My professional face is a powder foundation to even out the skin tone, bronzer on cheeks in lieu of blush, light eyeliner, neutral shadow, and light mascara (no clumps!) and either light pink lips or just chapstick My coloring is med to light skin, dark eyes/brows/lashes.

For those with light eyes and hair I highly suggest using BROWN eyeliner and mascara. No black. No coon eyes.

I also liked to keep powder with me on interview day to cover up any shine caused by a hot outdoor tour or extreme nervousness. 😳
 
So... assuming everything else is appropriate (suit length/color/hairstyle/minimal other makeup), is bold, matte red lipstick too risque?

e.g.,

cameronredlip_0.jpg


I want to stand out....but not by looking like a harlot. 😳
 
biophilia said:
What about jewelry? Earrings? Necklace?

Also, what about makeup and eye makeup (mascara? eye shadow?)
Click to expand...

I loved the look of my small pear studs for earrings. I did not wear a necklace because my shell under my suit was up to my collarbone. A simple necklace would probably work with a buttoned/collared blouse, however, I would be more worried about not showing any cleavage/too much chest.
 
kexy said:
So... assuming everything else is appropriate (suit length/color/hairstyle/minimal other makeup), is bold, matte red lipstick too risque?

e.g.,

cameronredlip_0.jpg


I want to stand out....but not by looking like a harlot. 😳
Click to expand...

Red lips are like the international and historical sex symbol. So I'd say a definite no.
 
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Do you guys think it is appropriate to wear a blouse that isn't the standard button up collared shirt (underneath a suit coat)?
 
Here's my opinion on the full run down. The others have had good things to say.

biophilia said:
What about jewelry? Earrings? Necklace?
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In general, jewelry (including watch) should be of metal or precious stones (or good fakes, but no rhinestones). No plastic, ceramic, fabric, or feathers. The style should be classic and simple, not trendy.

Earrings: If your ears are pierced, you need to wear earrings. I wouldn't wear clip-ons unless you're 110% they won't fall off. The formal rule is that earrings should not dangle below the earlobe, and I generally abide by this rule--I really think there are enough options out there for every ear shape 🙂. Great earrings for an interview would be pearl studs, round silver ball studs, or knot earrings.

A few examples of pretty, quality earrings that would meet the bill (and not break your budget!):

http://www.bluenile.com/freshwater-pearl-stud-earrings_4071
http://www.bluenile.com/sterling-silver-earrings_8098
http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/EP-1317/Original-Lovers-Knot-Ear-Posts/

And for Biophilia...my go to earrings: http://www.davidyurman.com/shoponline/product.aspx?itemid=Y4352&folderid=/women/earrings

If you MUST wear something that dangles, stick to a small hoop (<1/2" in diameter) or a one-stone drop earring. Do NOT wear anything that resembles a chandelier in any way.

Watch: Should be analog. I wear of lot of two-tone (gold and silver) jewelry, so I have a two-tone watch. You don't have to buy one for the interview if you don't have one, but I tend to think they are the most professional accessory you can add. Fossil makes a good watch for <$100, and Seikos can look really, really nice for just a little bit more.

Necklace: Depends on the style of your blouse. I think if you have a lot of chest real estate showing (i.e., a wide cut and below the collar bone neckline...but obviously, no cleavage!), a necklace helps fill the gap. The long chain necklace look isn't interview appropriate. Good options are pearls and simple pendants or short chains.

Bracelets: Should not jingle or clank, and I'd avoid the multi-bangle look. If you tend to take your bracelets off throughout the day, I wouldn't wear one.

Rings: No more than one per hand (counting a wedding ring and engagement ring as one ring set).

biophilia said:
Also, what about makeup and eye makeup (mascara? eye shadow?)
Click to expand...

I think everyone should wear make-up to an interview. It will make you look more polished and pulled together. That being said, the key is to look natural.

The bare minimum:
-Concealer for blemishes or dark circles

-Powder (sets the concealer and a light dusting all over reduces shine)

-Tinted chapstick or lipstick (gloss is not business formal)

I'd recommend adding
-Blush: I think almost everyone looks a bit healthier with blush. You can 1) brush it down your cheek bones from your temple or 2) dust the rosies of your cheeks. I like option #1 because I like to fake having cheekbones 🙂

-Mascara: a light swab across your top lashes (can do the bottom ones too if you're accustomed to it). Make sure there are no clumps on your lashes or smudges on your lids. (I've used a safety pin point to declump lashes in an emergency...do not try without steady hands!)

Optional
-Eye shadow: use to highlight only, stick to shades of browns or pinks, no shimmers! Nothing dark!

-Eye liner: should be the pencil type, not liquid type, and should be just a VERY thin line on the edge of your upper lid. Match the color of your mascara.

EDIT: Not make-up per say, but eyebrows should be groomed. Pluck/wax/thread away strays and and then make sure they're brushed in the same direction on interview day.

The key here is, wear it, but a little bit goes a LONG way. If you don't regularly wear make-up, and are planning to try something new, I'd try it out before interview day!
 
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Kalamazoo said:
Do you guys think it is appropriate to wear a blouse that isn't the standard button up collared shirt (underneath a suit coat)?
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Yep...check out the first page of this thread.

SexyDoctor said:
I'm guessing way too casual: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/st-john...blazer/3186232?origin=category&resultback=433 ?
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I think so.

SexyDoctor said:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/elie-ta...-pants/3211871?origin=category&resultback=428 Is it bad going for the super trendy high fashion stuff? I really hate wearing suits..they're boring.
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This one is much better. The sleeves are long, but just scrunched correct? It's also hard to see what the material of the black underside of the lapel is. I think you could get away with non-matching jacket and pants like this.

In general, yes, you don't want to look high fashion 🙂 You're going more for high "profession" here.
 
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