Women's Interview Clothing (thread #2)

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dw2158 said:
:laugh: LizzyM FTW once again.

personally, i'd be fine because (a) i love cold weather, and (b) i have a long down coat that goes 'til just past my knees. if i were you, i would go with the skirt suit and bring uggs or some other type of tall boots to wear on the tour when you'd actually be cold. then you should be okay.
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thanks for the advice! i don't own ugg boots. will i look too dominatrixy if i wear my button-up knee-high black leather boots? they're 2.5 inch heels. at least they match...

i also have some black scrunchy velvet ones with a higher heel and which are a tad big on me so they're less comfortable but look a bit less intense. and some black rubber rain boots with 1-inch heels.

no, i don't own boots without a heel.
 
NotSur said:
thanks for the advice! i don't own ugg boots. will i look too dominatrixy if i wear my button-up knee-high black leather boots? they're 2.5 inch heels. at least they match...

i also have some black scrunchy velvet ones with a higher heel and which are a tad big on me so they're less comfortable but look a bit less intense. and some black rubber rain boots with 1-inch heels.

no, i don't own boots without a heel.
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honestly, of those options, i'd go with the most comfortable ones or just the rubber rain boots.
 
dw2158 said:
:laugh: LizzyM FTW once again.

personally, i'd be fine because (a) i love cold weather, and (b) i have a long down coat that goes 'til just past my knees. if i were you, i would go with the skirt suit and bring uggs or some other type of tall boots to wear on the tour when you'd actually be cold. then you should be okay.
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dw2158 said:
honestly, of those options, i'd go with the most comfortable ones or just the rubber rain boots.
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thanks for the opinion! also, at this time of year is it permissible to wear thicker skin-colored tights as opposed to pantyhose?
 
Hey everyone. I vowed not to buy a suit until I actually had an interview in hand. Now that I have one I am gonna go shopping. Yay! 😀

Last time I bought a suit I bought it from Express and thought it was pretty good. Now, like three years later, I tried Express again (old suit is too big) and didn't find anything. I didn't like the jackets, I didn't think anything looked good together, I think their overall quality has gone down a lot in the past couple years.

I am going to skim through this thread but since it's 20 pages long I was hoping you would all be kind enough to give me some direction . . . when I was skimming before I saw a lot of stuff from Banana Republic but I am pretty sure that is out of my price range . . . where else have you all found good stuff? I am in the Chicago area if that helps. or, does BR ever have sales? I guess I have never really shopped there.

Thanks so much. I hate shopping for clothes and the longer I spend doing it, the more unsure I get about everything I try on and then I end up buying nothing and having to do it all over again later. If I can narrow down my options before I go it will help a lot. 😳
 
MaryLennox said:
Hey everyone. I vowed not to buy a suit until I actually had an interview in hand. Now that I have one I am gonna go shopping. Yay! 😀

Last time I bought a suit I bought it from Express and thought it was pretty good. Now, like three years later, I tried Express again (old suit is too big) and didn't find anything. I didn't like the jackets, I didn't think anything looked good together, I think their overall quality has gone down a lot in the past couple years.

I am going to skim through this thread but since it's 20 pages long I was hoping you would all be kind enough to give me some direction . . . when I was skimming before I saw a lot of stuff from Banana Republic but I am pretty sure that is out of my price range . . . where else have you all found good stuff? I am in the Chicago area if that helps. or, does BR ever have sales? I guess I have never really shopped there.

Thanks so much. I hate shopping for clothes and the longer I spend doing it, the more unsure I get about everything I try on and then I end up buying nothing and having to do it all over again later. If I can narrow down my options before I go it will help a lot. 😳
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I stumbled into a Dressbarn today, and I thought there were a lot of cute pant suits and skirt suits and shirts, and most of them were under $100 regular price. They also had some stuff that was 60% off on clearance, but you might have to search a little for your size (I personally love the thrill of hunting for and finding a good deal! LOL). I'm not too sure about the quality b/c I've never bought anything from there, but it looked pretty good. If there is a Dressbarn in your area, I would definitely check them out.
 
MaryLennox said:
Hey everyone. I vowed not to buy a suit until I actually had an interview in hand. Now that I have one I am gonna go shopping. Yay! 😀

Last time I bought a suit I bought it from Express and thought it was pretty good. Now, like three years later, I tried Express again (old suit is too big) and didn't find anything. I didn't like the jackets, I didn't think anything looked good together, I think their overall quality has gone down a lot in the past couple years.

I am going to skim through this thread but since it's 20 pages long I was hoping you would all be kind enough to give me some direction . . . when I was skimming before I saw a lot of stuff from Banana Republic but I am pretty sure that is out of my price range . . . where else have you all found good stuff? I am in the Chicago area if that helps. or, does BR ever have sales? I guess I have never really shopped there.

Thanks so much. I hate shopping for clothes and the longer I spend doing it, the more unsure I get about everything I try on and then I end up buying nothing and having to do it all over again later. If I can narrow down my options before I go it will help a lot. 😳
Click to expand...

three words: lord and taylor. (i got a $400 suit for $169!)

you could also try macy's, bloomingdale's, loehmann's, filene's basement... basically i love department stores. bloomie's my be a bit expensive, but the others will all have stuff marked waaaaay down. good luck!
 
dw2158 said:
three words: lord and taylor. (i got a $400 suit for $169!)

you could also try macy's, bloomingdale's, loehmann's, filene's basement... basically i love department stores. bloomie's my be a bit expensive, but the others will all have stuff marked waaaaay down. good luck!
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i totally forgot lord and taylor existed, i havent seen one in forever. but i googled it and apparently there are still a few in the area. nice!

yeah i am thinking macy's too, i looked at their website a bit and saw some stuff i liked.

man . . . i just googled bloomingdales, and loehmanns (which i have never even heard of) and all of these stores are at the same mall. i'll be damned. looks like i know where i gotta go 😀 very helpful thank you!
 
Also try The Limited. While some of their suits are more trendy, they also have some good simple conservative ones. Also, they tend to have great sales there every now and then, just last week they had a 40% off any jacket, pant, or skirt, so thats great, or sometimes they have buy a jacket and get a pant free. Also, you can sign up for a Limited card and get a discount and sometimes they have student discounts too. So you can get a good suit for a fairly good price.

MaryLennox said:
i totally forgot lord and taylor existed, i havent seen one in forever. but i googled it and apparently there are still a few in the area. nice!

yeah i am thinking macy's too, i looked at their website a bit and saw some stuff i liked.

man . . . i just googled bloomingdales, and loehmanns (which i have never even heard of) and all of these stores are at the same mall. i'll be damned. looks like i know where i gotta go 😀 very helpful thank you!
Click to expand...
 
Banana Republic Outlet stores are pretty good. Loehmanns is quality if there's one near you (i.e. not the southeast).

and I'm going to show my fashion ignorance and say to dw that I didn't know pants could be tailored around the waist. Thought they were only good for shortening pants 🙄

Why can't I wear sweatpants to the interview?! elastic waistbands FTW!!! (totally kidding!!! though I did interview w/ another applicant who wore jeans).
 
caniac said:
Banana Republic Outlet stores are pretty good. Loehmanns is quality if there's one near you (i.e. not the southeast).
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i had never even heard of Loehmanns! turns out i live right by one. I am visiting my parents at the moment but once i am back in chicago I'm going to hit up OakBrook and hit all the stores you guys recommended . . . because i think they are ALL at Oakbrook. Convenient!

Anyone in Chicago want a suit shopping buddy?? 😳
 
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caniac said:
Banana Republic Outlet stores are pretty good. Loehmanns is quality if there's one near you (i.e. not the southeast).

and I'm going to show my fashion ignorance and say to dw that I didn't know pants could be tailored around the waist. Thought they were only good for shortening pants 🙄

Why can't I wear sweatpants to the interview?! elastic waistbands FTW!!! (totally kidding!!! though I did interview w/ another applicant who wore jeans).
Click to expand...

i can't believe someone actually wore jeans to the interview. that's outrageous.
 
dw2158 said:
i can't believe someone actually wore jeans to the interview. that's outrageous.
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is it true that UW encourages you not to wear a suit to interview? I hope I get an interview there!!! 🙂

though honestly i am excited to buy a suit now that i am much less fat than i used to be
 
MaryLennox said:
is it true that UW encourages you not to wear a suit to interview? I hope I get an interview there!!! 🙂
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UW Madison said:
They said in my (md-only) email, "The Admissions Committee would like you to know that your interview is important but informal and relaxed in tone. We suggest business attire and we encourage you to wear comfortable shoes."
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Now, two things. Doesn't "business" cover anything from business casual to business formal? Who's going to show up in anything but business ____? (well, I guess the jeans girl or whoever) Second, I find it strange they explicitly encourage us to wear comfy shoes. As if a school would imply, "please wear the most uncomfortable shoes you can find."

I thought I heard md/phd said you actually can wear jeans, but that could be wrong. Not sure.
 
dw2158 said:
three words: lord and taylor. (i got a $400 suit for $169!)

you could also try macy's, bloomingdale's, loehmann's, filene's basement... basically i love department stores. bloomie's my be a bit expensive, but the others will all have stuff marked waaaaay down. good luck!
Click to expand...

I would love to second the Lord & Taylor's recommendation. I also purchased my $300+ suit there for <$100. Couldn't have been more thrilled and it's a great quality suit that'll last for quite some time.
 
caniac said:
Why can't I wear sweatpants to the interview?! elastic waistbands FTW!!! (totally kidding!!! though I did interview w/ another applicant who wore jeans).
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I also interviewed with a gal who looked a but causal...slacks (I think) but with denim colored fabric, a corduroy jacket, and sweater vest. I had initally thought she was one of the student interviewers.
 
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NotSur said:
Uh-oh. I bought a suit over the summer and it looks like I've lost some weight. What can I do to make the suit look less big? I have an interview coming up. It's a skirt suit.
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It depends. Is it the jacket or the skirt that is too big? If both are too big and you have the time, get them tailored. If you don't have time and just one part is problematic, maybe get another skirt/jacket to swap out? That way, you buy yourself some time as well as some variety 🙂
 
NotSur said:
Uh-oh. I bought a suit over the summer and it looks like I've lost some weight. What can I do to make the suit look less big? I have an interview coming up. It's a skirt suit.
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seriously? go to a tailor.
 
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Wheee said:
Now, two things. Doesn't "business" cover anything from business casual to business formal? Who's going to show up in anything but business ____? (well, I guess the jeans girl or whoever) Second, I find it strange they explicitly encourage us to wear comfy shoes. As if a school would imply, "please wear the most uncomfortable shoes you can find."

I thought I heard md/phd said you actually can wear jeans, but that could be wrong. Not sure.
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I'm applying MD/PhD. We definitely wear suits for interviews but most of the programs have these "meet with current students" dinners or a dinner at the program director's house and the last one I went to, everyone was in jeans there.
 
Does it really matter if a girl wears a skirt suit or a pants suit? I feel like pants just look a ton better on me, but it seems like most girls are going with skirts...
 
Sammich117 said:
Does it really matter if a girl wears a skirt suit or a pants suit? I feel like pants just look a ton better on me, but it seems like most girls are going with skirts...
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I don't think it matters. What matters most is what you feel most confident and comfortable wearing.
 
NotSur said:
i don't want to do anything permanent. what if my weight fluctuates again? i was hoping for other ideas.
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You can get a tailor to make non-permanent changes! Just make sure to specify that's what you want.
 
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Sammich117 said:
Does it really matter if a girl wears a skirt suit or a pants suit? I feel like pants just look a ton better on me, but it seems like most girls are going with skirts...
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I went to an interview recently where there were about 10-11 female applicants and only two (including me) wore skirt suits rather than pant suits. It was surprising.
 
I have a follow-up question on the "non-white but light-colored" suit topic. I hope I haven't missed the answer somewhere in these 20 pages...

Since our interviews are in the fall and winter, is it appropriate to wear a tan suit with a dark blouse and dark shoes?

This picture most closely matches the suit I have in mind:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/124384387_1ab9903e8e_o.jpg

Thank you!
 
SunnyBlues said:
I have a follow-up question on the "non-white but light-colored" suit topic. I hope I haven't missed the answer somewhere in these 20 pages...

Since our interviews are in the fall and winter, is it appropriate to wear a tan suit with a dark blouse and dark shoes?

This picture most closely matches the suit I have in mind:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/124384387_1ab9903e8e_o.jpg

Thank you!
Click to expand...


In places where it gets cold enough to snow, the appropriateness is less about color and more about fiber. If the suit is wool (or a synthetic made to look like wool crepe or a brushed wool) then it would be fine. If it is cotton, or a synthetic made to look like cotton, then it might be considered "out of season".

Based on my limited experience with relatives in Texas (where it doesn't snow), the clothing they choose in winter is very light in weight and may be cotton but they go for darker colors in the winter and lighter colors the rest of the year.
 
I bought a suit yesterday! Yay 😀

i couldnt believe how seriously frustrating shopping was, though. i went to all these places you guys suggested: macy's, lord and taylor, nordstrom, loehmanns, banana republic, limited, express. and my main problem was finding sizes. I can't get a suit set because i wear a skirt 2 sizes bigger than the jacket (thanks, butt.) and all the places selling separates were just really understocked for some reason. banana republic had like five different skirts and i could only find my size in one color (the ugly one.) anyway i managed to find a good suit at lord and taylor, dark gray with pinstripes, and this cool purple silk top with ruffle-y stuff on the front (which was also 50% from $70.) i thought loehmann's was cool, they had a lot of good stuff for cheap but unfortunately all the good suits were sets and not separates so i couldn't partake. in any case i think lord and taylor was meant to be, because when i came back to pick up the suit off hold some sweet little old lady in line ahead of me gave me her 20% off coupon as she was leaving. so my $250 purchase was $200! 👍

i apologize if this has been discussed already but what's the verdict about (short, tasteful) fake nails? i am not in love with fake nails, actually, but i have a kind of bad cuticle-picking habit (which gets worse when i am anxious.) getting fake nails is the only way i've ever been able to stop doing it. since my interview is a month away i figure if i get fake nails now, my cuticles will look good by then. i just dont want fake nails to be perceived as impractical or flashy. thoughts?
 
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MaryLennox said:
i apologize if this has been discussed already but what's the verdict about (short, tasteful) fake nails? i am not in love with fake nails, actually, but i have a kind of bad cuticle-picking habit (which gets worse when i am anxious.) getting fake nails is the only way i've ever been able to stop doing it. since my interview is a month away i figure if i get fake nails now, my cuticles will look good by then. i just dont want fake nails to be perceived as impractical or flashy. thoughts?
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My opinion: fake nails no 👎; manicured nails yes 👍.
 
MaryLennox said:
I bought a suit yesterday! Yay 😀

i couldnt believe how seriously frustrating shopping was, though. i went to all these places you guys suggested: macy's, lord and taylor, nordstrom, loehmanns, banana republic, limited, express. and my main problem was finding sizes. I can't get a suit set because i wear a skirt 2 sizes bigger than the jacket (thanks, butt.) and all the places selling separates were just really understocked for some reason. banana republic had like five different skirts and i could only find my size in one color (the ugly one.) anyway i managed to find a good suit at lord and taylor, dark gray with pinstripes, and this cool purple silk top with ruffle-y stuff on the front (which was also 50% from $70.) i thought loehmann's was cool, they had a lot of good stuff for cheap but unfortunately all the good suits were sets and not separates so i couldn't partake. in any case i think lord and taylor was meant to be, because when i came back to pick up the suit off hold some sweet little old lady in line ahead of me gave me her 20% off coupon as she was leaving. so my $250 purchase was $200! 👍

i apologize if this has been discussed already but what's the verdict about (short, tasteful) fake nails? i am not in love with fake nails, actually, but i have a kind of bad cuticle-picking habit (which gets worse when i am anxious.) getting fake nails is the only way i've ever been able to stop doing it. since my interview is a month away i figure if i get fake nails now, my cuticles will look good by then. i just dont want fake nails to be perceived as impractical or flashy. thoughts?
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1. yay L&T! that's my fave store. and i SO feel you on the butt thing... my top and bottom are also drastically different sizes. alas. your suit sounds pretty, though!

2. i have an even worse nail problem-- i bite them AND pick the cuticles. it's terrible! i'm not worrying about it for interviews, though. i feel like if they're paying attention to my fingernails, i've already lost them :laugh:
 
lstone13 said:
My opinion: fake nails no 👎; manicured nails yes 👍.
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thats what i was afraid of. unfortunately it only works with fake nails because i am physically unable to pick at my cuticles with them on. a mere manicure cannot stop me.🙁

dw2158 said:
2. i have an even worse nail problem-- i bite them AND pick the cuticles. it's terrible! i'm not worrying about it for interviews, though. i feel like if they're paying attention to my fingernails, i've already lost them :laugh:
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i usually dont think about it, but the friend i went shopping with yesterday noticed and made a big deal about it. i mean they do look kinda bad. ugh . . . theres always something to worry about!

edit: I cant resist, check out my suit: http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss284/marylennox2014/1005091805.jpg
 
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lstone13 said:
Oooo!!! I love the suit!! Did the purple top come from Lord and Taylor too?
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yes it did! i grabbed the suit first. and then i just went to pick a top at random to try it on with, saw that on the next rack, and grabbed it. not only did it look kick-ass, it was 50% off!! that plus the 20% coupon from a random old lady . . . i think the suit was meant to be. :luck:
 
MaryLennox said:
yes it did! i grabbed the suit first. and then i just went to pick a top at random to try it on with, saw that on the next rack, and grabbed it. not only did it look kick-ass, it was 50% off!! that plus the 20% coupon from a random old lady . . . i think the suit was meant to be. :luck:
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That's what I call Shopping Destiny. I love it when things fall into place like that.
 
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Because the suit itself is black, even with the pin stripes, I think the shoes will be fine. And if the shoes are as comfy as you say, that is an added bonus!
 
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NotSur said:
Ok, I bought these shoes because they're absurdly comfortable but now I'm not sure if they're just too ugly and take away from the sharpness of my suit. Opinions?

http://www.kennethcole.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3160818&cp=3075190.3075225.3075260

http://kcp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pKCP-4899157v275.jpg
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you know . . . i saw shoes similar to that while shopping and was surprised to find that i actually like that style. the part shiny/ part not shiny. i dont know if i could pull it off though, i think i have mini-cankle so i will probably get boring shoes to keep attention away from that area. but i think if you can pull it off it will look sharp!👍
 
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first, NotSur, i LOVE those shoes.

and Mary... i lol-ed at "mini-cankle."
 
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i see what you mean, but i still like them.
 
They look professional and practical IMO. Not necessarily chunky, but they don't really "elongate the leg" as they would say on What Not to Wear. Is that show still on? I haven't been able to afford cable in forever.
 
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Shopping for something in particular can be so frustrating! Its hard to find something that is cute+comfortable+affordable.
 
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