« Adventures in Copyright: Marc Our Words

People Are Talking Apr 8, 2009 @ 1:17pm

Do Clothes Make The Woman?

carries vivienne westwood suit.jpg All of my friends are interviewing for jobs.

Ok, not all, but I haven’t had this many friends updating their resumes since my senior year of business school and the only major difference - aside from the economy - is that the what-do-I-wear question’s taken on an entirely different dimension. Now that we’ve been in the working world, mostly creative, we know few situations actually call for a basic black suit.

We want to make a good impression, portray who we are, show the potential employer we’re serious, fun, hard working and perfect in that one outfit.

Sure, every industry and position requires something totally different. When our finance friends ask for advice and we say buy a Westwood jacket and higher Louboutins they contract in horror and when we tell our fashion friends to add a jacket and hide the Marc label they say, “But I work in fashion.”

So while the thought of bombing an interview over a hemline is terrifying, we lack a detailed rule book on just what to wear. How did you decide what to wear on your last interview? And what was it?

—CARSON GRIFFITH

« Adventures in Copyright: Marc Our Words

Fashionista Main

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 1:20PM

2 interviews,

one fashion--wore a suit, but i was cute (but did not wear thier label to the interview) but still professional,classic-pearls ect.

the other--a major institution--black suit. for professional to get get the job.

posted by darcykins

Apr 08, 2009 1:39PM

it was last summer;
i wore skinny black pants, sandals and a fitted white shirt with navy pinstripes, i think i had it tucked in with a belt.
it was for an architecture firm.
i got the job and i'm still there, reading fashionista when no one is looking.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 1:42PM

My last interview was for an asistant management job in retail.
I went to the interview on my lunch break from my other job at the time.
I had on black dress pants, a really nice white sweater tucked in with
a gray embossed belt, with heels.
Got the job

posted by arue

Apr 08, 2009 1:55PM

To a scholarship interview two weeks ago I wore a grey wool blazer , grey cotton skinny pants sewn like jeans, navy blue loafers, navy blue and white striped shirt,plaid tie and socks. I got the scholarship and they really seemed to like what I was wearing.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:02PM

To an interview for a personal/administrative assistant position two weeks ago I wore black pants, a flower print blouse from H&M and black round toe pumps. And I must have looked really good because I got the job!

posted by andreakcastillo

Apr 08, 2009 2:04PM

My last interview was for a sales position at a womens multi line fashion showroom. I wore a mustard 3/4 sleeve cardigan, charcoal tank, black skirt, black & white houndstooth tights and black suede peep toe heels that tie by the ankle. I was hired and my bosses, a married couple, told me over and over how much they loved my outfit :)

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:13PM

Black skirt with a bright blue top and black sandals. I was applying for a receptionist position at a Film Union and they were specifically asking for a college student so I decided to tip my hat at them with the unorthodox blue top. I've been here almost 9 months, so I guess it worked!

posted by mosha010

Apr 08, 2009 2:19PM

i always have worn suits for interviews. always have gotten the job i applied for (thnk God). however i always add a lil personal touch to it, even in the corporate world you have to show that youre not a clone and will bring a strong personality to the team. last interview last summer i wore a gray pinstripe suit with a dark blue shirt underneath but my hair was the cutest curly messy updo and my purse was a red leather boss looking bag. i got the job but the interviewers were all women (yay women in charge!) and they all complimented my look!

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:27PM

No one makes decent suits for women - (apparently it's really difficult) I tried on Thom Browne for women suits at Barney's and they looked so terrible on me I laughed (I'm a size 2 but my height is 5 2').

I have a Neil Barrett Blazer that is amazing but the matching pants had diagonal zips on them - agggghhh....

I think the problem with suits for women is that what's on offer is so 'ugh'...they just all look terrible. I work off Wall Street and I have never seen a woman in a good looking suit.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:31PM

For an interview downtown NYC I wore a black mini swing coat, navy blue ruffled sleeveless shirt ( kept the coat on),black pants and black heels.
I got the job!
And since i am in the business of getting others jobs I would not suggest the following:
- calf or thigh high boots
- shape hugging dresses
I would however suggest a jacket.

posted by stylecrusader

Apr 08, 2009 2:50PM

For my last interview (sales internship with a designer)

I wore harem pants, a tie neck blouse with a leather bomber jacket, and strappy heels. (None by the designer)

Got the internship

I never ever ever wearing anything remotely resembling a suit. The closest I will go to that is wearing a black pencil skirt that has an exposed zipper in the back.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:53PM

OK I'm a hairstylist i don't know if that helps. I'm lucky that i have always worked in a salon environment. My last interview I wore a high waisted pencil skirt, a vintage necktie blouse and sky high peep toe heels. I got the job.

posted by shharvin

Apr 08, 2009 2:55PM

For an interview for a PR internship with a fashion company I wore one of their dresses (black with a folky pattern, falls mid-theigh) with my own red military vest, black tights, and black booties. The interviewer said she really like my outfit and appreciated that I mixed their clothes with my own items.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 3:25PM

A Conde Nast interview...I wore a super tailored black All Saints dress very similar to those gorgeous Vivienne Westwood tailored pieces. Finished it off with a chain mail pearl necklace. Ok, so it was a fashion interview but the look could pass on for all industries!
For more fashion tips check out

www.RUinSTYLE.com

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:37PM

Black Halo Jackie O Dress + Heels.

posted by joiji

Apr 08, 2009 4:46PM

recently had a meeting with the CEO of a financial PR firm. it wasn't an interview, but i decided to dress as though it was.

black knee-length pencil skirt
black silk blouse
black and white striped BCBG wrap sweater
belted at the waist with a wide belt
black tights
patent leather mary janes
and my thick black framed chanel glasses

the stripes were bold enough to make it memorable while not going too crazy with prints and colors. i think i did good :)

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:52PM

Going to an interview in 30 minutes... Wearing a black Theory pencil skirt with ruching on both sides, a James Pearse scoop neck t-shirt, with black tights, grey leather booties and minimal jewelry. wish me luck!!

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:57PM

My last interview i wore a cream and navy printed silk dress with a chanel inspired cream suit jacket with sheer black tights and double strapped mary janes. I didnt get the interview but I looked good!

posted by AmandaMichele

Apr 08, 2009 6:01PM

Black wool tulip skirt with a white button down, wide belt(the interviewer told me it looked like a WWF Championship belt), black gladiator style heels. I like to keep it simple and play with accessories. Guess it was successful, I got the job.

posted by emj1585

Apr 08, 2009 6:33PM

Wore a navy blue and white ric-rac dress by French Connection (knock of of Marc by Marc Jacbos white ric-rac dress seen on Paris and Blair from GG) with a navy blue blazer on top, navy tights (because it was freeeezing) and off white scaley leather chunky platform sandals. It was for a visual merchandising position at a VERY major department store. Interviewer LOVED my outfit and said that I managed to look mainstream (b/c thats the kind of customer this retailer has) while still being edgy and fashionable. She told me I was a diva... I got the job! :)

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 10:39PM

I was hired about three weeks ago by a mainstream luxury Italian designer. I played fashion with business-chic by wearing a very pale pink (almost neutral), high waisted/banded chiffon skirt that draped and gathered on the side, and matched it with a highly fitted black blazer. I also wore black tights, black pumps, and draped multiple layers of long pearls to accessorize while maintaining class and professionalism.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 11:16PM

Last interview was 3.5 years ago in a Fortune 500 company. I wore a glen plaid pants suit (charcoal with hints of red and royal blue) and a white short-sleeve sweater. Carried a red brief case and wore a multi-color watch ... only the numbers in the dial and the watch strap (leather) were multi-color. Still, not a conservative look ... My competitor for the position wore basic black. I got the job.

posted by la petite fashionista

Apr 08, 2009 11:58PM

This is a really interesting and pertinent post. In my fashion classes they tell us to wear a traditional suit to an interview, but I think that seems a little bit outdated. I would think if you're applying for a creative position you should at least look a little bit more fashion forward.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 10:46AM

I think in many industries other than finance, the basic black suit no longer applies. You need to express who you are a little more. Although I love and have designer clothes I try to be very careful since I work in the NGO community and you can't intimidate with head to toe high fashion. I do stylish flats with a nice black dress and more colorful cardigan.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 11:04AM

i think this post can be really helpful to a lot of people switching industries/starting out right now who are a little uneasy about what to wear. good job not just sticking to news, F.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 12:04PM

I highly recommend buying a Tahari suit. I used to do corporate affairs work at a PR agency and now work at an Ivy League's Business School and I can't deny that it is worth the investment.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 12:06PM

Also, just to build on my comment (26), I look young for my age and am only five feet, so it helps me feel confident when I'm interacting with people that have decades more experience than I do!

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 12:42PM

That's a hard one because even though it was 4 years ago and I'm now a K Street lobbyist, DC isn't as conservative as one might think. I had already been wearing the suits, shoes, and dresses that one would expect of a legislative staffer/geek, so I pulled out one of the tamer jacket and pants combos in my closet, and put some Roger Viviers on to make the whole thing less blah. It worked. But I haven't worn that suit since.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 12:44PM

The great thing about working in a creative industry (I'm a writer) is that I don't have to own a suit. For interviews I normally wear a dressy pencil skirt, a nice blouse and a blazer that isn't the same color as the skirt. I accessorize with a few interesting (but not TOO interesting) necklaces, simple heels and a large non-It bag.

The most difficult thing is being taken seriously. If a girl comes in (even for a fashion-related interview) with too many It, label items it makes people wonder if she is serious and needs to work for her money. If you are under 35 you don't have to worry about having Vivenne Westwood or Chanel or whatever at a job interview.

For most people I would just recommend they get a suit (Tahari is good). Club Monaco has great separates and nice blouses as well.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 12:49PM

I absolutely loved this topic for today, it's very much needed as many are going out looking for jobs and some are not sure what to wear on an interview. I myself feel as though I received some insight.

My best regards to all.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 3:43PM

For my first interview with for an editorial position, I wore a retro looking 70's patterned dress with a long owl necklace, kitten heels and no tights. For the 2nd interview I wore a sleeveless wool tweed dress from Tocca. It had a corduroy waistband and navy embroidery scattered throughout the dress, no jewelry, and again I wore kitten heel boots.
When I first started interviewing for editorial positions I would wear a black pantsuit, heels, a cute scarf and minimal jewelry.
As time has marched on, I've elected to wear a well made dress, good shoes and carry my portfolio in a good bag.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 5:25PM

I live in Hawaii and in general people dress horribly. For men, job interview attire consists of an aloha shirt (so ugly!) and khaki or black pants…but for my last interview I wore a black button down, an a-line floral silk Club Monaco skirt with black round-toe pumps (we are very casual here). I did get the job. Occasionally I will sit on interview panels (the ‘diverse’ member as I am a white girl in Hawaii) and my biggest (aesthetic) complaint lies with the ill-fitting suit. Why do people wear jackets that are at least 2 sizes to big? Just wear a nice blouse. In school we get fed this notion that you must wear a suit...totally outdated. Just look pulled together and professional! And make sure none of your junk is hanging out. (One interviewee came in with the middle buttons of her shirt undone…her stomach was hanging out the whole time. That is all I remember about her. Kinda sad)

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 10:18PM

I had my interview today at American Apparel.I wore a canary yellow cardigan, plaid collar shirt, with a skinny black tie and fade color teal jean and Micheal kor suede wedges color chestnut. I'm not sure if i got the job. but i look today. they do base you on how you look.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 10:33PM

I work as a executive recruiter in Tokyo, Japan for the fashion industry and when going to interviews even for fashion companies it is always best to dress professional. You will stand out just as you would if you dress too casual but in a much better way. Think about it this way, dress for the positon above the one you are interviewing for, or think about if you were the hiring manager, what would you think about what you are wearing to the interview.

posted by karenx

Apr 10, 2009 5:37AM

Thanks for all the advice! I feel inspired to go job-interview-clothes shopping now ... usually I just feel nervous

posted by guest

Apr 10, 2009 9:15AM

If you're in the legal field...it's suits all the time (basically). Go for Theory ones. Great cuts!

posted by Oni

Apr 10, 2009 10:46AM

I work in the legal field. Our dress code is business casual. I remember the Ann Taylor suit I wore to my interview and it was very boring. The only thing I actually felt good about was my hair and makeup. The next time I interview for a position I will definitely spice up my attire to be the most memorable candidate. Thanks to All, this has been Really Helpful!

posted by guest

Apr 10, 2009 11:13AM

#28, DC isn't that conservative. Really? Really? Because I know the policy community very well, and I see a loooot of Ann Taylor. K St on the weekends is an endless parade of the same three dresses from Cusp, and the same three pairs of platforms, after a day in Tory Burch flats.

posted by guest

Apr 10, 2009 11:54AM

It's often said that you want to be remembered for YOU, not for your clothing, and therefore your clothes shouldn't be what draws the interviewer's attention, but your intelligence and charm. I interviewed for many legal jobs about a year and a half ago (I'm a law student), and wanted to dress traditional and classy, but not like a clone. For my interviews on the East Coast I stuck with a navy J.Crew pantsuit with a white button-down and brown belt/flats (I'm pretty tall w/o heels), livened-up with a colorful scarf. For my California interviews, I wore a light tan/straw colored pantsuit from Ann Taylor, white button-down, and the same brown belt/shoes and bright scarf tied at the neck. Both outfits were worn with subtle pearl stud earrings.

posted by guest

Apr 10, 2009 3:04PM

for a position in advertising in southern california- black well-tailored marc jacobs suit- seals the deal everytime and well worth the investment.

posted by Emaline7

Apr 16, 2009 4:48PM

consider what current employees of the company are wearing. try to wear something a little bit elevated from there. that's what i did, when i interviewed with my current company almost 4 years ago.