Dear Classy Career Girl, I have a big interview next week. I feel a suit with a skirt as opposed to pants is more appropriate based on the level on the position I’m interviewing for. My legs are not to the point I would want to go bare legged as I’m Irish and it is winter – need I say more! Should I forgo the skirt and wear a professional pant suit? Or should I wear a skirted suit with pantyhose. I am going to pick a cream color, tan or light gray suit as I think light colors look better on me. Thanks for any advice you can give! -Pantyhoser
Dear Pantyhoser,
Thanks for your email and for reading my blog! My first thought is to wear whatever you are most comfortable in. For me, that would be pants because I work with a lot of males and I feel like they would be looking at my legs:) I also would not feel comfortable in nylons because they aren’t comfortable for me. But, if you are comfortable AND confident in them. Do it! All that really matters is that you feel that you look professional and great. If you don’t, you will be worried about what you are wearing instead of rocking the answers to the interview questions.
I found this advice from a blog called Shiny New Resume that I TOTALLY agree with: “The best interview outfit is one that is hardly noticed.” Think about that when you are decided what to wear!
Pantyhose:
I recently did a post gathering input from Twitter followers about whether or not to wear pantyhose at work that you can find here. You can find information on that post that some people feel that nylons are outdated, office appropriate or it depends. You will see that my thoughts are outdated….but I did wear them when I first started out in the professional world because I felt like it made me feel older (and I was extremely young). But I don’t wear them anymore today….(Disclaimer: I live in San Diego and things tend to be a little more relaxed than other places such as New York and DC. For your question today, I would probably say that for an interview, it is probably best to go with the pantyhose). For everyday workwear, I would probably not wear the pantyhose.
Skirt Suit or Pant Suit?
I don’t think that a skirt suit or pant suit can define the level of position that you are interviewing for. I think this one really depends on the suit. There are some excellent skirt suits that are professional enough to work really well for an interview. Some skirt suits though are just for fashion and aren’t appropriate for an interview. So I would be more careful picking out the skirt suit than the pant suit. You really can’t go wrong with a pantsuit.
What color suit?
A lighter suit may be viewed as less professional. I am not sure what position you are interviewing for but I would go with light gray. In my office, tan and cream colors are worn on casual Fridays. It could be totally different where you are interviewing but I don’t think there is anything wrong with dressing more professional than whoever is interviewing you. I once went to an interview in a black suit and everyone else was wearing jeans. I felt kind of weird but I immediately felt more respected and older because I was wearing a suit. (This was a good thing because I was interviewing for a manager position to manage people that were basically my same age!)
Hope this helps! Good luck on your interview!
Do you agree with my recommendations? What is your advice to pantyhoser?
(Post written in association with Right Track Consultancy where you can find customer service training).
photo credit: Relatemag.com
About Anna Runyan
ClassyCareerGirl! HELP! A friend of mine has been job hunting for several months now, and I just found out she doesn’t have an “interview outfit”. Any advice on some basics for someone on a tight budget?
We’re going shopping tomorrow, and I’d like to find her some basic, black, closed toed shoes, and maybe a pair of grey slacks. Any quick advice for a top? Collared shirt with a light suit jacket? Thinner blouse with an open sweater? I’m thinking something close to the outfits you posted from the five-days-of-style post earlier last month, especially the outer-most outfits.
http://www.classycareergirl.com/2012/01/how-to-have-five-days-of-office-style-on-a-budget/
Hi Lauren-Thanks for your question! Hope I am not too late! Does she already have some pants she could use? If so, I would find a suit jacket that matches her pants. If she has dark pants than she can just find a jacket and top to put under the jacket (or maybe she can borrow a blouse for underneath?) Closed toed shoes are a must! I definitely recommend a collared shirt but you don’t need one. I usually feel more comfortable in a short sleeve blouse with no collar under my suit jackets. And I don’t recommend a sweater for an interview. I would first look at her closet and see what she has. Then, figure out what she needs before she heads to the mall. That way, you will make sure you don’t buy things you don’t need.
You sound like a great friend and someone who already has it all together! I am sure she will look and do great!
Hope this helps!
Anna
Hi Anna – A few of us took her shopping, assesed what she had, and expanded on the overall work wardrobe; we got two outfits, plus items that could work as a focal piece in a variety of different combinations. We went with a skirt and suit jacket for the big day! All black, with a white colared shirt under the jacket, and black tights and shoes. We went with the collared shirt to add some color to her edge of her sleeves. She has short hair so we we with some basic hairspray to keep things looking purposefully placed and styled, and a basic studed earring for an accent. See the website link for a quick pic of the big day!
Thanks for the advice, looking forward to more job hunting tips for first-time job hunters!
Hi Lauren-That is awesome!! She looks great! Let me know if you are interested in writing an article about your style advice and what she learned about preparing for her first big interview. I am sure other readers would love to hear about your tips on what to wear:)