Interview Clothing Question

[SarahLovesJS]

Ahh! Ok so I have an interview tomorrow and my friends have totally thrown me off security-wise about my outfit. I planned on wearing a pants suit, but they''re saying for law interviews you really need to wear a skirt suit. Is that true? Either way the jacket for my skirt suit is too big so can I mix a black shadow-stripe jacket with a solid black skirt?

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

I would avoid wearing a non-matching skirt and jacket, I think.

I''d prefer to wear a skirt suit, but if it really doesn''t fit you''ll be uncomfortable and fidgety.

A smart pants suit is fine for most workplaces, but I suppose it depends on the firm you''re interviewing with. Are they ultra conservative?

Given that it''s tomorrow and you don''t likely have time to shop, my order of preference would be:
the skirt suit with the bigger jacket (unless it''s comically large or obviously badly fitting you can probably get away with that)
the pants suit, but with a very formal shirt, shoes and if it''s cold a stylish wool or cashmere coat
the mix n match option (which I''m not crazy about for an interview, I think it looks a little too casual).

Wishing you all the best for your interview, hope it goes really well.

***dust***

Jen

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I''m of the opposite mind. I think pant suits are totally fine, as long as it''s 1) conservative; 2) you keep your accessories minimal and shirt conservative too.

And also, since it''s winter, I think you can pull off a pant suit better than if it were summer.

Personally I always wear skirt suits but that''s only because I look better in them than in pant suits and I feel more comfortable.

Regardless, go with the option you''re comfortable with (including the one that gives you better fit since you don''t want to worry about what your suit is doing during the interview) and definitely do NOT go with the non-matchy option if possible.

 

[lucyandroger]

A pants suit is absolutely fine unless you know that the firm/interviewer is particularly old-fashioned.

 

[megumic]

I haven''t worked for or interviewed for a judge...but if you''re interviewing with a judge DEFINITELY GO SKIRT SUIT. I personally find it ridiculous, but apparently it''s standard protocol. If it''s some sort of organization or a firm, I think the sentiment may be slightly more liberal.

I think if the black skirt and jacket are not noticeably different, then you''re okay.

 

[megumic]

Also, congrats on the interview and good luck!!!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Hello everyone! Thanks for dust and good wishes!

Let me answer a few question you asked. Also, I got the idea in the first place from an image consultant that came to speak. She swore up and down that mix and match works, but I don't know about it. I am typically more with Mrs. M that I don't go for the mix and match look. But onto the questions, I think the jacket that matches the skirt is embarrassingly too big in the waist right now, it looks like I'm wearing someone else's jacket. As for how conservative they are - they're a smaller, newer firm...the only major indication I have is that their daily dress is business casual. So that makes me think less conservative than a judge interview. But I will definitely wear a more conservative shirt. I was just going to wear a camisole, but I might go for button-down instead.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Another option..this jacket works REALLY well with the skirt, but it''s less conservative (think it''s a herringbone print and it''s 3/4 length sleeves) and I can''t really comfortably button the second button..my bust has gotten bigger since I bought it. So only the third button would be buttoned..or I could button the second one and unbutton it when I sit down.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I don''t know what the corporate culture is like at the place you''re interviewing, but I''ve never heard of women being required to wear skirt suits to interviews. Personally for interviews I go with the safe option and that to me is pants (no runs in panty hose, etc-that ALWAYS happens to me!). I love that jacket, I have one just like it. I think that jacket with a blouse or light sweater (solid color like white or black with no real weave to it, i.e., not a cable knit) underneath. I would not worry about buttoning it. If you wear it with a skirt be sure to wear hose and appropriate heels, but I think it could also go with pants. For the record I wore a very similar jacket to an interview recently and got the job.

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I would go for the matching pant suit and a conservative top. You want whatever you wear to fit nicely, and while the herringbone is ADORABLE... it''s a bit too trendy for a first impression (IMHO).

If they don''t take you on as a summer associate/intern because you wore a classic, conservative pant suit, BOO on them. And FWIW, 90% of the women doing OCI where I was a law student wore pant suits.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Ditto to PPM. Given the options presented, I would wear the pant suit with a conservative button down shirt. Given that it is a smaller/newer firm, I think you are okay with a pant suit. However, even though it is a smaller/newer firm, I think you still need a full sleeved jacket. I would not wear the jacket in the picture (even though it is very cute) to any law firm interview. It will be great though after you land the job! Good luck!!!

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Baqk in the day I used to work for a law firm. They were very conservative.

I would suggest the skirt and jacket. A string of pearls wouldn't hurt

edited to say: GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[Octavia]

I''m with Pils and Loves Vintage -- you should be fine in the pantsuit and button-down. I''ve worn both skirt suits and pantsuits to interviews and I don''t think it has ever made a difference, but I''ve always tried to match the outfit to the firm/judge/whatever.

H_H, law is a different beast...it''s MUCH more conservative than most corporate cultures. I''m sure Sarah could wear the jacket with no problem once she has the job, but I wouldn''t wear it to an interview.

Good luck tomorrow, Sarah!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Thanks everyone! Looks like the pants + button-down win! It is also a full long-sleeve jacket, so that''s a plus.

 

[NovemberBride]

I have worked as an attorney for two very conservative law firms (we are talking 300 year old East Coast firms, doesn''t get much more white shoe than this). I am certain I wore a pantsuit to both interviews because I do not own a skirt suit (I refuse to wear pantyhose, which are a must for an interview). I also interviewed for and received offers from numerous other firms. I would not go the mix and match route and I don''t think the jacket you posted would be appropriate for an interview (super cute and fine for work when you get the job though). Although it may be different in more creative fields, in law it''s my opinion that you don''t really want them to notice your outfit so I always suggest a conservative dark colored suit. Pants or skirt are your preference.