Interview dress question

[Mrs Mitchell]

I know there are some lawyers and HR people here, and I'd really welcome some input.

I have an interview tomorrow (any spare dust would be very much appreciated). My question is, do you think it's ok to wear a camisole top under a formal business suit, or does it have to be a formal shirt?

I look better with less fabric, so I suit the camisole style much better, but is it inappropriate for an interview for a law job?

The one I'm thinking of looks like the one in the pic attached, only it's cream, rather than green.

I'm a bit older than the others being interviewed (ok, a good 10 years) so I don't want to look frumpy, but I don't want to look under dressed either.

Thoughts?

Thank you!

Jen

ETA the top in the pic is a sort of crinkly fabric - mine is smooth and irons nicely to look quite crisp.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

I also have one like this

 

[Octavia]

Unless you''re interviewing at a nonprofit or other organization where the atmosphere is more casual, I''d say that a button-down is the way to go. I hear you on looking better in camisole-style tops than collared shirts, but I do think you''ll put yourself at a disadvantage if you''re interviewing with a firm, judge, etc. That shirt would probably be fine to wear to work after you''ve got the job, but I''d play it safe for the interview.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Ah, that''s what I thought. I was just hoping someone would say camisoles are prefect, since I suit them better!

Thanks, Octavia - shirt with collar it is.

Are semi-opaque hose ok when it''s -2, do you think?

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 2/15/2010 1:43:37 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell
Ah, that''s what I thought. I was just hoping someone would say camisoles are prefect, since I suit them better!

Thanks, Octavia - shirt with collar it is.

Are semi-opaque hose ok when it''s -2, do you think?

I would have to say YES lol. Keep your poor legs warm!

 

[Loves Vintage]

I agree 100% with Octavia, although I have worn collared shirts with a very tapered/fitted lower half because they fit better under suits. I'll see if I can find an example later, but definitely collared.

I think the semi-opaque is fine.

Good Luck on your interview!!!!

 

[Indylady]

I also think that you should wear a button down, especially for an interview for a professional job. If you prefer less fabric (I agree, sometimes I feel a little bulky with multiple layers of formal/stiff clothing), you might consider a nice silk shell that has more arm coverage than the typical camisole or a chiffon top, or maybe even a nice v-neck sweater.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thanks LV. I know what you mean with the fitted shirts - mine are all like that, they do go better under a suit jacket. I'm also a little top heavy, so if I don't have the shirt tapered, I look like I'm wearing THE Big Top, rather than a big top, if you see what I mean.

MP, yes, on balance I think I have to have the thick hose, because I belong to a race of pale blue, goosebumped people with prominent veins. Oh to have skin that would tan. Even the fake stuff won't stick to me. It's like it knows it doesn't belong there.

Jen

eta is this one ok? http://www.thomaspink.com/fcp/product/thomas%20pink/wshirts/Blue-and-Pink-Tailored-Bryony-Stripe-Women's-Shirt---Double-Cuff/99911432 It's the nicest, newest one I have.

 

[LilyKat]

I would say a lacy camisole, or a V-neck style (like the ones pictured), is not appropriate. A plain, straight-necked one with no cleavage showing, that doesn't fall forward when you lean over, might be ok, as long as you keep your jacket on and buttoned throughout! Otherwise I like the silk blouse idea rather than a thick, stiff shirt. And it's safer than a camisole too, in case it's boiling hot inside and you need to remove your jacket.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Ah. Good point. I can''t wear something that means I mustn''t take my jacket off. I think I''ll go with the button down shirt as the safest option.

 

[Arkteia]

I am large-busted so it is always a problem. I think, however, that a high-necked silk blouse with seams all the way down (optically cuts your breast and distracts attention from it) OR a yoke on the front and on the back should work. If you do not like high necks then a collar would do, too but seams look really good! There are blouses with a yoke and seams, too. Anything that optically cuts your breast into two parts should be fine. Unless you have wide shoulders - then yokes would not work but vertical seams are still OK. I have a silk blouse with seams and the area before the front plank is a tad ruched - it looks very nice on me because it totally distracts attention from the chest. I bought it as a closeout at Barrie Pace, their prices are high but you may snatch a great deal at a closeout. Mine cost $ 30.00 but I doubt it is still there.

 

[qtiekiki]

I would go with the collared shirt.

Good luck with the interview.

 

[Delster]

Mrs Mitchell you're on this side of the pond right? Is this a stuffy commercial kind of law firm or more a general practice one?

In my experience the girls at the 'big ten' firms are inclined to wear very well fitted collared shirts. Think Thomas Pink or Henry Jermyn ladies' lines. As alternatives, I sometimes see them in very fine silk or satin blouses, again very fitted and always erring on the side of demure. A silk or satin blouse is a good alternative I think to a cotton shirt, as the slinkier fabric means there is less bulk and the whole look is just a lot more feminine. I'd stick to a cream or ivory colour for an interview, and team with pearls. But for an average workday, you could wear those in all kinds of shades.

The girls are the less high powered firms do often seem to wear tops without a collar but they still steer clear of lacey details or too much seaming. The style of the tops you posted look just a touch too casual to me... I've pulled some examples off Littlewoods of the the types of tops I regularly see women wearing:

This one is just like a top that was in Primark this past Winter that just seemed to be on everyone!

Here's a really pretty chiffon style blouse

A satin version

And a really neutral shape, looks like it'd go under anything!

 

[Pandora II]

As a member of the same race of pale-blue people, I have found a solution to the tights situation (hose).

I just wear two pairs! It''s even warmer than the thicker ones and you honestly can''t tell.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thanks again for the advice and good luck wishes.
Crasru, I''m going to look out for a seamed shirt for the next interveiw (assuming I get another one lol) because that sounds like a really good idea.
Delster, it isn''t a huge corporate firm, but it is one of the oldest firms, so I went with a Thomas Pink shirt in the end. Pears were such a good idea, I hadn''t thought of that. I have a nice strand of smallish pearls, so they went really well with the collared shirt.
Pandora, I could have worn two pairs quite happily today. Thick, freezing fog and minus 4 when I left the house. That''s a trick I''ll remember in future!

It went ok, all I can do now is wait and see if I get called back!

Thanks for your advice

Jen