The weather is heating up and many of us are soon
to be graduates with (hopefully) a lot of interviews on the horizon. I have
recently been asked about how to dress nicely for interviews with the warmer spring
weather. This can be challenging since a classic black pantsuit won't feel so
great in hot weather, yet there needs to be a balance between professional
attire that keeps you cool and comfortable.
Classic Sheath Dress:
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| Classic grey sheath dress & matching jacket from The Limited Suiting Collection |
- My biggest tip is to swap your winter pantsuit for a tailored sleeveless sheath and coordinating jacket. It’s a very classic and professional alternative that allows for you to remove your jacket until right before the interview, so you’ll stay cooler. The Limited now carries tailored sheath dresses as part of their suiting collection in black, navy, khaki or light grey. Check out this collection at http://www.thelimited.com/womens-clothing/dresses/dresses-sheath-dress. For this time of year, I would suggest the khaki or light grey color. Glamour recommends sticking with a neutral color, unless the company you’re interviewing at is more creative, then it would be appropriate to choose a chic design. The Limited has a few colorblock pattern options in black, brown and coral that are still very professional, but a little more fun than the classic solids. If you want to play it safe and stick with black (which is totally ok), then add a neutral accessory such as a skinny belt. If the position is less corporate, you may want to mix separates, such as a solid sheath dress with a tailored jacket in a brighter color or pattern, suggests fashion writer Nina Myers. Lastly, make sure to wear nylons or nude tights to keep the look modest.
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| Crop khaki pants & a black jacket is both stylish and conservative |
- Maybe you're not the dress type and want to stick with tailored pants or a pencil skirt. “A more classic skirt or pants suit paired with a pretty printed silk blouse is also a lovely combination,” states Myers. Go with a sleeveless or short sleeve blouse so you won’t be too hot. Some great spring colors to try are yellow, peach, light blue, mint green and violet. Any of these colors would look great with a khaki or grey suit. Crop or pencil pants are a great alternative to bootcut dress pants and have a slim, tailored silhouette, hitting right at the ankle. These look very sharp with a great pair of pumps.
Colors to Wear (and Not Wear):
- Don’t wear white. Myers says, “White is the least serious color and looks too casual. The lightest you should go is cream.” This is great advice to follow because with color it’s always better to play it safe. I mentioned some great spring colors above and all are pastels or neutrals. Stick with subdued colors for attire and then if you want to add a pop of color you can do so with an accessory piece or shoes.
How to Accessorize:
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| Interview jewelry options |
- Belt: A skinny belt would look great with any classic sheath to create some shape and add contrast. For a grey dress, I would suggest a white or black skinny belt and for khaki, I would do black. However, to stand out Glamour suggests a super skinny belt in a vibrant hue.
- Shoes: Classic nude pumps are always great, especially if you need to keep it conservative. However, if you want to look a little more stylish, a pair of menswear inspired lace-ups or neutral pumps with interesting details like a trendy wood heel or summery white trim are great options that Glamour recommends.
- Jewelry: You want to set yourself apart from the competition and jewelry is a good way to do this. Pearls are great for interviews because they’re classy without being too flashy. You want to be simple and not too trendy, so a nice gold, silver or pearl chain works well. For a black, grey or navy suit, wear silver jewelry and for a khaki or brown suit, wear gold. Pearls will work with any color.
- Handbag: A classic, elegant leather handbag in black or tan is the best way to go. Myers says to avoid “it” bags, especially if they’re made of exotic skin or covered in hardware. Your bag should be big enough to carry all of the necessities, such as your portfolio with a copy of your resume, cover letter and any work samples.
Consider this advice and wear what will make you
feel most confident. It will all, of course, depend upon the position you are
interviewing for. Research the company well to find out their dress policy or
ask people who have worked there or somewhere similar. You want your attire to
make you look like you’d be a good fit for the company, but it’s also appropriate to look
dressier than everyone else if they have a casual dress code. Look serious; look
confident and let your outfit enhance your chance of landing the job!
What advice do you have for dressing for a Spring
or Summer interview?
Sources:
-Nina Myers, “Summer Career Networking Style: It’s in the Details. http://www.career-line.com/job-search/interview-tips-wear-the-right-clothes-for-summer-interviews/
-http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/dressed/2010/06/what-to-wear-to-a-summer-job-i.html
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