<p>Parents Cafe, I need your collective wisdom. I have an interview coming up and I need interview clothes that’s classy, but not too expensive. Do you have any suggestions about styles and/or specific places to buy clothing? </p>
<p>I’m female, but I don’t really like skirts and am wondering if I can get away with a pants-suit? It’s not that I* mind* dressing up in a skirt for a couple hours, but I am worried that I’d be radiating discomfort. I want to appear comfortable and confident.</p>
<p>Macy’s is my go to for suits. They have plenty of pants suits for under $100 and many that are $60 or less. Goodwill and consignments shops are also great if you need ultra cheep. </p>
<p>As for pants vs skirt, depends on the job but usually a nice pants suit is just fine.</p>
<p>If the interview isn’t at a very formal place (say, a law office or a top accounting firm) you can certainly wear a pair of dress pants with a nice blazer - it doesn’t have to be a suit. It could be two nice separates in classic ‘business’ colors. Say, a gray pair of pants with a black/navy blazer and a white blouse. I second the recommendation of looking at consignment stores: great places for high quality blazers on the cheap. Macy’s or other large department stores are good because of their often aggressive sales and large selection. Get something well made and classic - and it’ll last you for many interviews to come!</p>
<p>Pants are usually fine but they tend to cost more than a skirt and they may need to be shortened because their length is critical, which is not the case for a skirt. So if you shop for a pants suit, you need extra lead time and you need to check to see whether there’s an extra charge for alterations. </p>
<p>Another option for your interview might be a jacket and skirt or jacket and pants that are dressy and businesslike but do not necessarily match. This can work if you already own an appropriate pair of businesslike pants or a businesslike skirt in a solid color (especially black). You can often buy a jacket in a contrasting color or appropriate tweed mixture for less than the price of a complete suit. Look around in the suit department of a store and you’ll see lots of suits that consist of a colored jacket and black skirt. What you would be doing is assembling an outfit that looks like one of those suits but using separate pieces to do it.</p>
<p>One more point: Don’t buy a brightly colored suit. You’ll look out of place. Your generation doesn’t wear them. For whatever reason, younger women seem to choose neutral colors (especially dark ones, such as black or charcoal) when buying serious business clothing. The only light or bright part of their outfits is the blouse. If you put on a purple or red suit, people will think you borrowed it from your grandmother.</p>
<p>Good advice so far. I would add that you should be thinking ahead and buy things that can be mixed and matched with future purchases. DD bought 2 pairs of pants, 2 skirts and 2 blazers that all coordinate, yet are in different colors - black, grey, taupe, tan, brown, loden green. She also bought 3 button down shirts that can be worn with either blazer and a couple of bow tie blouses for dressier occasions. She also bought 2 pair of work shoes - black “flats” with a low heel (she has arch support issues) and mid heel taupy brown shoes in a classic style. She acquired these over time, from department store sales, consignment stores, target, etc. and did not spend that much overall.</p>
<p>I should also recommend that you buy things that fit a little looser so that you can layer sweaters under blazers and t shirts under shirts. Work clothes shouldn’t be tight fitting.</p>
<p>For long-term use, avoid pants, skirts, and blouses that require dry cleaning. Having to get your clothes dry cleaned is like paying ransom. You will quickly find yourself having paid far more to the dry cleaner for a particular garment than you paid to the store where you bought it! </p>
<p>Ideally, except perhaps for one or two suits that you use for exceptionally formal business occasions, nothing in your work wardrobe should require dry cleaning except for jackets or sweaters that are always worn over something else. And make sure that the top that goes under your jacket or sweater has sleeves so that the outer layer doesn’t get sweaty under the arms on the first wearing.</p>
<p>Couple of questions:
<p>Here’s my thing. Suits are not my thing. I work in health care (in an office where people are not wearing scrubs) and I would not buy a suit for an interview that I would not be likely to wear again on the job if I were to get it. In other words, I would think about what might be the most dressed up I would get for this position and then buy THAT type of appropriate clothing. You should of course, look neat, put together, like you are taking the interview seriously and approachable. But for me, that does not spell SUIT. </p>
<p>Just my 2 cents and as I said, depending on the answers to the above. For an interview in my current field, I would more likely wear a nice pair of pants with some attractive shoes, a nicer top with a dressier cardigan and some simple but nice jewerly. And that would be what I would wear on a “dressy” day at work.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on the field and region you are interviewing for.
My experience is not current, but generally you wear more formal clothing than you would wear at work. A dress and jacket might be much more comfortable than a skirt, and a pants suit could be ok, my impression is with pants is that it is harder to look classy on a budget with pants than with a skirt, but that isnt to say it isnt doable.
A good clerk can really help.</p>
<p>If you have a consignment store nearby, that might be a good place to look. Because in some fields a suit is worn only for the interview, you will find “like-new” suits and separates at consignment stores for a fraction of the cost of new. I used to shop at one in my hometown where the owner had a designer friend and would have one-of-a-kind pieces on a regular basis. Even as a single mom I could afford these.</p>
<p>Seattle has one of the largest Goodwill stores in the US, so I find a lot there-Talbot, Nordstrom, designers-all there and plenty of suit jackets, skirts AND pants. Once you have a job and know what the dress code is, you can buy new if you want.</p>
<p>Forever 21 has some inexpensive wear to work items. Be careful of all the “trendy” sheer shirts, short skirts and other items. They carry some classic blazers, some classic blouses, and occasionally an appropriate legnth skirt or dress. It’s hard to search them out in the store and easier to find on line where you can see all the blazers and the legnth of the clothes. I haven’t seen good dress pants but found cute blazers under $30 that worked well with other items.</p>
<p>You need to know the corporate climate where you are interviewing. A pants suit is fine to interview in as well as pants and blazer. Wear what you are comfortable in and what is acceptable in that environment. If you are interviewing for a creative position (advertising,marketing, fashion, etc) you can be more stylish and show some of your creativity in your clothing choices. If you are interviewing for a more traditional or conservative position I would stick with a suit (skirt or pants) or dress and jacket combo. I have two Ds who have interviewed recently. D2 has interviewed for several positions and has been lucky enough to get offers every time. She always wears a silvery gray pant suit as her lucky interview suit because she says she is more comfortable in pants and thus more confident and she thinks she always stands out in a sea of black suits! 
We have found professional interview clothing at Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx (you can find many brands that are normally sold at Bloomies or Nordstrom), Express and The Limited. My girls do not like Macy’s suits as they feel the clothing lines are too mature for them. Check for coupons and sales online. Make sure you pay attention to your shoes and purse. Keep hair and makeup simple. Good Luck!</p>
<p>edit: Also be aware of fit and condition of clothes! At a recent induction ceremony D2 was sitting at a table with corporate sponsors. She overheard one of the partners/principals remarking on presenting a good image and then pointed out someone who had a rumpled suit jacket and pants that were dragging on the ground. This was at a formal event and for a conservative field so take it for what it is worth.</p>
<p>Talbots is an excellent source of classic pieces that are updated. Banana Republic is another possibility. They usually have things on sale. (I would not buy anything at Forever 21, because it all seems to radiate “cheap” to me. YMMV )</p>
<p>My D bought interview clothes from Ann Taylor Loft and matched with cheaper blouses from New York and Company. She went for a dark skirt and a contrasting beige jacket that had piping to match the skirt. Very classy and a little different from all the black suits.</p>
<p>I have always gotten my suits from JCPenney, and I never really pay very much. Maybe $50-$100 for most of them. Pants are absolutely fine if you’re not comfortable in a skirt.</p>
<p>D also bought some work appropriate pieces from Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. She did find that some of the pants fit a bit funny so sizes varied depending upon the fit. They are having a great online sale right now on clearance and sale items. Actually I just saw a very cute dress online for less than $40. I’m sending her the link in case she needs something new. </p>
<p>When she was in interview mode last year we purchased suit separates in a dark navy instead of black. Navy is a bit less harsh on many people than the classic black, and I’m sure it differentiated her a little from all of the “black” suits. She wore a multi-colored, silky shell under the jacket. She can wear each piece, the pants, jacket, and skirt, together or with other pieces. The separates also helped her get a better fit for each piece so she did not have to pay for alterations.</p>
<p>Agree with Consolation. Banana Republic outlet is a great source for inexpensive suits.</p>
<p>What do you consider “cheap” ? Be careful you don’t get something that looks “cheap” or ill made. </p>
<p>If you think you will be doing more interviewing start watching now for sales. I am already picking up clothes for D2 for after graduation. In fact yesterday I found a great Chanel-esque jacket in a brand that is currently sold at Bloomies at TJ Maxx for $49. Paired with black or gray pants, a blouse and a necklace it could be used for interviewing or even paired with jeans and heels for an evening out look. You can never go wrong with classic looks.</p>
<p>Ross Dress for Less carries some work attire at very reasonable prices, comparable to thrift store prices. My daughters’ opt for white blouses and dark dress slacks or skirts. And flats or a very low heel, all also purchased at Ross. Some at TJ Maxx/Marshalls, mostly on clearance there.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>I was at an interview once where everyone in the office wore gray and black. Another interview had a brown plaid jacket. I don’t think he got the job! I vote for a pencil skirt with a fairly sober blazer/jacket not matching.</p>
<p>My d is a red head and very pale. She bought a pants suit from Banana Republic in navy. She is very hard to fit, the jacket is a regular but the pants are a petite. We found when we went shopping to ask, we received an additional 30% off by opening a charge. We’ve found if you ask they will tell you when they have a sale coming up and try to get you a better price. I think it was very important to get the right fit in the jacket.</p>
<p>BR and J Crew offer 15% off student discounts if you show your student ID. D2 also gets discount if she shows her Business Honor society card at those stores. There are other stores who also participate in the student discount program. Just ask.</p>