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Plato's closet interview?

Making the best interview outfit from a small closet

  • I have a job interview that I'm very excited about and I need some help choosing from my limited clothing options. Snowflakes inside. Here's the job: it's a Special Assistant position in the office of the president of a major university system. While this is technically a job in an academic environment, the office of the president is entirely separate from the university campus and I assume it's more of an executive environment. Here's the problem: I'm really poor and due to this fact, as well as my strange work history I don't have "office clothes" or an interview suit. In fact, I don't even have a nice black skirt and a nice neutral top that I can throw together. What I do have is this: a black wool sleeveless sheath dress that looks a) very nice on me and b) more expensive than it is. However, I need something to wear over it. I have three options: -A black wool blazer that matches the black of the dress. Problem: it's made of a much heavier wool than the dress and is not very flattering. I'm also worried about wearing all black to an interview (sadly, I don't even have a little scarf I can tie on for a splash of color. I do, however, have a gold necklace and pearly earrings that might soften it a bit. -A red, square front, button-less, lapel-less wool jacket. It's a really red red, and you could call it a power jacket. However, random strangers who write about such things seem to say that red is great if you're running a meeting and want to make a statement, but it could come off as aggressive (or perhaps too sexual) in an interview setting. -A very nice black wool Donna Karan long drapey sweater that just hits the hem of the dress in front and that matches the black of the dress. I'd honestly be most comfortable in this but I'm afraid that a sweater is too informal and doesn't properly convey the proper formality and competence. Also see above re: too much black. That said, this interview is taking place in the Bay Area, so sartorial expectations, even in executive settings, might be different than on Wall Street. I am totally out of my depth here and would appreciate any advice.

  • Answer:

    This is an East Coast perspective, but I wouldn't go sleeveless to an interview. Given that you anticipate difficulty finding a good fit, I would focus on a cardigan (or experiment with your long sweater as per cotton dress sock). Cardigans can look great with the right accessories, and are more forgiving than blazers. Eventually you may want to look into buying some blazers and having them altered. Good luck!

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Nthing a plain, fitted cardigan over the sheath with a skinny belt. Old Navy carries tall sizes online (if you have time enough to order) -- something like http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=99305&vid=2&pid=952800042 or http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41733&vid=2&pid=952818062?

scody

Sweater, belt over the sweater to make it seem more together, simple & understated jewelry to up the formality (just earrings or just necklace, not both), shoes that you can walk in confidently. Sleek hair.

Mizu

I would agree that it'd be better not to have exposed shoulders for the interview, at least.

cotton dress sock

Can you find a fitted cardigan and skinny belt? Or even a skinny belt around the black sweater? Belts make things a little more formal. Fitted cardigans look good with sheath dresses.

echo0720

The sweater sounds like the best option. That said, in your shoes I would at least check the sales and see what they have in terms of blazers and cardigans. And honestly I'd probably also put a facebook post (customize the audience) up saying something like "Wardrobe emergency - I need a size (yoursize) jacket or cardigan for my dream interview. Help?" Because this is totally the sort of thing people love to help out with.

bunderful

Another idea: there are several not-for-profits that provide interview clothing for low-income people. Here's two: http://sfhomeless.wikia.com/wiki/Bay_Area_Women's_and_Children's_Center_(BAWCC) and http://www.stanthonysf.org/FreeClothingProgram. Good luck next week!

carmicha

If this is UC Berkeley and the job is in the office of the president, then you probably want to err on the side of formality, so shoulders covered. I went to school and used to work there. A suit isn't strictly necessary (I was hired wearing a skirt and blazer), but while Berkeley is more casual in general, if you're in a position where you might interact with donors or staff events, or are around people who do (and in the president's office, this is inevitable), they will want to see that you can look professional.

Diagonalize

It's important to feel at ease, so you can feel free to speak as yourself and not worry about tugging at things that don't fit. If you could find a nice-ish jacket & pants or skirt that fit well at a consignment store, that'd be great. Otherwise, my vote goes to the sweater, but, I might style it so it looks fitted - i.e., wrap both of the front ends high around your waist, so you end up with a modest V neckline, and then wear a wide belt to keep it all in place. (It's a look I wear and like a lot - I think it looks tidy and put together, and is super comfortable.) A tan belt and shoes, if you've got them around, would lighten it up a bit, as would an off-white scarf, if you've got one. Light/bright makeup would lift the look, too (would go for a bit of blush, lipstick close to your natural colour, and mascara).

cotton dress sock

Is there any way you could show pictures of the choices (ideally with the clothing on you)? From what you've described, I think the black wool jacket is a no-go, and it's between the other two choices. I would lean towards the red jacket, but it's difficult to say without actually seeing them. Also, any chance you could make it to a thrift store? It's obviously luck of the draw, but I've found ridiculously cheap nice things ($5 cashmere sweaters). Or do you have any female friends who might be wiling to lend you a suitable jacket for the day?

ClaireBear

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