Emergency! Dream job interview this afternoon

[vindscreenviper]

and I'm starting to doubt my choice of outfit .
I thought this dress(in dark purple) and these boots would be good, but I'm now wondering if I should go more business-like in a suit similar to this? As well as feeling the suit was too formal the fact that I will have to walk some distance through cobbled streets means that heels are out, hence the dress and boot combo.The job is p/t librarian in a very traditional college of a uni, I wore the suit (with heels) to an interview in a commercial setting last week and was offered that job (but I really want the uni one).
Can anybody who works in academia tell me what the dress code actually is please?

Sorry, that last sentence reads as if I don't want the opinions of anybody who doesn't work in a uni but I really do, the more opinions the better. Both outfits are ready to wear but I'm really not keen on wearing the suit as it only looks good with heels and I only have one highish pair that go with it. I suppose I could dash out and buy a pair of kitten heels but I've left it a bit late, I wanted to chill in the bath and go over scenarios with my imaginary interview panel.

I don't work in academia but I would say two things. Firstly, always go with something you feel comfortable in. If you hate wearing suits, don't wear a suit. Secondly, better to be too smart than under-dressed for an interview. So if you're happy in your suit, wear the suit. The way people dress for interviews doesn't necessarily reflect how people dress in that job.

Cross posted. If you feel you need heels for the suit (are you sure you couldn't get away with flats? Have you got some brogues or something?), then go with the dress. Definitely don't dash out to buy shoes now.

Have your bath and a cup of tea and prepare for the interview instead. Being well prepared is more important than having new shoes :)

PS. Good luck!

Agree with Villa that you need to be comfortable and as smart as possible - so how about the suit with heels, but wear a pair of flats to do the walk? Change into the heels when you arrive? Either before you get to the entrance or find the loo asap?

Oh yes and good luck too!

Enjoy your bath and going over scenarios.

I would leave early to deal with the cobblestones and wear the suit and the high heels.

Best of luck!

Suit. Always, always a suit.

The outfit above is far too casual for any interview. Bring a handbag and wear a pair of flats to get there, then switch into the heels just before going in.

Have just completed a PhD so seen lots of librarians in major academic libraries . The dress code is certainly a lot less formal than in most offices and I've never spotted a suit, though obviously for an interview you want to be smarter than for every day wear.

I think the dress would be ideal and personally like the boots and feel they would be fine so long as well polished and with good bag, etc.

Either would be fine. I've worked in academia and been interviewed by people wearing jeans. No-one wears a suit except for senior administrative management (academics rarely wear suits). You would look smart in the boots and dress combo. But a suit would also be fine for a job interview.

So whatever you feel comfortable in.

I'd go for the suit - change into heels when you get there.

Don't forget to write a nice thank you note immediately afterwards, detailing what you liked about them, the job, the organisation, and reiterating any points you want to make.

Anything goes in academia IME. Although I would sway away from power suits and heels - too corporate?

Just make sure you are clean (!) and presentable. Clean fingernails, polished nails, clean hair etc...obv all a given :)

As PP have said, just make sure you are comfortable.

Love the dress by the way - perfect for interview. Not so keen on the boots for interview (although I wouldn't think academia would be bothered - depending on the interviewer). Do you have any flats / shoes with a more chunky/low heel?

Good luck!

I would go for the suit and wear flats en route, although I don't work in academia.

Dress and boot combo is lovely, but I would go for the smarter option for an interview.

(you look gorgeous btw)

Dress is fine, suit is fine, boots are not fine at all.

Yy to flats and changing into heels on arrival.

Sorry I haven't been back - internet went tits-up.

Thank you for all your comments, I've decided to do the suit and take a change of shoes so I arrive with ankles intact. It may not be as comfortable as the dress and boots but it does make me feel very confident and together IYSWIM. If I do get this job I can dress for comfort but I would hate to give the interview panel the impression that I didn't make much of an effort.
Thanks for all the good luck wishes too!

Good luck- let us know how you get on

Good decision, suit and heels definitely the way to go.

I'm sure you'll get the job

Yes good luck .