Had my investment bank business formal interview outfit improved. How is it now?

[RachelDalton79]

I want to personally thank everyone for suggestions and feedback givens in yesterday's thread. Glad the interview is scheduled next week so I still have some time to spare.

Some of you suggested that dresses are more popular than suits and shirts. I get it. But my style is a bit masculine and I love the powerful look of a suit outfit so I will stick to a suit.

Now I had improved my outfit combo based on your opinions. How is it now?

www.brooksbrothers.com/Non-Iron-Wide-Striped-Stretch-Cotton-Poplin-Fitted-Shirt/WV00966,default,pd.html?dwvar_WV00966_Color=BLUM&contentpos=21&cgid=0242

www.paulsmith.com/us/a-suit-to-travel-in-women-s-black-one-button-wool-suit

www.brooksbrothers.com/Leather-Point-Toe-Kitten-Heels/WF00479,default,pd.html

Yesterday's thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3596713-How-is-this-outfit-for-an-investment-bank-business-formal-interview

Funny you should say that Lumene as my job is recruitment too

And if that interviewer turned someone down for wearing trousers they would be a really shit interviewer!!

This is a very black and white response and misses the point. The competition for these roles is intense and very fierce. The only difference between Brilliant Candidate A and Brilliant Candidate B may be how they would fit into the organisation, and yes that could be based on something as superficial as how well/appropriately they are dressed.

I’m not sure I necessarily agree.
I’ve worked in recruitment for 20 years for various diff companies and I’ve never known an interviewer who I was interviewing with (or me as interviewer) look at clothing unless it was something really inappropriate.
There could be people out there that would but I’ve not come across one that would favour a woman in a dress rather than trousers because she looked too 90’s corporate!

And if that interviewer turned someone down for wearing trousers they would be a really shit interviewer!!

Of course someone shouldn’t turn someone down for wearing trousers, that’s not what anyone is suggesting here.

What area of recruitment do you work in out of interest.

Ultimately the decision is up to the OP. Wearing an outfit that could look dated or too quirky to an interview is a risk. Several people on the thread have said this is how many in this area would view the suit. It may make no difference or it may make the difference between the job being offered or not. The OP may decide if the company doesn’t like them in their preferred style they don’t want the job anyway.

It’s a bit dated, different shoes would help.

There could be people out there that would but I’ve not come across one that would favour a woman in a dress rather than trousers because she looked too 90’s corporate!

Well, no one is going to say "You know, Beth really had the stronger background in this asset class but I'm gonna give it to Rebecca because I just didn't like her trousers", but perceptions of how well you "fit in" absolutely influence judgements, and I'd be worried if you don't realise that because it'll stop you doing anything to minimise and correct for bias.

And why obsess over your outfit like OP is if you're being told clearly that at best what you're planning is going to come off as kind of out of step? If you aren't already confident of your outfit then play it safe, for which there are lots of easy options, and focus on practising your competency based questions instead.

Of course I get that and I’m pretty experienced at weeding out bias in interviews let me tell you! As I said outfits have been commented on if inappropriate but I just don’t really see that the very fine line between trousers vs dress or blouse vs shirt would make a difference. It’s not like the op is suggesting wearing something outrageous, just something smart and conservative which is often recommended on here for an interview. Anyway as pp said op can choose what she wants and will, and I wish her the best!

That's your experience Rooftree but my experience is different. Have you recruited/interviewed for Front Office? The guys I have worked with at a number of big name investment banks can be brutal. Some of the comments I've heard about interview candidates are so un-PC that I don't even feel comfortable writing them down anonymously on a forum. Some places are worse than others, some interviewers are (much) worse than others. They absolutely look at clothing. They look at everything because the bar is already set so high that they have to find something to use to differentiate the successful candidate from the rest.

The OP doesn't need to take notice of what I and others with Front Office experience are suggesting. You don't have to believe us given that your experience is different. But I'm just trying to help, as are others. There's nothing in it for us other than trying to help the OP get the best shot possible at getting the role. If we wanted to be mean to someone, we'd head over to AIBU.

I do agree it reminds me of what we wore in Banking in the 90s however you need to be comfortable and I don't think it is offensive.

Have you had a look a Reiss? They have some great tailoring, think slim fit Navy jackets and trousers and dresses.

I know hundred!

That outfit will look like it's been in your wardrobe for the last ten years and you have nothing else to wear. Please follow the advice on here. Also can you name the company - someone might just work for them or know the culture so be able to advise you better.

Just to add where I’m coming from is about being comfortable with what you’re wearing in an interview. As I said in this thread (or the other one I’m not sure as there are 2 now) i know several women who wouldn’t be seen dead in a dress or blouse and op already said her style was masculine. Feeling too uncomfortable in an interview can lead to a less smooth interview ime which is what I’d try and avoid.

Given that it appears the OP may have used her actual name, probably best not to post the company name!

I agree 100% with what Hundred and some others have said.

OP, if it you really want a suit and a more masculine look, try to make it look a bit more contemporary. Go minimalist with a white blouse / top / shirt instead of blue, flat shoes and more interesting shapes.

Dunno where all these brilliant candidates are for front office roles where it gets decided on the basis of trousers (maybe equities?) but frankly we’re thrilled if we get two or three good ones, and even more excited if we manage a strong female candidate (#genderpaygap).

As I said earlier, there is absolutely nothing wrong with your outfit or shoes and it looks smart. It just won’t get worn much once you’re hired as no one dresses like that day to day. Lots of places (JP Morgan is one) have adopted Dress For Your Day which means business casual most of the time.

Can I suggest softening it a bit with a silk blouse like the below Boss one? As you will actually wear that later.

www.hugoboss.com/uk/silk-blend-blouse-with-gathered-neckline/hbeu50363436_112.html?cgid=11100

The Fold blouse AprilLady linked to on page 1 is fantastic and would make the suit more current.

Ohhhhh goddamn I really want that Hugo Boss silk shirt now. Gah.

I am working right now at a very major investment bank (granted, I’m in the Legal Department which is Frump Central, so that’s no guide) and I see loads of very senior women in trouser suits all the time. We have a female MD in a client facing role who is always in a very sharp dark suit with cropped trousers and a soft blouse, kickass stilettos, expertly curled blonde hair, perfect red nails and a stonking big diamond. I can’t recall ever seeing her in a dress.

That Paul Smith suit looks the business and I think as separates it could also be fab. OP, if you like a masculine look you might consider a tailored shirt but in a softer fabric.

Yeah, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with the suit. Or any modern-cut, quality black trouser suit. It's combining it with a very conservatively cut blue shirt and those shoes that make it a dated and frumpy look.

Even just ditching the jacket and wearing loafers or interesting flats would make it more modern and clean.

oooh those blouses are fab. want.

i had a rummage through my wardrobe before, and i have a trouser suit, but its a bit unshapely on me. (can't actually get it to fit right now as am 31 weeks pregnant), but before i go back to work after maternity leave in january i will be taking it to the tailors and asking them to alter it to fit me better. give it a bit more shape.

i rarely wear it as a suit though and prefer to wear it as separates. grey trousers, black chiffony blouse, leopard print flats/heels, grey jacket, white blouse (or sometimes fitted tailored shirt) black trousers heels or brogues.

i don't work in a super corporate environment - we're business casual most of the time, but sometimes...dressing up is required for new client meetings etc.

it also has a waistcoat....which is sometimes a danger for me as i am big of boob. but i love it.

A waistcoat! Man, I do love a waistcoat, even though they are never cut right (I also have large-ish boobs proportionately, or at least larger than clothing designers appear to expect). I tend to fit them to my waist and leave the top button(s) undone, in a sort of reversal of the accepted male ettiquette.

Where is your waistcoated suit from, emem?

All this talk about whether you'll face unconscious bias at interview because you wear trousers instead of a dress really does make me think that people from ethnic minorities or working class backgrounds are going to have no chance at all. The argument seems to be that if you don't look exactly like everyone else who works at the company you will stand less chance of success. This is SO depressing to read.

sohot its a reiss one. i bought it around 4/5 years ago. the waistcoat is worn (when its worn) with a long sleeve pussy bow blouse underneath.

its ace.

OP, is your interview also in the US? If so, the vast majority of advice here is irrelevant as interview dress there is different.

OP has said it's in London, chequers.