Kick ass outfit for big job interview

[FirmlyRooted]

I have interview nr 18 for a big job coming up, it is supposedly the final round with a c-suite executive. What can I wear that says I'm an exceptional professional, confident and innovative but serious enough to lead a strategic function?

I'm 38, size 12 ish, 5'6, long hair. I'm thinking it needs to be dark to signal seriousness but I also want to come across as confident and innovative. The Fold has a wrap jacket I'm eyeing up.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! And also thoughts on whether it needs to be trousers or if a skirt will work. I prefer skirts but worried about being too girly...

I’d stick with the dark tailored dress with jacket option. Necklace being the closest to showing personality.

Really #18 by the way?! That is incredible!

Is it with BCG or in finance?!

Gosh well done! I had 6 for my first job but no where near c-suite. Let me think about this.

It's really got to be an element of modern power dressing. What sector? What have you seen other senior women wear in the organisation?

What industry?

I'm c-suite. I'm very interested in clothes but don't work in an industry where that's a prerequisite.

Things I want to see:

• you're totally comfortable in what you're wearing - no fiddling with cuffs, pulling down hems, adjusting jackets.

• be conservative, I expect my interviewees to be dressed more conservatively than me. Rightly or wrongly it tells me they take the role seriously.

• subtle flair. If you have a great bag, interesting ear studs go for it but don't even think about turning up in a jumpsuit.

Also I've sat on numerous interview panels.

I've never heard anyone criticised for being too formal. Occasionally I've heard interviewers joke about the youngster with a formal briefcase or laugh sympathetically at the woman who persistently wore a dark jacket despite it being 30° and no aircon, but never criticised.

Unlike men who have come without ties, or jackets, women who've worn strapless sandals or low cut vests.

I love a black suit with a pale blue shirt/blouse. Colour is fun but only a little. You want to stand out and not be boring to look at, but also taken seriously.

I agree with @DramaRamaLlama

Something well cut and smart.

I don't think anything garish.

I always look at people like Teresa May (don't copy her) but there is huge psychology behind clothing - with TM they wanted her to look fierce and at times masculine. There was something on the TV about it - her short sharp hair, pointy shoes and large necklaces. Don't do that but worth a google to see what certain types of clothing or a look is meant to represent

These are great thoughts, really appreciate it. The job is in finance in Canary Wharf but not for a financial institution, I currently work at an asset manager and this is a move to a financial technology company. Clients are all financial institutions.

I think I will order a few things from Hobbs and the Fold to try on, I'm thinking about this:

thefoldlondon.com/product/le-marais-wrap-jacket-navy/

Very sober but with a twist, or should I stick to a more traditional jacket?

I did think it was in finance!

Good luck OP. I'd say yes to that jacket, it's gorgeous.

My boss is very senior in our industry and meets a lot of C-level clients and she would wear that jacket - in fact she has a lovely dress from The Fold that I always drool over 😊

Other brands you might want to look at are And Other Strories and Me + Em.

That jacket is beautiful, hits the spot perfectly.

Y'see I wouldn't go for that jacket, not if clients are finance sector.

I'd go for very crisp tailored clean lined suit, with a hint of colour blouse (non-froofy), and some decent earrings / necklace.

I'd aim to team the jewellery with the shoes, so the whole look flowed head to toe.

Handbag would depend on whether I had to take papers or laptop.

Given that you've made it through 17 interviews to reach this point, what did you wear to all of them?

Whatever you decide good luck! Fingers crossed for you.

Jacket is perfect - in fact I'm going to buy one I think!

I've sat on numerous interview panels. The best outfits are the ones I can't remember IYSWIM - the candidates who look groomed, professional and comfortable.

By contrast, I remember the woman who came in a wrap dress so low that her whole bra was on show. How she looked in the mirror that morning and thought it was ok, I'll never know!

This is so helpful, thank you everyone.

For the other interviews I wore a black suit with a blue silk top, a navy dress with a navy and white jacket, a black pencil dress with a black and red jacket, mostly Hobbs with some Reiss. I saw 1-4 people each time. The rest were over the phone thankfully.

Canary wharf is much more formal suits than other financial institutions - go traditional suit, either trousers or skirt, with interesting earrings / handbag. And heels - not skyscraper tho, make sure you can walk confidently!!

For this one, I really need to be sharp so based on all your comments I think I'll stick to a dark suit and white top. No such thing as too conservative for corporate interviews

I don’t like the jacket - I think it looks too “bathrobey”.

Agree, re sharp suit. Careful that teaming it with a white top doesn’t make you look like a waitress. If it’s a technology company as opposed to finance, you can afford to show a bit more flair or trendy/stylish

Good luck! Here’s to more women in senior roles!

HermioneWeasley makes some good points.

I think it is a little too drapey and would go crisper if I were you.

I usually wear a black or navy dress - with something bright depending on season
Different industry - but I was head of interview panel recently - and whilst I can picture faces and how candidates performed have no recollection of what people wore!
Happy with who we recruited though and it was based on how well they answered questions, presentation made and good fit or not!

Maybe not white top? I think FinTechs are the 'trendier' side of finance. Have you looked at other FinTech websites if pic of boards or just googled? Maybe see what the female members are wearing.

If I get compliments on clothes it's always because they suit my colouring and shape - not that they are fashionable etc.

To see if something suits my colour I always have to try it on, and usually with other outfits for comparison so the flattering ones jump out.

So just saying this because the outfit needs to flatter you - rather than just make you look efficient etc I never wear white as it makes my face look strained, however a soft vanilla ice cream colour flatters.

Good point about looking like a waitress! Black and white is not the most flattering combo on lots of people. I'm thinking navy as that suits me better than black, probably an off white or cream top, subtle jewelry and heels.

What do you think of this other Fold jacket?

thefoldlondon.com/product/le-marais-tuxedo-jacket-black/