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Interview outfit - help!

20 replies

yellowDahlia · 08/09/2021 13:41

Ok, I've just panic-bought this dress for a job interview tomorrow. What would you wear with this in terms of tights/no tights, shoes and jacket?

It's very lightweight and although it's not supposed to be as hot as today, it will still be warm tomorrow - can I get away with wearing this dress without tights? I'd only go with black tights as I detest sheer ones, and wouldn't feel comfortable in them. But I'm hoping I could do without tights altogether? I'd probably wear a pair of black heeled shoe boots, but maybe that would still look a bit heavy...? I've got a black blazer I could put over the top too. It's very monochrome, so for a wee splash of colour I've got some nice purple nail varnish.

The alternative outfit I had lined up before today was a pair of tailored grey ankle grazer trousers, plain white t shirt and black blazer. Am considering wearing DM shoes with this for a bit of 'edge' as they are a smart pair with a small floral design. It's for a comms role and it's a relatively creative/progressive company btw.

Which would you go with??

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 08/09/2021 13:48

Honestly I wouldn't wear this for an interview, especially without tights.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 08/09/2021 14:14

The trousers outfit would be a much better choice.

The dress is not formal enough for an interview and you definitely can't go to an interview without tights - in this weather black tights would be very uncomfortable.

I'd also rethink the DMs for an interview and definitely don't wear purple nail polish. You need to be as neutral as possible for an interview so you don't stand out for the wrong reasons.

Palavah · 08/09/2021 14:17

Any photos in their website/on their SM? What kind of thing are people wearing there. General rule is to take it a notch smarter than people wear to the office.

Palavah · 08/09/2021 14:18

Trousers sounds better than the dress not least because it's quite girly.

yellowDahlia · 08/09/2021 14:33

Ok so it looks like the dress is out! Fair enough, I think I am just panicking now and it seemed nice when I tried it on.

Why not nail colour? The trouser outfit is really very neutral, so it thought a tiny bit of 'personality' might be a good idea - and add some colour but not in an in-your-face way? Ditto the DMs, they're very smart. Maybe not both at once?

OP posts:
LaCerbiatta · 08/09/2021 14:36

What's wrong with purple nail polish? How absurd!

namechange30455 · 08/09/2021 14:39

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

The trousers outfit would be a much better choice.

The dress is not formal enough for an interview and you definitely can't go to an interview without tights - in this weather black tights would be very uncomfortable.

I'd also rethink the DMs for an interview and definitely don't wear purple nail polish. You need to be as neutral as possible for an interview so you don't stand out for the wrong reasons.

Do you work in a very "traditional" industry?

For an interview for a comms role at a creative company I'd say purple nails and/or DMs is totally fine.

OldTinHat · 08/09/2021 14:53

I love the dress. I'd do sheer tights (sorry!) and court/dolly shoes. Yes to purple nail varnish because that's you but if they have a uniform policy be open that you'd adhere. Good luck OP, go get 'em!

LazyMareofEastown · 08/09/2021 15:02

The dress is absolutely fine for an interview! Just 100% NOT with bare legs. I'd wear with 40 denier (sheer but not too sheer, opaques look dated now imo) and decent shoes.

Also yes to purple nail polish. You're allowed to have both a job and a personality these days y'know! 😉

Jumpingintosummer · 08/09/2021 15:07

I got the role of CEO with leopard print nails Halo.

I would go with the trousers!

Bloodypunkrockers · 08/09/2021 15:59

Trousers for me

And definitely purple nails too

yellowDahlia · 08/09/2021 17:19

Thanks all, it's been helpful to get a few opinions!

Think I'll definitely go with the trousers - definitely more 'me' and I know I always feel more confident when I'm wearing something I feel comfortable in and is true to my usual style. It's close to what I would usually wear to work anyway - and I'll keep the purple nails too!

Think I was just panicking after another day of feeling fed up in my current job - so want to make sure I get everything right for tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

OP posts:
Divebar2021 · 08/09/2021 17:44

It’s definitely better to be authentic - outfit 2 for me too! Yes to DMs yes to purple nail polish.

thirstyformore · 08/09/2021 17:48

Interesting about tights.....I haven't worn tights with dresses for YEARS unless genuinely cold. I often have bare legs at work! Is this a no no?? I thought that view was hugely outdated? (I'm in a professional role as well and am often much more smartly dressed than my colleaguesSmile)

pawpatrolrider · 08/09/2021 20:03

I would never go bare legs in work. I have a professional role. This idea that someone could touch my legs freaks me out!

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 09/09/2021 08:34

@namechange30455 I work in the design industry - where everyone dresses as OP describes for work, but not for an interview.

Betty65 · 09/09/2021 11:13

The trouser option sounds more suitable tbh
Good luck!!

Pigtailsandall · 09/09/2021 11:17

My best friends is a comms manager in HE and she basically wears black jeans and a fitted t-shirt and blazer and DMs every day.

Unless you are interviewing for a top law firm, bare legs and purple nails are totally fine. Just make sure they are not chipped

Pigtailsandall · 09/09/2021 11:20

Also, can you google images of the company and see what others wear? I'd mimic them and err slightly more towards conservative end (as it is an interview)

Tights in the summer Confused

TabithaTiger · 09/09/2021 11:39

I work in Comms. Both of these outfits sound totally acceptable. No tights is fine in the summer, so long as you feel comfortable.

Good luck with the interview!

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