# Interview Question.....what to wear? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 4, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001 "2000-09-04T20:37:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kiffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@kiffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiffa)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/1 "2000-09-04T20:37:11Z")
Should I wear a conservative suit or a femininish suit? Should it be pants or skirt or dress with jacket? Position is administrative “leader” in a technical field. I’ve got the skills, knowledge, ability and track-record. I’m looking for advice on “making the icing on the cake perfect”. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Much obliged. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/2 "2000-09-04T20:42:46Z")
I would say skirt. Dresses do not realy seem appropriate for business. I guess that the pants would be a close second. The level of formality of the skirt varies a lot on the company. I would be careful of seeming TO formal if the company is young, comprised of young employees, etc. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/3 "2000-09-04T20:44:06Z")
Wear what you would wear to work there, turned up one notch. I’m a guy, so it’s simpler for me. I apply for jobs that require me to wear a tie, so I wear a blazer to the interview. If I were to interview for a job where I had to wear a blazer, I would interview in a suit. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/4 "2000-09-04T20:44:50Z")
Well, I just rented Erin Brokovich over the weekend, so I can say with certainty, that it is acceptable to wear a tube top to a job interview. ---
**Author:** ![LisaRx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@LisaRx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LisaRx)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/5 "2000-09-05T01:02:12Z")
I would say conservative suit with skirt. But if you look like Julia Roberts, wear a tube top. ---
**Author:** ![kiffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@kiffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiffa)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/6 "2000-09-05T11:31:23Z")
Well, it sounds like I should wear a conservative suit with skirt. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t wear a suit with pants instead? That’s my personal preference and probably what I would wear to work more often than not. Yet, this is not a young, trendy shop; the job is located in the New South. I haven’t worked in the US for over 16 years. Most of my “work clothes” are African or in modified African style - some might say that I am a bit flamboyant; however this is not a work style for me in the US. I appreciated Wring and Magdalene’s answers to my resume slash job application so I am hoping that you might see this question and respond. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/7 "2000-09-05T12:05:00Z")
Ok, since you asked so nicely. I always say “dress one notch better than the dress style on the job”. In a woman’s case, that’s often a bit more difficult since there’s a sense of feminine vs/ professional going. But, as the job is for an administrative position, I’d veer towards professional vs. feminine. not the dress. BUT, I think a pant suit for women is still in some way considered to be LESS dressy. So, would go for the suit/skirt combo, very little jewelry, hair in a non-fussy style (if you normally wear it loose, try pulling it back/up in a smooth chignon or something like that). I’m thinking also plain colors vs. prints. They seem a bit more dressy/professional to me. hope this helps. Good luck, I know you’ll knock 'em dead! (but in a good way) ---
**Author:** ![Damhna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Damhna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damhna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/8 "2000-09-05T12:18:24Z")
Without a doubt the most important factor when considering what to wear is how comfortable and confident it is going to make you feel. Here in Helsinki nobody wears suits to work apart from salesmen. Im serious. It took a long time to get used to as you kindof have a built in impression of someones position based on the cut of their suit or whatever. I know one interview where I basically fluffed because I went in my best suit, platinum ESC key cufflinks and all…and everyone else was in jeans and trainers. The CEO cranted was wearing chinos and a golf shirt but I just felt so out of place it made me feel uncomfortable and I kept trying to not act superior while still trying to promote myself. Wear what is going to be comfortable for you. The last thing you need to worry about in a n interview is how you style is going down. Within reason of course …first impressions being what they are. An idea might be to take a coffee on a bench outside the office one evening and watch what peoples are wearing if it really bothers you that much. I have interviewed many people over the years and I will admit that their style of dress, comportment and all round grooming do influence matters but only in establishing the very initial impression. I have hired some of the scruffiest people you could imagine because they came accross as confident able people. Its about you and your skills in the end of the day. Not what you wear. If its otherwise are you sure you want to work for these people? Personally I would advise the suit. Lets get a vote going here ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/9 "2000-09-05T12:31:38Z")
My personal favorite and safest best for any job interview is a stylish, but not over-done, skirt suit. It has stood me in good sted, lo these many years. Why not a pants suit? It doesn’t convey quite the formality/seriousness of a skirt suit for a woman. Don’t ask me why… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/10 "2000-09-05T18:10:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kiffa \* > \*\*Should I wear a conservative suit or a femininish suit? Should it be pants or skirt or dress with jacket? > \*\* I need more information. Are male or female? ---
**Author:** ![kiffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@kiffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiffa)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/11 "2000-09-05T18:44:43Z")
Many thanks to you all for your thoughtful suggestions]. I’ve started going thru the closet, pushing clothes this way and that… NO, NO, No, to the right; perhaps let it hang in this spot there, possible, ah christ I thougth I threw that out… now I need advice on how to clean out that damn closet. Seriously, thanks and I’ll let you know how it goes. kiffa ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/12 "2000-09-05T19:31:33Z")
Am I too late? Kiffa, what wring said. The New South is still the South, so go with a skirt over pantsuits (I know, I know, I wear pants more than skirts too!), keep everything simple, solid, and neat. If you have ONE really sharp or stylish piece of jewelry or scarf that shows off your personality and makes everything look pulled together, go ahead and put it on if it looks good with everything else and makes you feel beautiful. Good luck! Let us know how it goes! ---
**Author:** ![kiffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@kiffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiffa)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/13 "2000-09-06T02:30:32Z")
Better late than never…thanks very much Magdalene. The closing date just past and, given that this is the bureaucracy, I’m guessing that it’ll be a while as they shift thru the applications. So I have time to figure out what to wear based on your supportive advice, get my hair cut and shave my legs [since I should wear a skirt instead of pants…drat]. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/14 "2000-09-06T14:28:57Z")
Find workers doing the job you want, dress like them. Or read Dress for Success or similar books. “Wear what you would wear to work there, turned up one notch” Iffy. You don’t want to look better than the person giving said interview. ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/15 "2000-09-06T14:46:57Z")
It’s okay to look better than the person giving the interview, handy - kiffa is the one who needs to dress to impress. I’m usually dressed more casually than people who come into interview with me, but I will notice whether they made an effort to look sharp. There is a variety of stuff that she COULD wear and be just fine - I’ve worn pantsuits to interviews and gotten the job and I’m not personally picky about stuff like that - but kiffa won’t be interviewing with me. In general, unless the interview is in a really casual or fashion-forward industry, women can never go wrong with a skirt-suit, nice scarf or classy jewelry, hose (ugh, I know) and polished shoes in good condition. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/16 "2000-09-06T22:42:17Z")
magdalene, if you look better than them, they gonna be a- thinking that you might want THEIR job. ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2000, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-question-what-to-wear/32001/17 "2000-09-07T02:03:06Z")
Low pumps (you’re tall enough) and leave your big earrings and most of your bracelets at home. What about one of your more subdued african tops with a solid skirt? I’ve always thought you looked terrific in them and they have a very nice, tailored look.