“Own one good suit.” I’ve always been told that. For job interviews, business meetings… A classic, flattering, good, quality suit. It surprises me when someone tells me they’ve never owned a suit and “am I supposed to wear one to an interview??”
Just off the top of my head, there are some fine places to find a suit these days – J.Crew has nice suits but a little more pricey. Banana Republic – good, classic cuts. These places are chains, yes, but it helps if your size isn’t available in the store and they will order it for you. By the way, the red phone at J.Crew? Free shipping when you order from there. Just sayin’. For the budget-minded, there’s always Express. My first suit came from there because that’s all I could afford but it did the trick.
As I started making more, I invested in a nice and surprisingly affordable pant suit from Benetton. Great cut, wool, two button and has stayed in great shape since I bought it almost four years ago. What’s nice, too, is that when you get a suit from either BR or J.Crew or Benetton, you can get a skirt to match too and change things up a bit. I’m pretty sure Posh has suits you can get, as well as our department stores. But whenever I need business-y type clothes, the latter three are my go-to’s.
Benetton, especially, is wonderful. The Italian/European cut is soooo flattering, less boxy. They’ve stopped carrying (bad idea) their men’s line in the Green Hills store but when they did I loved it when The Husband got his shirts there. SO hot.
An article in the Fashion & Style section in the NY Times today discusses the interview suit and gives several designers’ opinions on what a “good suit” is. Nicole Miller feels the pant suit is outdated. Personally, my pant suit from Benetton is what landed me this job (I found out it’s because I was more professional than the girl I was in contention with and I know it’s because I wore a suit for both rounds).
BUT, that also brings us to the part where they discuss the audience and what kind of job you’re going for. If the company you’re interviewing with tends to be more traditional and more “old-school” in thought, then a classic suit (pants or skirt) will probably work in your favor.
I won’t spoil it for you. Here’s the article. Enjoy!
For the budget-minded, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s will many times have a decent selection of skirt and pant suits from Jones New York and Tahari. And Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft usually have cuts for tall folks like me. I appreciate that.
But I haven’t worn a suit in years.
Comment by Lesley — November 13, 2008 @ 11:26 am
I will never forget going in to ‘interview’ for my first job at an entertainment cable company. I was completely “suited” up- and I walk in and everyone was in jeans/or PAJAMAS! I swear… and my Interviewer looked like he had just come in after a hard night with Jack,Jose and Jim and some illegal substances. He was completely disheveled. I look back and laugh now… but that was my first impression of the true working world and it was nothing like I had been told it would be. Yay for less corporate structures. This time around though, even though it is again for an Entertainment cable Company-I actually bought a suit from Talbots. I know it seems old lady ish.. but they have some nice things in there from time to time. But to be honest, I haven’t worn any of those pieces since the interview- but I’ve got em!
Comment by Niquita — November 13, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
That’s true… I’ve been to first interviews wearing just a simple outfit and to second ones with suits on… it really just depends on the industry.
I did wear the suit to a web company interview because I tend to err on the side of overdressed but I honestly do think it’s why they didn’t hire me – because it didn’t seem like I would fit in.
Lesley’s right – TJ Maxx has great finds!!
Comment by Ms. Tabitha — November 13, 2008 @ 10:12 pm