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[possible frump]

In preparing for my campus interviews, I realize that I'm not sure what to wear for the 2nd day of interviewing -- I thought this could be a more "casual" day, meaning no biz suit needed, but that's the day I meet with the various Deans & Head Honchos of the school!! What have other women worn to the "2nd round," so to speak?

[%sig%]

[Anxious JS]

Look at it this way - if you've got any concerns about first impressions when meeting VIPs, it can't HURT to wear a suit on the second day.  Better safe than sorry, and you can hedge your bets maybe by wearing a somewhat more casual shirt under the suit jacket if you're worried about looking too formal or stuffy.

[color change]

Dean meeting day: chic black suit, pumps, ivory cami (or in cold climates mock turtle or longsleeved blouse) underneath.

Giving the talk day: either dressy pants that go with the suit (which also allows less dressy and probably more comfy shoes) ,or (or and/or) a brightly colored blouse/sweater underneath, OR a colored wool or wool-crepe dress with jacket.

Principle: keep the base color (black, blue, grey, whatever) but vary the blouse, the accessories, so that you give a different color impression on the two days.  I suggest the brighter color for the day you give the talk.

You can also do this with scarves, if you are good at it. Basic black or navy 3-piece suiter (skirt, jacket, pants).  Day 1 is bright azure patterned scarf day.   Day 2 is lime sweater-set day.  Or some such.  Go to Ann Taylor when it;s not crowded, explain your situation, and they will fix you right up. (but take your credit card, sheesh.)

[Ms. Collegiality]

Same suit, different shirt, shoes, pin, and jewelery.

[anon]

dolce and gabbanna the second day, sure... it isn't Fendi, but it shows a bit of freedom.

[always suited]

I wear suits both days - just different suits so it doesn't look like I have only one...

[2 More Cents]

I'm not a woman, so I won't offer detailed advice on what to wear but, in general, I would say that you should dress equally as formally to meet the dean, etc. as you would for any other part of your interview.

[Sartorially confused]

I would like advice on a somewhat related question.

My campus interview will consist of one full day, for which I plan to wear a suit.  However, I arrive the night before my interview, and leave the morning after.  I presume, although I don't know for sure, that someone from the department will pick me up and drop me off.  

Under these circumstances, is a suit still recommended?  Or will a smart-looking skirt and sweater suffice?

[anon]

Hi all,
I am from Europe. I am now living in the Midwest and studying at a large R1. Reading your suggestions about "what to wear" and "what not to wear," I am wondering where you people live and work. Don't get me wrong, you all sound great! However, I have never seen an academician, except one professor of mine, wearing nice things that you mention here. Most of the time, the things they are wearing are updated,  not well fitting, or plain ugly! It might be just for our school or in general. I do not know, but, if this is the case why bother? Just for the interviews?

[Sea]

Think of it this way.... you get to go buy two nice suits!  I wore a suit each day.... because I knew the VIPS and Deans would be wearing them!

[Thundering Marshmallow]

possible frump wrote:

> In preparing for my campus interviews, I realize that I'm not
> sure what to wear for the 2nd day of interviewing -- I thought
> this could be a more "casual" day, meaning no biz suit needed,
> but that's the day I meet with the various Deans & Head Honchos
> of the school!! What have other women worn to the "2nd round,"
> so to speak?
>

As mentioned by a previous post, it makes a difference where you are as well as what discipline you are in. The people I know in the physics department would be impressed if you threw on a blazer over corduroy trousers. Your publications speak more. People in education, though, expect you too look like you could walk into a school and look like an authority. I would say take your cue from the general assembly of similar scholars in conventions of your discipline.

As far as what not to wear, if you are not accustomed to wearing suits, avoid anything that looks like prissy church clothes.  As far as what not to do, Your bag should not look like luggage in style or volume.  Carry only what you absolutely need, and do NOT put it on the table when meeting with anyone. Jewelry is an easy item to spark small talk, so wear only what you want to talk about. You don't want to be so bland as to be devoid of personality; just make sure it's the personality you want to project.  

The trip is not the time to try out a new make-up routine. Either practice until you are comfortable (and have figured out whether the lipstick bleeds or the mascara makes your eyes sting). It goes without saying that smoking is a deal-breaker. Not only that, if you have cats for heaven's sake wear keep your travel clothes and bag out of fur's reach, for even residual dander can trigger allergies. Sad but true.

Perhaps it is more left coast, but it seems that quality and currency count more than formality. Soft, neutral colors in natural fibers that fit well, with a very newly styled haircut, definitely brows done, a manicure. Rather than a suit, consider suit components that are in coordinating solid colors, which looks less formal but more deliberate than anything with print or plaid. Use different textures instead of patterns. Rather than a bright silk scarf (or anything at all that looks synthetic), consider a longer shawl. An outstanding one is availalbe online made out of (I kid you not) bamboo that is inexpensive, long enough to drape, and soft.

Also, the quality of your grooming should equal or exceed the quality of your clothes. By that I mean that a $300 suit cannot compensate for chipped nails and a bad dye job, both of which suggest a lack of rigor if not attention to details; a new cotton sweater set will be fine if you have a freshly styled look.  Have your teeth cleaned, your nosehairs trimmed, a facial...show up confident that the sterling mind they want to hire is not camouflaged.

Sadly, graduate school tends to be an insane time of nonstop thinking and totally stopped grooming and exercise. I ballooned up beyond belief by the time my dissertation was defended. Lost it all later, but I was most self-conscious about my body in the clothes rather than the clothes themselves. So...hit the weights, drink lots of water, and be ready to appear energetic and fit, even if you are a bit fat.

The good news is that all the sales are going on now. Also, both Casual Corner and Petite Sophisticates are going out of business, so stock up!

[possible frump]

Wow, thanks Thundering Marshmallow et al. for all of the great advice! I feel almost like Cinderella getting advice from her Fairy Godmothers/father.

Okay, I'll do the black suit with a magenta cashmere top on the presentation day and use blue for the top on the Dean's day. One last question, should I wear a 2nd black suit, or will that leave the wrong impression? I've got a navy suit, but it doesn't seem quite as formal as the black suit as it's more "commuter-friendly." By the way, this is an interview at a school in SC and in Education - guess I should have shared this first?

Thanks so much for so much info!

[%sig%]

[Prytania]

Going to Columbia?

[Pretzel]

Ms. Collegiality wrote:

> Same suit, different shirt, shoes, pin, and jewelery.

-- Sorry gotta disagree with Ms C.

Do not wear the same suit on 2 consecutive days. In fact, unless the cuts are VERY different, I would even say don't wear the same color suit. Black one day and grey or navy the next. A subtle (SUBTLE, i said) tweedy or plaid-ish pattern would be okay too.

Shoes? If someone is wearing the same suit, why different shoes ???

[%sig%]

[hmmm]

there is only one real solution to the fashion question... be impressive enought that fashion becomes moot.   if you are in a place where fashion seems to be something that you need to prioritize in order to be confident or have a good interview, then i'd suggest another career.