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[lillybelle]

I have an interview coming up in a location that is practically tropical. Up until now, I've been wearing suits in boucle fabrics for on-campus interviews, but they'd look ridiculous in sunny, 80-degree weather, even if we are inside with the air conditioning.

So what is appropriate? I have a basic black suit (which I am not sure I can fit into at this moment) and suits that are a little too fashion-y for interviews or in colors I wouldn't normally wear until after Easter. I can go shopping if need be - need I?

[locutus]

Any idea what the faculty tend to wear? Is it very informal? Bermuda shorts and top-siders?

I guess you could go with a 3 button short sleeve, and nice light colored pants.

[systeme_d_]

You don't need to wear a dark suit to an interview in a hot climate.

Do you have anything in a nice neutral light gray or beige?  Cotton will be your friend!

[lillybelle]

I'm not sure what a three-button short sleeve is, but it sounds like a male outfit. I am female. Systeme_d, I have a dark gray suit, one that looks pretty warm.

I also can't imagine dressing that casually [what locutus suggests] for an interview, no matter what they regularly wear. But most of the faculty pictures show the men in suits or at least jackets, while the women's attire varies widely.

[systeme_d_]

Light colors need not mean casual.  Think of a Chanel suit in a fawn or light taupe color. 

[locutus]

Polo shirts is what I meant to say.
http://www.oneinhundred.com/upfiles/upimg5/3XL---Polyester-cotton-6-5-oz--4998865.jpg

Can you go with a light colored short sleeved blouse and similar nice slacks? At least to me that seems dressy enough. Lots of women at the conferences I go to wear something like that.

this?

[lillybelle]

Light colors need not mean casual.  Think of a Chanel suit in a fawn or light taupe color. 

Absolutely. But all my light-colored suits are in really unsuitable fabrics for the climate. I have apparently been collecting suits on the assumption I would end up with a job in Minnesota.

So, it sounds like I have to go shopping for a light-colored cotton suit.

[systeme_d_]

Think of it as an opportunity.  How nice to add a summer-weight suit to your wardrobe!

[msparticularity]

suits that are a little too fashion-y for interviews or in colors I wouldn't normally wear until after Easter.

I'm wondering if any of these might actually be just fine--especially if paired with very tailored and conservative blouses. Can you give us a bit more description of the options?

And I'm also thinking that the black suit (if you can wear it comfortably) might be workable with a lovely top in a springier color--a dark pink or yellow or something.

[lillybelle]

It's a personal issue, but I hate wearing blouses. I'm more of a shell/thin sweater kind of gal.

One of the more fashiony suits is fairly traditional but is a fabric that looks sort of like ticking or seersucker. The other has tiny cap sleeves and a single button at the top. It, however, may be too large.

[msparticularity]

How "busy" is the texture? If it's no more so than a pinstripe, then you might consider wearing it if it's comfortable and you feel happy and confident in it. Conversely, though, if you're going to feel ill-at-east then you'll definitely want to avoid it!

And I dislike blouses, too, actually--I literally never wear them. Omgacademe had a thread a little while back here with some cute knit top options for under a suit. They were a bit nicer than a plain shell, but looked way comfier than a blouse.

[lillybelle]

It really is similar to a pinstripe, but if my adviser heard I was wearing white in March, he'd withdraw his letter of recommendation!

Thanks, everyone.

[msparticularity]

It really is similar to a pinstripe, but if my adviser heard I was wearing white in March, he'd withdraw his letter of recommendation!

Thanks, everyone.

Ah--I missed the fact that it's white. Never mind. :)

I'm still lobbying for some springy color under your new gray suit, though.

[grasshopper]

If you can't afford a summer suit, wear the lightest weight suit pants/skirt you own, with a spring-ish top. You can ditch the jacket if it's uncomfortable.

[sugaree]

It really is similar to a pinstripe, but if my adviser heard I was wearing white in March, he'd withdraw his letter of recommendation!

Thanks, everyone.

I applaud both you and your advisor's fashion sense. The wearing of spring colors before Easter is the downfall of civilization, I tell you. Sadly, this memo has not reached the tropical states. But the good news for you is that since they are all fashion heathens down there, your light colors will be absolutely acceptable.