next »

[atlchemist]

I have an interview coming up at a small-name SLAC. I just bought a great suit for the interview, but I have no idea what to wear to dinner with the selection committee the evening before. They have not indicated at what type of restaurant we will be dining, but the college is in a small town.

Do I need to wear another suit? Dress slacks and a sweater? Dress?

[bevo98]

You're right, you don't need to wear the suit.  A nice pair of slacks and a sweater or a skirt would be fine.  Try to wear fairly sensible shoes and, above all, take it easy on the alcohol. 

[macaroon]

I have an interview coming up at a small-name SLAC. I just bought a great suit for the interview, but I have no idea what to wear to dinner with the selection committee the evening before. They have not indicated at what type of restaurant we will be dining, but the college is in a small town.

Do I need to wear another suit? Dress slacks and a sweater? Dress?

You're a woman, then, if you suggest the dress, yes?

No, you don't need to wear another suit.  But - do ask where you are going and try to figure out from the website what type of outfit would be appropriate for a dinner.   Wear that.  I've been taken to the fanciest steakhouse in town, but I've also been taken to a place where they handed out bibs to all the diners, and another place where you were supposed to throw your peanut shells on the floor and yell when you wanted a drink.  

[bevo98]

Oh yeah, and, Good Luck!

[dalekk]

I'll just piggyback on OP's thread and ask about men (I'm male).  I have a similar situation next weekend.  SuperBowl Sunday, in fact.  I plan to wear Dockers, nice shirt, and sports coat (no tie).  Seems about right, no?

[atlchemist]

I am a woman (sorry, should have included that in the OP). I am planning to have one glass of wine if and only if other selection committee members do. Is that ok?

Would a dress like this and low heels be ok?
http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/813/813472/big/br813472-00vliv01.jpg

Please tell me if I'm completely off. This is my first time on the job market, and I've worked in a lab for years. I rarely find myself in professional situations.

I also have a pencil skirt that I love, but it's hot pink and I'm guessing not great for an interview dinner: http://images.jcrew.com/fsi/server?type=image&source=images/eiec/47/47314/47314_PK6318.tif&width=393&height=393&effects=sharpen(20)&quality=90&profile=jpeg

My other thought is just wool charcoal gray dress trousers, a button-down shirt, and a cable-knit sweater. (The interview is in February, although it could be warm in the South.)

[macaroon]

I am a woman (sorry, should have included that in the OP). I am planning to have one glass of wine if and only if other selection committee members do. Is that ok?

Would a dress like this and low heels be ok?
http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/813/813472/big/br813472-00vliv01.jpg

Personally, I wouldn't wear this.  The skirt is pushing it on the length - but, actually, I think this season everything is too short.   Also, the V in the top goes down to approximately nipple-depth.  That's too low cut, and if you actually HAVE a chest (unlike the model), it is going to show a fair bit of cleavage.

I prefer high-necked, myself - like this with a cardigan
http://www.loft.com/loft/product/product%3A271543/LOFT-Color-Pop/Diagonal-Strip-Bodice-Dress/271543?colorExplode=false&skuId=10030691&catid=catl000013&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=9550

I wouldn't wear the hot pink unless you have a very dark complexion, and maybe not even still. 

The cable-knit is a tough one.  I like cardigans a lot for transitional weather.  If you go with the cable knit, and it is warm, you could end up stinking.  That would be bad. 

Really, though, do make sure you aren't going to the Fun Time Crab Shack.  I packed jeans and a super casual top to all of my interviews as well, and used them three times because I got taken out for "local color".

[systeme_d_]

Atlchemist, Macaroon's advice is good.  Don't wear a plunging neckline or a short skirt for an interview. 

The charcoal-gray trousers sound fine, but what do you mean by "button-down shirt"?  A dress shirt with buttons down the front?  "Button-down" refers to a type of collar. 

And like Macaroon, I am not wild about the cable-knit sweater idea.  Do you have a fine-gauge knit sweater you could choose instead?

[atlchemist]

I am a woman (sorry, should have included that in the OP). I am planning to have one glass of wine if and only if other selection committee members do. Is that ok?

Would a dress like this and low heels be ok?
http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/813/813472/big/br813472-00vliv01.jpg

Personally, I wouldn't wear this.  The skirt is pushing it on the length - but, actually, I think this season everything is too short.   Also, the V in the top goes down to approximately nipple-depth.  That's too low cut, and if you actually HAVE a chest (unlike the model), it is going to show a fair bit of cleavage.

The top doesn't go down to nipple-depth (I assume that comment was tongue-in-cheek). And of course I would wear a camisole under the dress. But if it's too short, then I'll find something else.

[txgalprof]

I am a woman (sorry, should have included that in the OP). I am planning to have one glass of wine if and only if other selection committee members do. Is that ok?

Would a dress like this and low heels be ok?
http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/813/813472/big/br813472-00vliv01.jpg

Personally, I wouldn't wear this.  The skirt is pushing it on the length - but, actually, I think this season everything is too short.   Also, the V in the top goes down to approximately nipple-depth.  That's too low cut, and if you actually HAVE a chest (unlike the model), it is going to show a fair bit of cleavage.

The top doesn't go down to nipple-depth (I assume that comment was tongue-in-cheek). And of course I would wear a camisole under the dress. But if it's too short, then I'll find something else.

You could wear tights under the dress to make it more modest.

[merinoblue]

A professional-looking hemline in skirts or dresses is to the knee (or even slightly below).  This dress is about 3-4 inches above the knees. It's too short.  It also risks making the wearer look "young."  (I like the dress otherwise: it has simple, flattering lines, and it's feminine. Plus, you can put either a jacket or a cardi over it.)  I don't think that neckline is too low (with a cami underneath) but it really depends on where necklines end up on you when you wear them.  The goal should be to keep the eyes away from your neckline and legs, and focused on your face. 

[atlchemist]

Atlchemist, Macaroon's advice is good.  Don't wear a plunging neckline or a short skirt for an interview. 

The charcoal-gray trousers sound fine, but what do you mean by "button-down shirt"?  A dress shirt with buttons down the front?  "Button-down" refers to a type of collar. 

And like Macaroon, I am not wild about the cable-knit sweater idea.  Do you have a fine-gauge knit sweater you could choose instead?

Wow, it's looking like I will need another trip to the mall.

Yes, "button-down shirt" = dress shirt. I do not wear this type of shirt often and am not well-versed in the terminology of menswear.

I don't have a lot of dressy sweaters (the dress code in my lab is basically "wear clothes. And closed-toed shoes.") Is this sweater really inappropriate, and in what way? http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6717579911_5a9f447ab0_b.jpg (This is not me, it's a picture I found on Google Images.)

[atlchemist]

A professional-looking hemline in skirts or dresses is to the knee (or even slightly below).  This dress is about 3-4 inches above the knees. It's too short.  It also risks making the wearer look "young."  (I like the dress otherwise: it has simple, flattering lines, and it's feminine. Plus, you can put either a jacket or a cardi over it.)  I don't think that neckline is too low (with a cami underneath) but it really depends on where necklines end up on you when you wear them.  The goal should be to keep the eyes away from your neckline and legs, and focused on your face. 

Ugh, I feel like skirts that hit below the knee look terrible on me. I look like a 60-year-old schoolmarm. Maybe I should avoid wearing skirts in professional situations.

Should I avoid trying to look at all attractive? Because that's the impression I'm getting here.

[dalekk]

A professional-looking hemline in skirts or dresses is to the knee (or even slightly below).  This dress is about 3-4 inches above the knees. It's too short.  It also risks making the wearer look "young."  (I like the dress otherwise: it has simple, flattering lines, and it's feminine. Plus, you can put either a jacket or a cardi over it.)  I don't think that neckline is too low (with a cami underneath) but it really depends on where necklines end up on you when you wear them.  The goal should be to keep the eyes away from your neckline and legs, and focused on your face. 

Ugh, I feel like skirts that hit below the knee look terrible on me. I look like a 60-year-old schoolmarm. Maybe I should avoid wearing skirts in professional situations.

Should I avoid trying to look at all attractive? Because that's the impression I'm getting here.

I'm a man and don't know much about fashion.  I honestly don't think a shirt slightly above the knees is a big deal at all.  I do think the dress you linked seems not the right choice, but it's more because it seems like the type of thing you would wear on a date night out on the town.  It's more about the fit though.  By the way, I think it looks amazing and very sexy.  Probably too sexy though.

[atlchemist]

A professional-looking hemline in skirts or dresses is to the knee (or even slightly below).  This dress is about 3-4 inches above the knees. It's too short.  It also risks making the wearer look "young."  (I like the dress otherwise: it has simple, flattering lines, and it's feminine. Plus, you can put either a jacket or a cardi over it.)  I don't think that neckline is too low (with a cami underneath) but it really depends on where necklines end up on you when you wear them.  The goal should be to keep the eyes away from your neckline and legs, and focused on your face. 

Ugh, I feel like skirts that hit below the knee look terrible on me. I look like a 60-year-old schoolmarm. Maybe I should avoid wearing skirts in professional situations.

Should I avoid trying to look at all attractive? Because that's the impression I'm getting here.

I'm a man and don't know much about fashion.  I honestly don't think a shirt slightly above the knees is a big deal at all.  I do think the dress you linked seems not the right choice, but it's more because it seems like the type of thing you would wear on a date night out on the town.  It's more about the fit though.  By the way, I think it looks amazing and very sexy.  Probably too sexy though.

LOL. I wore a similar dress to church this morning and even to my father's funeral (with a camisole and tights, of course). But maybe my wardrobe is unintentionally raising eyebrows.