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[westcoastgirl]

I understand what you are saying and apologize for being difficult. If I had a wool, knee-length black skirt, what type of top would be ideal? I do not wear button-down ("dress") shirts.

1) Wool in February in the south = too hot.  A black knee-length skirt is fine, but choose a cooler fabric.
2) A solid color short-sleeve or 3/4 sleeve shell with a jewel neck would work well over a skirt like that, and a blazer/jacket over that is a fine choice for an interview.

Don't mind me...I'm bookmarking for putting together interview costumes next year.

I'm bookmarking too (not really)! You all have a lot of fashion sense. I didn't think women academics had it in them (just kidding/sort of). This thread is stressing me out, mainly because I'm not inclined to dress up to go anywhere. I can pull it together (and have) when I go out here and there. If I land an interview, I will need to go shopping, but I wish I could just wear my tee-shirt everywhere I go.

[atlchemist]

Westcoastgirl, I put off my suit and other professional clothes shopping until after I received campus interview invitations because I thought I might jinx myself otherwise. LOL. After working in a lab for seven years, I only own a hodge-podge of dress clothes, either for church or going out at night, but nothing really professional. I don't dislike dressing up, per se, I apparently just didn't know how to. Haha.

With my husband's blessing, I spent an obscene (to me) amount of money over the weekend on a new suit, plus the wool sheath and cardigan we discussed upthread. And a pair of pumps with a 2.25" heel that should be arriving today.

I am comforted by the fact that I'm not the only professional clothing-challenged woman out there :)

[scampster]

Westcoastgirl, I put off my suit and other professional clothes shopping until after I received campus interview invitations because I thought I might jinx myself otherwise.

Generally this is a bad idea though. Sometimes you have a very short turnaround time between invite and the interview and you have a boatload of other prep you need to be doing, not scouring stores to find a suit that fits right. It worked out for you, but in general, I would recommend that most people keep an eye on sales at stores that fit them well and buy a suit when they go on sale. For me, that is Ann Taylor and I have nice pieces from the same suiting line that I can mix and match and that were bought on sale. If I waited until the last minute, I probably would have spent an obscene amount of money like you did.

[atlchemist]

Westcoastgirl, I put off my suit and other professional clothes shopping until after I received campus interview invitations because I thought I might jinx myself otherwise.

Generally this is a bad idea though. Sometimes you have a very short turnaround time between invite and the interview and you have a boatload of other prep you need to be doing, not scouring stores to find a suit that fits right. It worked out for you, but in general, I would recommend that most people keep an eye on sales at stores that fit them well and buy a suit when they go on sale. For me, that is Ann Taylor and I have nice pieces from the same suiting line that I can mix and match and that were bought on sale. If I waited until the last minute, I probably would have spent an obscene amount of money like you did.

It's ok. I bought an upscale suit that fits amazingly and I'll have for many years.

[westcoastgirl]

Sometimes you have to just splurge. MY husband just bought a ridiculously pricey bag for an interview. He carries a backpack usually (he's an AP). We knew he couldn't go to the interview like that. And, he spent a huge amount of money on a suit jacket and pants. He went shopping with my blessings (I'm usually the thrifty one in the family). He isn't a bargain shopper and he doesn't look at pricetags. I didn't begrudge him though because he's earned it. He's worked hard and he'll use his suit at conferences. He's invited to two overseas gigs this summer.

If it were me, I'd comparison shop, go to second hand stores, etc. My husband doesn't have the patience or the time for that (he could make the time, but doesn't want to). So I totally understand where you are coming from altchemist. Sometimes you have to splurge.

(I was insanely happy to take back the 79 dollar tie that he bought. He didn't realize it cost that much).

[bobalurg]

I figure it would be best to piggy back on this thread rather that start a similar thread.

I am a male and have a pre-interview dinner and an dinner after the first day of interviews. Do I need a jacket for these dinners or is a shirt and tie enough? The 2nd night I have sometime (45  minutes) between my last meeting and the dinner so I assume I should go back and change.

[scion]

Bobalurg, don't count on having time to change between last meeting and dinner. Those 45 minutes will be lost at some point during the day with meetings running late, delayed, etc.