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[porcupine]

I know, I know, this question has been done to death. But I need your help, wise forumites. I am really tall and not thin. I own two of these dresses and wear them regularly to professional conferences and to class. I look appalling in a suit and vastly better in one of these. Is it appropriate for a job talk? It is knee length and not at all revealing, and looks good on me (in as far as anything does).

http://shopping.yahoo.com/738220721-spiral-dress/

[melba_frilkins]

I think it's nice. What kind of accessories are you thinking? (from shoes on up? adding any color?)

[goingbatty]

With a colorful necklace or scarf I think it would be smashing.  Of course, I've never been on a search committee!  But I gather the main thing is to look professional while feeling confident -- and if you feel confident in that dress, then it seems like an appropriate outfit to me, especially if you can find a way to dress it up.  Maybe a nice pair of boots?

Knock them dead!

[heptameron]

It's really nice.  I like it a lot.

However, it's also sexy.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from wearing it. 

Personally, if I were on a search committee, I'd like it and I would appreciate that the candidate is not going for the safe generic suit look and that she has a sense of style.  But several people have told me that I am not a typical academic.

So, if you could get some opinions from academics who can speak to the question of whether search committees (and other voting faculty) judge candidates for their dress, then I'd encourage you to do so.  Specifically, you might ask some academics you know whether the dress qualifies as "business attire."

[yumyumdonuts]

Having been on two search committees several years ago where there were 6-7 female candidates for the on campus interview, I can say that everyone wore professional suits (either a skirt or slacks version) or slacks/button up top for the job talk. This was at my current SLAC. At my graduate R1, all female candidates (and invited speakers) also wore either the suit or slacks/button up shirt combo.

I think the dress is too casual, although nice.

[systeme_d_]

I think a lot depends on your field in this particular case.

I am also not thin, and I don't wear suits to interviews, because  I look dreadful in a suit. 

But I am in a humanities field, and given my age, and my experience, and the fact that I know how to dress well in things-that-are-not-quite-suits, I am regularly forgiven by search committees for failing to wear an actual suit.

[_touchedbyanoodle_]

I can think of two colleagues who would not want to hire someone they felt was dressed too casually for a campus visit, and while I wouldn't allow that to be a reason I wouldn't want to hire someone, I do know that if a candidate came to a campus visit in that dress, I would think, "No suit?"

Sorry.

[chaosbydesign]

I think I actually own that dress, so my opinion of it is biased. I like it (but I know nothing about what is suitable for job interviews).

[losemygrip]

I like it, but doesn't it come in any other colors?  Why do academics always have to look so drab?

If you feel more comfortable in this, then wear it.  If you feel unattractive in a suit, it's not worth the additional formality.  Any benefit that might bring would be countered by your negative feelings about your appearance.  

And by all means, accessorize.  Get some nice jewelry, a contrasting jacket or coat, textured shoes.  Anything to give it more visual style and variety.  

[reener06]

In my field this would be fine. I would definitely dress it up with a large pin and/or scarf. Definitely color.

I am not a big fan of turtlenecks, but I like the relaxed look of this one. Although, if you are like me, you get nervous and flushed, and a turtleneck would not help me in any way.

Black boots would be great. Make sure if you are wearing a slip it is not too long or won't slip down.

[anisogamy]

Is your jobtalk the same day as your meeting with the dean?  I could see that working for the jobtalk, but maybe not for a meeting with the dean.

Also, I'd be a little wary of so much black unless you were interviewing in NYC or maybe Seattle.  Maybe jazz it up with some color?

[msparticularity]

I think this could work if you wear it with a jacket and appropriate accessories--even for a meeting with the Dean. I would not suggest wearing it alone, though, and I'm a bit hesitant about the suggestion of pairing it with boots for an interview and/or job talk day--although I could certainly see that as an outfit for a fly-in and dinner with the SC.

I'm not generally a suit person, but actually do own one nice suit. However, I had some health problem earlier in the year and lost enough weight that it fits me like a sack--so, not flattering. I ended up putting together a businesslike and dressy skirt-and-jacket and pants-and-jacket outfit to go on my unexpectedly early interview just before Christmas, and it worked fine. If you are going to forgo a suit, I think the key issues are: nice quality pieces that fit you well and work well together; good accessories (including shoes); and nice and under-stated jewelry, to the degree that you wear it.

[lottie]

I'm gainfully employed, in the humanities, and I never wear suits. I like that dress, especially with a nice scarf and boots. Go for it.

[voxprincipalis]

With a colorful necklace or scarf I think it would be smashing.  Of course, I've never been on a search committee!  But I gather the main thing is to look professional while feeling confident -- and if you feel confident in that dress, then it seems like an appropriate outfit to me, especially if you can find a way to dress it up.  Maybe a nice pair of boots?

It has a cowl neck. No scarf.

Personally, if you were going to wear a dress (which in my field is OK), I'd prefer to see you in something like this:

http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Calvin-Klein-Womens-Belted-V-neck-Dress/5804485/product.html?cid=144052&fp=F&TRACK=CSEPG&mr:referralID=6d23e6bf-5859-11e1-b7d1-001b2166c62d

... with a jacket. The webpage shows the front styled three different ways; I like the way it's done on the blue dress the best.

But I also like a nice pantsuit:

http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Calvin-Klein-Womens-Petite-Black-2-piece-Pant-Suit/6134052/product.html?cid=144052&fp=F&TRACK=CSEPG&mr:referralID=11928a13-585a-11e1-b2fa-001b2166becc

... which you could then put with a series of lovely shell tops.

VP

[scampster]

I love Athleta, but I would generally consider any clothes that advertise how they can be balled up in a bag and still be wrinkle free to not be interview attire. Athleta in general has a casual vibe to it and I think that dress looks casual.  There is a notable difference between the dress Voxy links to and that one in terms of perceived dress-upness. I would totally wear that Athleta dress to a conference or teaching, but not to an interview. But I'm on the applicant side, not the SC side, so take that FWIW.