Interview Attire - Comments?

Question

My boyfriend telling me what to wear - advice?
Its like this - i'm a 28 year old woman who works as a PA in London. i'm trying to change jobs and am going to wear a smart skirt suit for my interviews. However, this means i'll be wearing stockings and my boyfriend dosen't like the idea coz he thinks the interviewer(s) will be more interested in my choice of hosiery than my brain! I wouldn't wear seamed ones but i would be wearing a suspender belt - what should i do and would stayups be better? surely suspenders aren't that visible under a skirt?
My idea was to go with a grey skirt suit (tailored) - the skirt is approx. 3 inch above the knee with plain black stockings and sensible low(ish) heel?
So you all know, my first interview is actually next Friday so gotta get things prepared! All comments welcomed. Thanks x

OK, so the skirt would be too short! Thanks for the advice guys - so on the knee or 1 inch above for the skirt. What would be the difference between natual and black hose though? I can't stand tights which is why i said i'd go with a suspender belt, although my concern is that it would show through and stayups might not actually 'stayup'! What about the colour blouse or top? I have white and pink but they're bit boring i think.

Answer 1

I say go for it. Dress as you feel comfortable, and if you feel the interviewer has "elevator eyes", slap the company with a sexual harassment suit. You may not get the job, but you will make enough $$ in the settlement to not have to work for a while.

Or, call the company and ask whom you will be interviewing with, if it's a female, you should have no problems, if it's a male, then be prepared just in case.

During the interviews I did when I was handling personelle, I would quickly note what the person was wearing, only to see if it was appropriate for the job, then forget about it and do the interview. A professional will NOT sit there and stare at your legs but will conduct themselves in a way appropriate to their surroundings, so relax and good luck. Let us know if you get the job.

B-Cool

Answer 2

The best thing to do is to make a reconnaissance trip to your target employer and check out the dress code and what receptionists, other PA's, and etc are wearing, then dress a step above that. Too 'smart' and you will appear to be too expensive, not 'smart' enough and you will appear to be unprofessional.
It's a tough game and you have only a single chance to make a first impression.
IMO, the skirt is a bit too short for a job interview (unless you want to be a 'display' model..know what I mean?). I would advise knee length or just below, plain hose of some neutral color, the lowish heels that you mention.

Addendum: in re: your question about the color of hose, in my work environment that would be considered to be 'risque' and TPTB would think that black hosiery would not project a 'good corporate image', whatever that may mean. This may not be the case where you are, but conservative dress is always best in an interview situation. Minimal jewelry, i.e., a single ring, NO multiple rings in ears, NO nose, lip, tongue, or anywhere else pierced type jewelry, go EASY on perfume and cologne, go EASY on makeup (it should look like it is not there..go figure on that one too, but that's the way it is), NO chewing gum, NO mints, NO cell phone (leave the thing in your car or purse(only if turned OFF), NO pagers, Do NOT show up with a friend, research your target company so that you can ask intelligent questions during your interview.

Answer 3

The skirt sounds quite short but if it's smart and you wear it well ... As you're already a PA I'm assuming you have a good idea of what's appropriate. I don't think the stockings would be that visible under a suit skirt but if you're worried about it you could be distracted by unnecessary worries. One solution (if you don't like tights) could be to wear those body free tights. They're kind of like stockings with suspenders attached but made from the same nylon so they're thin and discreet. I wouldn't recommend hold-ups as I've had some good and some bad. You'd need to give them a trial run to avoid embarassing fall downs. I doubt the interviewer will be more interested in your stockings. It might even be a woman.

Answer 4

The skirt is too short to wear to an interview for several reasons. It is too "young" of a look and will make them question your seriousness. If your interviewer is a woman, she might be more critical of your dress than a male would be. Also - if you are worrying about showing more than you intend when you sit - you won't have your full attention on the interview.Skirts worn in the business world should come right to the knee or no more than one inch above. Save the shorter skirts for outside of work.

Answer 5

Hiya,

I also feel the skirt is too short for an interview and knee length is more acceptable. First impressions go a long way especially when in an interview. The stocking shouldn't be a problem though although my husband would be the same and not want me to wear them (must be a guy thing)

Good luck for the interview I hope that you get the job you are looking for

Answer 6

I know it sounds fuddy duddy but opaque black tights would probably be more appropriate with a skirt that short or you could go for a red top and tights combo with a grey suit which would make you stand out from the rest as trendy but restrained - your boyfriend sounds like he has issues. Good luck

Answer 7

I would say if you're in any doubt then you should play it safe and go with hold ups. I also think a skirt 3 inches above the knee is too short for an interview (maybe I'm a bit of a prude!).

Answer 8

I would go for stay ups,the suspenders might be visible under the skirt.Or you could go for the really safe option of tights.The outfit sounds perfect for an interview,not too boring yet not too brash either.Good luck for the interview,I hope it all goes really well for you

Answer 9

With a skirt that short, you risk showing your stocking tops. I would suggest black pantyhose (tights to you)

Answer 10

sounds good and professional. i recommend wearing something of color inside your jacket if your skirt suit is black. a pop of color makes u stand out from the rest, so its easier to remember u among all the other candidates. good luck.