Women's suits Forum

[lawyergirl47]

I'm not the right person to answer this, but a 4.5 inch heel plus platform seems really high to me for an interview. I'd be worried about someone judging me for wearing something that high, especially in patent. That's just me though and I am pretty conservative when it comes to business clothes.

oh, definitely. I just think they're nice shoes. I would NOT wear them to an interview.

[ilovesf]

I'm not the right person to answer this, but a 4.5 inch heel plus platform seems really high to me for an interview. I'd be worried about someone judging me for wearing something that high, especially in patent. That's just me though and I am pretty conservative when it comes to business clothes.

oh, definitely. I just think they're nice shoes. I would NOT wear them to an interview.

Ohh ok. Since this is the suits thread I thought it was business related. I wouldn't wear them to work either though.

[Kiwi917]

How about these? --LinkRemoved-- I'm hesitant to wear platforms for an interview, even though these are not particularly high. The texturing on the platform and heel is fairly subtle, but I'm not sure I can get away with it. I have some standard black leather pumps that are safer and that I'll probably end up wearing. Just curious what people think.

[Ozymandias]

I don't like those, particularly because of the heel texture.

[Kiwi917]

I don't like those, particularly because of the heel texture.

Fair enough - thanks. I think the heels look better in person, but probably best to wear with pants and not to an interview.

[Rocío]

My personal advice, as a recent grad who will be working in government, is to always wear a skirt suit in case you have some male conservative interviewer. Also, ladies, NEVER wear a suit that is too tight. It is better to wear a suit that is too big than too small if you are in a pinch. Wear heels; kitten heels to three inch heels are best. And don't show cleavage - you are NOT trying to get laid!

Also, this is hopefully obvious to most of you, but don't wear some skirt that is above the knee, including the slit. I see women wearing skirts hitting several inches above the knee, with a slit up to just below their ass, and it is always terrible and trashy. And I dont give a shit how hot you are - it is ALWAYS a no.

Your biggest enemy is going to be some judgmental female interviewer. Some women will just hate you, and there is nothing you can do about it. But you can try to minimize the judgment based on your looks.

Also, wear make up. And not club make up. And your hair should be nice and polished - if you have hair below your waist, cut it. If your hair is frizzy, get it styled. If your hair is thin, cut it short.

[Lwoods]

Hey ladies,

I am having some trouble finding an interview-friendly black platform pump for OCI... I am really short (5'0"), so I need all the height I can get. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Are you looking for pointed toe or rounded?

Rounded, I think. Though I've been staring at these all weekend: http://www.ninewest.com/Love-Fury/87245 ... st-catalog

These: http://www.ninewest.com/Homage/9335389, ... st-catalog would be fine, but I thought the consensus was against patent leather?

I'm not the right person to answer this, but a 4.5 inch heel plus platform seems really high to me for an interview. I'd be worried about someone judging me for wearing something that high, especially in patent. That's just me though and I am pretty conservative when it comes to business clothes.

I'm not particularly conservative when it comes to business clothes*, and even I think that's a bit much. I would avoid a platform altogether, but a 4" heel, if interviewing for New York, should be fine. For secondary markets, I would stick to 3" heels to stay safe. A short girl in platforms is going to look more ridiculous than a short girl in appropriate shoes in an interview scenario.
I have these in a different texture and love them. I think they're even fine in patent.


*To lump two conversations into one, I don't think I'm going to wear hose. While the look is nice, my shoes slip off my feet really easily when I wear them. I figure I'm more likely to lose points for tripping over my own feet (very obvious) than not wearing hose (only obvious if you're looking a little too closely at my legs). I recognize this is against the advice of career service and a choice I'm making at my own peril.

[Lwoods]

How about these? --LinkRemoved-- I'm hesitant to wear platforms for an interview, even though these are not particularly high. The texturing on the platform and heel is fairly subtle, but I'm not sure I can get away with it. I have some standard black leather pumps that are safer and that I'll probably end up wearing. Just curious what people think.

I think those are totally fine from a texture perspective... I'm just not a fan of the chunky heel.

[formerbiglawpartner]

At the risk of beating a dead horse, if your shoes slip off when you wear hose, consider getting shoe inserts, e.g., pads and/or heel cushions. Practice walking a bit in your shoes and interview outfit as well to be sure you feel absolutely comfortable and confident. (Think great posture!) Again, you may not have to wear hose when you are actually working at a particular office depending on their dress code, but it is HIGHLY advisable to wear hose for an initial interview and callback interviews.

[keg411]

*To lump two conversations into one, I don't think I'm going to wear hose. While the look is nice, my shoes slip off my feet really easily when I wear them. I figure I'm more likely to lose points for tripping over my own feet (very obvious) than not wearing hose (only obvious if you're looking a little too closely at my legs). I recognize this is against the advice of career service and a choice I'm making at my own peril.

You should be wearing peds to try on your shoes before you buy them.

[plenipotentiary]

How about these? --LinkRemoved-- I'm hesitant to wear platforms for an interview, even though these are not particularly high. The texturing on the platform and heel is fairly subtle, but I'm not sure I can get away with it. I have some standard black leather pumps that are safer and that I'll probably end up wearing. Just curious what people think.

These are similar to the ones you linked to, except the heel is slightly smaller and not textured : http://www.zappos.com/nine-west-selene- ... er#prdInfo

They run big and take a few days to break in; other than that, they're pretty much perfect. These are the heels that made me love wearing heels.

But I don't think interviewers are going to be looking that closely at your shoes, unless you pick something strange or shiny. Also, last year, one of my friends did well at OCI while breaking all of Career Services' rules: no makeup, no hose, 3/4 sleeve suit with ruffles, strange chunky shoes, etc.

[Lwoods]

*To lump two conversations into one, I don't think I'm going to wear hose. While the look is nice, my shoes slip off my feet really easily when I wear them. I figure I'm more likely to lose points for tripping over my own feet (very obvious) than not wearing hose (only obvious if you're looking a little too closely at my legs). I recognize this is against the advice of career service and a choice I'm making at my own peril.

You should be wearing peds to try on your shoes before you buy them.

Yeah, that's a good suggestion generally for those still purchasing shoes. I just purchase shoes so infrequently that I buy them to be comfortable and fit perfectly immediately and bought my current pumps over a year ago. I noticed this summer that I had to look awkwardly closely to the female clerks' legs to determine if they were wearing hose (to dictate whether or not I would continue to do so at my externship), so I'm going to take the gamble.

[crumbscoffee]

All these posts about shoes has got me worried about my own pair!

I wear a matte black pair for my black/gray suits, but have generally paired my navy suit with this shoe. I'm fairly short. Thoughts on acceptability for interviews with NYC firms? Thx!

[Anonymous User]

All these posts about shoes has got me worried about my own pair!

I wear a matte black pair for my black/gray suits, but have generally paired my navy suit with this shoe. I'm fairly short. Thoughts on acceptability for interviews with NYC firms? Thx!

Those shoes are gorgeous, but I've heard from upperclasswomen that nude shoes are "too sexy" for interviews.

[eandy]

I get all the suit threads confused, and I may have posted this already. I like these shoes with my navy suit. They're wicked comfortable, beyond reproach, and avoid the flight attendant look.

[keg411]

All these posts about shoes has got me worried about my own pair!

I wear a matte black pair for my black/gray suits, but have generally paired my navy suit with this shoe. I'm fairly short. Thoughts on acceptability for interviews with NYC firms? Thx!

Those shoes are gorgeous, but I've heard from upperclasswomen that nude shoes are "too sexy" for interviews.

I wouldn't do patent + nude for a interview. It's fine for the office, though. Just use your matte black with the navy suit. Don't get me wrong, I love nude shoes, but they're "fun" shoes, not interview shoes.

[eandy]

I wouldn't do patent + nude for a interview. It's fine for the office, though. Just use your matte black with the navy suit. Don't get me wrong, I love nude shoes, but they're "fun" shoes, not interview shoes.

Agreed. The visible platform I think also makes it even more of a "fun" shoe.

[Rocío]

Those shoes are gorgeous, but I've heard from upperclasswomen that nude shoes are "too sexy" for interviews.

Haha what? People have some funny rules. I mean I dress pretty conservatively in interviews and court - no peep toe pumps, for example - but that's the first I've ever heard about nude shoes being scandalous. Although I guess maybe the patent leather makes it sexy? Honestly though, at this level of detail now it's just coming down to personal taste.

[Ozymandias]

All these posts about shoes has got me worried about my own pair!

I wear a matte black pair for my black/gray suits, but have generally paired my navy suit with this shoe. I'm fairly short. Thoughts on acceptability for interviews with NYC firms? Thx!

I think those are fine.

When people ask TLS for advice, TLS is going to give the most conservative, tried-and-true advice possible, which is a good thing. For women's suits, this means a dark gray or black skirt suit, hose, matte pumps, and a muted shirt/shell. Must you wear this to get a callback? No. But it's the BEST advice to give because it's generally the best and most traditional thing to wear. But if you want to wear nude patent shoes with a navy suit, go ahead. (I wear nude with navy, but not nude patent, personally). As long as you look completely put-together and professional and nothing in your outfit stands out in a bad way, I can almost guarantee that no one is going to notice your shoes. But even if that's the case, TLS is still going to give the (very solid) advice of erring on the super conservative side, because when you put too many non-traditional pieces together, you're going to start to raise eyebrows. So don't let it get you worried as long as you still look professional enough for the conservative legal profession.

[Anonymous User]

Is there a consensus on whether non-pencil skirts are acceptable for OCI?

Something along these lines:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

Or even this: http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

[eandy]

Is there a consensus on whether non-pencil skirts are acceptable for OCI?

Something along these lines:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

Or even this: http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/cat/AT-App ... itHdr_Trop

Nothing came up for me when I clicked the third link.
The first two look perfectly appropriate and may even be better for some body types.

[Anonymous User]

Is there a consensus on whether non-pencil skirts are acceptable for OCI?

Something along these lines:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

Or even this: http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/cat/AT-App ... itHdr_Trop

Nothing came up for me when I clicked the third link.
The first two look perfectly appropriate and may even be better for some body types.

Should be fixed now.

[Rocío]

Is there a consensus on whether non-pencil skirts are acceptable for OCI?

Something along these lines:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

Or even this: http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

I think the first two (couldn't see the third) are a tad short for interviewing, especially the second one. Better to be conservative and have your skirt hit your knee.

[Ozymandias]

Is there a consensus on whether non-pencil skirts are acceptable for OCI?

Something along these lines:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

Or even this: http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=6600

I think the first two (couldn't see the third) are a tad short for interviewing, especially the second one. Better to be conservative and have your skirt hit your knee.

Yeah, it's not necessarily the style but the length I think is problematic. Especially when sitting down. I think the last one is fine. I think pencil/straight look the best, but if those look better on your body type (and as long as it's not like accordion pleats or ruffles everywhere), should be fine.

[dropdeaddiva]

What about a shell with a bit of texture like this one? Everything else I'm wearing is very conservative: black skirt suit, low black heels, pantyhose, etc

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT ... Color=1071

(the winter white one)