Women's suit colors for interviews Forum

[browniestasty]

Definitely heels > kitten heels > flats >>> wedges.

[LizLemler]

Definitely heels > kitten heels > flats >>> wedges.

But walking in short heels/flats >>> wobbling in stilettos.

[Anonymous User]

I have another question: In NYC, how many suits should I have? Is three jackets (navy, grey, black) and an assortment of skirts/slacks (black, navy, grey, brown, white) sufficient, or should I be aiming for 5 or more full suits? And does this change at all depending on whether I'm in biglaw/FedGov/state AG/ADA or PD/in-house/etc.?

[Anonymous User]

I have another question: In NYC, how many suits should I have? Is three jackets (navy, grey, black) and an assortment of skirts/slacks (black, navy, grey, brown, white) sufficient, or should I be aiming for 5 or more full suits? And does this change at all depending on whether I'm in biglaw/FedGov/state AG/ADA or PD/in-house/etc.?

As a summer at a business casual firm, I only had 1 black suit. I wore it once. I mostly wore dresses + blazer/cardigan. All of the firms I interviewed at seemed to be business casual, but I'm know there's some business formal firms as well.

[elendinel]

And it's not really weird that women and men face different standards when their clothes are overall so different.

Men and women's suits are so similar that I think if it looks bad for a man to wear it then it's also going to look bad on a woman. What I'm talking about is aesthetics. I know that black suits are more than okay in the eyes of employers for women. My point I think it looks bad on any gender outside of a wedding or a funeral.

Sure, but the rule for men isn't about aesthetics - it's more like not wearing white after Labor Day. Black suits for men were reserved for the most formal occasions, like funerals (and tuxedos). Because women's weren't wearing suits at the time these rules got made up, the rules didn't apply to them. When people say men shouldn't wear black suits, that's what they're talking about - that they're too formal for business day wear -not that people look bad in black suits.

I also think rules about jacket buttons don't apply to women's suits - like if you're wearing something really traditionally tailored just like a man's suit, maybe. But women's suits come with so many possible button combinations, a rule like "don't button the second button" doesn't make sense (what if you have 3 buttons? Or 4?).

Of course, I just never button my jackets, but if I did.

(But totally agree on avoiding red/glittery heels!)

Do you find that employers prefer traditional blazers to women's blazers without buttons/etc.?

I really like blazers like this, but I don't know if this would be considered unprofessional/if it could be considered business professional.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I think open front/no buttons are fine. I think the cut on that specific jacket is distinctive/trendy enough that I wouldn't wear it for an interview (or for something very formal in court), but I don't think there'd be a problem wearing it to work.

[denvieboco]

From my experience, most women in NYC wear black/dark grey/navy skirt suits with a light colored blouse to OCI and callbacks. Wear nylons and pumps of an appropriate color (black, nude, navy) and height. I wouldn't wear wedges but maybe the right (very conservative) pair would be okay.

Ideally, you don't want anyone to notice your outfit -- you're not going to get an offer because you wore something flashy but there is a chance you could turn away a stodgy partner or judgmental associate with an unusual outfit (obviously it's a different convo on whether you would want to work for someone who would judge you based on your clothes but it's best to try to make a good first impression no matter what).

[Anonymous User]

What color nylons?

[Anonymous User]

What color nylons?

Since it's summer, a color that matches your skin. Honestly you could probably go bare legged -- mine legs are constantly full of bruises + chub rub = I typically wear stockings for interviews.

[JenDarby]

When I did OCI in NYC, a slight majority of women were in grey or black. I absolutely abhor skin toned hosiery, so I went with grey or off black.

Now that I'm a couple years out I can't believe I actually wore hosiery. I doubt I will ever wear hosiery to an interview, or maybe at all, again.

[Anonymous User]

This is thinking way long-term and maybe a bit insane to worry about, but in terms of winter coats, will I be dinged if my winter coat is bright red? Should I invest in a black one? Obviously I'd be wearing a formal dark-colored suit underneath, but I know for some of my interviews I had to carry my coat around. Just wondering if my coat should be as neutral as my suit, or whether people won't think much about it.