Women: Skirt Suits? Forum

[Michaela]

That means skirt suit of an appropriate length (do the strict Catholic high school test-- kneel on the ground. If your skirt doesn't touch the floor it is too short)

Hmmm. Ann Taylor pencil skirt, 22" from waist to hem. Banana Republic sleek suit skirt, 21 1/2". J Crew suit skirt, 21".

When kneeling, my natural waist is 25-26" from the floor. Guess I fail that test.

I've never seen any business wear at any of those three places that would border inappropriate that test is dumb. They're probably 3 of the best places to find something affordable and interview worthy. Do some women really have such bad judgement as to wear a mini skirt to a job interview?!

At my high school we had to put our arms straight down for the "fingertip" test but it wasn't regularly enforced. In fact, if you were in shape (re: fat not jiggling out of your jorts- this is Kentucky after all) they didn't care but they always busted those referred to in the parentheses. Our school was so freaking cold though I can't understand why girls would wear such tiny clothes to begin with.

[BriaTharen]

That means skirt suit of an appropriate length (do the strict Catholic high school test-- kneel on the ground. If your skirt doesn't touch the floor it is too short)

Hmmm. Ann Taylor pencil skirt, 22" from waist to hem. Banana Republic sleek suit skirt, 21 1/2". J Crew suit skirt, 21".

When kneeling, my natural waist is 25-26" from the floor. Guess I fail that test.

I've never seen any business wear at any of those three places that would border inappropriate that test is dumb. They're probably 3 of the best places to find something affordable and interview worthy. Do some women really have such bad judgement as to wear a mini skirt to a job interview?!

At my high school we had to put our arms straight down for the "fingertip" test but it wasn't regularly enforced. In fact, if you were in shape (re: fat not jiggling out of your jorts- this is Kentucky after all) they didn't care but they always busted those referred to in the parentheses. Our school was so freaking cold though I can't understand why girls would wear such tiny clothes to begin with.

That test is definitely on the uber-conservative side of the spectrum, and it is a decent one to reference when there is confusion as to whether the skirt is too short. Generally, you can get away with a skirt that brushes the top of the kneecap (which would translate to about 1" off of the floor). But I have seen girls wear some ridiculous things thinking they are professional looking.

[Michaela]

That means skirt suit of an appropriate length (do the strict Catholic high school test-- kneel on the ground. If your skirt doesn't touch the floor it is too short)

Hmmm. Ann Taylor pencil skirt, 22" from waist to hem. Banana Republic sleek suit skirt, 21 1/2". J Crew suit skirt, 21".

When kneeling, my natural waist is 25-26" from the floor. Guess I fail that test.

I've never seen any business wear at any of those three places that would border inappropriate that test is dumb. They're probably 3 of the best places to find something affordable and interview worthy. Do some women really have such bad judgement as to wear a mini skirt to a job interview?!

At my high school we had to put our arms straight down for the "fingertip" test but it wasn't regularly enforced. In fact, if you were in shape (re: fat not jiggling out of your jorts- this is Kentucky after all) they didn't care but they always busted those referred to in the parentheses. Our school was so freaking cold though I can't understand why girls would wear such tiny clothes to begin with.

That test is definitely on the uber-conservative side of the spectrum, and it is a decent one to reference when there is confusion as to whether the skirt is too short. Generally, you can get away with a skirt that brushes the top of the kneecap (which would translate to about 1" off of the floor). But I have seen girls wear some ridiculous things thinking they are professional looking.

I don't doubt that at all, I just can't wrap my head around what some people find as acceptable business attire.

[bceagles182]

Skirt suits are hot. If you are attractive, then wear them.

[thalassocrat]

I love both of my sets from J. Crew. Along the lines of looking super conservative then, are hose a must too? (please god no they're so awful!) I know there are tons of threads on this but here I am in this one right now soo...

If you can't stand hose, you might try thigh-high stockings. They're essentially the same, but without all the annoyance around the crotch. Modern ones usually have elastic to hold them up. On those lines, off-black hose should be okay with a darker suit, yes? I could get some flesh-toned ones, but I'm usually so pale I always feel like they look silly. It might be a bit better on the other side of summer, but not much.

For the thread topic, I prefer skirt suits since I'm picky with my dress pants, but I know people who wear both. I think these days it shouldn't be something that makes or breaks you unless the suit is otherwise ridiculous (such as a miniskirt).

[keg411]

I personally think skirt suits generally look better than pant suits and I personally want to look as good as possible. If I'm in the office, I'll wear pants as "business casual", but for interviewing or for anything formal, I prefer to be in a skirt. Though I can imagine it would be the opposite if you look better in pants.

Also, hose are a must if you're wearing a skirt suit for an interview. They really aren't all that bad (and control top FTW ). I usually like tan in the spring/summer and off-black (so long as the suit is dark) in the fall/winter.

[wackadoodle]

Maybe I'm crazy but we are interviewing in August- why would you want to wear pants if you don't have to? It's going to be incredibly hot!

[kazu]

Maybe I'm crazy but we are interviewing in August- why would you want to wear pants if you don't have to? It's going to be incredibly hot!

Because hose is even worse

[BoriquaEsquire]

hmmmm...it seems I have a little problem...

I'm spending the summer in Alaska and I've been hiking/fishing for salmon after work. It seems the black flies and mosquitoes have gotten to me and I'm currently hopelessly poc-marked all over my arms and legs. Most of the bites are scratched open, to make matters worse.

I have skin on the lighter side and I can't imagine that the red dots are going to fade before EIW at NYU. In fact, I'm pretty sure people will be able to see the ones on my legs through hose.

So pants suit or poc marks + concealer + hose? ...hmmmmm....

[LeagleBeagle]

I am at a school in the South and we were basically told "wear a skirt suit, or else." Don't know your location, but if you are below the Mason Dixon line I would go skirt for safe bets.

Also, at my current place of employment, I have noticed the women wear nothing but conservative skirt suits. Haven't seen a single pant yet. Again, this is the Deep South, so take that for what it's worth if you are in a more "progressive" area.

[keg411]

hmmmm...it seems I have a little problem...

I'm spending the summer in Alaska and I've been hiking/fishing for salmon after work. It seems the black flies and mosquitoes have gotten to me and I'm currently hopelessly poc-marked all over my arms and legs. Most of the bites are scratched open, to make matters worse.

I have skin on the lighter side and I can't imagine that the red dots are going to fade before EIW at NYU. In fact, I'm pretty sure people will be able to see the ones on my legs through hose.

So pants suit or poc marks + concealer + hose? ...hmmmmm....

Go with darker hose (i.e. off-black). Will make it way less noticeable.

[Halie]

This might serve useful: http://corporette.com/shop/shopping-gui ... s-suiting/.

[cranberry]

what about black tights instead of hose?

[keg411]

what about black tights instead of hose?

Tights are way too casual and generally look horrid with suits. If you want darker on your legs for whatever reason, get off-black hose.