Dressing for Success

One of the most famous quotes by Coco Chanel is
“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” (or man)

But for me the one from Ms. Chanel that sums up this chapter is:
“Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.”

As an adolescent and young adult your clothes have been your identity. They have made a statement about you to your peers and those around you. Your casual appearance has been well suited to a college universe.

Things are about to change.

The typical college wardrobe consists of tank tops, t-shirts, jeans, khakis, short skirts, frayed pants, sweaters, sweats, flip-flops, athletic shoes, loafers, sandals, and the list goes on. None of the clothes I just listed are appropriate for a job interview or, really, for most jobs.

What should be in your wardrobe?

Lady’s Wear
2 neutral or dark colored suits

Separates including:
2-3 blazers or dress jackets
3-4 dress shirts and career tops
2-3 skirts that come no higher than 2 inches above the knee
1-2 pairs of slacks in a non cotton material
1-2 pair of dress flats and 1-2 pairs of dress pumps without toes showing
2-3 sets of conservative, yet stylish accessories to match the above
5 pairs of panty hose if you are going to wear a skirt.
A simple purse of appropriate size (read as NOT able to fit your gym gear in.)

Men’s Wear
2-3 neutral or dark suits
4-5 dress shirts
4-5 ties
2 pairs of dress shoes
2-3 pairs of slacks
2-3 blazers to pair with slacks
5-6 pairs of dark dress socks to match shoes
2 nice belts
1 nice watch

If you live up where it gets cold, add one full length coat with gloves qne an elegant scarf to both genders. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, throw in a sleek and small umbrella and raincoat.

The most important thing to have is two great suits for interviewing. Two is the minimum because you may find your self interviewing with the same people multiple times. Having 3-4 shirts is important because it has been known to happen that a candidate spills, tears, or otherwise ruins their outfit as they are walking out the door.

How do you pay for all of these things?

First, sometime in your junior year, inform your family that you are starting to put together a working wardrobe. Suggest some stores from which you would like gift cards or specific items you need.

Second, browse second hand shops. I love the Goodwill. It's a place where wealthy people who have more money than sense drop off the barely or never worn clothes they went out and bought on a whim. I often find items with the tags still on. If you've never been, grab a friend and head out for an afternoon hunting expedition.

Third, use eBay. Many items like coats and blazers can be found for less on an online auction site or used clothing store.

Fourth, borrow, borrow, borrow. If you have a friend or roommate who is the same size, share your work wardrobe.

Finally, prowl the department stores during the end of season sales. You will find great suits and separates for 75% off that can work well any time of year. If none of these tactics is available, you may have to charge a few key pieces. I am NOT a fan of charging much of anything, but if you need a job, you need a job.

What should these items look like? For the most part they should reflect the company’s values, not yours. You may be a free spirit, but if the company is blue suit conservative, you need to match their level of formality. They should also not reflect your age. Buying your suits where you buy your tanks and flip flops is probably not your best strategy. Step your style up a notch and go for something different.

That said, don't dress old. Find photos of respectable business people in their late 20s and follow their lead.

One strategy that has been put forward many times is to wear something that will get you remembered. It is a good idea in principal, but it has gotten many job seekers in trouble in practice. A few items often mentioned are ties, scarves, and broaches. Having an unusually stylish tie is a great idea. Having an unusually wacky tie is not. It’s a hard line for some people to walk, so err on the side of caution.

For most men, as long as they stick with a well fitting suit, dress shoes, conservative tie, and matching socks, they're good to go. Things to avoid include: messy hair, stubble of any length, mismatched or odd colored socks, white dress shirts without undershirts, Velcro watchbands, polo-style shirts, shirts without ties, cologne, dirty or long fingernails, bolo ties, extremely bright colored dress shirts, printed t-shirts under white dress shirts, and cartoon, political, or logo ties. (I see so many and wonder “why, Lord, why?”)

Women tend to have too many options wardrobe-wise and that can get confusing. That’s why it’s crucial to pick 3 or 4 acceptable outfits and lay them aside.

The other trick for a woman is knowing how conservative to be. Here are some rules of thumb. Skirts should be no more than 2 inches above the knee, particularly if they have a slit in the back. You may look great in the front in that short skirt, but the view from the rear may be YOUR rear. Blouses should be well-fitted, but not snug. If your buttons are separating so as to show your bra through the gaps, it's probably too tight. Be prepared to pin button-down shirts that pouf out or separate. Buttons should be buttoned up enough to avoid showing the top of your cleavage. (p.s.: always wear a bra…and panties!)

No -no’s include: bare arms, bare legs, bare toes, bare stomachs, large earrings, electric colors, heavy make-up, tight or ill-fitted clothing, perfume of any kind, stiletto heels, and fake designer handbags (very tacky).

The old saying to dress for the job you want, not the job you have is absolutely true. Just because you are an intern or entry level worker doesn’t mean you have to dress down. People will be inclined to take you more seriously if you look like a professional.

Purses, bags, portfolios for men and women

Whether you are a man or a woman, you should walk into your interview carrying something.
Do not carry a briefcase, you really don’t have enough stuff to put in it.
Do not carry a laptop case, you don’t need your computer
Do not carry a manila or other paper folder
Do not carry a massive purse
Do not carry a backpack

I always suggest a simple portfolio for both genders and, if you are a woman, a manageable purse or clutch. A portfolio should have a pad for jotting notes, a place to hold business cards, a place to hold a pen, and a pocket for unfolded copies of your resume and other materials as needed. Leather portfolios are nicest, but there are plenty of faux leather styles out there. Many have zippers and snaps to keep them shut. Find one that is professional and sleek that will fit your needs.