Dress to Meet the Firms W07

Dress to Meet the Firms: 

Dress to Meet the Firms February 14, 2007

Why dress special for an interview?: 

Why dress special for an interview? Because looks can kill—opportunities Because it shows you recognize this as an important occasion Because it shows respect for your interviewer Because it shows you can adapt to company expectations

Hair: 

Hair Clean Neat Professionally styled/cut No unusual hair colors No big barrettes or combs Nothing distracting

Body: 

Body Clean and fresh smelling Natural looking makeup (women only) No jewelry except: wedding ring functional conservative watch that doesn’t beep during the interview Clean and well manicured hands Natural colored, clear, or no nail polish No visible tattoos or body piercing Perfume—when in doubt don’t Be sure to brush and floss your teeth—carry small mints

Clothing: 

Clothing Women Skirted suit or pantsuit, conservatively tailored Skirts usually knee-length Appropriate colors are navy, black or gray Cleaned and pressed Not flashy

Clothing—buying guide: 

Clothing—buying guide You should be able to button and/or zip and still allow you to move and sit comfortably—“pinch an inch” Clothing should be smooth, without pulls or wrinkles Sleeves should cover the bend in the wrist Hem should be even and stitches well hidden

Samples: 

Samples

No visible blouse would be worn under this jacketA little trendy: 

No visible blouse would be worn under this jacket A little trendy

Traditional blouse would be better: 

Traditional blouse would be better

Sleeve length good: 

Sleeve length good

Needs blouse, nojewelry: 

Needs blouse, no jewelry

Slide12: 

Good except for ruffle on skirt Notice the soft drape of the fabric. Blouse or shell could be worn under jacket Non traditional collar

Double breasted: 

Double breasted

Double Breasted Jackets: 

Double Breasted Jackets Double breasted jackets add bulk Use only if you need bulk Double breasted jackets should remain buttoned Never wear a button down collar with a double breasted jacket

Blouse or shirt: 

Blouse or shirt White, ivory or light colored blouse or shirt Long sleeved Conservative lines Neckline should compliment jacket lapel Quality-silk or cotton Cleaned and pressed Avoid tight fit Avoid sheer Avoid low necklines Avoid sleeveless and short sleeved If button up, make sure buttons don’t gape at bust line

Blouse/shirt examples: 

Blouse/shirt examples

Shirt: 

Shirt

Linen wrinkles : 

Linen wrinkles

Wrap around--possible peek-a-boo problems: 

Wrap around--possible peek-a-boo problems

Mentioning the unmentionables: 

Mentioning the unmentionables Panties, no thongs—thong lines are distracting Appropriately colored underwear--so it doesn’t show thru Always wear hose with a skirt— Color? Plain-style, non-patterned in a neutral color. Take an extra pair “in case”.

Shoes and accessories: 

Shoes and accessories Wear low heeled pumps in a neutral color that matches your accessories Be sure they are clean and polished Avoid open toed shoes If you wear a belt or carry a purse or briefcase (one, not both) be sure they are the same color, polished and conservative

Keep is simple: 

Keep is simple

A little more risky for some situations: 

A little more risky for some situations

Younger Women can wear a little higher heel to the office: 

Younger Women can wear a little higher heel to the office But NOT these Like these

Oops1 color2 texture3 heal height: 

Oops 1 color 2 texture 3 heal height

Good heal height: 

Good heal height

What to wear for men: 

What to wear for men Suit Fit Shirt Accessories, socks, shoes

Suit—Objective : 

Suit—Objective Conservative—Two-piece two- buttoned, vented, single breasted business suit, 100% Worsted Wool, fully lined coat, half lined trousers in navy blue or charcoal gray (pinstripe, muted plaid, solid or herringbone)

Suit—Objective: 

Suit—Objective Semi-Conservative—Same as conservative plus three or four button suit in navy, charcoal, earth tones or possibly even black. Additional options are textured fabrics in lighter to medium tones, as well as non-vented jackets. The more creative your work environment the more creative you clothing options.

Jacket Fit: 

Jacket Fit Jacket should lie smoothly over your shoulders and across your back Shoulders cut too wide diminish the head. Shoulders cut too narrow make the head appear larger than it is. The jacket's shoulders frame the head--A balanced presentation. Collar should follow neck silhouette closely—no gaping Jacket length should cover your entire seat and should be half the distance from the collar seam to the floor. Jacket hem should line up with the thumb knuckle. Sleeves should cover the break of the wrist, allowing ¼ to ½ inch of shirt cuff to show

Hollywood knows about sleeves length: 

Hollywood knows about sleeves length You should too.

Trouser fit: 

Trouser fit The waist of your trousers should be just at or slightly below your navel and should fit snugly without feeling tight. This puts the crotch of the pants at the crotch of the wearer, which allows for movement without stressing the pants. Trousers should fit smoothly across the top of the buttocks, then follow the curve about halfway down, then fall straight down. When pants follow the curve all the way down, we call them jeans! Hems may be either straight or cuffed—if cuffed, make sure they are proportional to the wearers height.

Shirt: 

Shirt White is best. When in doubt wear white. 100 percent cotton is preferred Point, button tab, or spread collars best Point collar for fuller faces Spread collar for narrower faces Collar should show ½ inch above jacket collar at nape of neck Cuff should show ¼ to ½ inch below sleeve. Sleeve must have enough length for the arm to bend without pulling on the cuff. Cuff must fit snugly so additional sleeve length will not fall over the hand. Very clean and well pressed Shirt should fit well and have an index finger of breathing room at the collar.

Shirt samples—spread/point collar: 

Shirt samples—spread/point collar                                 

Narrow face, spread collar: 

Narrow face, spread collar

Wide face, pointed collar: 

Wide face, pointed collar

Accessories: 

Accessories Ties Conservative pattern in silk or silk like fabric Must coordinate with suit, but contrast with shirt Shoes Lace-up, wing tip, cap toe or split toe styles Clean and polished in very good condition No tassels, loafers or cowboy boots Socks Should match your pants Wear over the calf socks that won’t slide down Belt, briefcase Leather matches leather—shoes, belt, briefcase Metal matches metal—belt buckle, watch metal, etc.

Tie samplesSubtle or simple patterns enhance credibility: 

Tie samples Subtle or simple patterns enhance credibility

Men’s Dress Shoes: 

Men’s Dress Shoes

The little things count: 

The little things count Wear a tee shirt under your shirt Make sure your nails are well manicured and hands not rough Moisturize your face No beards or mustaches Line it up tie/belt buckle/zipper Unbutton your suit coat when sitting Never button just the bottom button of a suit coat

Presentation: 

Presentation Use a full length mirror Repeat what is good or compliments Do not repeat what is not good or minimizes Proportionalize your patterns Beware of texture Ladies—use proportion to your advantage

References: 

References www.menswarehouse.com www.brooksbrothers.com www.thejobexchange.com/women_attire.html www.amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/general_guidelines.html www.seekingsuccess.com/articles/art166.php3 http://www.mens-fashion-tips.com/index.html www.zappos.com Style and the Man by Alan Flusser MBA Style Magazine’s Color and Patterns to Wear for Interviewing