Big girl interview clothes

[raeoflyte]

So I've got an interview tomorrow first thing. I have nothing to wear and need to go to essentially one store where I can buy a basic suit without spending a fortune or a ton of time. Suggestions?

[swamp]

Burlington Coat Factory.   I got a black pantsuit with leopard print buttons for $16.

[Opti]

Not sure what your budget is but Macy's has suit separates. The issue might be stock, etc. but you probably can get what you need there. Otherwise perhaps try Kohls. They do have a $10 promotional GC out at least in my area.

[taz157]

I've had luck at Kohl's, TJ Maxx, and Ross getting nice suits.

Good luck on your intereview!

[thyme4change]

Macy's always has suits.  I go over every year and buy a new one - just in case.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I got a black pantsuit with leopard print buttons for $16.

I don't remember seeing Leopard print buttons on Paul's approved attire list.

I needed a suit at the last minute, I took my black pants with me to the store and matched a black blazer to it. 

Found the blazer at JCP for $20. 

Tried the thrift stores but everything looked like it came out of Paul's approved list and that's the last thing I want to wear.

[Deleted]

If you aren't someone who wears a suit often, I'd look for the middle tier version of a major brand.

e.g. They have Jones New York at Macy's, but you can get Jones Wear at Dress Barn or JC Penney.

[swamp]

I don't remember seeing Leopard print buttons on Paul's approved attire list

Because I don't dress like Paul's grandmother. 

[bean29]

I was looking for something business casual for what DH thought was a grand opening of a corporate office yesterday at Boston Store (Bon-ton, Bergners, Elderbierman, Yonkers).  They had a lot of suit seperates...but I was not looking for a suit per se, maybe just a casual jacket.  They had some nice suit seperates that were Very Special Value or Extra special value which means they don't take extra markdowns unless you have a rewards coupon.  

They had one jacket I liked but it was a size too small from a designer I never heard of.  I don't really have to dress up at work, so I don't think I will look for it either.

BTW, the corp event was really a recruiting thing.  DH's manager wants to hire me...so when he told DH to show up and bring me he wanted me not DH. Ha Ha.
Anyways the other people there were all buisness casual one woman had nice jeans on.  A guy who they will probably hire if he decides to come on board had a T-shirt on.  No one had a suit on except my DH and he was not looking for a job. 

[raeoflyte]

I haven't been to Burlington in ages- good idea! And there is a mall with all the big stores next door if I have to go that route.

I checked out the interviewers linked in site and I'm pretty sure its a fairly casual place, but I'd be pissed if I missed an opportunity just because of clothes. And I've let my professional wardrobe (really the whole thing) go to hell so I figure I better just bite the bullet. Will look for separates though to mix and match.

Someday I'll learn not to do everything last minute.

[raeoflyte]

May 1, 2013 11:13:43 GMT -5 taz157 said:

I've had luck at Kohl's, TJ Maxx, and Ross getting nice suits.

Good luck on your intereview!

Thanks! I'm pretty stoked to get a call so quick.

[Peace Of Mind]

My vote is Macy's too for business suits.  They are gorgeous and classy looking and have great deals. 

Knock 'em dead!!  I hope you both are a perfect fit.

[mizbear]

Hope you have had luck finding a suit.

If you are still out shopping, I have successfully interviewed in dresses- which can be paired with sweaters, blazers, etc if needed. I also have worn skirts a lot. And honestly, now that it is more acceptable, depending on the position, I have worn dark wash trouser jeans (they look like slacks but are denim), with dress shoes and an appropriate top or top and jacket. I know my grandmother always said denim was inappropriate on an interview- but it was about the only thing I have never had to hem!

[raeoflyte]

Thanks ladies! I found one that looks pretty good. More than I wanted to spend, but I can wear the slacks and jacket separately and I was too tired to try another store...

So I still need to polish my shoes and print my resume.

[marvholly]

Just another thought for the future:

I ALWAYS have a BIG selection of blazers in my closet (black, blue, black glen plaid, white, red right now).  I can top a decent pair of pants or skirt and look good.  They are also handy this time of year w/the wide variations in temps.  In fact, today is an errands day w/dropping temps so I am wearing blue pants, white top w/red & blue print and a red blazer.

[raeoflyte]

I need to start over on my wardrobe. I had lost quite a bit of weight, got pregnant, came back to work and gained some back, and I'm living in an assortment of sizes and types that are all probably past looking good.

I wanted to wait to spend money until I lost more weight, but I know the psychological impact of feeling good in nicer clothes will help boost the motivation to lose weight so I'm going to hit the upper end thrift /consignment stores and get a new base going.

The dressing rooms last night were so small that I had to go to the 3way mirror each time. There were some kids in the 8-10 range playing in the main area while mom or whoever was trying on clothes. Those kids were so sweet. They told me which suits they liked and how pretty I was. I felt 100% not pretty, but it sure was nice to hear anyway.

And interview went well, but because of my license it became an interview for an entirely different kind of position than what I applied for. I feel confident that I have it if I want it, but need to decide what would make me want it and if its a good move. At the least I will practice negotiating.

[Deleted]

Rae I've found that even with differences in weight, one tends to stick to the middle sizes that one feels "look good" and that one feels comfortable with.

So maybe you can get rid of the two most extreme sizes, keep the rest, and find other separates or another suit?

I'm a lot older than you, I will never be a size 2 or 4 again LOL. But every time I get rid of the stuff I DON'T WEAR, even if I DON'T buy anything else, I always feel like I have more options, because I can see everything in my closet, and how to make the separates work.

In any case, kudos to you for the job interview!!!

[raeoflyte]

I emailed the interviewer and told him I wasn't ready for the revised position at this time, but hoped he'd keep me in mind if he goes back to needing a processing manager.

I also got brutal with my closet. I got rid of everything I can't nurse in, or haven't worn in a while and sweaters that were starting to pill. I do laundry every 3rd night so that I have something clean to wear the next day. So if it isn't in that 3 day rotation its leaving.

[mizbear]

rae- Can you come help me with my closet? I have stuff that is too large (most of which looks like I am wearing my Mom's clothes) actually most of the stuff that is my size right now looks like I am wearing my Mom's clothes...

And then there is all of my too small stuff- which looks like my 14 yr old niece should be wearing it