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Job interview day. You want to look smart. It’s a conservative establishment so you want to look as though you will toe the line. But you don’t want to get lost in the crowd either.
Or you might not actually own anything conservative! What do you do?
Keep these 5 tips in mind and you will have the look that will get you in the door and keep your sparkle and zazziness oh show!
5 tips to making the corporate look your own
1. When is a suit not a suit? When it’s just good coordination
Technically, a suit is an outfit of two of more pieces of outerwear made from the same material and designed to be worn together. So, contrary to what you may have been told, your Primark or Matalan suit is still a “real” suit*.
You can fake this look with some sensible coordination. As long as there is a colour connecting your blazer/jacket with your bottom half, you will look coordinated and well put together. The easiest option for this is to wear black skirt/trousers, black top, black shoes and then all you need to decide on is the blazer.
*I love Primark corporate wear. Very affordable and sturdier than their regular daywear.
2. Tame your self-expression to one item (plus shoes)
In order to pull off a reserved, conservative look you may need to wear colour combinations that are more subdued to what you would prefer. The corporate standard colours are black, navy and grey. Hardly inspiring. But you can splash out on some personality if you use colour as an accent. A psychedelic blouse under a dark suit. A giant brooch on your plain lapel. All in black with a chunky necklace and bright shoes. Play around and see what looks you come up with.
Funky lanyards can give you the bright colours you crave
3. Make sure you are comfortable
If you’re not comfortable in what you are wearing, it will come through during the interview. Once you’re in that room you don’t want anything at all distracting you from giving killer answers and charming everyone in the room. It gets hard to do that if you don’t feel like yourself, or if your zipper is stabbing you in the hip. Which brings us to the next point…
4. Only wear what genuinely fits you
There is no point turning up to an interview in a fabulous suit if it doesn’t show you in all your true fabulousness. If you’re shopping for a new suit and you know that your top and bottom halves are different sizes, don’t waste your time on items on which you can’t mix-&-match the sizes. Look for coordinated piece you can match yourself and if the store doesn’t sell any just shop elsewhere. Better that than having a wonderful skirt with an oversized jacket
If the lining of a dress of skirt is what’s letting you down, just cut it. It’s not the end of the world, nobody will see it and it’s better than your interview hearing a giant ripping sound as the lining at the back of your legs finally gives way!
5. Pack spare accessories
If you've got some space free in your bag, think about packing a change of earrings and necklace. That way if you feel a little conscious about your choice, you can swap. If all it takes to boost your confidence is a back-up in your bag it's worth it, don't you think?
Have you got any extra tips? Please share in the comments below.
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