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Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!
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For July, 2002:
Q: What do you wear (color, pant suit, hose, etc.) to a job interview during the dog days of late July and August? I live in the Southwest and the humidity is murder. I am a 50 year teacher switching careers and want to look fresh and updated as well as confident and experienced. Thanks for your reply, I read your site all the time.
A: Blue is a great interview color. You can't go wrong with navy for conservative industries. Light blue or periwinkle is also good if you are interviewing in a more creative field, especially in hot weather.
I suggest a light-weight wool fabric to keep you coolest. This fabric will also stay more crisp than linen or rayon — two other summer-weight fabrics that are cool but can wrinkle.
Wearing pants or skirts are acceptable for most first interviews today. When in doubt, play it safe with a skirt. Never go bare legged to an interview. Hosiery creates appropriate business boundaries and shows respect. Wearing pants will allow you to skip wearing full-length hose when it's really hot. Opt for knee hi's with pants in warm weather for comfort. All hosiery should compliment your natural skin tone in the summer. Colored hose will look heavy and hot.
Cotton and silk tops are an easy choice when the temperature soars. A dressy white or cream cotton tee shirt with a conservative neckline is a good choice. A collar on a dress shirt can be hot and distracting if it does not stay put during the interview. A sleeveless shell can keep you coolest. Just be sure not to take your jacket off while interviewing. Bare shoulders really have no place in the interview process.
Dark shoes are best for an interview. A simple black or navy pump with a heel no higher than two inches will ground your look. Yes, it's okay to wear black with navy and other shades of blue. Opt for a sling-back (i.e. closed-toe dress shoe with a strap across the ankle) if you would like to lighten the look without being over-exposed. Simple pearl earrings can lighten your face and help the person you are speaking to pay attention to what you are saying.
Good luck. Taking time to prepare your visual resume is an important step in helping you come across poised and confident in the interview.