A typical Friday night leaves the average Duke girl staring forlornly into her already overstuffed closet and whining "I have nothing to wear!" The solution to this temporary fashion setback usually finds itself in the form of her favorite jeans or mini skirt. What if the fashion emergency is not a Friday night, but a Wednesday morning interview with an investment banking firm?
Most girls are relatively unfamiliar with the world of women's business suits. Unlike our male counterparts who have donned a suit since birth, the interview is the first time many of us ladies have had to navigate the world of pinstripe separates. We quickly learn that our matching pleated skirt and blazer from Bebe will just not do. We already know that it is in our best interest to leave the gooey tube of pink lip gloss at home and to refrain from the usual overabundance of body splash. Unfortunately, the decisions are just beginning.
How should we sit? Crossed legs are modest, but overly crossed legs can send a Marilyn Monroe vibe. How many buttons should we undo on our blouse? The top button done looks stuffy, but one too many and we risk slutty.... It's a tough call, but with all this in mind, Recess offer this advice:
Suit: Unless you are being interviewed by Vogue, avoid a Dolce and Gabana lime green and hot pink original. If you are willing to break the bank and buy a ravishingly expensive suit, St. John and Escada are safe bets. Your goal is to look subtly attractive and professional.
Pants: Skirts open up a whole world of problems, so it is best to stick to pants in order to avoid worries about length. Lean trousers can be feminine as long as they are not too snug. How can you tell? If you think they're too tight, they probably are. Budget conscious choices are J. Crew, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor. (Our model opts for Tahari.) Absolutely, positively do not mix and match colors and prints. Black does not go with everything, and a head to toe uniformity is the most slimming.
Shoes: You will not impress your interviewer if you enter the room limping. Make sure your shoes fit and that you can move comfortably. Open-toed presents the problem of pedicures, so stick to loafers, pumps or boots. Match your shoes to your suit --Ferragamo is great, and Coach has a wide selection of relatively affordable styles and colors that are nice and always comfy.
For the Gentlemen... By Dean Chapman
My biggest weakness? I guess I'd have to say I'm an overachiever."
We've all been there. The job interview. A sweaty face-off, you and them: the uneasy applicant and the merciless head-hunter. You've only got 15, 20, 30 minutes to show them all you have to offer. And every moment another bit of judgment.
"Give us an example of when you've had to work in a team."
"What is the accomplishment you're most proud of?"
"Were you suddenly blinded when you picked that tie out of your closet this morning?"
Ok, so maybe you don't usually get that last one--at least not directly. The truth is that in an interview, presentation matters; what you wear and how you wear it says a lot about the person you are and the employee you'll be. To master the art of gracious confidence, professional rapport and polished intelligence--the interview--Recess offers these helpful tips for the guys:
Shirt: "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" was finished years ago, so for God's sake avoid the Regis Philbin look. Black shirts are out. White or a simple checked make for a classic look.
Tie: If you're applying for a position in the mafia or attending prom, solid metallics are fine. Otherwise, Zegna, Hugo Boss and Ferragamo will keep you looking good with a classic-modern style. Ties are a great way to match a simple look with a signature accent. Avoid prints at all costs.
Suit: Pictured here is a $1545 Ermengildo Zegna wool charcoal gray 3-button suit. Somehow your GPA just doesn't matter when you look this good: Go for a knock-off with or without pinstripes. Keep yourself to a 3-button max. Pleated pants are the norm, but plain front looks even better.
Cufflinks: Just like your resume, it's the small touches that make all the difference. Don't do without some cuff jewelry; just keep it elegant and simple. David Yurman makes them--here's to extravagance.
Shoes: Try a professional, smooth, multi-functional black leather look. For the investment bankers, stay stylish in lace-up Ferragamo's; for the rest of us mere mortals, nothing fits like a Kenneth Cole.
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