STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

create a work wardrobe for me!

honey · Gucci

i tend to be of the opinion that it's better to wait until you get a job b/f you start building a work wardrobe. i say this not to discourage you but b/c a) business casual varies so much from place to place that you might end up working in a office where you don't need a lot of conservative clothes and b) b/c you're not really excited about the idea.

that being said here are some suggestions. as far as suits i highly recommend that you go to a department store like macy's. both of my interview suits came from a macy's type store and were under a $100 each. places like that tend to have a wide array of styles so it's easier to find stuff you like.

this may be a tad old school, but i prefer a skirt suit. a lot of pants suits have "old lady" pants that are very high rise and not at all flattering. also i believe it's the most conservative style you can get. navy, black, and grey are pretty good color choices (i have a navy suit and a black suit) and if you can swing get two. in my recruiting experience there were multiple rounds of interviews and though you can just wear the same suit, i prefered having more than one option.

ann taylor has some skirt suits for around $300 total

http://www.anntaylor.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=6029

http://www.anntaylor.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=6030

http://www.anntaylor.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=6091

also j.crew has a lot of options in the same price range (they also have a better color selection)

they also have cute pencil skirts

also check out brooks brothers -- though the fit tends to be boxy.

i only have 2 button downs, a black one and a white one which i don't wear that much. i prefer elbow length sleeves over the other choices b/c they feel a bit less stuffy. again jcrew has options

as does the gap which i can't seem to access at home

i think a dress would be a good choice

either would look really cute with a cardigan

i think you're other choices are pretty solid. if there's an outlet mall near you i would check it out. also when you move to nyc, theory has a bi-annual sample sale (you should totally sign up for www.clothingline.com 's email list) which is a great place to pick up great basics. hope this helps a bit.

halleybird · Hermes

if you're a 9.5 or 10, you should totally get these NW pumps:

http://www.martyshoes.com/store/nin-s05heronblack.html

They are amazing...comfortable and adorable. If I could find another pair in my size, I'd buy a backup.

lynnie · Chanel

thanks girls! honey, good point on the multiple rounds. I didn't think of that. Should I wear a suit to each interview?

I love this dress too!!

Kel · Coach

As for shoes, I would go to NW now, I was in there yesterday and they had a lot of things on sale, a lot of business looking things.

Also I would go to stores likes Macys (they have wonderful sales), also i love Ann Taylor for button downs, I have a couple from there, I just look on the sale rack. Ann Taylor Loft also has some nice business causal stuff, as does the Limited.

I don't know about wearing what to where, b/c I am not in that situation yet, I still have a year to go, but I agree with Honey not to get your whole wardobe at one time. I would get a few classic pieces for interviews. I don't know much about interviews but maybe you should find something universal, like a suit that you can either take off the jacket if the place is business causal or leave the jacket on if it is formal. But from what I am hearing on the in post, it seems like most places are business causal, but you should be prepared in either case.

I don't know if that helped you any, but goodluck

honey · Gucci

i think it would depend on the office. if it's a bank or law firm and you have to go through multiple rounds i would wear a suit both times, even if the office itself is bus. cas. if it's something more creative, then i think you'd be able to wear something else. but i'm sure that if you have to go through multiple rounds of interviews you'll have enough of a feel for the place to know what's best.