Interview outfit help

adioschubs

Hello friendly folks of MFP!

I need your fashion advice. I am interviewing for an intern position this week and am not sure what to wear for it. The weather is going to be warm, so I'm not sure a full-length sleeve blazer would work.

About me: I have an inverted triangle/apple body type, plus size, 5'4.

What kind of outfit would be appropriate? I own black dress pants, peplum shirts, various cardigans, etc.

Southern_Belle_LA

You are very similar to me. I think a nice professional dress with a blazer (or cardigan) is best. I think pant suits are old fashioned, especially if you are young. Wear something you feel comfortable in but make a good impression. If you can wear it to the club or dinner out it's probably inappropriate. Good luck!

AlongCame_Molly

I think dress pants with a cardigan over a nice blouse with simple flats would look professional. Wear your hair up, or at least out of your face, maybe simple bun or a nice pony tail. It tends to make ladies look lower-maintenance.

Side note, I would advise heavily against those gawd-awful peplum tops. They have a nasty, unforgiving habit of adding pounds around the midsection where there aren't any. If you say you're a plus-size girl, that ruffle around the middle isn't going to do you ANY favors. Just my $0.02.

Good luck!

Southern_Belle_LA

Side note, I would advise heavily against those gawd-awful peplum tops. They have a nasty, unforgiving habit of adding pounds around the midsection where there aren't any. If you say you're a plus-size girl, that ruffle around the middle isn't going to do you ANY favors. Just my $0.02.

Agreed because they tend to look "trendy" so it depends on the position you are applying for; I tend to go for more classic looks during interviews. Do you know what people wear daily while they are working? Try to mirror that but more polished!

anemoneprose

Since you're interviewing for an internship, you'd be fine with a cardy, your black pants and a button up blouse.

Aim for 'crisp' - make sure things that need ironing are ironed, no lint on the sweater, etc. No sandals - close-toed shoes instead. Close your purse so it's not just lying or hanging with its insides flopping out.

I'm not a fan of plain black and white for office wear, & I personally don't think just any colour cardi looks good on that. A pink or peach or lilac shirt might be good (whichever makes your skin look better, one of them probably will) with maybe an off-white or tan cardigan. But that's my preference - whatever you have that looks clean and put together will be ok, like I said, no one is necessarily going to be expecting that you're putting tons of cash into your wardrobe.

FIT is the other important thing, everything should fit (not cling, not hang).

good luck!

gmallan

Persoanlly I'm a fan over being over-dressed and would always wear a blazer/suit jacket to a professional interview. If it's hot you could just carry it with you and put it on when you get close.

Team with an appropriate length (just above or below the knee) skirt or dress pants, shirt/blouse and dressy flats or heels. Hair mostly back and subtle neutral makeup

adioschubs

I appreciate the input so far! I can't remember if I have a button-down shirt or blazer that fits (grr weight loss), but it's nice to know not to wear a peplum!

spoiledpuppies

You can never go wrong by overdressing for an interview (or any event for that matter--if you're going to err on one side or the other). I often interview young people, and I very much appreciate it when they are put together, with a full suit even. It shows that they take my organization and themselves seriously. With that said, if you don't have a suit, that's just the way it is. Make sure that everything is crisp and clean, and demonstrates that you've made a good effort to step up your appearance.