Well this is MBAchic… let’s talk some savvy professional wear. If you’re interviewing for a position at a financial services firm, investment bank, accounting firm or someplace similar that requires formal business wear everyday, you want to keep it conservative. Here are some things I’ve picked up along the way – please comment below with your suggestions and opinions:

Invest in a good suit.

You’ve heard this before, I’m sure, but have you actually gone out and bought one? Make sure it looks great on you, and make sure it fits at this very moment. A little tailoring is worth it: I cannot think of one man I know who purchased a suit off the rack and had nothing done to it. Invest in this for your professional future; a good suit can last you years if you take good care of it!

Regardless of your price range, be sure to purchase a suit made out of a good material; you do not necessarily need to buy a suit made of the finest wool, but make sure that the fabric feels “high-quality” in your hands. Your interview suit should make you look like a million bucks, and you should feel comfortable in it! You can opt for a simple, sleek skirt suit like this one from Theory (Rory Tailor Blazer and Golda Tailor Skirt found here).

Suits can be expensive, yes. You can find more reasonable suits at Macy’s – the T Tahari line is great, and the quality is fantastic. I would just be sure to choose a youthful style (this applies to all suits, actually). As a young chic MBA woman, you want to make sure that your jacket is not too long or oversized (the matronly look is never a good look), and that your skirt hits just at the knee. I tend to wear skirts because I am too tall to find pants off-the-rack that work with heels (without giving that oh-so-professional high-water look). If you wear pants, make sure they are pressed (creased) and crisp for the big day.

Random: I tweeted this question the other day, and Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE Magazine (@mrjoezee) suggested a dark skirt suit as one of the things to wear to an interview like this. Thanks for the tip!

Wear a crisp button-down.

We have already established the fact that these types of interviews will call for more conservative clothing. A button-down with a collar is a good idea as long as you remember to iron it (or, purchase a non-iron shirt – amazing invention). This is a nice button-down by Banana Republic (Non-Iron Fitted Sateen Shirt can be found here). I actually own this top in a different color. The fact that it does not require ironing is amazing. The shirt is fitted, and looks great on many different body types. Some button-downs can be a little too mature, and these proportions really keep this look young and fresh. Check out the different color options online – I would stick to either white or light blue for an interview. Continue reading →