Professional Outfit Ideas for Suburban Moms Dressing for Interviews
Do you have an upcoming interview? Congratulations! Let’s look at some great options for suburban moms when it comes to interviewing outfits.
Blazer, Blouse, and Dress Pants
A go-to interview outfit is a pair of neutral dress pants — black is always a good choice, a white or blue solid-colored women’s blouse, and a coordinating neutral blazer with either black flats or heels. This combination can look either business formal or business casual, depending upon the exact garments you choose and what jewelry you add as accents.
This is a great outfit to wear if you know the company you are interviewing with has a business casual dress code. When in doubt, overdress as opposed to underdress for a job interview.
Blazer, Blouse, and Skirt
Another great go-to outfit is a simple black knee-length skirt paired with a women’s white or blue blouse and topped off with a neutral blazer. Black is a chic choice. You can match your blazer to your skirt (same color and fabric) for the most formal look, or go a notch down from that and still project a professional image with a coordinating blazer. Neutral blazers are more conservative. If you opt for a colored blazer, go with a basic blue, and keep the rest of the outfit neutral.
A few decades back, this would be the most obvious fashion choice for a woman interviewing for a job, but options have opened up since then. That said, it’s a classic choice that should be a consideration unless you are interviewing for a decidedly casual job. Pair this outfit with black shoes (either low or mid-heel pumps are nice choices). If you opt for hosiery, keep it neutral with no patterns. Outside of the most conservative offices, hosiery is now optional — even for job interviews, but be sure to know your audience. Nude hosiery or an off-black can be nice choices, especially in winter months.
Dress
A women’s dress can be a great option for a job interview, either paired with a blazer or by itself. Choose a simple knee-length style that creates a graceful silhouette and has a conservative neckline. Dark solid colors like black, dark grey, and navy are good choices. If you choose a belted dress, make sure the belt is at the waist and just a bit loose — you want an interviewing dress that skims your curves instead of one that accentuates them.
Be aware of how the hem will fall, and be sure you will be comfortable moving about and bending over as necessary as you meet your interviewers, are seated, and get up to shake their hands at the end. An A-line dress can create a bit more practical coverage with its wider hem. If you opt for a dress with a kick-pleat, be sure that it won’t become revealing as you move.
Skirt and Blouse
A dark-colored skirt with a classic women’s white blouse can be a great look for a job interview. When choosing a blouse, stick to something simple and professional. Also, keep in mind that not everyone looks great in bright white. Perhaps your shade of “white” is ivory or ecru. Look through your closet, experiment a bit, and see what shade brightens your face and makes you look and feel great. By the same token, not everyone looks great in black. Perhaps a skirt in charcoal or navy will be more flattering to your skin tone. If you have plenty of lead time before the interview, consider exploring seasonal color analysis online or simply ask a friend or family member with good taste what combination will bring out your natural beauty while still looking professional.
Jeans for an Interview?
There was a time when almost no one would wear jeans to a job interview, but no more. If you will be interviewing for a job with an extremely casual dress code (i.e., your boss and probably your boss’s boss both wear jeans to work every day), go for it. This is a matter of knowing one’s audience.
Even if you choose to interview in jeans, be intentional about your interviewing outfit and be sure that your grooming is impeccable. Perhaps jeans with a neat blouse and flats with a bit of classic jewelry would be a better choice than a full-on business suit. If you will be working in either a very casual tech job or a job like a charitable organization, wearing your best suit and jewelry could be tone-deaf. Jobs in specific industries can have unique interview outfit requirements, too. For example, if you were interviewing at a company that sells camping equipment, you wouldn’t want to walk in dressed to the nines and look like you never go camping.
Once you have done your homework about your prospective employer, choose an outfit that is professional for that job and makes you look and feel great. Best of luck!