Working Girl

I'm on the hunt for a new job at the moment and have been going to a few interviews. I always thought I had quite a versatile wardrobe, able to put together an outfit for almost any occasion, but these job interviews have really been stumping me! Considering I work full time in an office environment, I have surprisingly few conservative office-appropriate outfits (I swan around my current office in 60’s shift dresses, leopard print, purple hounds tooth and too many accessories). 

I’m all about bright colours and bold prints, but job interviews really do call for subdued patterns and neutral colours. I don’t think I could ever go full-corporate in a boring pants suit, but for the sake of my professional career I needed to pull together a few outfits suitable for an important interview. I wanted my interview outfits to be good quality, have a nice fit and most importantly still show my sense of style (even if it has to be a little subdued).

I wore this outfit to an interview a few weeks ago. I found this dress the day before and I think it’s a perfect compromise. The polka dot print is very ‘me’, but the colour pallet is neutral, the dress is lined and made from a heavy good quality fabric, plus the cut is very conservation so I don’t look too flashy. I was told beforehand by a wise relative that I needed to wear a jacket to my interview. This proved to be quite the challenge! I have pink striped blazers and fur trimmed coats and a turquoise jacket with gold buttons, but basically nothing suitable for an interview. I ended up wearing this red blazer which is still pretty out-there, but navy, red and white is such a classic colour combo that I think I got away with it.

I really love having guidelines or limitations when putting together my outfits, so having to dress professionally for a day was a fun challenge. I’m excited to put together a few more outfits that will fit in to a more corporate work environment, some more vintage pencil skirts are definitely needed, but due to my current shopping ban I’ll have to make do with what is already lurking in my closet.

Do you have any tips or hints for dressing professionally but not losing your soul to a bunch of grey skirts and white shirts?

Dress: Op Shop
Jacket: Op Shop
Belt: Country Road, Op Shop
Shoes: Vintage Bally, Op Shop
Bag: Ted Baker
Brooch: Bali Department store