Ask Aly: Are you wardrobe-ready?

Dear Aly,

Are the rules the same regarding “power suits” when going on a job interview? I have one coming up and I’m not sure I’m wardrobe-ready.

Signed,
Powerlessly panted

Dear Powerless,

Do not worry! The rules, they are a-changing!

While it’s important that you look professional, always, different interviews call for different attire. What would be appropriate to wear, say, for an interview at a bank would stick out like a sore thumb at a fashion magazine!

In general, in current trends, women are wearing slimmer silhouettes and (finally!) saying goodbye to the boxy suits of the prior decade. Also, gone are the black/gray rule – Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin showed us during the election that red truly is – and always has been – a power color. So, maintain those staples, but consider that splash of color – it can’t hurt, and just may help show some personality.

The shape of things to come is more slimming and body skimming. Skirts should be right at knee length — or slightly above or slightly below – but minis are a no-no, unless you are interviewing to be a go-go dancer!

Do not take the rule of dressing for the interview in tandem with how you would dress for the job too far though. Dressing nicely is a show of respect to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to – even if you may be wearing jeans on the job, you aren’t going to wear it when trying to put your best self forward on that first meet and greet!

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Stay tuned as Aly shares some holiday shopping secrets and
discusses skinny jeans!