Kickin’ it MLA-Style
The MLA Interview Outfit: Breaking it up with suiting separates. Miraculously, Jen is getting ready to interview at the MLA Conference in San Francisco at the end of December. Above I’ve included a couple of interview outfit options: the charcoal blazer can be worn with both the black pants and pinstripe suit skirt, the blue blazer goes best with the pinstripe skirt, keeping it simple with the white Brooks Brothers no-iron button down shirt, and a little pop with the jewelry (oh, and black mid-heels and black bag, oops). The outfits remain subdued and pulled-together without looking fashiony (such an unfortunate no-no in our field, at least at the interview) and also avoid the straight-up monkey suit (this I really have no problem with, but frankly I’ve put off buying one).
Feedback/comments are particularly welcome regarding these outfit ideas. For instance, those out there who firmly believe that the full suit is the true way to go for the MLA interview, feel free to pipe up; I’m not incapable of succumbing to peer pressure. I’m daring to suggest that these make interesting alternatives. As for the campus interview, if I should be so lucky to get this far, I think I would break down and get the full suit. As for now, booking a last-minute trip between Boston and San Francisco is costing me more than the recent trip to Rome!
–Jen
I’d say the well-chosen separates are fine for hotel interviews. Your interviewers won’t be as well-dressed as you are, in most cases.
Good luck!
I like both options, and if you’re feeling really confident, you should wear the blue jacket. Because it doesn’t look “fashiony” but you’ll feel powerful in your taste and style. I like dressing in minimalist ways that don’t look like much, except they just look great, and I feel like a million bucks. I think it will help your performance.