Interview musings with Kirstie Clements

Yesterday I attended the Kirstie Clements book launch. This post in no way attempts to cover what went on there, but there were a few things said about interview clothing which I thought were worth mentioning. And so the scene is set.....

The scene was the posh upper level of the cinemas at Westfield Parramatta.

A white stage with two seats, a Dymocks stand without Dymocks branding and a hand full of small round tables with bar stools.

About 15 women guests were there when I arrived.

Paula Joye was going to be interviewing Kirstie Clements about her new book on working in the fashion industry.  The book covers entry level positions to many rungs above that.

After the interview, three beautiful models, poster girls for the slick pony tail, twirled around for us wearing "interview appropriate" clothing.  The looks were from Veronika Maine, Saba & Witchery.

Paula did commence the session with the comment that the book wasn’t just about fashion jobs – it was about the butcher, the baker & the candlestick maker.

And so my contribution comes into play.....

Those three looks would never get anyone hired in the conservative sectors of law, banking, accounting and finance in general.  I can say that with 100% confidence after many years of hiring in finance in Sydney's CBD.

Kirstie queried whether my reasoning was that the looks were too sexy. No, it’s not that. They are just too fashion forward & their silhouettes are very different to what the other 99% of candidates would be wearing in those industries.

Specifically items like:

·       the flowy cape;

·       the open toe slingback boots (accountants & the like, just do not understand seasonally confused shoes);

·       a deep vee low neckline (perhaps it depends on what job you are going for);

·       a coat placed resting over the shoulders or a blanket coat

First, these three looks are too fashion forward for interviewees in the conservative sectors of law, finance, banking, accounting where they are going for technical or client facing roles. Marketing roles in those firms, yes, fine. 

As for the coat over the shoulders, to “editorialise your look”, they mentioned that it looks fabulous & it’s easy to take off during an interview as you don’t have to mess with sleeves etc.  That’s only part of the story.

Think of it this way – you reach out to shake the interviewer’s hand with your right hand, holding your resume book with your left hand. What are the chances that coat is going to slip off? Pretty high. Pretty embarrassing. 

Secondly, at the very least, in a conservative sector interview, you wear a jacket (not a coat, unless it’s a blizzard day) & YOU NEVER TAKE IT OFF DURING THE INTERVIEW. EVER. 

Why? A jacket not only covers any messiness underneath (blouses, bra straps, boobs, yes that’s a lot of potential messiness), but gives you more presence & authority than ANY other piece of clothing can ever give you. It makes you look smarter, more experienced, more mature and more credible than anyone not wearing a jacket.  

What about executive levels? 

You can add half a zero to the spend on any of these looks and you have appropriate executive looks even in the conservative sectors, although I would qualify that when it comes to seasonally confused boots & low necklines.

CBD girls - image issues

As part of this discussion, Kirstie mentioned how the CBD girls just look horrid (that’s my word; she is far too refined to say it so bluntly). But she specifically mentioned the different shades of black suits & I added the peek-a-boob, the chipped heels & the VPL.  Yes, those girls definitely need image makeovers. We understood each other. 

Unfortunately the stores are too busy pushing product now rather than focusing on relationships by providing wardrobe building blocks to customers. Sad but true. 

Four common ladies suit bloopers

On the way to the city yesterday, I shared a bus with a lady in a dark skirt suit. It was the middle of the day, the bus was almost empty & everyone had lots of room to relax.

The lady looked around mid 30s and she was petite. I'd estimate she was a size 10. 

The suit was high street it could have been Basque (Myer) or Country Road for example. It was a wool blend but it would have stood up to an interview in a conservative office. 

I especially liked that the jacket and skirt fit her nicely through the body. No pulling, no smiling skirt lines, knee length. Totally conservative office appropriate. So far, so good.

Then I got bored. It was a bus trip after all. I looked at the rest of her. That's where the love stopped.

The shoes

Here is a photo of her shoes.

Not only are they scuffed, they are ripped & torn in many places. The heels are worn completely. They look like she doesnt care about her image. 

Note also when I looked at these from a distance the issues werent as visible. That doesnt make them OK. When you interact with people, unless its on the telephone, they will notice. 

Next - the cuffs

When you are sitting at a desk, in a meeting (or an interview!), your cuffs are super visible. 
Look at this lady's cuffs. 

The cuffs have been turned back about 5 cm to reveal a pale pink lining. 

Firstly, in an interview situation, I wouldnt want to reveal any contrast lining. Turned back or otherwise. All the contrast does is bring attention to the clothes. Bringing attention to the clothes distracts from the message you are sending that you are competent & capable. 

In a day to day job situation, this looks says: "I have short arms and I cant be bothered to shorten my sleeves professionally." Even if the lining is ironed, is this the impression you want to give?

The scrunched rolled sleeves we see the bloggers wearing is a casual look. Totally OK in that context. In the office when its not casual Friday, no. 

The boobage

Next......notice the boobage?

At some angles, the boobage wasnt apparent. But from where I was sitting, it was all I could see. If its all I can see, its going to be all your colleagues can see. Is this the impression you want to give?

Even if you work in a casual or creative office, this will detract from your level of professionalism, credibility & respect. 

Plus, dont forget to bend over in the change room to make sure you see all potential boobage in addition to the front-on views. 

At this point, I realised I was getting close inappropriate behaviour. So I stopped taking photos. 

But there was one more thing to mention. 

Jewellery

The lady was wearing a pierced earring with a couple of adjacent diamonds sitting on her ear. They were set in white gold. She was also wearing a fine chain with a pearl pendant. The chain was matt gold, the pearl was set in matt gold and the pearl was creamy, not white. This may not appear to be a hanging offence, but it detracted from a harmonious look. 

Why?

The ears were in the cool tones & the neck was in the warm tones. 

I know some of you will yell at me about it being 2013 and it being OK to mix metals. I agree. Its OK - as long as you are dressing casually AND its appropriate.  

In this case, where business attire meets fine jewellery - keep your metals harmonious not clashing. 

I hope this post has given you something to think about. 
By all means, if you disagree, I'd love to have a chat about it. 
  

Managing big boobs - lessons from Julie Bishop

When I saw this photo of Julie Bishop (Minister for Foreign Affairs) in New York on a United Nations junket, I got very excited because its a perfect example of what not to do if you have a big bust.

Oops. Big oops.

The high neckline just reinforces one big monoboob. There is nothing to break up the monoboob. No decolletage, no necklace, no brooch, no texture. Nothing.  

The monoboob walks into the room before Julie does. Distracting. Especially when you want to be taken seriously at the United Nations. Or anywhere. 

It doesnt help that its sleeveless - that provides even less to focus on, making the boobs the number one attraction. 

Here she is again at one of the polies' mid winter balls.

One big droopy monoboob.
Monoboob due to the high neckline.

Droopy because of the pattern/embroidery on the bodice. I doubt very much that she isnt wearing the right bra.

Eeewww.

But look at this one...

The scoop neckline helps to break up the monoboob. We notice the skin & the boobs start to take a back seat.

What about the next one? 

On one hand, I think she has lost some weight here, however it could be the fact that this is a matt dress compared to the scoop neck blingy silver number above. Shine reflects light & makes things look bigger. Matt absorbs light & makes things look smaller. I know which I prefer to wear. 

Weightloss or not, the big bust rule still applies. 

Big bust? Break it up.

So she breaks it up with a sheer layer with sequins/crystals. Nice.  

On a more subtle level, this also works well as it has some distinct straight lines - the broad collar line & the straight line of the lining above the bust. In contrast, the scoop neck blingy silver dress has a very obvious curved collar shape. Curves create curves. If you are already curvy be careful of adding curves with your clothes.

So let's go to Julie's work clothes. 

This next one isnt too bad....

The white cami has a somewhat high neckline. But she is breaking it up reasonably well with her Armani jacket & a brooch. The jacket works well here as the tweed provides texture & depth and the medium sized lapels balance out the chest area. 

Let's look at a variation of this....

Notice how simply by lowering the cami's neckline her boobs loose impact? Flick up & down between these two photos - the basic outfit is the same, but the impact of lowering the cami is massive. In the latter, you tend to then notice Julie as a whole rather than Julie's boobs.

Dont forget that there is still no sign of cleavage, its all very tasteful & the monoboob has been dissolved nicely. 

10 Ways with Tailored Shorts

Firstly, if you're expecting leather short pictures, forget it.

This is about tailored shorts & there is very little in leather that fits that bill. If you want leather shorts, that's tomorrow's 10 Ways.

Conservative office environments like banking and law would be struggling to accept short suits, even on casual Friday, even if knee length. 

TIP: Even if your peers are wearing short suits, avoid them if your superiors are not. Remember, dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

In the creative office environments, its game on for shorts. 

1. Blue

A sea blue works well to calm the eye. Just as well because we are exposing serious leg. Seersucker, microfibre, cotton are all relaxed summer options. 

Love the leopard bag & Converse.  Terrific accessory mix.

Fancy it up with a floral & suede ankle straps.

Tan accessories work beautifully with blues.

Ground sea blue with black accessories.

2. At work - the conservative office

Matched pieces, menswear prints (tweed-y, subtle plaids)
Neutral colours  think structure not soft.
To pull this off, also think pumps not sandals.

Nicole feminises the Prince of Wales check with a lavender shade.
If a short suit will work in an office, this comes close.

Tweed was good enough for Chanel. The fringing may be touch & go.

A black piece with a smart jacket will work.
Think checks, small spots.
I'd probably avoid florals unless in a very small print.
Hawaiian flowers? No  Pastel florals? No.
Since the legs are so exposed, keep the fabric subtle. At least for the office. 

Totally menswear inspired. Re-think the shoes.

A dark suit with a button up shirt. 
The sandals look great but not for those conservative offices.


3. Pastel love

4. Bright love

Notice how the slogan tee helps to make it extra youthful?

Notice how J Lo's cuffs are too tight & show strains on the fabric
from when she walks/sits etc?
Olivia's are a better width.
If you're carrying extra weight, try something in between. 

5. Neon love

6. Beige love

The chino colour invokes a casual environment.
Ignoring the boobage, notice how the fire engine red top adds a racy look?
This is why I didnt put it in the "conservative office section.
Change the top to a blouse in white & it just may work. 


7. Black & white

B&W (or navy & white) has a certain crispness which serves to dress up well. 

The dark base with contrast jacket is a slimming look.

Technically, this cuts her in half, but you can place dark/light 
so that your large bits are minimised by the dark 
& your small bits are maximised by the light. 

8. Soft & scalloped

What's important here?  No seams are straining. Nice & flowy.

9. The directional short

The shape & length for next winter & summer.
Perfect for the office but you may want to shorten it if you are petite.
Plus, dont let the hem finish at the widest part of your calf. Unless you want fat calves.

10. Let's get creative

Mandarin collars, sorbet colours, light pinstripes,
froth & lace, origami asymmetrical folds.
If your legs arent fabulous, keep the interest on top. 

Leather jacket, crisp cotton sateen shorts. 

      & there's one more....

11. Evening

Tuxedo stripes. In Navy. No top. Nailed.

The shorts may be as tight as Eva's suit, but in a
light & shiny colour, they look too tight.
What do you think?

Tailored vest suit.
Whatever you think about the colour & the fabric,
the cut certainly works.