<p>Hi, I wondering what to dress for the interview. Some of my friends have gone to the interview dressed really nicely (make up and heels) while others have told me they don't think the interviewers mind being casual and dressing just like you do every day.
So I'm stuck. I want to cause a good impression, but they might look me weird if I am too nice or too "lazy". What did you wear?</p>
<p>Note: I have interviews at Smith, Mount Holyoke, Simmons and Wellesley.</p>
<p>I think it depends on where the interview is and the circumstances. My D had her interview with a Wellesley alum at a coffee shop. She wore slacks and a nice top. If the interview is on a day when you are touring the college, don’t dress so you are uncomfortable for the college tour - don’t wear heels if you also need to walk all over campus (unless you are comfortable wearing heels all the time).</p>
<p>D was interviewed at MHC by a senior–she dressed nicely, but casually.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer beforehand how he/she would like you to dress. If that’s not a possibility, try to find an in-between dress–something that looks classy but wouldn’t be out of place in a casual setting. And try to get clues from things such as the location–where you’ll be interviewed. Most of the time, dress isn’t a huge issue, but be sure to use common sense. Look like you’re serious about the college.</p>
<p>Like a PP said, wearing something nice but casual would be your best bet. I wore a knee-length skirt and simple blouse with flats to my interviews.</p>
<p>Think business casual and smart casual dress codes - google them, tons of examples on blogs like YouLookFab, which is my personal favorite, as it is given by a stylist/former department store buyer.</p>
<p>I used these below links to great success, and not only for interviews, but when I was doing internships and etc.</p>
<p>[Business</a> Casual in warm weather](<a href=“http://youlookfab.com/2007/08/20/business-casual-in-warm-weather/]Business”>Business Casual in warm weather - YLF)
[16</a> ways to make business casual pop](<a href=“http://youlookfab.com/2010/01/13/16-ways-to-make-business-casual-pop/]16”>16 ways to make business casual pop - YLF)
[Smart</a> Casual for ladies](<a href=“http://youlookfab.com/2006/09/07/smart-casual-for-ladies/]Smart”>Smart Casual for Ladies - YLF)</p>
<p>Good luck! (FYI, I do highly suggest professional and slightly dressy flats. They’re considered to be on nearly the same level as heels now.)</p>
<p>Be comfortable, and dress neatly. No wrinkles, no tears, avoid shirts with slogans or clever quips on them (remember that what’s funny to you may not be funny to other people). Most of all, don’t dress in a way different from what you might normally wear, just wear the best version of your normal style. If you’re strictly t-shirts and jeans - wear your nicest jeans and your best looking shirt. Sneakers, if they go with the rest of your outfit, are fine if you need to be prepared for a tour after (and I really, really reccommend scheduling the interview for BEFORE the tour, that way you won’t be rushed).</p>
<p>When I interviewed, I wore tan pants with flats, a nice plain shirt and a cardigan. If I was touring the campus as well, I brought sneakers and socks to change into. =)</p>
<p>Probably, they won’t decide your fate based on how you look, but just in case I would suggest that you wear something which is casual but not too informal like torn jeans or a t-shirt saying offensive things</p>
<p>Look presentable, but I think overdressing is a little weird. I agree that it depends on the location of the interview. I’ve had two so far. One was on-campus for Smith and I dressed modestly but I didn’t dress up because I was doing a tour that day too and it was summer. I wore a short-sleeved top and a nice pair of capri pants. Today I had an alum interview with Kenyon at a Starbucks, and I wore a pair of black slacks and a nice sweater. Wellesley is tomorrow, and I’ll probably dress similar to today, possibly a little nicer (Kenyon was a young grad student who was really casual, while Wellesley seemed like an older woman on the phone).</p>
<p>Also, a little makeup is nice, but I saw a friend of mine before she went to an interview at Swarthmore and she was wearing a lot. I don’t know why, but it sort of made me edgy. Like, I feel like if they can look at you and it’s obvious you’re wearing makeup, it’s too much.</p>
<p>This is an old thread, but for anyone else wondering:</p>
<p>I typically wear a knee-length skirt (but don’t look frumpy), tights, flats, a nice unwrinkled dress shirt (blouse would work as well), a sweater, some subtle jewelry and a little foundation (really pretty light on the make-up).</p>
<p>You just want to look nice and well-groomed and create a good impression. But it’s also important to be comfortable–if you’d feel really awkward wearing a skirt, try some slacks instead!</p>
<p>Dress something that is pretty moderate.</p>