<p>I recently requested a couple off-campus interviews but am completely unsure of how to dress, and I can't really afford a new interview outfit.</p>
<p>Should I dress as I would to a job interview or should I dress casually/in a typical outfit?</p>
<p>I've heard from some that it's best to dress business-casual while others say to dress in a way that lets your personality show. </p>
<p>I have an ''alternative'' style with brightly dyed hair, eyeliner, leather jacket, band tees, sneakers/combat boots so I was thinking of toning it down a bit with a white peacoat, black pants, gray boots or flats, and either curling my hair to look a little less ''rock-ish'' and more neat or dying it a dark brown.</p>
<p>Would this be inappropriate? Should I dress more formal to be safe?</p>
<p>Personally I’d go with the toned down look but it is your call in the end. Both of my kids dressed for interviews along the lines of business casual. For my S that meant something like khakis, a collared shirt (sweater in cold weather), and topsiders. My D generally wore either a sundress and a sweater in warmer weather and black pants, black high heeled boots and a nice shirt/sweater in cooler weather. You sound like you have a definite style and it is up to you how much you want it to shine…but you also don’t want to make your “look” the focus of your interview and possibly a turn off to an interviewer</p>
<p>It may depend on the school, the interviewer, and the location of the interview.</p>
<p>The expectations may be different if the school is an artsy alternative school and the interviewer is a graphic designer at some artsy company versus if you are applying to the business division of a school and the interviewer is a banker or consultant interviewing at his/her workplace.</p>
<p>You don’t have to get new clothes, but I think the toned down look is better, just wear flats. Usually you’d want to dress a little nicer but still fairly casual. The hair shouldn’t matter, just wear it how you want, smooth or curled, you don’t have to dye brown.</p>
<p>Yes, toned down. Your personality will still come through, regardless of whether your wear flats or heels, but unusual looks will distract the admissions counselor from getting to know you. Good luck!</p>
<p>I would tone it down a bit because that demonstrates respect for the importance of the situation and the interviewer (like job interview, church, dinner with grandparents, etc). I would not hide your personality or re-color your hair though. You can look respectful and nicely dressed while still showing your personality with edgier touches. IMO you still want to look like “You”, but “You” trying to make a nice impression. You don’t want to convey an “I don’t give a bleep” feel, but If they don’t like your hair then maybe the school isn’t a good fit. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone! I forgot to factor in the weather…I live in California so the peacoat may not work, but I’ll try to find a nice-looking shirt. I definitely don’t want to distract my interviewer/make my appearance the focus but I also don’t want to hide my personality behind a formal/serious appearance so I’ll do what you guys have suggested and tone it down while still looking presentable.</p>