Creative professional attire

[amandaindetroit]

Does anyone here work in a creative professional environment, e.g. an ad agency? Looking for ideas on interview outfits (avoiding pencil skirts), everyday work clothes, and stores to shop at. I'm about a size 20 and need a tall inseam for pants

Comments

[mi_nion]

A pants suit is a safe bet. I always opt for navy since black reads too harsh to my eyes. I keep the top simple. I do simple scoop necks, not low enough to show cleavage and minimal jewelry. If you wear dresses I like wrap dresses or knee length skater silhouettes. I prefer solids to prints and typically stay in neutral colors like navy, brown and gray.

Some of the items on Iggi are examples of what I would wear on an interview and what I would wear to a more professional dress office Some of the items are a bit dressy, but hopefully it gives you an idea.

[amandaindetroit]

A pants suit for interviews, you mean? Do you think it is better than a skirt, or would a skirt work just as well? If I opt for pants I think it'd be a bigger investment since it's tricker to find the right pair.

Thanks for the recs! :)

[mi_nion]

I think a pants suit can work just as well as a skirt for interviews. Especially if you are more comfortable in pants than skirt/dresses. I don't think one is better than the other. Both are a good staple for a professional wardrobe, even they are only kept for that rare occasion.

[amandaindetroit]

I feel more comfortable in slim leg pants, but it's SO DIFFICULT to find pairs that not only fit me well, but are available in my inseam and look good. Most slim leg pants I've found are ankle length and only available in a regular inseam, so they just look laughably short. Skirts are easier to find for me.

For an interview I think I'd go with a simple printed shell, a modern black blazer, and either black slim pants or a black straight skirt with heels. I probably wouldn't shop for work clothes until I actually have a job and know its dress code, but I think for networking events something like a jewel-tone colored sheath dress and a statement necklace would be perfect. I work at a Nordstrom right now doing back office stuff, but I still get a discount on merchandise, so I'll probably take a look around but definitely check out Igigi after, maybe Talbots too.

Thanks for your help, this is all kinda out of my comfort zone since the majority of my wardrobe is ASOS Curve, Forever 21+, and thrifted stuff and pretty casual. :)

[sirritwist]

When interviewing for Graphic Design jobs I've leaned towards more: bright or modern dresses that I know i look and feel good in? or a patterned shirt + skirt + a kimono/blazer top. I think I tend to lean far away from "traditional" interview attire, I would never wear a suit or drab colours only, for example! but I guess it all depends on the place you're interviewing at. But if it's a creative position I think there's an expectation for you to reflect your creativity in a way? dressing like every other person won't make you memorable I guess.

[amandaindetroit]

That's what I've been thinking. When I interviewed for my current position (I do Communications stuff for Nordstrom) I cared to look more fashion-forward than traditional, but my job previous to that was at a very conservative office so I dressed more plain jane for the interview.

I like the idea of a kimono blazer/top! I guess I'm trying to figure out in advance what's expected when I interview for jobs after I graduate in December. I think a lot of creative offices are more business casual but maybe some with more high-profile customers (I live near Detroit, so the big 3 auto companies for example) have a stricter dress code? Still figuring out where "the line" is I guess.

Thanks for the help!

[vesperholly]

I agree with sirritwist - I work in a creative industry and I have never owned a suit in my life. The easiest way to make an interview outfit more creative is take a traditional look and give it one twist, like color or pattern. Stick with classic shapes but trendy colors. For example, I have this chartreuse cotton blazer from Target, and I wear it with a white shirt, gray skirt and black heels.

[savannahdreamer]

my favorite interview outfit is a copper colored cotton bracelet sleeve dress with a cowl neck, with a modern black 3/4 sleeve blazer black tights and leather pumps. I actually got the dress at macy's on sale- Macy's is a great source for inexpensive foundational pieces like that- it is really easy to make a basic dress really modern or really traditional with accessories and shoe/tights choice. I asos really like ASOS.com

[amandaindetroit]

ASOS is my go-to, so I checked it first. Lots of cute casual and party dresses but nothing strikes me as something I'd wear to make a business impression? But I looove that they have more modern, casual blazers - old fashioned blazers are overly stuffy to me! At least just not my style.

Macy's is a great idea, so thank you! That outfit sounds cute! I work at Nordstrom now but worked at Macy's years ago and will check it out! :)

[redshirtdiary]

My go-to stores for these types of clothing are Igigi, Kiyonna, and Eloquii (now that it's back). I also am a fan of Lord and Taylor, though their selections are much better in person than online. They have a lot of crossover with Macys, but they tend to lean a little more toward higher-quality brands.

[amandaindetroit]

I feel like Eloquii this time around isn't as career-oriented as before? I had one amazing, comfortable, well-fitting sheath dress I bought online from Eloquii a couple years back and I wore it so often to my last job that it wore out and pilled everywhere (my last job had a strict business dress code but I sold off everything once I landed my new job). I'm not finding similar stuff this time around, though! I'm a huge fan of neutrals and classics that I can accessorize but it's been hard to find for me.

Anyway, with that being said, I do like everywhere else you've mentioned, so thank you. :) I've heard of Igigi and Kiyonna a lot but have never tried!

[daraqw]

I do marketing and communications in the public sector which always tends towards conservative. I'm older than my resume appears because I took five years off before going to college. This means I try to dress my resume age. Dark pants are a wardrobe staple for me. (Nordstrom -- Sejour makes a great basic work pant) I own a good number of fairly pricey ("investment") one-of-a-kind jackets I've purchased from craft show vendors and from imports shops (e.g., quilted silk from India, cotton batiks from Indonesia) and some really nice scarves to pair with tunic-length sweaters. They cost a bit more but more ethnic stuff doesn't go out of style if it is well-made. Pants get replaced as cut and waist-line changes with fashion. I have a few dresses but tend mostly to wear separates because they last longer and are easier to update. OH... and have been buying a few things from ModCloth recently with good success. I'm 5'4" -used to be about a sz 20W now about 16W in most things.