Mundane question about interview attire - ladies!

[Jennaiii]

If you have a nice blazer and a smarty black cardigan or jumper wear that - if not, I think the blazer would be perfectly fine. I think as long as you look formal, presentable and smartly attired then they're not going to care that your skirt and blazer aren't from the same set.
(My advice in general however is to buy some new trousers to go with your blazer at some point, or a nice dress to go under it - there are loads of really modest cuts (think tunic style) of dresses I've seen - I almost went for one myself for the interview.)

[bananallanah]

Ahh, loving all your advice. My interview is within the next week and I went shopping today to find a top/blouse and a blazer.....Found a top but all the blazer jackets looked awful and were way to expensive to justify when they looked crap haha.
Now I think I'll just go with a nice cardigan over the top of the blouse, black skirt, black stockings and shoes. Will probably wear my pounamu necklace (for luck!) for jewelry. Will buy a suit (or 2) if I'm shortlisted!
Good luck to everybody else who got interviews

[AVN]

Ahh, loving all your advice. My interview is within the next week and I went shopping today to find a top/blouse and a blazer.....Found a top but all the blazer jackets looked awful and were way to expensive to justify when they looked crap haha.
Now I think I'll just go with a nice cardigan over the top of the blouse, black skirt, black stockings and shoes. Will probably wear my pounamu necklace (for luck!) for jewelry. Will buy a suit (or 2) if I'm shortlisted!
Good luck to everybody else who got interviews

This might be a personal thing but I would go with skin tone tights. If you have a kind of strict interviewer they might not see black as professional. It was something drilled into me about dresscodes in Japan.

[eFred]

This might be a personal thing but I would go with skin tone tights. If you have a kind of strict interviewer they might not see black as professional. It was something drilled into me about dresscodes in Japan.

Really? Whats the iffy about wearing black stockings? I'm just curious to know.

[AVN]

This might be a personal thing but I would go with skin tone tights. If you have a kind of strict interviewer they might not see black as professional. It was something drilled into me about dresscodes in Japan.

Really? Whats the iffy about wearing black stockings? I'm just curious to know.

Seen as too casual for work, though in this case just the interview. Once you're in Japan it's case by case. Some offices won't mind others will.
So I guess for this interview I feel better safe than sorry? Just like I might suggest not going sleeveless or low cut neckline. I wouldn't wear a lot of jewlery either.
I mean you can if you want, if it's a part of you, just I wouldn't for the interview.

[bananallanah]

This might be a personal thing but I would go with skin tone tights. If you have a kind of strict interviewer they might not see black as professional. It was something drilled into me about dresscodes in Japan.

Oh that's interesting, I'll definitely think about it. They're really thick tights, like 60 denier but I see your point.
Also my top has quite small sleeves (pretty much sleeveless) but I think wearing a blazer/cardigan over the top should mean they don't notice that.

[AVN]

This might be a personal thing but I would go with skin tone tights. If you have a kind of strict interviewer they might not see black as professional. It was something drilled into me about dresscodes in Japan.

Oh that's interesting, I'll definitely think about it. They're really thick tights, like 60 denier but I see your point.
Also my top has quite small sleeves (pretty much sleeveless) but I think wearing a blazer/cardigan over the top should mean they don't notice that.

Oh yeah the blazer over it would be fine. Being thick tights makes them more casual from my experience here.

The office dress code here for women, especially in bigger cities/bigger offices is very strict and would seem old fashioned to most foreigners. You get about 3 colours of suits for women and even then you almost only see black. It's a non flattering blazer, a fitted, but not pencil, skirt knee length and a white non fitted, usually, white blouse with nylons. Sometimes I see women in pants but they're often not flattering either. That is what almost every female office worker in Japan I have ever seen wears. There are exceptions but when I think of offices in Canada it's crazy different...

Also here low cut and bare arms are sexy but short shorts are cute. Legs are fine, bust is not.

[Elan]

I'm conflicted about my attire... I have dress pants, a matching blazer and a nice shirt, so that's easy for me, but I'm kinda hesitant about heels.

I have some, that's not the problem (though they're not the most comfortable shoes I have - I just prefer flats in general), it's just that I'm so goddamn tall. I'm 1,82m/6' without any shoes, and the heels add another two to three inches. I already tower over people in my country, I imagine it'll be even worse with the embassy staff. On the other hand my best flats are men's shoes (because I also have enormous feet) and I think it's pretty obvious they're men's shoes.

Buying new flats unfortunately isn't really an option - enormous feet means next to no shoes (next to tennis shoes) that fit me in a price range I can afford. The men's shoes I mentioned were nearly 200 Euro, and that's outside my budget right now.

Any advice?

[AVN]

I'm conflicted about my attire... I have dress pants, a matching blazer and a nice shirt, so that's easy for me, but I'm kinda hesitant about heels.

I have some, that's not the problem (though they're not the most comfortable shoes I have - I just prefer flats in general), it's just that I'm so goddamn tall. I'm 1,82m/6' without any shoes, and the heels add another two to three inches. I already tower over people in my country, I imagine it'll be even worse with the embassy staff. On the other hand my best flats are men's shoes (because I also have enormous feet) and I think it's pretty obvious they're men's shoes.

Buying new flats unfortunately isn't really an option - enormous feet means next to no shoes (next to tennis shoes) that fit me in a price range I can afford. The men's shoes I mentioned were nearly 200 Euro, and that's outside my budget right now.

Any advice?

I think heels would be better than the men's shoes. You'll be sitting for most of the interview. Do you have kitten heels? Would those be affordable? My friend has large feet and knows some affordable sites that have larger sizes if you want some recommendations I could ask her?

[Elan]

I think heels would be better than the men's shoes. You'll be sitting for most of the interview. Do you have kitten heels? Would those be affordable? My friend has large feet and knows some affordable sites that have larger sizes if you want some recommendations I could ask her?

I only have five pairs of shoes, period, for obvious reasons

I'd appreciate that! Do you know whether they ship to Germany? I've got about three more weeks till my interview so I have a bit of time but I'll need to act quickly regardless.

[minnesconsin]

Hey everyone! Along the lines of "should I bring a change of clothes," I have to travel quite a ways to my interview in Chicago (3 hour bus ride from Madison, WI) and I don't want to wear my interview clothes on the bus in case they get really wrinkled. I'm really conflicted about it though because I'm not sure if there will be a place to keep a bag with extra clothes in it (receptionist area perhaps?) and I don't really want to carry a big bag in with me to the interview. Also, what are we supposed to do about winter coats? It will most likely be COLD up here (although we've had some unseasonably nice days) and I think I will need it for the bus ride/walking around downtown Chicago trying to find the consulate. Anybody have any advice? Any current JETs have a similar predicament? Thanks!

[merkypie]

Hey everyone! Along the lines of "should I bring a change of clothes," I have to travel quite a ways to my interview in Chicago (3 hour bus ride from Madison, WI) and I don't want to wear my interview clothes on the bus in case they get really wrinkled. I'm really conflicted about it though because I'm not sure if there will be a place to keep a bag with extra clothes in it (receptionist area perhaps?) and I don't really want to carry a big bag in with me to the interview. Also, what are we supposed to do about winter coats? It will most likely be COLD up here (although we've had some unseasonably nice days) and I think I will need it for the bus ride/walking around downtown Chicago trying to find the consulate. Anybody have any advice? Any current JETs have a similar predicament? Thanks!

I remember being flown to Minnesota from Florida for an interview and being flown back that same day (8 hours flying, overall). I didn't have time to switch my clothes so I wore the same interview clothes. The best advice, for me that time, was to put on my makeup once I got there. Fix up my hair and have a lint roller on me to get rid of any crumbs/dirt. Also, not running or moving a lot kept my suit from getting messed up.

When I flew up, I had a huge winter like... cape? With me and they took it from me to hang up during the interview. I totted that big thing with me to and from the airport though.

[minnesconsin]

Hey everyone! Along the lines of "should I bring a change of clothes," I have to travel quite a ways to my interview in Chicago (3 hour bus ride from Madison, WI) and I don't want to wear my interview clothes on the bus in case they get really wrinkled. I'm really conflicted about it though because I'm not sure if there will be a place to keep a bag with extra clothes in it (receptionist area perhaps?) and I don't really want to carry a big bag in with me to the interview. Also, what are we supposed to do about winter coats? It will most likely be COLD up here (although we've had some unseasonably nice days) and I think I will need it for the bus ride/walking around downtown Chicago trying to find the consulate. Anybody have any advice? Any current JETs have a similar predicament? Thanks!

I remember being flown to Minnesota from Florida for an interview and being flown back that same day (8 hours flying, overall). I didn't have time to switch my clothes so I wore the same interview clothes. The best advice, for me that time, was to put on my makeup once I got there. Fix up my hair and have a lint roller on me to get rid of any crumbs/dirt. Also, not running or moving a lot kept my suit from getting messed up.

When I flew up, I had a huge winter like... cape? With me and they took it from me to hang up during the interview. I totted that big thing with me to and from the airport though.

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Sorry you had to fly all the way from Florida to dreary Minnesota in one day... not fun I'm sure haha.
Did you carry any kind of purse with you? I'm not sure about how they feel about that either

[merkypie]

Hey everyone! Along the lines of "should I bring a change of clothes," I have to travel quite a ways to my interview in Chicago (3 hour bus ride from Madison, WI) and I don't want to wear my interview clothes on the bus in case they get really wrinkled. I'm really conflicted about it though because I'm not sure if there will be a place to keep a bag with extra clothes in it (receptionist area perhaps?) and I don't really want to carry a big bag in with me to the interview. Also, what are we supposed to do about winter coats? It will most likely be COLD up here (although we've had some unseasonably nice days) and I think I will need it for the bus ride/walking around downtown Chicago trying to find the consulate. Anybody have any advice? Any current JETs have a similar predicament? Thanks!

I remember being flown to Minnesota from Florida for an interview and being flown back that same day (8 hours flying, overall). I didn't have time to switch my clothes so I wore the same interview clothes. The best advice, for me that time, was to put on my makeup once I got there. Fix up my hair and have a lint roller on me to get rid of any crumbs/dirt. Also, not running or moving a lot kept my suit from getting messed up.

When I flew up, I had a huge winter like... cape? With me and they took it from me to hang up during the interview. I totted that big thing with me to and from the airport though.

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Sorry you had to fly all the way from Florida to dreary Minnesota in one day... not fun I'm sure haha.
Did you carry any kind of purse with you? I'm not sure about how they feel about that either

Hahaha, it was nice. I enjoyed it. It's totally different than Florida.

I did carry a purse with me. It had everything I needed (passport, identification, interview invitation, etc). Make sure your purse matches your outfit and it isn't so big. A moderate purse will work.

[Sendai_Momiji]

The office dress code here for women, especially in bigger cities/bigger offices is very strict and would seem old fashioned to most foreigners. You get about 3 colours of suits for women and even then you almost only see black. It's a non flattering blazer, a fitted, but not pencil, skirt knee length and a white non fitted, usually, white blouse with nylons. Sometimes I see women in pants but they're often not flattering either. That is what almost every female office worker in Japan I have ever seen wears. There are exceptions but when I think of offices in Canada it's crazy different...

THIS. And really the general modesty of Japan takes a little bit of getting used to. I have...ladies and they are quite bounteous which can create cleavage where none was intended to be. So that's something to keep in mind. Buying shirts that come up much higher than usual. Japanese women (when *I* was last there. Things could be different now.) loved to layer. I mean give them a little spaghetti strapped tank top, a scarf, and four sweaters and they are in heaven! They also love socks. I don't know why but they're just mad about strange, cute, fluffy, slouchy, any kind of sock.

And now that I'm done with my gross over generalizations about japanese women. I'm going suit shopping! I was thinking of getting a navy suit because I already have one black one (too small but that's for another thread) and a gray one (also too small and it has a stain on it). Since I need a new suit I was thinking navy might be the way to go but then I'd have to worry about the shoes.

Does anybody think a nude/beige-y colored pair of flats with a skirt suit combo be too fashion forward?

Somewhere Yohji Yamamoto is having a heart attack.