You’re having dinner with a hot shot medical practice after your husband’s job interview tomorrow and you still have no idea what to wear. How can you possibly compete with the other wives, who have already enjoyed years, if not decades, of attending salaries? If only there was a guide on “How To Dress For Fancy Dinners While $200K In Debt ” Even if you do have an emergency stash, can you use it if your last evening outfit was purchased five years and three pregnancies ago? It’s always easy for the man, just slap on a suit, shirt and tie (which you have already picked out for him). A woman’s freedom to choose in fashion can make it harder to put an appropriate outfit together. She has a number of options – pants or skirt, dress or separates. No wonder we often get paralyzed by the thought of what to wear.
First, start with a deep breath – and perhaps a hot bath and a cup of chamomile tea. Then go through your closet and determine what fits and what’s in wearable condition. (If you have at least one business day at your disposal and a friendly dry cleaner nearby, you have more leeway with “wearable condition.”) Since your husband will be in a suit, you’ll need something of similar stature. Here are a few ideas to get you through both casual daytime events and more formal evening functions without breaking the bank.
Evening Options
The first outfit is fun, modern and feminine. If the material has a sparkle, it can take ordinary pieces from day to night. An A-line skirt is flattering to most figures and is a great way to show off a nice pair of legs while slimming hips and thighs. A short sleeve sweater is a great alternative to a clingy silk top because it hides and smooths any unsightly bulges. Ideally, it should be thin enough to drape the body and not add any additional bulk. Choose a neckline you’re comfortable in -the turtleneck is great for slimming and elongating the neck but a v-neck is great for showing off stellar cleavage. Colors are secondary and can be any flattering shade.
The second outfit is also fun and modern but has a more structural feel given by the black pants. A well made, fitting pair of black pants is a great investment that will last you years with the right care. A perfect pair of pants would be made of very thin wool with just a hint of a stretch, fully lined and hemmed to your height. They should sit at the belly button or slightly below, be fitted through the hip and then fall straight through the leg. A pair with a bootleg, too high or low rise, cuffs on the bottom or pleated on top will look aged soon if it doesn’t already. Any sort of lines or patterns will make the pants to daytime looking and will be harder to pull off at night. In order to lighten up a pair of structured pants, pair them with a flirty, silky top in a light (but not too pastel) color. Stay away from a heavy or cotton fabric at night, as they can look too stuffy for evening.
If you live or are interviewing in a colder climate, you may want something more substantial and warm. The same pair of black pants can be paired with an intricate sweater. A deep v-neck and lace-mimicking pattern give it an elegant evening out look. Pair it with some sparkly earring or bangle bracelet and you’re set. For more conservative look, go for a black beaded sweater. The beads reflect the light without making you look like a Vegas dancer. An all black outfit slims the entire figure and makes you appear taller. While open toe strappy sandals are a great way to take an outfit up a notch, in a cold climate you could opt for shoes or even boots (but only with pants). Make sure that the pair you choose has a skinny heel as high as you can walk in comfortably and are very fitted to your foot (no loafers), Think sexy.
A Word on Accessories
When planning your interview wardrobe, try to remember the first rule of accessories: Birkenstocks are not shoes and a diaper bag is not a purse. Ideally an evening bag should be only large enough to hold lipstick, powder and a tissue. The clutches pictured in this article look chic with any outfit from evening dress to jeans. If buying two new purses is not in the budget, choose one that can serve both functions. Make sure that it’s at least half the size of your diaper bag and matches your outfit. Stay away from a brown bag if you’re wearing navy or a black one if you have a brown jacket.
Purses can be easily borrowed from a friend or family member since fit isn’t an issue. If money is tight, save it for shoes over purses. When choosing the right shoe, think of the women from Sex and The City. Which pair would they go with? Would they frown upon your choice or cheer you on? The right shoes can brighten up even the most sensible outfit. In the colder climates, invest into a killer pair of tall boots (in either suede or very soft leather). If you get them in half a size bigger, they can be worn with thin wool or cotton knee-nigh socks or with pantyhose (with an insole).
Your accessories should compliment the outfit not trample it. If the outfit is simple (monochromatic, without embellishments of any kind, etc.), your accessories can be wild– a pair of hoops or chandelier earrings, a cocktail ring or a bold necklace. The more elaborate the outfit (metallic material, lace, beaded or embroidered top, etc.), the simpler your accessories should be. A pair of studs or small hoops and your engagement/wedding rings should be enough.
A final words of advice: Err on the side of simplicity. If you don’t feel comfortable in a skirt or don’t know how to pull off a lace top without too much exposure, skip both. A simple outfit on a confident woman will always look better than a couture number on a fretting one.