The Color:
Women have more room for creativity in this area than men do, but also more room for mistakes. A woman's interview wardrobe need no longer be simply a pseudo-male selection of drab blue or gray, but it also shouldn't be pastel or very brightly colored. Good colors to wear for women are gray, dark brown, dark blue, dark green, or black.
The Style:
While men are usually limited to either solid or pinstripe suits, a woman can add to this list the varied category of plaids and patterns. Dresses with a matching jacket are an acceptable alternative to a suit. A dress without a jacket is not the best choice. The jacket makes an important statement for a woman.
The Material:
Wool and linen are both accepted as the right look for professional women's suits, but there is a problem. Linen wrinkles so quickly that you may feel as though you leave the house dressed for success and arrive at your destination destined for bag-ladyhood. Cotton-polyester blends are great for warm climates: They look like linen but lack the "wrinklability" factor. Combinations of synthetics and natural fabrics do have their advantages: suits made of such material will certainly retain their shape better. The choice is up to you; if you do opt for natural fabrics, you will probably want to stay with wool. It provides the smartest look of all, and is the most versatile and rugged. Be sure not to buy cheap polyester blend suits, they won't last and the cut will not look expensive.
The Pants:
Pants suits for interview are now acceptable, although certainly not preferable, as long as they are cut to the right length. Get the pants hemmed to match the shoes you will be wearing. Make sure the hem of the pants don't get caught in the back of you shoe as you walk, don't get stepped on, or aren't too short. Generally above mid ankle is too short.
The Skirt:
How long a skirt should you wear? Any hard-and-fast rule I could offer here would be in danger of being outdated almost immediately, as the fashion industry demands dramatically different looks every season in order to fuel sales. (After all, keeping the same hem lines would mean that last season's clothes could last another season or two!) In general it is best to stay knee length or below! Make sure you can sit down in comfort without having the skirt soar up! You want the interviewing to be concentrating on your brain, not your looks!!
The picture on the left shows you a skirt that is too high above the knees. The picture on the right shows you the SHORTEST acceptable skirt length for a suit.
The Style:
High neck or jewel neck blouses are the best choice. Stay away from scoop neck or V-neck blouses. Long sleeves will project the authoritative, professional look you desire. Three-quarter length sleeves are less desirable and they are followed in turn by short sleeves. Never wear a sleeveless blouse to an interview! (You may be confident that there is no chance that you will have to take off your jacket, but why take the risk?)
The Color:
The acceptable color spectrum for blouses is wider than that for men's dress shirts, but not limitless. The most prudent choice is still white or cream which offer universal professional appeal. However, the appropriate color depends on the individual suit. For example an emerald green suit with black trim might look best with a black blouse. Either way, stick with a solid color.
The Material:
Natural fiber (particularly cotton and silk) are the best selections for blouses. If the blouse is cotton have it starched professionally at the cleaners. Some of the better synthetic blends resemble silk and are also appropriate.
Jewelry should be simple and not chunky. A simple string of pearls or gold necklace is good. A scarf is also appropriate, but a good outfit can be ruined by a cheap looking scarf. Opting to wear a scarf means that the scarf will be saying something dramatic about you: make sure it is something positive, that it is tied well and that you feel comfortable. Otherwise skip the scarf! A pure silk scarf will offer a conservative look, a good finish and ease in tying. Although, some of the better synthetic blends achieve an overall effect that is almost as good.
The color:
Female applicants have a greater color selection in footwear than do their male counterparts. A woman is always safe wearing black shoes, but navy or burgundy are also all right. The color of the shoes should always be darker than the outfit or match the color of the outfit. It is safest to stay away from faddish or multicolored shoes (even such classics as two-toned oxfords). There are two reasons for this: First, all fashion is transitory and even if you're up to date, you cannot assume that your interviewer is; second, many interviewers are male and thus likely to exhibit an inability to appreciate color combinations. As with the rest of your wardrobe, stay away from radical choices and opt for the easily comprehensible professional look.
The Style:
Heel height is also very important. Flats, a shoe with a heel of up to 1.5", are perfectly acceptable. Stay away from HIGH heels: at best you will wobble slightly and at worst you will walk at an angle. Unless you're an Olympic ski jumper, it's hard to maintain an "in control" image when you are tipped forward at a forty-five degree angle! The exception to the rule is if you are a short woman. If you are short, then buy a pair of heels ahead of time and practice walking in them a lot! The pump or court shoe, with its' closed toe and heel, is the safest and most conservative look. NEVER wear open toe or open heel shoes to an interview.
The shoes below are an example of what not to wear because the strap and heel both do not give a professional look.
Your stockings or pantyhose should not make a statement of their own! Select neutral skin tones in most cases. Taupe or a similar darker shade is the best choice. Avoid loud or glittery colors that get looks. White or cream colored hoses are best left for after you have the job. A bold black is out entirely. Did you know that some men are bothered by colored pantyhose? Why risk the interview over something like that? Once you have the job you can wear any colors you feel are appropriate. Hint: pantyhose and stockings are prone to tearing at just the wrong time so keep an extra pair in your car or briefcase just in case.
Accessories:
An expensive black or burgundy leather portfolio is an excellent choice for the female applicant. Consider not bringing your purse and portfolio to the interview, you'll have a hard time juggling the two. Instead transfer essential items to a small clutch bag you can store them in the portfolio. Remember, be sure to include copies of your resume in your portfolio in case you are asked for a copy of it.
Jewelry:
As far as jewelry goes, less is more. Gaudy or too much jewelry is considered unprofessional. A woman should restrict rings to engagement or wedding rings if they're applicable, but she can wear a necklace and earrings as long as they're subdued and professional looking. In addition, a single bracelet on the woman's wrist is acceptable: anything around the ankle is not. REMEMBER TOO MUCH JEWELRY CAN KEEP A WOMAN FROM RECEIVING AN OFFER SHE MIGHT OTHERWISE RECEIVE. It can also inhibit promotional chances once hired. If you have multiple earrings in one ear, it is wise to remove the extras before the interview. After you get the job you can find out what kind of jewelry is appropriate at your company.
Makeup:
The bad thing about being a guy is that they get up in the morning and that is the best they will ever look!(Just kidding Guys!). Fortunately women have makeup to help mother nature out. Natural is the key word when it comes to makeup, be sure not to appear overly made-up. Do not go heavy on the lipstick or the eye makeup.
Perfume:
Use perfume sparingly!! Some people are allergic to it and some others just don't like it.
Nails:
Clear polish or a french manicure are the best. Many men are affected by colored nails, so don't take the risk.