What NOT to Wear: Fashion Job Interview

yesterday i went to a (fashion) job interview and the girl walking in after my interview was wearing jean shorts. sorry, but in my book that is a no no. i feel like, it's an honor to be considered for a position (you really want) and respectful to wear a office chic somewhat formal attire. yes, the company is laid back, loves prints, eclectic, from New York, and young - but shorts...really!? i'm not telling you to wear boring black trousers and a white long sleeved top. but you can certainly, go for a Jenna Lyons look. slimmed trousers, casual summer blazer, striped boyfriend tee and loafers. idk? mix it up. it's fashion. you can have fun but not be lazy about it. i also know it's relatively hot in NY right now - but i just can't. whatever happened to "dress to impress" or "dress for the job you want and not have"? therefore, here are some samples of jean short looks NOT to wear for a job interview (well according to me). and here are some samples of looks (featuring Jenna Lyons) you can try for your next fashion job / internship interview.

Jenna Lyons - J CREW

Jenna Lyons - J CREW

Jenna Lyons - J CREW

ThrowBack: 80s Power Suit

Photo Via: Who What Wear

Photo Via: streetfsn or jak and jil

Photo Via: ELLE Sweden

Photo Via: "Head To Toe" - Blogger, Atlantic Pacific. She is wearing RED Valentino.

ever heard of the term "power dressing"? it stems from the 1980s working woman who started hustlin' and dressin' to get ahead in the game....seen the movie, "Working Girl"? designers like Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan and Anne Klein made it happen and the 80s woman splurged on sharp "matchy/mactchy" blazers, pantsuits or midi skirts, which eventually led to striped and softer power suits due to Madonna's "Blond Ambition" era and don't even get me started on Ally McBeal...a show my sister still watches! at this time, my sister was a newlywed and her whole team and company was all male (i remember because she had to babysit me and take me to work). her closet back then was jam packed with a colorful array of fuchsia  dark red, black, pin striped, gray, lily, purple, navy blue, light blue, olive green, cream, yellow, white, baby pink and many more power suits that differentiated her from the rest and lead her to bigger roles. till this day, she still has them (well not ALL of them) and I can tell she found them at Macy's. 

little by little i've been vintage browsing her closet for blazers or adding tailored trousers to my everyday look and now, the whole look is making a comeback! except now in floral, bolder stripes, palm prints, animal print, all prints, and with shorts! simply wear a crisp white bottom down, button it up all the way, add a bow tie if you like, pintate la boca (literally: paint your mouth) as my mom says, throw on leopard or silver pumps, pick up your tote and don't forget your i-phone! 

my favorite example of power dressing is Hillary Clinton, I saw the picture below over a month ago and thought, is power dressing really dead? So, I started cleaning up my interview look and felt a lot more confident. I felt a little too confident, that I started trying on blazers completely out of my budget around the Meatpacking district at DVF, Alice+Olivia and had a pricey but delicious lunch at Pastis.

So thank you, Bianca Jagger, YSL, Giorgio Armani, Hillary Clinton and Coco Chanel for the original crisp power suits but ... I'm kinda obsessed with the spunky, Jenna Lyons (J. Crew) working girl look. 

But I'll never forget,

DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT NOT THE JOB YOU HAVE.

"Wall Street may be 95 percent men, but don't dress like one. But don't dress like a girly-girl either." - @marieclaire

    

Inspiring: J. Crew 2013

Inspiring: J Crew Holiday 2012

 

Yes, I am subscribed to J Crew. Seriously who would have thought I'd fall so deeply in love with J Crew? Perhaps it was Jenna Lyons.

The mix and match of glitter, plaid, bow ties, bold bright jewelry, and jeans just does it for me.

Add some unique pumps, over the shoulders blazer and black framed glasses - you've been Jenna'd.

Not only I am looking at J Crew and Jenna for some holiday inspiration but everyday work and job interview inspirations. It's classy, comfortable and fun.

I Want: J. Crew Fall 2012 LookBook

Never in my life did I ever think I'd shop at J Crew ... that's until I moved to NYC, walked by their windows everyday and virtually met Jenna Lyons, Creative Director of J. Crew - fearless, sharp, and a mixologist.

Their Fall 2012 lookbook knowingly showcases her style and influence to the brand - and is definitely a brand I am growing to love. Plus, they collaborated with Manolo Blahnik this season, very NICE! Can't wait to get my hands on those printed trousers!

Check out more looks here ---> Refinery 29