Check out the magic that is Isabel Marant pour H&M launching today in stores and online. I’ve been loving this scarf from the collection; it’s versatile enough to snuggle up in on a cozy Saturday but also can be worn more formally as pictured here. I just fold the over-sized square scarf diagonally and wear it as a belted shawl at the office. You can check out this scarf and the rest of the Isabel Marant collection today at H&M!
I feel like there’s something about this outfit that would make Ron Burgundy proud. Although, there’s not much for pleating in the pants. Oh well. Brick Tamland would be on board at least. Happy Wednesday!
I‘ve received many requests to do a post on interview attire, so today I thought I’d share some quick tips. As a rule, when it comes to your interview look, keep it sleek and simple. Once you get the job, you’ll have the opportunity to evaluate your new work environment and adapt accordingly. Interview day is not the day to “get creative” or show your prospective employer your “fun personality” by wearing that crimson jumpsuit or those studded leather booties that look like something out of a medieval torture chamber. Nothing ends an interview faster than subconsciously equating yourself to the iron maiden.While proper interview attire varies widely across industries, you should always err on the more formal side. However, this does not mean it’s time to bust out your prom dress and fake eyelashes. Step awayyyy from the sequined accent nails, people. We’re talking business formal, so keep it clean and polished. Overall, you want to be comfortable in what you’re wearing so that you exude confidence and convey the message that you spent more time researching the position and preparing for the interview than you did on your make-up and accessories.
Make sure your clothes fit you well. I know, this is groundbreaking advice. However, whether you’re wearing a pants suit, skirt suit, or a sheath dress with a jacket (like I am in today’s post) pay close attention to both the vertical and horizontal lines. Make sure nothing is too tight or too short (read: Combatting the Slut Factor), but also don’t overcorrect. Wearing things that are too big and baggy make you look sloppy. The goal is to find the happy medium and invest in a suit that fits you well. If you don’t wear well-fitting, appropriate clothing, you’re going to distract the interviewer from focusing on all the mind-blowingly brilliant things you have to say.
Whether you go with flats or heels, make sure they’re polished and simple. You don’t want to sport anything that’s dull, worn, or scratched. No need to have them questioning whether you were recently in a knife fight. And as mentioned, this is not the time to go hog-wild with trendy ankle boots or your strappy designer stilettos. Aside from the slut factor, it seems that 90% of women can’t walk properly in the sky-highs anyway. A major goal of yours upon entrance to the interview should be to give your prospective employer the impression that you do not have a drinking problem. So, make sure your footwear is both appropriate (shoot for 3-inch heels) and comfortable, allowing you to walk like a normal human. If your interviewer is forced to evaluate whether you’re either drunk or just wearing outrageously impractical footwear, they’re probably going to move on to the next applicant. Because in the words of Sweet Brown, ain’t nobody got time for that.
I’m no beauty expert, but when it comes to interviews, stick to the same rule of thumb: sleek and simple. If you have long hair (like me), it’s generally a good idea to wear it back. Regardless of length, you want to appear well-groomed and put-together, without anything falling constantly in your face.For your nails, either go with clean nails or a neutral nail polish–no accent nails, glitter or metallics. As discussed in a prior post, you don’t want your interviewer to be distracted by the possibility of radiation poisoning due to exposure to nails that may or may not be dipped in uranium. If Carrie Mathison in Homeland has taught me anything, it’s that NO ONE IS SAFE. But that’s an entirely different conversation.As for make-up–you guessed it–clean and simple. Shoot for a polished, minimal look. No thick eye liner, dramatic eye shadow or crimson lipstick. This is just not the venue.
Again, nothing too trendy or distracting. If you wear jewelry, keep it conservative, delicate and relatively classic. No huge bangles or dangle earrings. Leave your “Bite Me” necklace at home. …I think I should end every post that way from now on. “Leave your ‘Bite Me’ necklace at home.” It kind of has a nice ring to it.Keep it classy, people. Happy Monday!
I have to take a moment to give a huge thanks to so many amazing readers from all corners of the globe that have reached out with incredibly sweet sentiments, helpful thoughts and great ideas through comments and emails. I’ve been amazed by the response from professional women across all industries and geographies and thrilled that so many have expressed that this blog has been helpful in some small way.
As I’ve gotten to know more of you, I’ve done my best to offer widely varying ensembles that would “work” in a number of different workplaces. In doing so, my hope is to reach more than just those women who find themselves in an office environment identical to my own by offering a depth and breadth of office style options and inspiration that span a multitude of professional environments. I try to stay cognizant of the fact that it is impossible to offer a “one style fits all” guide when my readers range from school teachers in Florida to lawyers in Romania to technology entrepreneurs in Seattle to fashion merchandisers in Paris.
Today’s ensemble, for example, is much more trendy and fashion-forward than other outfits I’ve posted which offer a more conservative look (like this one, this one, this one or this one). If, for example, you work in a conservative government office or a law firm, today’s ensemble may not be for you. If, however, you work in a more creative fashion-forward environment, this might be right up your alley.
As I’ve written many times, it’s critical to be really thoughtful in evaluating your own office environment to determine what is appropriate for you. Unfortunately, there’s no hard and fast set of rules that can apply across all professions and locations (except of course for my Top 10 Cubicle Crimes). I personally get great inspiration from other bloggers who live in different geographical areas, lead different lifestyles, and have radically different body types from my own. To me, the point of this and any blog is simply to offer ideas and (hopefully) inspiration that may be helpful to you in facing off with your own sartorial challenges.
When an outfit post speaks to you and your work environment or lifestyle, you may look to literally replicate the garments and how they’re styled in the post. When the outfit post does not align with your professional or personal style, it may mean that you take color combinations, textures and/or silhouettes and style them in a totally unique way.
So while one day’s post may be too colorful, too boring, too trendy or too conservative for your particular office, perhaps the next day’s post will be just for you. Having the opportunity to offer office style ideas to such a huge variety of working women has made this blog all the more challenging and infinitely more rewarding for me.
So, thank you for all of the amazing ideas, support, and inspiration you’ve given me… and thanks so much for following along. It means the world.
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That concludes this week’s episode of Mary Rambles Endlessly About Stuff You Probably Don’t Care About. Stay tuned for next week’s episode.
I’m now going to go eat the obscene mountain of Chicken Pad Thai that was just delivered to my apartment…
I’m no beauty expert, but when it comes to interviews, stick to the same rule of thumb: sleek and simple. If you have long hair (like me), it’s generally a good idea to wear it back. Regardless of length, you want to appear well-groomed and put-together, without anything falling constantly in your face.For your nails, either go with clean nails or a neutral nail polish–no accent nails, glitter or metallics. As discussed in a prior post, you don’t want your interviewer to be distracted by the possibility of radiation poisoning due to exposure to nails that may or may not be dipped in uranium. If Carrie Mathison in Homeland has taught me anything, it’s that NO ONE IS SAFE. But that’s an entirely different conversation.As for make-up–you guessed it–clean and simple. Shoot for a polished, minimal look. No thick eye liner, dramatic eye shadow or crimson lipstick. This is just not the venue. 
