The Search for an Interview Suit

Despite accidentally buying shoes, the real shopping mission of this weekend has been finding an interview suit. All I want is something that doesn't make me look like I'm dressing up in my mom's clothes, which you'd think would be easy enough. But I went up and down Broadway and 5th Avenue, and have had barely any luck. My ideal interview suit would be a nice blazer with a matching skirt (I'm thinking navy or grey, because black makes you completely indistinguishable from every other applicant), and then a top in some bright, fun color that I can also match with my other work clothes. I really liked the suit Rachel Greene (Mark Greene's daughter) wore on the series finale of ER, although I can't find a full body shot of her. Her suit had pants instead of a skirt (probably smart in a hospital), but she looked very adult and competent, not at all like the spoiled brat we all wished would get crushed under an ambulance in the earlier seasons.

But every time I found a blazer that looked good, there wasn't a matching skirt, and when I found a good skirt, there wasn't a matching blazer. Do I need a blazer, really? It is late May, so it's humid as hell and I'm pretty sure my interviewer will not be wearing a jacket. And it's not like I'm applying for jobs on Wall Street; I'm trying to go into a more creative industry, although it's still one composed of huge corporations and HR departments. Also, a blazer will cover up the giant bruises I have on my left arm (I was running for the subway and the doors closed on me, twice, when I wasn't all the way inside. It hurt something fierce and now my arm looks like Rihanna's face, post-Chris Brown).

I did find a few pencil skirts I really liked, though, and I think I might bring them to Macy's tomorrow and see if I can find a jacket to match. The first skirt I bought is the Cotton High-Waist Pencil Skirt in marine, $59.50, at Express. It makes me feel like a leggy Mad Men-era secretary--someone who knows how to play up her curves, like Joan, but also has the brains to earn her own office and title, like Peggy. I like how this model added a thick belt to the skirt, although I always feel that's a bit of a gamble when the skirt doesn't have belt loops to keep it in place. I really adore this skirt, but I'm worried that it'll be impossible to find a jacket in the same color--it's just a touch more vibrant than your everyday navy. Express is totally falling asleep on the job by not making anything that matches this, by the way. What I really want to wear with this skirt is a marigold-colored top, maybe with some embroidery or beading or other fun detail along the neckline. Something in this color (this is actually a t-shirt dress for J.Crew kids, but we'll ignore that).

I bought a more basic black skirt (with some fun button details on the hips) from H&M, so that'll be my back-up if I can't find anything to wear with the navy skirt. But the skirt I wanted to buy, but didn't, is a bit more exciting (as far as work skirts go, at least). From Ann Taylor Loft, that venerable institution of grown-ups clothes, this Two-Button Denim Oxford Skirt, $54.50, is way cuter in person than in this photo. On me, it looks kicky and nautical and preppy-hot, but still very professional and mature enough for work. The buttons, in particular, add a bit of glitz to the subdued dark stretch denim fabric. And, just to be clear, it's not a jean skirt! It may be denim fabric, but it's nothing like those cut-off jean miniskirts that you wore on the boardwalk (if you grew up in Grease, that is). Oooh, and it also has pockets, which we all know is always a plus.

So I loved it when I tried it on, but I also knew that if Ann Taylor Loft didn't have a matching jacket (and I couldn't find one), then I would never find a blazer in the same fabric and with similar buttons. And it would be great on its own, but this was not a "buy any old cute skirt" shopping trip; I tried to stay focus on the Interview Suit quest. Wish me more success when I try again tomorrow!

Express Dresses

My sister commented the other day that I tend not to feature Express much on this blog, which is true. I used to shop (at least going in there to check out the accessories when I was already at the mall, if not to buy anything) at Express, when I was in late middle school and early high school. I think that I thought Express would had the sort of clothing I would be wearing as an adult, which has turned out to be totally untrue. I'm not sure the quality of design usually justifies the price, and the pieces seem to be way more difficult to wear than your average top or dress from the Gap. Also, I'm totally unable to distinguish Express from the Limited.

But that doesn't mean that I'm categorically opposed to Express, so when two people commented on Express's cute party dresses, I knew I had to check it out. And I'm pretty impressed with what I've found! I might even have to go into stores next weekend to check the merchandise out myself. Also, all these dresses are buy one get one half off, which is not a bad deal.

The Strappy Tiered Lace Dress, $128, is perfect for those holiday parties that you're going to single but don't want to leave alone. In other words, it's a bit slutty, but way hot. The sweetheart neckline and empire waist will make your décolletage look incredible, and the very bare back adds extra drama. And yet, there's something sweetly girly about the metallic floral lace and layers of ruffles-- sort of like you're the present at a young goth girl's birthday party (I know, I'm reaching). Also, this dress reminds me of some commercial (for deodorant? A gym?) where a woman with a Jada Pinkett-Smith look goes to her high school reunion and is so fabulous looking that her former high school sweetheart does a double-take. Actually, I think it's Mastercard-- something like, "Manicure: $20. Strappy heels: $150. The look on his face? Priceless." Anyway, this looks like the dress she wears in that commercial.


The Silk Chiffon Rose Dress, $128, is a more abstract take on ruffles. Available in electric blue or basic black, this fluttery dress would make it more fun to both dance and walk over subway grates. The assymmetrical rose-type gathering on the bust reminds me of something Anthropologie would do, and you'd definitely have to bring you rconfidence to pull off this dress (I suspect, due to the tiers, that a small or boyish frame would also help). It's a romantic dress that's both soft and fashion-forward; I can imagine wearing it under a cardigan or blazer for work, and then shedding the top layer when the office holiday party begins.


There's is no better time to wear something covered in sequins than holiday time. You wear something like this high-waist sequin skirt, $98, in April, and you're a total fashion victim. You wear this in December, and you are by far the most fabulous person in the land (after Santa, of course). I love how they updated the classic pencil skirt shape by dousing it in sparkles-- it'll make you look even shapelier and legger than a normal pencil skirt, because no one will be able to look away from your banging hourglass figure. The con would be that this dress is so memorable that you'd only be able to wear it once or twice a season; but I think it would hold up for multiple years. Also, you could probably put together a great Studio 54 Halloween costume with this skirt.

I can decide which styling of the Long V-Neck Sweater, $49.50, I like better: with the skinny metallic belt, $29.50 or long shimmer scarf, $22.50. This basic sweater dress (is it long enough to be a dress? I hope so, because I forbid everyone from wearing it with leggings, but as Blair Waldorf so eloquently stated, "tights are pants!") comes in eight gorgeous colors and a sexy V-neck shape (and pockets!). There are countless ways to accessorize this sweater dress, and I want to wear it all winter.

And finally, this is why I usually don't shop at Express: They sell cougar clothes.

Printed Satin Cami, $29.99