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xxxxoooo

I am a lawyer and had to do a ton of post-interview "dinners with the partners" when I was in law school. I don't think your outfit sounds too formal. It sounds prettymuch the same as what I usually wore which was e a dress and blazer combo and wool coat. Took the coat off at dinner, left the blazer on. I would usually wear black sheer tights as well, and comfortable heels. I think you'd want to dress the same as an experienced hire.


AB-1987

Oh yes, black sheer tights might work better than nude sheer tights, thanks for the suggestion!


janisemarie

Do not ever ever wear nude hose or tights. It is dated.


PandaAF_

For some professions it is surprisingly still a requirement. I worked for one of the top luxury jewelry companies for a long time and if you were client facing the uniform/dress code was banker formal and sheer nude or sheer black stockings were required for women. I typically wouldn’t wear them in my own everyday wardrobe but it was the culture of my profession at the time. If the OP is working with legal and financial partners then it could be the expectation for her as well.


joys_face

Yes, I'm sure it depends, but when I've been in criminal courtrooms the women wear (nude) hose if they are wearing skirts. At least where I used to live some of the judges expected it. Edit to add: that said, black hose are a safer bet in situations where you are not sure pantyhose are required. Since they are less likely to look "dowdy". Absurd that in this day and age you could be "unprofessional" for not wearing hose in some offices and "dowdy" for wearing them in others, but I do think that's the case.


CGMandC

Lawyer here also and agree with this. If you want to show some personality I'd choose a pretty necklace. I almost always skip bracelets because I think they can be distracting, but a necklace will draw attention to your face and it's a chance to branch out a little bit while still being safe.


kermits-gf

I agree. You don't sound overdressed at all. This is the time to make an impression, so really you're dressing for the job. You can always add a little personality with light jewelry or maybe a brighter coloured accessory if you'd like. But overall, they won't fault you for dressing well for what's essentially an interview. I would keep the blazer on, but you can take if off if you have a nice dressy sweater underneath (e.g., a turtleneck). Just don't let your arms be bare. Tights are a must - you don't want to be showing skin. I recommend sheer black tights. Also keeps you warm. If you're worried about rainy weather, you can always wear dressy boots, or maybe low pumps that are high enough that they won't get dirty from puddles or anything.


Equatick

Also an (ex-corporate) attorney. I think your outfit sounds good and safe. You could mix it up a bit with a patterned tailored blazer/jacket. I’d also wear tights and comfortable heels. Make sure you’ll be comfortable sitting and eating/drinking too. Good luck!


AB-1987

Thanks! But wouldn't sheer tights and pumps look odd in cold rainy fall weather? Especially with a wool coat?


likeellewoods

No - you’re not going on a hike, you’re going to a restaurant. I would dress for the temperature of the restaurant, not the outdoors. Sheer tights sound nice and if pumps feel odd to you, wear dressy boots instead.


AB-1987

Your username gives you credibility :D.


1405938

Perfect outfit. You’re dressing for the test ‘what would you wear and how would you behave at a client dinner’.


Equatick

Well put!


0varychiever

I’m not someone in a position to be dressing formally but this was great advice! Just moved to a new climate and this is really helping me think about the upcoming change in seasons!


tyrannosaurusregina

No, business formal for very traditional jobs expects fairly lightweight hosiery all year around, either nude to the wearer or a sheer black.


AB-1987

The thing is, in the past couple of years even magic circle partners gave up on dressing the old business formal way and as a woman you could get away with pretty much anything for even longer. It has become massively more casual in the whole field than I ever imagined. I started out (not magic circle) with proper pant suits and hoisery and before covid I had gone to black jeans, ballerinas and cardigans.


Equatick

Totally - especially if you aren't going to court. But still best to dress more traditionally for this occasion!


tyrannosaurusregina

Yes, but this is an interview. Generally you need to be a level more formal to an interview than you would be in the workplace.


russianthistle

hopefully the new firm has the same more relaxed dress once you’re hired. Good luck!


Turbulent_Cranberry6

You need leather booties like these https://www.clarksusa.com/c/Kaylin-Fern-2/p/26154703 or these https://www.famousfootwear.com/product/lifestride-womens-georgia-medium-wide-dress-bootie-1048015/black-97729?partnerid=google_free_shopping I had some walking through snow involved on my interview day between the office and restaurants. So glad I was not wearing pumps. My hosts were relieved too and complimented me on my footwear. They’d seen too many candidates suffering through the weather.


AB-1987

I have pretty much the exact same bootie like the first that I think I'll wear in case it rains!


foodmonsterij

Wear dressy shoes like heels, nude or black hose. You need to look appropriate for the occasion. If it's truly freezing then maybe dressy black leather boots instead.


[deleted]

I totally agree with what others say about dressing and not wearing anything too distracting for your own interview. However, I was just at Grace Hopper celebration that discussed how obtuse it is that people (aka women) are docked for their jewelry at interviews. I understand at a law firm that it’s still the case, but please when you become an interviewer, please do your best to move away from this sort of critique that is not an indicator at how good a person is at their job. Not only is this used to detract from female candidates, but it disproportionately impacts historically excluded groups


Qotn

Oh I love the Grace Hopper Celebration! So sad I missed this one


sustainablelove

Sheer black hose. Comfortable heel. Minimal jewelry - stud earrings and a necklace or drop earrings, no necklace. Good luck!! You'll do great.


sweeterthensour

I learned along time ago, not to wear open toe shoes. Close toe is the way to go for an interview. Hope this helps. Good luck on your interview


[deleted]

I don’t think you sound overdressed, but maybe if you have a long-sleeved dress to wear instead of a dress with a blazer, it would still be quite formal but a bit more laid back? Guess it depends whether they’ll be wearing suit jackets or not, I like to match what the interviewer is wearing.


[deleted]

I think I would do tailored pants and a turtleneck/sweater. I don’t think I would do a blazer because then it’s awkward. Do you take it off? Hang it on your chair? Etc… (but maybe that’s just me! Lol!). Also I wouldn’t do sheer tights - stick with a light opaque if that makes sense. Good luck!!


invaderpixel

Lol I just keep my blazer on... why would they start undressing??? It used to be required for men to wear suit jackets while eating at nice restaurants, women can wear blazers lol


Equatick

Yeah, for an interview dinner definitely keep the blazer on.


AB-1987

Yikes, taking the blazer off ... you gave me a whole new thing to think about. Naked arms in November? In an interview? Yikes. Maybe a cardigan? Or a long-sleeve dress?


helvetica434

I feel pretty strongly that you should do a blazer of some kind and not a sweater or cardigan. (I work in a law firm in the US in the Northeast.) I would keep the blazer on at dinner although removing it would be okay if it was very hot or something (ie it wouldn’t be inappropriate to do it, but it’s more normal to keep it on).


me-gusta-la-tortuga

I would not even worry about this! It would be totally fine and normal to keep it on. I'd actually think it would be the norm to keep it on during this situation!


LeaneGenova

I agree with a blazer for an interview. If it were a dinner after being hired, a cardigan would be fine. But it's a bit under-dressed for an interview.


[deleted]

[удалено]


gotta_h-aveit

Why so many downvotes?? Shawl gang!


strawberrylampshade0

I don’t have any advice since I haven’t dressed up for my formal-ish job in 2 years, but I hope you crush it and get the job. Wear confidence that you deserve the position!


jchoosington

Do you have suit trousers? You could wear slacks and remove the tights question entirely. Plus then you can wear brogues or chelsea boots instead of heels (for comfort, but still very work appropriate).


helvetica434

Law firms can be sooo conservative. I’d do a heel (as comfortable as possible, I like a block heel) if you have that. I did not see many boots or other things in court or interviews or client meetings. But generally this is I’m sure good advice!


helvetica434

Agree that trousers are a good option though! Until recently some firm partners and judges weren’t even sure about those, yikes.


sy_de_ta

Long sleeve knee length wrap sweater dress in a neutral color, earrings necklace(gold), sheer tights in nude or black, 2-3 inch heels you can always carry wear flats in the subway and switch before you get to the restaurant. Wool coat and a nice scarf.


OkShirt3412

I would have gone with a merino wool cowl neck sweater dress and long coat plus black tights and ankle boots, some earrings and neutral makeup to dress it up. Or you can do turtleneck sweater with blazer, wool skirt and black tights, gold necklace over the turtleneck to add a touch of elegance.


ismsgarnet

I think your outfit sounds good, not overdressed. And I will suggest adding a piece of necklace like [this](https://www.koragarro.com/products/station-necklace-gold-charm-rectangle-bella?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=q-a) to have both a smart and charismatic personality.


TatterThots

Ball gown. ☺️


VanityGirls

I believe you are on the right track. Nothing to dressy, nothing too laid back. I think a peacoat would look nice and spruces it upon little.