When I was in law school, I interviewed at a number of firms for work as a summer associate. Like my peers, I bought a suit for this purpose.
I found a beautiful wool crepe suit: very classic, with a pencil skirt and a bias-cut, funnel-neck jacket trimmed with elegant, slightly oversized, dark horn buttons. I showed it to a couple of friends, who agreed that it was very stylish. Then one of them said, haltingly, Is it supposed to be orange?
That’s right! The Directrice bought an orange interview suit. Don’t put your head in your hands. The suit was a deep pumpkin color. We dubbed it the Smashing Pumpkin Suit and everything turned out fine.
I’m not crazy about orange, but it’s a flattering color for me and thusly I have a number of orange things in my closet.
The newest is this beautifully draped dress by Jil Sander.
Directrice360™ shows the draping from every angle. This dress is made of a heavy fabric that folds and holds shapes beautifully. Clever seaming gets the assist.
The dress is made of heavy fabric, but it is sleeveless. I could wear it now (January), except my arms might be cold. Unless . . .
Do you remember this blouse? It’s lightweight cotton and fits easily underneath the dress. The black and white pattern is a nice mix of dark and light and look better than a solid black knit would.
If anyone is curious about the bracelets, I am wearing an assortment of five link and bangle bracelets that mix silver, gold, and pearls.
For those who are wondering about the interview, I wore the suit and got the summer job. A couple of years later, the firm hired me as an associate and a few years after that they made me a partner. No one cares what I wear.
Dress: Jil Sander from YOOX; Boots: Donna Piu from YOOX; Blouse: Anthropologie; Bracelets: David Yurman
You had me salivating with the description of your interview skirt — any photos in the archives, perhaps? Pretty please?
Seam pockets! I’m in love. My YOOX basket never looks this good.
I absolutely love this dress (it looks amazing on you, particularly sleeveless – you need to grace a cocktail party or just treat yourself to a fancy dinner date somewhere in it), but I also love that you interviewed, in the staid old field of law, in an orange suit! How delightfully iconoclastic.
The seaming is the star of the dress! This is a very cool garment.
Lovely. Just lovely. I can’t wear orange (Makes me look like I’ve been dead for 6 months.), but I love the color.
Yes please, we MUST be allowed to glimpse the smashing pumpkin suit! Great dress — I am a big fan of orange, although alas I look terrible in it. You somehow manage to pull it off!
Oh yes….I love not only the color but the interesting tucks that dress possesses!! Is it inappropriate to wear a necklace at your work?? Of course I say that because I’m an accessory addict!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…At least we care what you wear!!!
Thank you for caring! I didn’t wear a necklace because I was wearing the bracelets, but if I weren’t wearing the bracelets, a necklace would be totally appropriate and elegant. It would have to be a necklace with some presence to stand out against the fabric, which is a rich color in a substantial weight. I haven’t been remembering to wear necklaces lately . . . must try to do better!
It looks nice with the collarless blouse. I don’t think I’d like a blouse with a collar under that because the waist has so much texture.
What kind of a jacket do you put with it?
I love this color and the dress on you. With stockings, dressier shoes, and a necklace, its a wonderful party dress!
I remember the story of the suit, and I love the dress on you. Gorgeous — and great photography!
You look stunning in the dress, and I must agree with your other readers in requesting archival footage of the smashing pumpkin.
All — I am so sorry to disappoint, but the Smashing Pumpkin Suit was purchased and worn 20 years ago, in an era when an outfit was only photographed incidental to a formal, celebratory event (prom, formal dinner dance, wedding). The suit was never photographed, but I like the idea of concluding a job interview by asking the interviewer to take a quick snap of me for my mother.