What does a "polished" office outfit look like?

[pixy0stix]

I've been wearing jeans and a T-shirt/hoodie to work for 10 years, and wfh for the last three years. I need help, lol!

[laterz]

Is your new job casual or business casual?

[pixy0stix]

Sept 19, 2023 16:03:13 GMT -5 laterz said:

Is your new job casual or business casual?

It's an interview for a CPA firm. No job yet.

[TR]

I think dark jeans, a blazer and tee shirt with simple jewelry would be nice. Could sub a dressier pants or a silk shell if the firm seems old-school.

[laterz]

Dress?
Can never go wrong with a suit. But that's so 1997.

If your vibe is that they aren't full on business formal/casual, I'd probably do something like this.

www.nordstrom.com/s/cece-mixed-media-clip-dot-blouse/5799565
www.nordstrom.com/s/wit-and-wisdom-absolution-skyrise-straight-leg-pants-nordstrom-exclusive/7286526?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FPants%20%26%20Leggings&color=248

and a pair of ballet flats.

Leaning more formal but not full business formal? Blouse and full length pants.

[laterz]

My uniform is basically hoodie, jeans, sneakers. If I ever have to go back to business casual, it would have to be a REALLY good opportunity. LOL, thanks pandemic.

[pierogigirl]

I would not wear jeans to an interview, even if they would be fine after you worked there. I'd do black pants and a shell with cardigan or blazer. My boobs are too big for untailored button downs, but that could look good too, if you find one that fits. ETA: I don't have any blazers and have lots of cardigans, so I'd choose that.

Or I'd wear a dress with a cardigan and tights, nice shoes (not heels, for me) or boots.

Reevaluate what polished means after working there. Good luck!

[jlt19]

It’s ok to ask, I did for most interviews when they were in person.
I’d usually go just a step above the recommendation, but most were casual/jeans. I usually ended up wearing black jeans with ballet flats, and a fitted shirt with some kind of blazer/cardigan.

[penguingrrl]

For an interview with an accounting firm my instinct would be to go pretty formal unless you’ve been told otherwise (when H interviewed for his company which bridges finance and tech he was explicitly told a suit would be overdressed for the interview). I would lean suit with shell (I can’t wear button downs, my boobs are too big) or fairly formal skirt/dress with cardigan for the interview. Unless instructed otherwise I would rather show up overdressed than underdressed for the interview, then I would pay attention to what everyone is wearing when I’m there to get a sense of what to wear to the office if I get an offer.

I’ll be interviewing next spring for a new industry and that’s my plan there as well (though I’m going into a known dressy industry).

Good luck on the interview!

[followyourarrow]

For a CPA firm, I'd go business formal with a sheath dress and jacket.

[dochas]

I would definitely not wear jeans of any kind.

[gummybear]

My H was a CPA for years and the firms tended to be pretty formal. Of course this was a long time ago but it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed (esp. in accounting 🤣). I would not wear jeans. I’d either wear a pixie pant with a looser knit top (like a ruched sleeve sweater) or a tailored bootcut/flare with a fitted high necked shell or tank.

[SusanBAnthony]

Black slacks (or another dark color like navy and dark gray), blouse, cardigan or blazer. Blazer shouldn't match slacks color).

Blouse like something from Ann Taylor or the like (loads of other less expensive stores but AT will show what you are looking for).

[7costanza]

Is it a big CPA firm? I work for a big 4, feel free to pm me if you want and maybe I can share some specific insight For my firm, you should definitely wear a suit or sheath dress with jacket to the interview. Once you have a job, neat jeans or slacks and a blouse or sweater is fine (no sneakers), or something like a wrap dress.

[Bad Dingo]

For a CPA firm I'd go pretty formal.


link

[icedcoffee]

CPA who has worked in public accounting. I expected my interviewees to be in a suit. I would let it go and allow some sort of very professional blazer and slacks for a strong non accounting position candidate. If you can borrow a suit I’d do that.

[laurack]

No jeans!

nice pants, low heel or flats, blouse or shirt and a blazer.

[definitelyO]

good luck!!! and agree with dress pants, nice shoes, blouse and blazer/jacket and some accessories (simple necklace and earrings)

[Roc A Bee]

I’d probably do a wrap dress and flats.

[twilightmv]

I work in a conservative financial industry and have always worn a suit. If you don’t have one, dark dress pants and button down/silk shirt and blazer, or dark sheath dress and blazer.

[shauni27]

suit or dress pants and blazer or dress and a blazer.

[HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan]

It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. I wouldn’t wear jeans even if I was interviewing to work on a farm.

:weeps in 20th century pantyhose:

[calamity]

Good luck in your interview pixy0stix!

[bears]

Sept 20, 2023 9:31:18 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. I wouldn’t wear jeans even if I was interviewing to work on a farm.

:weeps in 20th century pantyhose:

I agree, but I think for many industries, a suit would be OOO for a woman.

My favorite thing to wear is blank pants, a nice tank, and either a cardigan or blazer, depending on the season. I dress it up with some jewelry. It's can be very comfy but looks very pulled together at the same time.

[meanie]

When I was in the office I shopped at The Loft, Express, and Ann Taylor. My go-to was a pair of bootcut suit pants with heels and a blouse/dressy top with a blazer for meetings.

My H is a CPA and I work closely with an audit team at one of the big 3 firms, the dress code has relaxed a bit since COVID. I think what I used to wear is good for client meetings, but a regular non-client day would be non-jean pants, flats, a top, and a cardigan.

[rosiebear]

Sept 20, 2023 9:42:36 GMT -5 bears said:

Sept 20, 2023 9:31:18 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. I wouldn’t wear jeans even if I was interviewing to work on a farm.

:weeps in 20th century pantyhose:

I agree, but I think for many industries, a suit would be OOO for a woman.

My favorite thing to wear is blank pants, a nice tank, and either a cardigan or blazer, depending on the season. I dress it up with some jewelry. It's can be very comfy but looks very pulled together at the same time.

What does OOO mean? Out of the ordinary?

[ECB]

It definitely can't hurt to ask what their dress code is.

But I agree- no jeans.

[Pilsy]

Regardless of what goes on in the Senate, I agree with a suit or something similar for the interview. Day-to-day is likely different, and you can get a sense of what's appropriate once you've been to the office.

Good luck!!

[agnes]

I’d wear a suit an interview. Or blazer and slacks with a cute blouse

I feel like accountants are more often than not kinda more on the conservative side for interview clothes

Signed,
Accountant who wishes she didn’t have to wear real pants in the office

[hbomdiggity]

9to5chic.com

Not everything is always super formal, but polished and put together.