Bargain-Hunting for Interview Fashions

The default mode is conservative. But there are still ways to buy a good suit without blowing your budget before the first paycheck

by Alina Dizik

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Liz Friedman hasn't worn her old interview suit since she graduated from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. And now, seven years (and two kids) later, Friedman, lead marketing manager for Microsoft (MSFT), wonders if it would still fit.

Indeed, after a grueling interview process, an expensive suit—be it men's or women's—can literally get stuck in a closet for years. Because the workplace is becoming more casual, there are a significant number of employees who aren't expected to dress for days on the job like they did during that first formal interview, says Robert Burke, of Robert Burke & Associates, a fashion consulting firm in New York.

So unless you want to write off the expense of fancy outfits as an additional cost of landing a job, finding affordable choices is key. Keep in mind, no matter how casual your potential employer is, most business interviews follow a conservative dress code, so it's best to stay away from pieces that appear too trendy (see BusinessWeek.com, 8/23/06, "You Can't Wear That to an Interview").

Digging at Discount Retailers

And even if money isn't an issue, Bluefly.com (BFLY) Chief Executive Melissa Payner still recommends aiming for subtle quality. "You don't want to look too upscale, that is, draw too much attention to your wardrobe. But make sure you don't skimp."

Discount retailers such as Loehmann's, TJ Maxx (TJX), and Marshalls (TJX) are a good bet when it comes to finding affordable pieces. Putting together an interview ensemble at one of these outlets may require some digging, but chances are you'll find items at about half their original price. And with some of the off-price stores maintaining career clothing sections both in their brick-and-mortar outlets and online, there are plenty of interview-appropriate bargains. However, since many of these stores have only a small percentage of their clothing online, if you can, take your search into their real-world store locations.

If you're low on time, check out the e-commerce options available at online-only retailers, especially those that stock off-price items, such as Bluefly.com. A 20-minute Web search can turn up a great bargain. (Look for online retailers with fast shipping and easy returns policies.) E-tailers update their stock daily, so it's easy to click back for new bargains, says Bluefly's Payner, whose site gets over 150 new items each day.

Neutrals Allow Flexibility

When shopping online, finding the correct size of clothing and getting the proper alterations is often more important than cost, says Deborah Lloyd, executive vice-president for product design and development at Banana Republic (GPS). "It doesn't matter how much you spend, it matters how well your interview outfit fits."

Another cost-saving option is choosing separates in neutral colors that will match easily when worn together. For interviews that don't require suits, wearing a crisp button-down shirt (for men or women) is an appropriate option. Keeping colors neutral not only ensures a professional look but lets budget-minded students mix-and-match items to form new outfits without paying for additional pieces. Brands aimed at younger shoppers, such as J. Crew (JCG), Banana Republic, and Gap (GPS) often sell affordable separates with this in mind.

But sticking to a suit can still be a good tactic for a job interview. For example, on Microsoft's career Web site, students are still encouraged to dress in business attire when interviewing at the company, even though this is not a requirement for the job. But Microsoft's Friedman says the guideline is mostly to put the interviewee at ease. "When they are interviewing, business students default to business attire." she says. "When people come in, we encourage the suit because we want them to feel more comfortable."

For women, who traditionally have more clothing choices than men, it's easier to stay within a given budget—and easier to stray. "They have far more options and can get away with spending less than men," says Burke. But for men, investing in a suit is still key, adds fashion consultant Burke, who recommends staying away from black and instead opting for colors such as gray and navy blue.

And, he says, during the off-seasons of summer and winter, stores like Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom (JWN) can have just as many bargains as the discounters. "If you're really clever you can buy suits on sale in major department stores in the half-yearly sales," says Burke, who before consulting was the senior vice-president of fashion at Bergdorf Goodman.

And remember, at the end of the interview, employers are hiring a person, not an outfit.

Dizik is a BusinessWeek.com project assistant.