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I had an interview today and the guy doing the interview kept glancing at my chest the whole time. I didn't think I was wearing something inappropriate, I mean, I'm not even big chested! Here's what I wore with a Jacket and Pants.
This is from a guy's perspective and I want to provide you with an honest answer.
The lace part on top resembles a bra. Even though I'm sure he knew it wasn't a bra, I'm sure he was thinking of breasts because of that.
This is just one of the subtle things that you have to think about regarding interviews; it's similar to fidgeting or sitting back with your arms folded.
I have one of those camis, and I wear it underneath another blouse as a layering piece. Under a button down or similar. I also adjust the straps so it is super high. AKA, no possible hint of cleavage at all.
But is isn't appropriate as a top alone, under a blazer, in a interview.
Besides being a lacy UNDERGARMENT, the cami is form fitting and hugs your body closely.
Bad choice for a professional interview - or for office wear once you get a job. Save the cami for sleeping in or some very informal event, or for wearing UNDER a shirt.
I am going to agree with just about everyone else on here: not appropriate for an interview and not appropriate for an office environment.
But I am going to add -- it doesn't matter what HE was wearing. He's not trying to impress you. He already has the position and can wear whatever he wishes on casual Friday even if he is interviewing. Whenever I have interviewed on a company's casual day, I did not think, "Oh, I am underdressed." I am there to impress you and part of that is looking polished and professional.
My current position has a laidback dresscode. Every day is casual day, so when I interviewed my boss was wearing jeans. I was wearing a suit with a romantic button down collared shirt and heels. Once I started, I wore jeans, flip flops.... but still wouldn't wear a cami as a shirt! I wear them underneath sweaters and other shirts.
This is from a guy's perspective and I want to provide you with an honest answer.
The lace part on top resembles a bra. Even though I'm sure he knew it wasn't a bra, I'm sure he was thinking of breasts because of that.
This is just one of the subtle things that you have to think about regarding interviews; it's similar to fidgeting or sitting back with your arms folded.
Here's another guy speaking---Very well put!
I agree with most comments here, but let me approach a little bit differently.
At the end of the day, this is the matter between you and the interviewer. There is not like a law for this. It seems that there's a split---some people here say camis are OK but others say not OK. It really doesn't matter what people here think. It only matters how the interviewer guy took it and how that impacted your evaluation.
Obviously, your cami drew some attention of this guy. Do we need to say more?
Looks like most of you guys didn't notice but in the description it says the cami can be worn as a layer under a sweater AND a jacket.
Given the attention I received from this guy, I probably won't wear it again at an interview but I just gotta say, some of the posts were really funny lol.
Judging by the responses, it sounds like most of you answering in this thread are probably a little... ahem...older. Which of course is not a bad thing, but when people start referencing this particular cami as a piece of lingerie, well, it makes me wonder.
I take it that some of you are probably just confused: Hanky Panky 'Signature Lace' Camisole | Nordstrom
Quote:
Originally Posted by TabulaRasa
I do also feel, with the additional information given, that a workplace that sends in an interviewer who is wearing jeans and a football jersey "because it's casual Friday" and stares at women's chests in the course of the interview is probably NOT a place that needs to be too picky about interviewees wearing demure button-ups. It sounds like a workplace that is neither particularly conservative nor particularly classy.
OP, I would treat that as a barometer of whether or not it's a place you'd really even want to work. Remember, employers are putting THEIR best foot forward, too, and YOU'RE getting a first impression, as well as you being the one giving one of yourself.
It's easy to forget in a tough economy, where everyone seems to think that since it's an employers' market right now, that justifies any behavior on the part of the employer. The fact is, you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you, and if it's an atmosphere you wouldn't be happy in, why bother taking the job, anyway? And, sending in this dressed-down clown with his gross behavior as the first person you meet, to give you a first impression of the company, should tell you a lot about the company.
I agree TabulaRasa, but this guy is the head of the department and is the one doing all the interviews. This is a big IT security company whose customers are mainly government and international organizations and he told me he doesn't dress like that all the time; it's not a very dressed-up type of environment anyway.
I don't know how comfortable I will be working with him if hired, but since he has other people working under him I'm hoping we won't have a lot of interaction together.
Looks like most of you guys didn't notice but in the description it says the cami can be worn as a layer under a sweater AND a jacket.
Given the attention I received from this guy, I probably won't wear it again at an interview but I just gotta say, some of the posts were really funny lol.
Judging by the responses, it sounds like most of you answering in this thread are probably a little... ahem...older. Which of course is not a bad thing, but when people start referencing this particular cami as a piece of lingerie, well, it makes me wonder.
I take it that some of you are probably just confused: Hanky Panky 'Signature Lace' Camisole | Nordstrom
Wearing under a jacket does no necessarily = under a suit jacket. I can see the cami being worn with jeans and a cute casual jacket. The cami you wore is just way to casual for an interview. The fact that you asked your roommates/friends and here on a message board shows that you may not have been quite sure how appropriate it was either. I worked in several casual work environments, and I would never have worn a tank like that, no matter what kind of jacket was over it.
And no, I am not getting confused with the other link you just posted.
And maybe some of us posting are *ahem* a little older, but that does not mean we have entered some sort of fashion graveyard. Its a matter of knowing how to dress in a polished professional way. No one is saying you have to dress like someone from little house on the prairie, but there are still things that are more appropriate for brunch with your girlfriends, and somethings that are appropriate for the office.
The real problem here, is looking at women's magazines....I love Cosmo, and their "idea" of what is appropriate for work...lace cami, short skirt, jacket, heels...no, no, no....the real world is not Vogue or Cosmo! The real world is more conservative...but, that would not be cute, or sell magazines!
It's not even just magazines. A lot of TV shows or movies with characters who work in corporate environments wearing ridiculous outfits to work. I saw something a few weeks ago set in a law office that had a female lawyer wearing some sort of slinky cocktail dress with a midriff cutout. During the day. Most people know better than to dress like that, but if you didn't you'd be heading on the wrong track looking for examples.
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