Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Fashion Girl,

Dear Fashion Girl,

I have a big interview coming up for a funky product development company in London. I want to look contemporary and smart, but not overly confident. I don't want to wear somber colors, because I do need to stand out, but not like a sore thumb. I am 32, tall, slim, and have very dark hair and pale skin. I wear fairly trendy clothes. I need to look very professional, but also up-to-date. In short I need to look fantastic! It's a responsible position, and I need to make an impact. Help! The new collections are in the shops, but it's also still freezing here in England, so I'm stuck between seasons.

Sincerely, Joanne

Dear Joanne,

Congratulations on a very cool job prospect! Combining style elements from both ends of the fashion spectrum for an interview is a challenge! You want to be professional and with-it (conservative end) but creative and arty (funky end) at the same time. The key is balancing the fashion meter.

Since winter is still raging, opt for a pantsuit. Pants are less traditional than a skirt or dress and look contemporary. Your sense of professionalism will come through in the suit's tailoring, so make sure it fits great. Look for a tailored jacket with a funky twist like angular turned-up cuffs. Keep the pantsuit a solid color, as prints can be distracting. Express yourself through a few trendy accessories, like a beaded choker and a chunky patterned plastic bracelet.

For colors, winter shades like royal blue, emerald green, and charcoal will complement your dark hair and pale skin. Also, a pantsuit in matte silver (not too shiny) would be a very cool variation on the typical, somber job-interview-gray. Go for dark pumps or closed-toe sandals with chunky heels. A simple and classic clutch bag in the same color as your shoes is perfect to carry along.

What counts the most in the end is projecting a confident image. So be comfortable and go for it! Lots of luck on landing the job! Sincerely,