NWR: Third Interview Attire

I think it's okay to wear the same suit but definitely get a new top. It there a Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx near you? They have really good prices and usually have business casual tops. What about Kohl's? They have really good clearance prices but you have to be willing to dig through a lot of crap to find what you want.

If you show us a picture of what you wore, we can make better suggestions

If you can afford it, I'd get a different suit. Check out The Limited, Ann Taylor, The Loft, or Macy's. You can wear the same suit, no problem. I just like to change it up.

I have a TJ Maxx in town and a Ross and a Kohl's in the next town over if the TJ Maxx doesn't have anything good. I always forget about TJ Maxx/Ross/Marshalls, so *THANK* you!

Do you think color is okay or should I stick with black and white for maximum formality? I do have a couple of colored blouses, but I'm worried that might not be the best. One is coral and taupe chiffon, the other is kind of shiny blue/bronze/white spandexy something with a cowl neck. They're office appropriate, but the blue one doesn't breathe, and the taupe one looks better with chinos than with the suit.

This employer is a government agency, but the employees I've met thus far have been wearing what FH generously refers to as "PNW Business Casual" (emphasis on casual). Tunics with leggings, patterned button-downs with khakis that don't quite count as chinos, sweaters with maxi skirts, etc.

@HoneyLife, I'll take a picture when I get home from my current job. In the meantime, it's just black slacks and 2-button blazer with this blouse:

http://www.torrid.com/product/ruffle-chiffon-banded-bottom-cami-top/10485656.html?CM_MMC=CSE-_-GGL-_-Camis-_-5_9999W1_CSE_GGL_Camis_10485650&003=29905982&010=10485656&mr:referralID=7b1803e3-d81b-11e5-ba16-005056946dac&gclid=CPOz9daoh8sCFQIKaQodJmwHAg

The straps are adjustable, so I shortened them so it would hit higher on my chest. No cleavage at work/interviews, kthx.

PNW business casual is the Patagonia catalog. Seriously, my DH is from Portland, they call it Pata-gucci

Check out Modcloth.com for fun / smart tops to pair with your suit.

Where whatever color you like. Only you know how conservative they are, but black and white is overrated in my opinion. When I was interviewing for med school, everyone told me "Oh my god, you HAVE to wear a black suit!" Every woman I ran into on the interview trail wore a black suit. Every time I went on an interview, everyone looked like they were attending a funeral. I wore a red suit (skirt) and got many, many compliments. At one of them, I wore a royal blue (almost purple shade) suit and still got compliments. They were still conservative, but they weren't black like everyone else's. Then, when I interviewed for residency, the same thing. I wrote a teal pantsuit. Got compliments again. The color doesn't matter (I mean, I wouldn't wear hot pink or neon green; stick to the classics), so long as it's a solid color (no pattern), isn't too short (if it's a skirt), and doesn't show cleavage.

I think color is fine, as long as it's not like neon yellow, or something. It doesn't have to be a neutral color, but should still be timeless/tasteful.

I'm glad you understand, Onawho. Second interview was in Salem, OR and the third interview will be in Portland. I'm not sure I have time for Modcloth (or anything online) since it's coming up so fast, but I loooove them and will definitely look for stuff for the future.

Colors is fine as long as it isn't bright or patterned. I wore a blue button up and green button up with my black suit to interviews.

Eta: I wore the same suit but change up the shirt.

Just picked this up at TJ Maxx. Yes? No?

And here it is at home with my blazer.

Did you notice what the people interviewing you were wearing?

I think the shirt you picked up from TJ Maxx would work. I'd recommend tucking it in (unless it isn't long enough) and not rolling the sleeves of the blazer

Yes, the interview panel was wearing "PNW business casual", no suits in sight. The supervisor was on speakerphone, though, and I haven't spoken to the executive director at all, let alone seen what either of them wear.

3Lol, I do plan to tuck it in, and no, I won't leave the sleeves rolled. Any thoughts on how to tie the neck thing?

I wouldn't wear the same suit, just biz casual.

Looks awesome! Definitely wear the black suit again. You always want to dress your very best.

BTW, you tie the "neck thing" just like you did in the dressing room!

You might even consider a thrift store for a new outfit. A lot of them have almost new outfits for a lot less than the regular stores.

I agree with @annakay about the tie, how you had it in the dressing room is perfect! Some people can pull off doing bows with those types of tops, but I always just end up looking like a clown.

I wouldn't worry about a new suit. Since yours is plain and black, there's pretty much zero chance of anyone noticing, or really caring, that you repeated. I wore a suit 4 days a week for a year and only owned 3--they're something people expect you to rewear.

Did you see anyone else there other than the interview board? What were they wearing?

Generally speaking, you can get away with a little more color at a second (third) interview than the first one. Your same black suit should be fine, with a different shirt, such as that blue one. You could probably get away with just the slacks (or any other nice slacks you have - gray maybe?) as long as you wear a sharp top.

I second the motion to check thrift shop. You'd be surprised how many nice business clothes they can have, some even with tags still attached!

Do you have a black pencil skirt, or a black business-y dress? Or even different shoes?

EDIT: That blue top would look nice tucked into some gray slacks! Having re-read the comments, I don't think you need a suit for the subsequent interview, as long as you still look sharp and professional.