Finding Affordable Suits for Interviews

One thing I didn’t realize before I first started law school was how much I would have to spend on suits.  I mean, I knew business attire was necessary, but I didn’t know just how expensive they actually were.  I had to do a lot of digging and searching for something appropriate, professional, and still very affordable because I didn’t have extra money for department store suits.

If you are preparing for OCI, I’m sure you’re in the midst of finalizing all the details, including what to wear.  For those done with OCI, how did you offset the cost of buying suits for interviews or competitions?

For those about to start OCI, I hope you can afford something very nice!  If you can’t afford something from Nordstrom (where a nice interview suit will easily be over $300) or other high-end department stores rest assured that you can still look like the perfect candidate by using this trick: buying separates in neutral colors from affordable stores.

I used separates all the time, and unless someone was touching the articles of clothing (why would they be?), you couldn’t tell they weren’t a set.  Obviously, I would wear the same color at the same time (usually black or navy).

I bought most of my pieces at New York and Co.  Their sales are always amazing and affordable.  I also found workable pieces at Old Navy and blouses at The Gap.  It takes time and patience, but it works!

Of course the suits won’t be as fancy or luxe as some of the others students, but during interviews that doesn’t matter because you will sufficiently look the part and then your interview preparedness is what will get you the position.