Ladies: Blizzard-proof your job interview outfit
(MoneyWatch) With a massive winter storm bearing down on the northeastern part of the country, many job interviews scheduled for today will be cancelled. But some will go ahead as planned, presenting women with a major sartorial challenge: How to look good when the weather's bad.
Showing you can present yourself professionally under any circumstances will put you ahead of others who turn up looking like drowned rats -- or worse, like they're on the way to a ski vacation instead of a job interview. Here are some ways to weather a storm while snagging a new job:
<Make a quick Superman style change. Channel your inner Louis Lane and do a fast shoe change in the bathroom of the lobby or the nearest Starbucks before you enter. Arrive in relative style in waterproof rain flats like these from Hunter ($115) and then slip on your heels. Unlike their full-sized Wellington cousins, these flats can be stowed easily in a professional-looking nylon briefcase, like this one from Knomo ($169). Not only is this bag waterproof, it's padded for your laptop and portfolio and has multiple interior pockets that can hold touch-up essentials, like a travel-sized hairspray and brush.
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Water-proof your shoes. If you don't want to invest in rain flats or don't like the Superman-style shoe swap idea, there are a number of sprays that do a good job water-proofing different types of leather and suede. You'll want to spot test in a small area to make sure your favorite interview shoes won't be ruined by a water-proofing zap.
Wear a weather-proof coat. In a blizzard, your warm wool dress coat is at risk for becoming soggy. This commuter coat from Lands' End ($229) is lined in down but has a classic cut that's more boardroom than ski slope. It's also machine washable that makes it ideal for dodging puddles and splashes from city cabs. The same can't be said for a cashmere wool blend.
Find a hat that won't ruin your hair. You could just tough it out and let your head get a little cold, but if it's windy a loose knit beret like this one recommended by Glamour magazine could actually protect your hairstyle from the elements. Another option? Earmuffs that go behind your head, so they won't smash hair volume, like this quilted pair from Macy's (on sale now for $19). For another $22, you can pick up the matching tech gloves that allow you to use your smartphone while staying warm, perfect forlast-minute interview prep.
Pay up for parking. If you're a city-dweller who usually walks everywhere, this is the time to call a cab. Driving? Pay a little extra to park as close as you can. You can take the cheaper -- and wetter -- way home.