I know this might be a weird question, but what has everyone wore to their interviews etc? I know its not going to be formal but i suppose its good to make a good impression.

I have not heard this one. Personally, I think one should dress comfortably. But then I do not believe in "dressing to impress." I would want my fiancée to feel relaxed and at ease. Knowing my girl, she will probably wear nice slacks or a skirt and a bright coiourful blouse. But, certainly, no formal business attire.

nope, no dress code!! Just go in whatever is comfortable, ie comfy clothes! the last 2 times i went (for other visas) i just wore trainers, jeans and t shirt

By the way, how did you get your interview so quickly?? And how did you find out your interview date??

id say they dont really look at what your wearing...unless you turn up in a tweety pie outfit of course...everyone i noticed was casual...some too casual, like slouching dirty tracksuits. i was going to wear a suit...but after walking passed the embassy the day before i saw a suit was a bit over the top, also killing my heels on the way to the medical didnt help, so jeans, a top and trainers it was for me...i didnt notice any unusual looks for my choice of outfit...

go comfortable...you could be sat there all day. worrying about your outfit is only adding unneeded stress.

Well, I don't know what "formal" business wear would be, unless you mean one's finest suit. That qualifies as "semi-formal".

I recommend a cut above what we might call "business casual" with the idea of both comfort and a positive impression, but it should be "daytime" attire, not "evening wear" or a "party dress". My wife bought a new dress for the interview. It's the same one she wore to church the first Sunday in the USA but she also likes to wear a nice skirt and blouse when she goes shopping on her day off work. She was most comfortable this way.

I think the "impress" should be more like impressing a business contact at lunch or dinner than impressing a date at a night club, regardless of gender.

As far as a dress "code" all the above is beyond any minimum requirements. I think the standards are pretty much , no shirt, no shoes, no service but that's probably not going to be the impression you want to give.

packet four has the interview date

haha yeah i didnt mean getting dressed in full dinner part attire, i just didnt know if they frowned down up on jeans and sneakers etc.

I got my interview date so quick by hassling the embassy every chance i got, i called a bunch of times then finally got through to a woman who told me to e-mail a certain code. I told them how i had planned to get married on the 10th of january, then when i got home from work today there was a message on the machine from the embassy telling me my date.
Ive been shaking pretty much since i heard, got a hell of alot to sort out now.

You do delight in always trying to correct me, don't you? From my choice of the word "most" to the differences between formal and semi-formal attire and what "impress" means. But I think most people understood what I meant in this thread.

The London Embassy actually requires that the ladies wear a full evening gown, preferred colours are fushia pink or colbalt blue. Men are required to wear a top hat and tails with cravats optional. Don't try to hide your mobile phone in the top hat, security are pretty savvy when it comes to checking everywhere.

Seriously, it doesn't matter. IMO, don't turn up looking too scruffy, but I know the London embassy actually doesn't care. I wore jeans, boots and a sweatshirt. Dress according to the weather too as you might be waiting outside for a little while.

I understand a full evening gown would be formal so, would a half evening gown be semi-formal attire since semi=half? Oops, no, I guess that's not possible as a gown must be long! I really need to read that dictionary more!

Phew! I'm glad the cravats are optional

I think I'll order some cravats instead of the French fries next time.

No, not only do I not enjoy it but it's not about you. My goal is for all (I'll settle for as many as possible.) to understand clearly, not simply for most to probably understand. I'm interested in them understanding what I mean. I'll let you be concerned about what you mean.

Additional information and variations in opinion are not personal.

Last time I looked we are all adults on this forum, not kiddies in a classroom. (Although, sometimes we act like it!) A simple addition of "I would suggest business casual", instead of getting into the precise meaning of formal and semi-formal, in an effort to set me straight, would have been less offensive. I've actually attended a school or two, you know!

Kazan, pushbrk is one of the oldest and most knowledgeable members of this forum. I have not seen one post of yours that was of any help whatsoever, you only post "personal opinions" and never facts. So my thoughts to you is...we have 2 ears and 1 mouth...so we listen double as much as we say.

Saludos,
Caro

I have never posted a fact? Interesting... And never anything usefull-!!! Oh, where is the love-!!!

You want hard core facts, go to a doctor, lawyer, or other professional. You want freely expressed personal opinions, come to an online public forum filled with lay people. Which is VJ?

You made my case

oh, and you can also find facts in the guides, uscis' website, travel.state.gov.... and LISTENING to others who speak from actual experience...specially when it comes from elder knowledgeable members

Saludos,
Caro

In my opinion, what we definitely don't need is a personal attacks.

The above does raise a legitimate question which is at least somewhat applicable to the topic of the thread. In this thread, opinion is really what its all about. Beyond something akin to "no shoes, no shirt, no service" there isn't a dress code for Consulate interviews, so all we can give is opinion.

In general, however, there are many other threads where the OP is really looking for reliable information they can take as a solid answer and act upon. Sometimes they are asking for something that cannot be given but many times, good solid fact based advice is both possible and available. In those cases, answers like "we did it this way...." (particularly with another country and visa type) are not nearly as helpful as "This is what you can expect because...." or a firm answer like "The I-864 doesn't need notarizing but does require at least one tax return or transcript. Best practice is to provide three." While "We did it this way...." can technically be a "fact", if the fact isn't applicable to the OP's instant context, it isn't useful.

The above comments are directed to a subject, not an individual.

Anyhoo, how are those cravats looking? i.e. let's get back on topic purleese.

My issue is not with Pushbrk's expertise, he is a clever man, it is with being corrected on a frilolous point (the precise and proper use of formal and semi-formal attire or how I should not use the word "most".) One can add to the dialogue without microediting the previous poster. If I say, NVC is the National Visitors Center, yes, by all means correct me. But I don't need every word scrutinized for grammatical correctiveness.

So basically you are against people posting personal opinions? This place is not all about being serious. This forum also serves to take peoples minds off the wait and to have fun and enjoy life. Which I try to do but you seem to have a problem with. I mean, really, I have "never said anything helpful" to anyone? I guess all my received PMs from other members are lies.

well you definatley lightened up my day, i was shaking and panicky when i realised my interview date was so near, this little thread added a much need bit of light hearted humour to my day whilst easing my worries about what i should wear on the day of my interview. Thank you

Go ahead and dazzle them.

Glad to oblige!

My Final Thought...on the day of the interview, make your way down to Selfridges or Harrods, and have yourself a couple of the world's finest Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
If that doesnt ease your mind just before your interview, then nothing will!!

Remember that you'll most likely be interviewing with an American citizen, so 10-gallon cowboy hat, jeans, boots, giant belt buckle, and red, white, and blue western shirt with fringes are the most appropriate attire. Big foam "USA #1!" finger optional, but may help in cases where the interviewer could go one way or the other.

And you try to explain this to your lady, and she just looks at you like you're nuts. (I've completely given up on trying to get her to pronounce "y'all" correctly. *sigh*)

So i would gather from all the posts that Speed-oos are out for sure..?? ha ha hope this year brings all that we hope it will. have a Happy New Year .

I want to know whether I should wear a codpiece. If not for purposes of fashion, it could serve as a handy repository for sandwiches, or the materials therefor -- to wit: bread, luncheon meats, Grey Poupon...

Codpieces are only authorized if your friends refer to you as a "droog" and you sit around the Korova Milkbar trying to make up your rassoodocks about what to do with your evening.

(too obscure?)

Verily, sirrah. Ergothuswithforthly, I shall go to Plan B, which means attiring myself like a bunny and wearing a pancake atop my head, si man. Or, nothing, if the naked truth be known...