Vogue Skirt ... again

Vogue 9959 to be precise, which seems to have had a few outings onto the cutting table this year.  To the extent that its tissue is rather in need of some supportive surgery to preserve it for the future.

This pattern is such a good, basic, straight skirt and whilst not the most flashy or exciting skirt, its perfect for the purpose intended.  In this case, the creation of a skirt to match my Marfy hand tailored jacket, turning it, I hope, into a super-smart suit which can be worn for important events... like job interviews.  I've always meant to make the left over fabric into a skirt to match the jacket, but it wasn't exciting, or urgent, so I didn't do it.  Except, its suddenly become much more urgent, so I've done it.  And here it is.  I'm afraid its not the best of photos.  Black not being hugely easy to photograph under artificial light. 

The fabric is black double crepe, from Rosenbergs.  I love this fabric, its fabulous to work with though it MUST have a press cloth on it at all times or else it gets shiny patches.  However, it just presses into shape like a dream and feels gorgeous on because it has that expensively heavy drape.  I have some bits left which I am keeping so I can try to use them in a garment that calls for multiple seamed sections.  I don't think I have enough left for anything that isn't pieced though.

Lining is cream duchess satin as I wanted something with weight and substance.  I think the way it presses so well could also translate into seating and  bagging in a skirt so the lining is a full length one and the lining weight is deliberately heavy to try to avoid such seating occurring.

Invisible zipper in the centre back.  I remembered to do a proper back vent this time, cut-on not sewn  as an afterthought, and I've even managed to attach the lining to the edges neatly (normally I cheat and do a lining that finishes above the vent).  This full lining should allow the skirt to move over my tights without sticking, crucially important when seating oneself at a job interview without having to readjust things.  Also carefully worked out; vent length.  I cut this longer than I could possibly need in the first instance and tacked the whole back seam up including the vent, for trying on, then let the vent out an inch at a time until I had a skirt I could walk comfortably in, but could also go upstairs without showing an inappropriate amount of leg, as advised by my mother, who trailed up the stairs after me to identify the optimum vent length.  Poor woman, the things she has to do for me.  The skirt length is  just below the knee.  This is perhaps not the most fashionable length but will ensure I don't show an inappropriate amount of leg when seated at interview.

I did apply a lovely petersham waist treatment to the skirt.  I spent ages carefully steaming  the petersham to shape and made a fabulous curved and well fitted band, applied it to the skirt, steamed it to make it lie flat and yes, you guessed it, the curve unsteamed and the skirt was then much too large. 
So that had to come off and a waistband went on. I've used an iron on waistband interfacing which has a sewn on stiffening band.  Fabulous stuff for formal skirts like this as it gives a marvellously crisp line to the edge of the waistband.  Finally, hemmed, hand finishing and a hook and bar closure on the waistband. 

So, I have a pink silk blouse with a tie neck which I think I could wear with this suit for interviews.  Also a grey silk with a convertible collar.  Two questions; 
1.  is a polo neck sweater (roll neck) too casual with the suit for an interview?  Should it be a shirt only?
2.  Should I make a white cotton shirt to wear for interview rather than the silk ones (or as an alternative). Would a white shirt with traditional shirt collar be better than the silk blouses?