First impressions are important. It may not be the only contributing factor to your new internship or job position, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to look your absolute best when you walk into an interview. With graduation right around the corner for a lot of us (read: antsy but also terrified), I want to offer five interview worthy pieces that not only mix up the usual, but will leave you feeling confident and ready to take on whatever position you might be applying for.

The usual slacks, turtleneck sweater and flats that you hurriedly shoved into your bag to change into when you arrive is a little blah. An interviewer might distinguish you from your competitors based on what you wore (yes, really!) as well as what you had to say in the interview. Always dress professionally and modestly of course, but use some of the ideas below to help differentiate yourself from the pool of candidates trying to land the same job as you.

1.The dress short: Believe it or not, shorts can be just as dressy and classy as slacks, perhaps even more so. Sure, don’t wear the shorts you’re packing for spring break to an interview, but do invest in a pair of high waisted shorts that fall comfortably at fingertip length when your arms are at your sides. A little color, like the shorts above, doesn’t hurt either. A nice pair are these fancy scalloped shorts from J. Crew. They come in a basic khaki color as well as a bright red, which would look pretty for a spring interview. The feminine trim adds character and makes them a little more memorable. For the winter, try something a little more classic (like these from H&M.) Wear a black pair with bright tights underneath, or the navy blue with a muted patterned tight. I’m pretty so-so when it comes to pantyhose, but I think if I were to wear shorts to an interview I would definitely wear a pair.

2. The cropped pant: These are all the rage these days, particularly in red and yellow for some reason. Not only will they show off whatever rad pair of shoes you choose to wear, but they create long lines that actually make you look taller (and not to mention more feminine). Those gray pants that hang over the tops of your shoes are a little worn out, and with spring around the corner, a pair of cropped pants would be a fun investment for interviews as well as weekend adventures. If you want to stick to a more neutral color, these cropped trousers from Zara are a steal at $60. Tuck your shirt in and wear with or without a belt.

3. The Blazer: I cannot, for the life of me, emphasis the usefulness of a good blazer. I was so hesitant to invest in one at first: What if it makes me look lumpy? What color do I get? Does it make me look like a guy? After doing some shopping around, I found this one from Zara, and I could not be happier with it. In fact now I’m a bit of a blazer addict. I want to own about 100 of them. My suggestion is to get your first one in navy blue. It goes with everything, and is a little less formal than black, but a little more formal than khaki. My second suggestion would be to get an unstructured blazer. This allows you to roll up the sleeves a little bit to show off bracelets, and keeps you from feeling too boxed in. Although you can buy a blazer from practically anywhere, I think that the ones at Zara are particularly pretty and affordable at about $80 each. Remember that your blazer doesn’t have to fit perfectly when you buy it, you can always get it tailored.

4.  The nude heel: It’s not shocking, or news to anyone really, that nude heels are a safe and popular bet for a modest dress shoe. Bridesmaids wear them, red carpet goers wear them and certainly interview going women wear them. But did you know that shoes play a huge part in your approachability? A sharp, pointed heel sends off a harsh and unfriendly vibe, whereas a softer, rounded toe heel sends off a much friendlier and open vibe. It’s true! I once asked a woman I was interviewing with if this was the case, because I had heard it mentioned before. She told me that shoes are one of the first things she looks at when a woman enters the room for an interview because she can learn a lot about her just by glancing at her feet. Interesting! Keeping this in mind, steer clear of sharp, point toed heels. A basic, mid-height heel works well for an interview and will leave you feeling tall and confident. If you are opting for a brighter slack or shirt, try a nude heel and vice-versa. I particularly like these leather peep toes from Loft and these comfy ones from Lulu’s.

5. The lip stain: I’m a wear-lip-stain-whenever-I-get-a-chance kind of girl. So naturally here is my shameless plug. I think that lip stain is a simple way to make yourself look fun, feminine and different in an interview without looking like you tried too hard. There are a couple things to keep in mind if you want to try this look. Avoid a shiny finish for an interview. Something with a matte finish, like this one from Sephora, won’t cause a distraction and looks a little more polished for an interview setting. Second, wear natural makeup and a natural hairstyle if you’re going to use bright lip stain. Honestly this can’t be stressed enough. Wear your hair down, or gently pulled back to avoid looking too harsh. Third, find a color that’s right for you. Maybe red isn’t your thing, maybe pink makes you look too washed out. In my opinion there’s no way to go wrong with bright lips, but take the time to try on several colors to find your favorite. I would suggest a trip to Sephora, the nearest of which is at Mayfair Mall.