My favorite part of The Cosby Show was always Cosby's sweaters. You know the Cosby Sweater - outrageous, always patterned, always hideous. Always amazing! Holidays were always - always - the best. Anytime you combine vertical stripes with the old tannenbaum and holiday lights is magic. Below is an amusing portrayal of a similar sweater, as modeled by our frienemy, the PC.



Now, however beautiful the coveted Cosby sweater may be, I would have to advise against wearing them on an interview. (Or nearly anywhere other than an ugly sweater party.) But once you get past the absolute torture that the holiday season is about to bestow upon you and your family, you're going to need to have some choice outfits ready for the interview you're going to get with the help of our Holiday 5 series.

So let's take an inventory of what you'll need to dress the part.

Let's tackle the guys first. It's almost impossible for a guy to go wrong with office-wear if he's got a few essentials. Stick to dark colors - greys, blacks, dark blues - or khakis. Wear a suit whenever possible and appropriate. A few stylish ties are a great accessory to your wardrobe. (Avoid ties with cartoon characters or musical instruments all over them.) Dark brown or black dress shoes in good condition are encouraged. This is especially important if you'll be sitting for any length of time - wear socks. Not white tube socks, but dark blue or black dress socks. Things to avoid: t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies, bright colors or bold prints, and tennis shoes.

Ladies have it a bit more difficult, as the fashion industry loves you a lot more than it loves us guys. With so many options to choose from, what do you grab off the shelf? Generally speaking, the same cosmetic guidelines are applied to you as they are the guys - conservative, dark colors, business casual and standard items. Wear a tailored pantsuit, jacket and skirt, or dress. Dark dress shoes with a heel are good, but if you're standing for long periods of time, a stylish flat in a solid color will work. Wear hosiery that matches your outfit (natural or dark colors preferably). You should stay away from jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bright colors or bold prints, too tight or revealing clothing, and excessive, distracting jewelry.

As soon as you get home, you're safe to throw on the ugly Christmas sweater and revel in the nostalgic hideousness. (Bonus points if the sweater smells like mothballs and a few of the ornaments on the cross-stitched tree have been chewed off.)

Come back tomorrow for the last installment to our Holiday 5 series!