Interview outfit - is this any good?

[KnockMeDown]

Hi there - I know this topic has recently been done to death, but need some advice. I have an interview next Thursday - only found out today. Shopping opportunities between now and then will not be numerous, so wanted to see what you thought of this outfit? Is it any good, or do I need to but a jacket? Job is at a secondary school, as a finance assistant, term-time, 18 hours per week. Blurb says they like professional dress code. And if I do need a jacket, please could you suggest what/where, to save me some time when shopping on Saturday with 3yr old in tow.........

[MrsShrek3]

If possible could you swap the black cardi for a black jacket of any kind? Or dark coat even? The outfit you've got is lovely for normal work days, but possibly better to turn up slightly more formal for interview. High school dress codes basically say "wear a suit or formal wear" and although I know this isn't a teaching post, the expectations from those interviewing may well be the same iyswim, if only for interview purposes?
Having similar dilemma btw have a senior management post interview next week, don't want to go ott suited and booted but can not possibly do anything but formal....tis a flippin nightmare isn't it?! Good luck btw!

[BIWI]

If they've asked for professional, then - tbh - your outfit looks a bit too casual. I'd definitely wear a jacket rather than a cardigan. I might even go for a skirt or dress rather than the trousers.

[KnockMeDown]

Thanks both! If I swap to a jacket, I need to purchase said jacket. Hence my dilemma! I don't want to spend loads, as I might not get it. This job would mean a pay cut for me anyway. I have a Gok Wan pencil skirt, maybe I should try that.

I like the idea of a dress, but again, would be buying new. And I'm not sure that the style of dress which suits my apple shape would be smart enough.

Would anyone have any actual suggestions for dresses or jackets which might suit, and not be too expensive?

[Cutteduppumpkin]

M&S and debenhams have very reasonable skirt suits, I'd certainly suggest you get one, I'm sorry the outfit is nice, but not for an interview.
Absolutely fine once you've got the job.

[KnockMeDown]

Please don't be sorry, Cutted, that's why I posted! Will have a look at skirt suits. Would my top and red shoes be ok with a black suit? Or would a smart shirt be better?

(Can you tell it's ages since I went to an interview?)

[onlysettleforbutterflies]

I would get a blazer in a jersey fabric, then yout don't need to worry about matching the fabric and black of your trousers, will make your outfit smarter for the interview but then hopefully you will be able to wear it more casually too, with jeans or on nights out. Sainsburys is usually worth a look and I saw some in the sale in wallis today.

Good luck.

[Cutteduppumpkin]

Your top and red shoes would be perfect.

[MrsShrek3]

I'm thinking the same as only - a jersey fabric jacket. I wear one from new look, cost £24, and wear it all the time both for casual and for work (teaching). Very comfortable, very versatile! Will get you a link in a mo if that's anything you would want to consider.
I love your shoes and top :)

[TinyDiamond]

h&m do v nice jackets reasonably priced too

[tethersend]

You absolutely cannot wear that if the school stipulates a professional dress code.

How about your black pencil skirt, black scoop neck top and black opaques and shoes with something like this jacket?

[MrsShrek3]

bargain

[lifesgreatquestions]

Good luck at your interview!

[whereiseveryone]

I would definitely swap the cardi for a black jacket then you're good to go. I don't agree with the comments about pencil skirt and high heels. This isn't the 1950s and professional dress code for a part-time Finance Assistant within a school (and probably not massive salary) does not require the power dressing of a corporate bank.

Best of luck, Op. Let us know when you get the job and we can all have a

[KnockMeDown]

Thank-you for all the comments. Will be shopping for a jacket and poss a skirt to go with it tomorrow.

Where you are right - not massive salary, so don't want to spend too much on it.

tether sorry that jacket is not me at all, but will have a look at Tesco if high street fails me.

Will let you know how I get on

[PrimalLass]

I'd probably wear a dress instead. You might get more wear out of it too.

[KnockMeDown]

Hmm am tempted with a dress, but would still need a jacket, hence the £'s would start to add up! Oh, decisions, decisions!

[fromparistoberlin]

you needs a jacket, or a shirt and heels- dress up!

[KnockMeDown]

Not high heels - I would totter about on the tour round the school, and grimace with pain at every step. The shoes I have are not flat - heel is about 2in.

[polyhymnia]

Don't need high heels just smart shoes.
I do think a dress would be better. Or if not a smart shirt not that top. As said it'll be OK once you have the job but not great for interview IMO .

[KnockMeDown]

Have been looking on-line at the work-wear type dresses, and am not at all sure they would suit my shape. Has anyone tried the tailoring from Matalan here. It's cheap, but does it look cheap on?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Can't see Tethers' jacket.

KnockMe - can you post another pic of you in the pencil skirt? I think even with a cardigan, a skirt would look smarter than the trousers.

[youretoastmildred]

I haven't tried anything on in Matalan for a while but I'm afraid my experience a few years ago was that things do look cheap from there (in womens, anyway). I am sure there are people who can pick things up and make them look great but if you are in an emergency and need to get the right thing now, I wouldn't start there.

for a cheap jacket that will look good I would start in your charity shops if you have time to go elsewhere if nothing suits. you can be a little quirky with the jacket. A nice fabric and a good cut can be almost any colour (within reason) with very plain trousers and you might find yourself picking up something for a fiver that will become a lovely stalwart. be prepared to try things on that look "interesting" on the hanger, especially if there is a posh label. Because tailored, it will still look formal. Within reason. don't buy some adam ant-ish creation and blame me if you don't get the job.

for new cheapish things like look good, sainsburys can work really well. (but not the Gok Wan range, which is uniformly horrific. The "OMG WHY? MY EYES!" Per Una of the supermarkets. Really weird, because right next to it are significantly cheaper and a million times nicer clothes, in a very big range of sizes.)

Primark is staggeringly cheap as everyone knows and can be risky but usually has a huge range so you can just cast things aside till you find the one odd thing that looks great on you (at least till you try to wash it, or it rains, or all the buttons fall off)

BHS is oddly nice right now, I gather. haven't been in but keep complimenting stylish people and finding they have been to BHS! Am I old?

[AndiPandi]

If you have a BHS near you they had some amazingly priced workwear recently. Shirts and trousers around £14 and the jackets about £26. Lovely stitching detail and tailoring so they don't look cheap.

[KnockMeDown]

Hmm thank-you remus and toast. Have avoided posting a pic of the pencil skirt, because it is from that very range of Gok! Oddly, my trousers from OP are Sainsbury - when I bought them initially, there was a nice jacket, but didn't get it at the time - doh!

My shopping opportunities between now and interview are limited - so will not have much time to peruse the local charity shops, but will give it a shot. Other than that, will probably resort to M&S. No Primark locally, unfortunately!