What the doggies do people wear to an interview these days?

[PippilottaViktualia]

So I have an interview- it's for a more senior role than I am in just now, it's not in UK although I'm UK based just now. I am a very specialised engineer in the oil industry.

For various reasons I really need this job, Brexit, huge downturn in industry, my possible (likely) redundancy from current role.

Anyway I wear jeans and a shirt to work everyday, my confidence is pretty low as I have two toddlers, I am fat, really huge, although I'm bootcamping, also I am not stylish and I have realised recently that people think people from my country have an 'off' sense of style. I've been in UK a long time so maybe I no longer have this.

Anyway if you made it through all that waffle, I tried on an outfit this morning and my husband thought it was for a wedding we are going to in August... So shit, I can't dress myself. I hate trousers, my outfit was dress and cardi is that wrong? Too casual? Is it the law I wear like a blazer jacket? What the doggies do I wear?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Just aim to look as smart and well turned out as possible. That includes neat hair, polished shoes, clean nails, clothes ironed etc.
If you can wear jeans, I'm sure you could wear black trousers and a smart shirt? A jacket is preferable to a cardigan in terms of looking professional. A simple dress with a jacket would be fine or skirt with a crisp shirt or blouse? There are some nice unstructured blazer jackets around if you feel too restricted in a fitted one.
Also no bare legs, tights are needed.
Good luck with your interview

[Thurlow]

Something plain, smart and if you are feeling a little unsure about it, dark.

I would get a good smart dress - somewhere like Next will do, maybe something like this or this which you can wear with smart shoes (certainly don't have to be heels) and either a blazer jacket or a cardigan. I've always worn cheaper cardigans, but brand new so they still have their shape and colour. You can always add a statement necklace to a plain outfit for some colour or personality if you want to.

If you're not happy in a dress, then good black trousers, pumps and a smart shirt would look good too.

Basically, an interview outfit should be smart but, IMO, quite unremarkable. You want them thinking of you as professional and well-turned out, not battering them over the head with your personality.

[PippilottaViktualia]

Ok thanks for your replies very helpful.

I am very tall and really fat so I feel like this is restricting me also. Previously I would have worn a pencil dress and jacket, it's also hard to find things long enough! Plus I don't want to show off exactly how big I am.

So this is what I had on earlier... but with tights and my hair up, is that very wrong? The more I look the more I think it's completely wrong.

I don't want to get it wrong and I have a bad feeling I get my outfit wrong most days

[Thurlow]

That dress looks good, but I think I would get a darker cardigan to go with it?

[MadameJosephine]

I like the dress but think the cardigan looks too casual, could you wear a jacket instead?

[FauxFox]

First of all you are not really fat at all! That dress is not right though - too pretty...you need to look serious and professional for a senior post interview shift dress in black, navy or grey would be my suggestion, something like this? Next has loads of workwear.

Good luck!

[CaitAgusMadra]

I conduct a lot of interviews and as PP have mentioned anything goes as long as you are smart and well turned out.

I also think that the polka dots are too 'pretty'. A plain dress with a cardigan or jacket would be perfect with some understated jewellery. Your hair is gorgeous but I'd wear it up or at least off your face.

Also you are in NO WAY fat.

[hellsbells99]

I always just wear a dark trouser suit for any formal work meeting. It is easy then! .....and I only normally wear jeans

[legotits]

Nice dress and it suits your shape (slimmer than me )

At a push that dress/tights/jacket will be fine.
If you want to feel as professional as poss I would swap to a plain dress or blouse and pants.
Being smart and non descript will stop you worrying about how you look.
Grey or navy (unless it's funeral industry)
so you don't look too sombre.

Good luck

[PippilottaViktualia]

Ok, this is really helpful thanks you so much!

And thanks but I am nearly 20stone and also 6'2''.

I will take the toddlers into the city and look for something in Next, a dress or a dark jacket too with this dress. Hopefully I can find something to fit! I am competent in all other areas of my life, apart from clothing!

I wish I had more time but between holidays and going back to visit Lithuania and then flying straight from there to my interview I have got a panic head on!

Thanks again

[Thurlow]

New Look and Dotty P's both have blazer jackets in at the moment which, brand new, will look fine with a dress.

[LaurieLemons]

I think the dress would be fine paired with a blazer/darker jacket. The cardigan makes it look a bit too casual though.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Next workware is a reliable choice and not too dear. At a pinch, that dress with tights and a tailored jacket could work, but given your industry I'd tend to think that conservative is best.

[CaitAgusMadra]

The Uniqlo Cardigan jackets are fab and on sale at the moment. They look smart but are very comfy and non-restrictive to wear

[museumum]

That's a lovely outfit - really nice.
But it doesn't say senior engineer to me. Not at all.
I would assume most of the other candidates will be male so if it were me I'd go for a mire androgynous look, probably trousers, probably a jacket. Personally I don't fit shirts and would wear a plain top but if you do then trousers and shirt? Or a skirt but not swishy.

[taxworries]

If you are short on time can you order a load of stuff on ASOS and then return the rejects? That's what I tend to do, they post stuff out really quickly.
Good luck!

[PippilottaViktualia]

I don't really wear trousers I have really big hips bum and a much smaller waist, I don't have time to have anything altered, all my work jeans I've had adjusted.

Also we don't get next day delivery where I live so Asos is out, but good idea if I had more time!

I have a black skirt suit, that fits, but I think skirt suits are totally 'out' yes? No?

I don't like the androgynous look, it's not very 'me' but I guess I take your point about being up against men for the role, my speciality is so heavily male dominated I've only met one other women doing my job yet... I should clarify although I do work in the office a lot of the time, I'm not really an 'office engineer' and I do spend a good part of my working life on rigs etc. Maybe a more androgynous look is a good idea.

So I didn't make it to city today but I have my black skirt suit or black pencil dress, I also have dark grey jersey blazer and black jersey blazer, this is from shops nearish to me and already owned.

I'm think the spotty dress is wrong, I showed my friend and she said it was more like what she would wear as admin role. Whatever that means.

Argh, clothes are so hard

[PippilottaViktualia]

Also I really like those uniqulo Cardigan jackets. I have ordered a few but they probably won't come in time but they will be nice for work anyway. So thank you