please help a size 20 hopeless case find a smart outfit for interview

[cansu]

Am a size 20 which is not making this easy! I need a smart, but not too conservative or businessy outfit for a teaching interview. I was hoping for a jacket with a dress but so far most of the dresses I have liked basically look crap. I want something to boost my confidence so am now thinking jacket and skirt, but dont really want to go for black business style suit. Any ideas please.

[ButICantaloupe]

What about this it comes in 3 colours.

Or this it's quite bold though, so would have to suit your colouring.

[QueenQueenie]

I bought this dress (in navy) recently
There's a matching jacket of you feel you need one... and other suitable things on the workwear page that come in a 20.

[ButICantaloupe]

I also think this is quite nice.

[cansu]

Quite like the skater dress but I have just tried one from Boden that looked similarly lovely on screen but looked like a sack on me. That last one Cantaloupe isnt what I would normally go for but is growing on me.

[RonaldMcDonald]

What height are you
What is your body shape

[RonaldMcDonald]

all those body con dresses are vile btw

[Whatevertheweather]

Monsoon is your friend - I am a size 18 and most of my workwear comes from there. I find a shift dress and jacket quite flattering

[qazxc]

What shape are you? I'm an apple size 20/22 (big tummy and boobs). I got a couple of wrap style dresses from marks and spencers, can be dressed up smart with a jacket for interviews and down with cardi and boots for days off, they are very comfy too (which helps if you are a bit self conscious and not used to wearing dresses).

[RonaldMcDonald]

What about something like this jacket and some navy trousers and a little navy top underneath?

what age are you?

[Whatevertheweather]

I also have this from next which is surprisingly flattering with the matching jacket

[polyhymnia]

I think the Boden one is far and away the nicest.

As a 'plus 'size myself, I try to avoid 'specialist plus size' labels like Simply Be at all costs - just don't seem to me to have the quality and style. Instead, I go for 'mainstream labels such as (carefully chosen) Boden.

All my teaching dresses are Boden, in fact.

The M and S one doesn't look like it's great quality but that may be just the pic online - you always need to see i- and feel -I n RL, particularly with M and S.

[KoalaFace]

Asos Curve have some nice dresses. I got a nice smart, tea dress from there a little while ago.

[ButICantaloupe]

Sorry, think my suggestions have gone down like a lead balloon!

[polyhymnia]

Further to what you say on Boden, they do vary wildly, I find, so although one you tried looked awful, another might not. And vice versa, of course. That's why I say 'carefully chosen' about them - I send back many more of their items than I keep but think it's worth it to find the few that really suit me and aren't made by ghastly plus size labels!

[RonaldMcDonald]

this next dress is okay

[tethersend]

If you want something smart and a little different, I'd go for this or this. (Both come with matching skirts btw)

[cansu]

Appreciate all your suggestions. I am looking through now. I am quite top heavy and not v tall! I think I look best in things which have a bit of shape to them as baggy or loose things make me look bigger somehow but obviously don't want my bulges on show. I had ordered the audrey ponte dress from Boden and although it fits I just feel sort of huge and a bit matronly in it.

[RonaldMcDonald]

nice textured jacket

[polyhymnia]

Sorry, ButI but I'm afraid Simply Be will always go down like a lead balloon with me, whoever suggests them!

And, while I wouldn't suggest the OP wears anything sacklike or baggy, I don't think bodycon dresses are really ideal interview wear for many figures.

[ButICantaloupe]

Sorry, a friend is a size 22 and bought a lovely dress from there. I don't know much more about it than that.

[QueenQueenie]

op I ordered something from Boden in that ponte fabric a while back... it's thick and nasty with no "drape" imo. The skater dress and this nice dress with sleeves are made of v good quality quite fine wool. They will be 100 x more flattering than the audrey dress on someone with your shape (imo). If you were to try this tipped shift dress you wouldn't need a jacket, you will look sleeker and simply polished (imo).

[QueenQueenie]

ps buy the long length and if you are average sort of height it will be knee length rather than above the knee

[travailtotravel]

I oftne head to ebay for ideas . but love the suits from tethers. A pencil skirt and great top or shirt would probably do you well.
Not sure what the MN view on colour tight is but I often wear black pencil, colour tights and a toning top. Always black flats or knee high boots as no heels.

Get lots of comments, always look tidy. Jacket or cardi depending on the occassion.

[travailtotravel]

Oh, and I am 20, 22, 24 or even and 18 dependng where I shop but critically have hips bum and tum. Which is a holy trinity of horror to balance!

[MisForMumNotMaid]

What do you feel about long waistcoats rather than a long sleeved jacket?

They can be quite fitted, add less weight to your top half, and leave your arms free to teach.