Help! I need to put together an outfit for job interview, I'm NOT comfortable in smart clothes!

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I've got a job interview for an internal position at my existing company.

As I already work there, I know that the usual dress code is casual - I wear jeans, trainers and a nice jumper for work, as do most of my colleagues. However, the job I'm going for will involve representing the company at high level meetings from time to time, which does of course call for smarter dress.

So what do I wear for the interview that is appropriately smart, but doesn't make me look a total dick? I have seen other people waiting for interviews in suits, and to be honest, they stick out like a sore thumb.

I am NOT a trouser suit type of person, and would feel terribly uncomfortable in a blouse of any description. I will also have to spend the rest of the day in the office before / after the interview, so I don't want to stand out like a sore thumb screaming "I'm going for a JOB INTERVIEW"

I'm thinking some black trousers, black boots and a smart jumper?

I don't have access to most high street stores, but there is a Next and a Debenhams nearby. Or I can shop online.

Can anyone help me put together a nice outfit?!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Trousers

\boots

Jumper

Necklace

No idea if I'm on the right tracks or not here though!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Boots not oots.

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

Ooh thank you Remus - the boots are perfect. I'm happier in longer trousers, I'm tall so short ones like that look accidental rather than deliberate!

So you think a plain jumper and black trousers, with a necklace or a scarf or something is ok?

What is Cos like, I've never heard of it before

[Puddles1234]

Black pencil skirt with a well fitted shirt tucked in and stilettos (Think the style of Christian Louboutin Pigelle) very chic.

If you dislike shirts you can buy an almost cropped jumper that will sit on the waist band of the skirt.

Trouser suits unless they are extremely well cut look horrendous on women anyway. A pencil skirt is so much more flattering.

Good luck.

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I love the idea of a pencil skirt outfit but I think it would be way too smart for my office - so it would fit into the 'trying too hard / standing out like a sore thumb before/after interview' category.

I'm also quite tall - 5ft10 so I tend to avoid high heels in these circumstances as I don't want to appear too intimidating .The guy interviewing me (potential future boss) is quite short.

And also stillettos would kill me for the whole day!!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

The clothes in Cos are lovely, but you have to try a zillion things on to find one or two perfect things ime. If you can get cigarette trousers long enough for you, they'd be nice with the boots - black bootcuts can look quite dated I think.

These skirts have an elasticated waist so are stupidly comfortable, but also can look smart. I practically live in them at work. I tend to wear them with a plain top and a fabric biker jacket, plus either heels or the kind of ankle boots I posted. If that's too dressy, would be fine with a plain jumper and necklace or scarf.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

These trousers are styled v stupidly but ignore that! They are longer length and would look smart with the boots, jumper and necklace as below.

[Puddles1234]

I wear cigarette trousers with stiletto and it's a very comfortable outfit and I suppose would transition well to office wear.

Stilettos are very comfortable you could get ones with a 4 inch heel.

What about a pencil dress?

If you choose to wear trousers they must be cigarette or skinny as some people call them.

There is no such thing as too smart and a pencil skirt is smart but when paired with the right top it doesn't look to formal.

You are a wonderful height I have a friend who is the same height as you and she looks incredible in pencil dresses and skirts with a lower heel Stiletto.

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

So are straight, slim trousers the way to go.... is bootcut a big no no?

What about wide legged trousers?

I'm a size 10-12 but with a wide arse and muffin top.. so high waist is good, with a jumper or something to cover the join between trousers and top.

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I'd love to walk in there looking smart in a pencil dress / heels combo... but I just fear that it would look too try-hard, and I'd look an absolute tit for the rest of the working day.

I could take a change of clothes and transform back to my 'real' self in jeans and trainers for the rest of the day I suppose.

But don't you think that a skirt/dress and stillettos would look way out of place? potential future boss wears jeans / cords and jumpers as far as I can tell. I very much doubt he'll be wearing anything different on the interview, so if I walk in wearing a dress, I'll feel a right tit!

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

What about something like these:

trousers

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I really like wide legged trousers in grey flannel, but not so much in black.

[NK5BM3]

I think feeling like a right tit or not, it's about making the effort to say 'yes I know this job inside out and I know I need to meet external clients etc' hence why I'm dressing up.

People wear jeans around here but when externals are around or when you have a meeting, you dress up.

[FamiliesShareGerms]

What about kitten heels rather than stilettos if you're not comfortable in high heels?

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

What about this outfit?:

trousers

white shirt

Scarf

Boots

I actually have that scarf already... are scarves ok for interview, if tied at the neck smartly?

[thatswhatimtalkingbout]

I think you have to get over the "looking a tit" thing. you want them to see you in a different way, or you wouldn't be going for a more demanding job, and you wouldn't be interested in dressing any differently in the first place. There is a part of you that thinks looking smart is "being up yourself", or think others will think that. Fuck em. Wear what you want and need to wear for this job. Wear what you think will be the right thing for those high level meetings you will be going to, once you have the job. Because you will be that person and you will be wearing those outfits all day, and you have to show that you are that kind of person now.

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I really like wide legged trousers in grey flannel, but not so much in black Ooh I'd love some grey ones, yes I think that would look good.

Plus I have dogs, so less likely to show the dog hairs...

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

What about kitten heels rather than stilettos if you're not comfortable in high heels? Yes kitten heels would be good. But I'm thinking more multi-purpose if I splash out on some new shoes, so boots would be more practical for me.

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

Thank you thatswhat that's good advice.

I could try the 'wow factor' , but always, always dress down and blend in.

The interviewers will be potential boss, who is a scruffy scientist type, and his boss who is a middle aged, mumsy type of dresser. Having said that she usually looks smart, never jeans.

So I suppose I'm trying to fit in with their style a bit. A pencil skirt and stillettos would look fab, but totally out of place IYSWIM

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

How about the cigarette trousers and boots and then a blazer?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

This sort of shape but with boots instead of shoes?

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I like those trousers... but would they look weird over boots - like theyre too short for me or something?

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I'd love a blazer - any suggestions?

[GarlicLeGrenouille]

I think it's a mistake to dress "office smart" for a techy or trendy job. You're supposed to represent the company. I'd recommend a newer, brighter, version of what you all wear - with proper shoes/boots (I used to wear leather shoes that are cut like trainers) with upmarket jewellery. Look like your company's image, expensive version :)

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Bargain grey

More traditional workwear looking

Like this one a lot