Urgent help needed with interview outfit

[ethelb]

I have just managed to secure a job interview for Wednesday morning for a role I would really like. It is a junior role but one that requires quite a lot of experience which I do have iyswim.

I have been self-employed for the last year and my only suit is currently about 8 years old!

It is for a children's charity in London. I worked for a local disability charity up until a year ago and people dressed in a huge range of ways from corporate down to ripped jeans and fleeces not dependent on their position in the organisation. TBH I could have dressed smarter.

The problem is I am 5'2'' and quite young looking. I'm 28 but almost always get ID'd. Size 12 with a big bust and bum that looks crap in most suits, though I can get away with dress suits sometimes but the blazer looks crap. I have a small waist and look smarter when that is shown off but finding suits that do that really hard. My arms are ok.

I have a short sharp bob and wear glasses. Any ideas?

I'm in London and can go shopping tomorrow PM/evening. Oxford Street and Westfield Stratford are the easiest shopping centres to go to for me. Budget £200-300.

[ethelb]

It is a digital media role FYI.

[hellsbellsmelons]

I'd go for a nice dress and cardigan.
Would you feel more comfortable in something like that?
stand out
another asos
grey
bargain
sale size 12
LK Bennett
another LKB
colourful but you should get away with it in July

[EdithWeston]

I always think that the key thing is to dress as if you already have the post, and for interview to err on the conservative side of what people actually wear.

For anything office based, I think you need a good jacket. This could be either part of a suit (skirt or trousers) or something like a navy blazer that goes over all sorts of separates.

If near Oxford Street, it's worth popping in to Bravissimo (there's a branch just north of Oxford Circus) as it's a big branch so has a lot of their Pepperberry clothes in stock. They're cut for the big bust, so a top and/or jacket from there might work for you. And of course a new, well fitting bra will be a lift for both boobs and spirits (and make all your clothes look good).

[ethelb]

When I worked in an office I would wear a smartish dress and waterfall cardigan, but feel this may not cut it.
I will go through the suggestions.

Would trousers or pencil skirt and blouse style combo from Vivienne of Holloway be a bit to out there? www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/trousers-c14/1940s-swing-trousers-herringbone-stripe-p1680

Or are blouses not smart enough?

[ethelb]

Thanks for the suggestions for JL. I may see if I can book an appointment with them.
I also like the ASOS dresses and will consider those for a work wardrobe if I get that job. They look great!
Does anyone have any ideas for a blazer? Do Pepperberry do blazers?

[polyhymnia]

I think those V of Holloway are, as you say, a bit 'out there' for an interview.

[ethelb]

Ok, maybe I will sit on the V of H stuff for work wardrobe in case I get the role!

I have booked an appointment with John Lewis in Oxford Street tomorrow. I will see if I can pop into Pepperberry in case they have a blazer that fits.

[SuperFlyHigh]

You certainly need if anything a nice work dress and jacket/blazer over the top.

blouse and suit fine but I think dress is more modern and more in keeping for your role.

I would be very tempted to invest in this dress (maybe too expensive though):-

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0215-5315-9045L00&productvarid=0215-5315-9045L00-NAVY-10

and a killer jacket.

this could work... you need single breasted or just a flattering one... H&M have been my friends here in past but you need time to look. size up in H&M 14 is my friend normally.

www.jigsaw-online.com/products/luxe-tailoring-boyfriend-jacket-8558

[BuntyCollocks]

I got a call back within two hours for a more senior role at a big firm, when I was told
I wouldn't hear until next week, wearing this

I think companies in general now are more smart casual than suited and booted. I would normally go smarter, but my current job is dress down the whole summer so I can't go in overdressed without raising suspicion!

[Twinklestar2]

I love a smart dress and jacket combo, I have a lovely grey pinstripe from Warehouse I brought about 5 years ago which is still style appropriate now.

Have you tried warehouse?

I also love the oasis dress a pp linked to. It's gorgeous!

[SuperFlyHigh]

actually a lot of the Oasis workwear is nice and dare I say it nicer than Warehouse workwear.

fashion.oasis-stores.com/search?asug=&country=GB&w=workwear

[ethelb]

Thanks. Just got back from stylist at JL. I got a cropped Hobbs Jacket and Karen Millen dress to be paired with sheer tights nude heels and a simple gold chain. Will post links in a bit.

[SuperFlyHigh]

ooh well done OP. both sound really nice and very flattering. Karen Millen dresses 'are' flattering.

[WipsGlitter]

I wore dresses to my last interview (two interviews for the same job). I didn't wear a jacket. I hate wearing them plus o knew I'd be taking it off in the second as I had to do a test so didn't want to have to juggle bag, notes abs a coat!!

Good luck!!!!

[ethelb]

I got this dress (it is knee length on me to give you some context): www.karenmillen.com/colourful-full-skirted-dress/dresses/karenmillen/fcp-product/01446481
And this jacket (it is a full length sleeve on me!) www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0215-4155-3786L00&productvarid=0215-4155-3786L00-IVORY-10&refpage=coats-jackets

[SuperFlyHigh]

I wouldn't personally have gone for the yellow unless you really love it but it's nice.

Did you get white or blue jacket? Again same re white re wear but they're both nice items and you can potentially mix and match with others. I'd get a white/navy striped dress or navy dress and navy blazer of you get the job if you didn't get jacket in navy as then you're covered re meetings etc.

In fact I'm going go to invest in a killer quality work dress and jacket myself mine are h&m and Warehouse dresses and H&M jackets.

[ethelb]

I do really love it! And its a colour i can pull off. I asked the stylist at JL if it was suitable for an interview and she said it should be really good. Not too corporate but smart.

I got the white jacket but I am v tempted by the blue one too as it fits so well and it is the first time i have found a well fitting blazer/jacket EVER! I have quite a few blue/ blue and white dresses that aren't quite smart enough for interview but are fine for the office which would go well with either.

Im also v tempted by the asos and oasis dresses linked above.

I just have to get the job first!

[Twinklestar2]

Good luck with the interview!

[hellsbellsmelons]

Good luck - great choices. Lovely colour.
You should always try to add colour when being interviewed so you stand out and are remembered easily (for all the right reasons we hope).
Fingers crossed for you.

[SuperFlyHigh]

hells that is a good tip actually - my 2 interview dresses are maroon and black. I will add colour in future.

OP - if you can afford it I'd definitely recommend the blue jacket too.

You are also thinking along the right lines re your current dresses.

I wish I was brave enough to wear yellow more - I'm blonde (dark blonde with highlights) but only just got an Oasis strappy top this spring and I have a striped yellow casual top. I do need to add more colour!

Good luck with interview too.

[SuperFlyHigh]

that jacket by the way is a good choice because if you're busty and short and need definition (like I do) the cropped style and fitted waist are perfect as they accentuate waist and fit nicely over bust.

so if you see more jackets like that (nipped in waist) look for them.

[ethelb]

Thanks everyone. I got the job. And another interview next week for a permanent role (the interview this morning was for a temp role but they want to make it permanent). Thanks everyone. Now just going to decide what to wear for the second interview on Tuesday. I'm thinking one of the ASOS dresses this time... the bank balance has taken a bit of a wack already this week!

[hellsbellsmelons]

Well done.
Good luck for next week.
Let us know how it all goes.

[SuperFlyHigh]

oh well done OP!

I'd go either with red or blue (bright colours) and you can certainly wear the white jacket again if no other one in your wardrobe.

I think what hells says re bright colours certainly works! good luck for next week and maybe your interview and bright colour swung it to make it permanent!

[Twinklestar2]

Well done on getting the job!