Old scruff bag has a job interview - tomorrow!

[MockneyReject]

Please help me!
I applied for a job on Wednesday, and was offered the interview, today.

I haven't had an interview for almost 10 years.

I've no cash, so have to make something I already have work - which is pretty limiting, as most of my stuff is elsewhere, plus I've gained over 2st in 12 months (and have aged 10 years!) so am already struggling a bit, 'style' wise.

The job is different to what I usually do, so I don't know how to dress for the interview. I've looked at photo's online, and employees look quite casually dressed. As well as quite young.
Obviously, that's while they're at work. So, where the every day dress code is relaxed, how 'smart' I need to need to be for interview?

I own:
black, grey, blue skinny jeans x about 20.
Navy wool coat, grey wool duffel coat, black wool jacket, black satin-blazer.
Various black stretch jersey dresses, tunic style dresses, shirt dresses in grey and khaki.
Non crisp white shirt.
Thick jumpers in navy and yellow.
Leggings and tights. Plain black. One grey polka dotty pair - thick.
Too big wool trousers x 2
Harem pants in grey silk, black cotton and grey Jersey.
No shoes. Just trainers and boots.

Sewing machine.

I'm stuffed, aren't I?

[MockneyReject]

Oh, and this charity shop panic buy!

They're Bitte Kai Rand, brand new and look much smarter IRL. I'm not sure they look quire right with 20 hole DMs, though...

[milkmoustache]

Do any of your boots look ok with your jersey dresses? If you have a coloured scarf/lightweight cardi to add that might work, or a bit of jewellery. Black is a good basic but you will need to lift it somehow.

[milkmoustache]

And do you have a friend of a similar dress size whose wardrobe you can rummage through?

[ChampagneSocialist1]

Do you know anyone nearby who could lend you clothes for your interview for a few hours?

[domesticslattern]

You need some smart footwear. I would get calling any friends/ family of the same shoe size. Then I would go with whatever looks best with your black blazer.

[MockneyReject]

No friends, locally. In fact, I don't know ANYONE in the whole county, lol.

[crackerjacket]

The grey trousers you just bought, non crisp white shirt, satin blazer and go to a cheap shop and buy some generic black shoes.

[crackerjacket]

What are your boots like, btw

[MockneyReject]

I have Frye boots, DM's and vintage clog boot, plus baseball boots, skate shoes and slippers
I grabbed a pair of Clarks ankle boots from the charity shop, earlier. They will do, at a push, I think.

[MockneyReject]

There is only one shoe shop in the whole town. Clark's.

The grey trousers are cullottes, BTW. I was thinking along those lines, though, crackerjacket

[milkmoustache]

Clean the boots, decide exactly what you are wearing, including any accessories, try it on until you feel happy enough - then forget about the outfit and bury yourself in interview prep. That's what will get you the job! Best of luck, and there's lots of great interview advice on the Back to Work threads too.

[AdaColeman]

Boots.
Black leggings or tights.
Black or grey dress worn as a tunic.
Black wool jacket.
Bright scarf around neck.
Earrings and or red lippy.
Large smile.

Best of luck MR!

[MockneyReject]

Ah, I didn't realise there was a Back to Work topic.

Thanks for the tips.
I'll have a trying on session, now.

[peachypetite]

It doesn't matter how casual the employees look you still need to dress to impress for an interview.

[peachypetite]

How did it go?

[AdaColeman]

What did you wear? Did you get the job?

[MockneyReject]

I'll know on Monday. The interviewers were very friendly, so even if I don't get this job, at least I'm over the 'first interview in a decade' hurdle.

I wore the 'panic buy cullottes', an almost matching jacket I grabbed from the charity shop £2 rail, this morning, the shirt and DM calf boots.

I did try the ankle boots, but looked like Mary Poppins, and felt slightly shitter than I did in the DM's. I shoved on a red knitted beret I have never worn before, to counteract the slight 'Gestapo' look of the boots and cullottes, channelled my inner 'freedom fighter (thanks, French chic thread) and went for it.

[ScreamingValenta]

You look great in that outfit. Hope you get the job.

[MockneyReject]

Thank you screamingvalenta
I'm horribly unphotogenic, so looked smarter in RL than in that pic.

[AdaColeman]

The red beret was an inspiration, really lifts it all!

Hope it's good news on Monday!

[Ilovewillow]

Hope it went well! Love the outfit! I own my own business (Financial Services and Accountancy) and for what its worth I think you looked entirely appropriate and I'd had remembered the beret and by default you too!

Good Luck!

[Floisme]

Cool outfit - and from what you've said about the company, I think you nailed it. Best of luck.

[MockneyReject]

I actually took the red beret from a polystyrene head which was sat on a stool, in the charity shop changing room, this morning, while I was trying on the jacket, lol! (It was brand new and nit-free).

I have never, in my adult life worn a hat!

I don't think it would have occurred to me, had a PP not suggested 'something to lift the black'.

Thanks to that poster, and to the Parisian threads

[Silverstreaks]

Great look. Hope it goes well for you.

I've just started looking at outside work after 10 years in the family business = nerve wracking.

[MockneyReject]

It is, isn't it, Silverstreaks

The 'Back to Work' threads scared me even more, mind!