Is this ok to wear for an interview?

[Supertree]

I have an interview today. It is going to be very hot and humid. In the previous round of interviews, I wore a suit jacket and trousers with a smart top, and I was very hot and uncomfortable. That was on a cooler day and I ended up with visible sweat patches. The office itself was very hot with lots of glass.

I only realised when I got there that it is a casual wear workplace, so I was dressed more smartly than the interviewers, though they said that they do sometimes choose to dress more smartly and people can if they wish.

I am thinking of wearing a black jersey dress with a tie on the waist. It is below the knee and has a wide scoop neckline along the collar bone, so not revealing at all, but is still casual. Would you wear it to the interview given the casual dress code and heat? I know it seems obvious that it should be fine but I’m a bit nervous and second guessing myself.

Can you wear a suit type skirt or lightweight trousers with a lightweight shirt? Jersey dress is too casual, in my opinion.

I always go with the rule, wear what you would for the job just slightly smarter

So it’s a second interview? I’d wear that in this heat with no air con.

I don’t have any other smart clothes and I bought them specifically for that interview. Can’t afford to buy anymore, so no skirt or lightweight trousers.

The interviewers were both wearing trainers, one with jeans and a t-shirt and the other in cargo shorts and a checked shirt. A member of staff I spoke to was wearing leggings and a cardigan.

I only really have the choice of the dress or the smart top and trousers from last time without the jacket, which felt pretty bad in the milder heat.

Could you wear a jacket over the dress and ask if they mind if you take it off when you get inside the room if its still boiling?

Yes, that might be a good idea, I was thinking that I could still give a ‘smart’ impression that way. I took my jacket off last time anyway as I was way too hot.

Jersey dress sounds a bit warm, but in terms of appearance it sounds absolutely fine.

Hmm just tried it in and the scoop is lower than I thought AND it has a pocket on the chest, making it look far more casual. I’ll see if I can get a photo

I have an interview tomorrow. I'm wearing a jersey dress with my suit jacket on top. I'd wear the jacket to turn up and if it's ridiculously hot remove it.

Do you have a plain, smartish t-shirt that you can wear with your suit?

What is the temp where you are op? Anywhere South of Scotland and you're likely to give yourself heat stroke this afternoon in a jersey dress and jacket.

Given its clearly a casual place, have you got any thinner less formal dresses that cover you and which you could put the jacket over?

No, I really have almost no clothes which are smarter and cooler. I also gained weight recently so I don’t have a lot of stuff available anyway. I do have another outfit option with the trousers and a different top, but it was actually the trousers which made me so hot last time. I was sitting for quite a while and had sweat patches on the stomach/groin area! Very embarrassing! I don’t usually get too sweaty but it was so hot in the room, I was nervous and the trousers are polyester.

Op what else do you have? I don't think you need something MORE formal or smarter given they were in jeans. I'd question the common sense of someone dressed in a thick dress and jacket in this heat

Will the different top you just mentioned be better at hiding sweaty bits?

Do you have a friend or friendly neighbour you could borrow something from? Could you sag to a supermarket and buy a slightly smarter dress?

I feel for you! Interviews are stressy enough. But during heatwaves they're hideous.

The jersey dress is pretty thin, it’s just a cheap one from H&M. Obviously looks smarter with jacket. I don’t think I will get heatstroke, I will have aircon on in the car until I get there and then it’s just the actual indoors bit of the interview I need to worry about.

No, the visible sweat marks were embarrassingly on the trousers!

I think that looks lovely on you. I'm not a job-interview expert though. But I really like that.

That looks fine, I doubt they will care in this heat

Good luck

OP I conduct a lot of interviews in a workplace where we wear smart casual wear and I wouldn't think you were under-dressed in that outfit, especially in this heat!

Good luck

Have you tried wearing a smart shirt open over the dress?

Or adding a lightweight scarf round the neck?

I think I'd wear it and immediately say you hope you're not too casual but that it's too hot for a suit.

That dress jacket combo looks perfect

Have you got a belt you could add?

It's lovely as it is. But I've been binge-watching Trinny videos and now feel it's possible to revamp any outfit with just a long earring, a belt and a sheer lip.

That looks lovely. Good luck

Haha! I have a black leather belt but it won’t work because of the jersey tie but (probably not visible on the photo as it’s blending with the dress). Don’t have many smart options. If I get the job, it will be my first ever job. My wardrobe is mostly very casual and geared towards looking after small children.

Ok. I think I’ll go for it and just explain the outfit choice at the start. Given the way they talked about clothing last time, I‘m hoping they’ll be fine with it.