How smart would you dress for an admin interview?

[zippalippa]

(Putting this here as I think it will canvas a more general range of opinions and I don't want high end fashion suggestions from more specific parts of MN.)

I'm looking for admin work but I'm stuck on clothing as my previous job was required a uniform. What do people expect you to wear at interviews?

Are we talking some sort of smart/casual top or do people go all out with a shirt and suit jacket? I used to be the latter but I'm wondering if things are more relaxed now?

I'm plus size so if anyone is kind enough to make suggestions then it would need to be a shop that does size 22/24 and preferably not too expensive.

TIA

A thirty quid dress from Marks and Spencer in plain black and a blazer will cover all bases and leave you enough for a pair of black tights.

Whilst people will insist that it doesn't matter anymore, in a lot of places it does, and when you need a job, it's not really a time to be taking risks.

I went from uniform to practical, showed up in a shirt and trousers for my first role here, but now have a role where the ability to frock up on occasion has made it noticeably easier to progress.

Oh & I wore a black slip petticoat under my dress 🙂

You sound far more stylish than I could ever be! 😂

I think if in doubt dress up more rather than less. But holy shit not these dresses. They are tragic.

When I've been interviewing, I have NEVER thought anyone was dressed "too smartly" for an interview. Even if they stood out as being more formal than other candidates or more formal than we would normally wear at work.
I have however thought 'Why wouldn't you make a bit more of an effort for an interview?' when people haven't got it right.

Although I know it shouldn't make a difference as to if you can do a job or not, if your shoes are scruffy or if you are wearing jeans, if does present an image to the people meeting you. In some places this will matter more than others, but, if you are ever not sure, I would always rather stand out by looking smarter than the rest than be the one looking more casual than the rest.

I'd get a jacket / blazer and wear it with a dress or smart trousers.
I would go with something not too fussy.

.. I did mean to add something more constructive..

I am about your size and I think..

M and S is good for trousers, shirts, blazers and coats (and also jeans)
Monsoon for blouses
Mango for tops and trousers
Seasalt for jumpers and skirts (and the Larissa shirts knocked down on eBay as long as you avoid the twee ones)

Spray your thighs with hairspray to stop ride.

Try Yours or Simplybe for nicer plus size stuff.

Thanks @UsingChangeofName that's really useful insight from the employers side of things.

Useful links, thanks @Luredbyapomegranate , do you have any suggestions for plus size work dresses?

And try Snag tights for decent tights.

Not at all zippalippa 😆But I didn't want to be nervous or uncomfortable so wore a smarter version of what felt like me. Here's similar styles of what I wore, but there's different colours and patterns of both items online. A good base outfit!

The last interview I went to (and got the job) I wore a plain white cotton blouse from Asda with a plain black (cheap) skirt from Asda, tights, and black shoes with a low heel. Everyone I bumped into told me how smart I looked (I felt like I was back Silver Service waitressing myself). I must normally look dreadful.

Never heard the hairspray trick @WomanhoodIsABirthright , I will give it a go.

Already have some snag tights, they're brilliant but stuff does cling a bit to them.

You know @hellswelshy I may have a dress like that tucked in the back of the wardrobe somewhere and that blazer is actually really cheap. I might go to m&s this weekend and try a few things over the dress I already have.

Haha it's a bit like that when you dress differently isn't it @AncientQuercus . I'm a leggings and scruffy t-shirt person so I get double takes when I wear clothes that aren't stained from diy or cooking!

I’d probably go with suit trousers no jacket and a nice blouse. It depends what kind of admin role and whereabouts in the country.

Here you go, OP

M&S Size 22 or 24 Dress

Thirty five quid.

I also interview. You can't be too smart.

Dress/skirt/top/jacket.

Polished shoes.

Take a neat bag. Doesn't have to be expensive, but ensures you're not cluttered.

There will be plenty that scoff at this, but you simply cannot re-make a first impression.

After you get the job you can wear whatever the rest do.

That would look really good with a coloured blazer, thick black tights and boots or brogues!

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Mono-Geo-Print-Crinkle-Midi-Dress/142197929-Mono?searchTerm=:newArrivals:type:Dresses:size:22_103&searchProduct=
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Navy-%26-Orange-Floral-Midi-Dress/141535261-MultiColoured?searchTerm=:newArrivals:type:Dresses:size:22_103&searchProduct=
global.direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/beige-zebra-print-midi-shirt-dress/GEM962657,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1
global.direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-patterned-wrap-front-midi-dress/GEM996320,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1
global.direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/blue-floral-print-relaxed-midi-shirt-dress/GEM1001219,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

Some ideas! I’d need to try some of these to make sure there was no cleavage visible personally but it depends on your body type.

This. Doesn't need to be expensive to look smart

Ha ha! You have one of my Very Important Meeting outfits there!

Thanks@emmathedilemma and @Martialisthebestpup , some great stuff there. I'm off to the shops to try things on!

I wore this (but a patterned version I can't see online) for my last interview with a blazer over it

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350069765.aspx?docid=221822#shoppingtool=treestructureflyout&srt=noSorting&facets=brand*anne-weyburn&shoppingtool=treestructureflyout

If you search by Anne weyburn you can see all the other dresses too

@Pelo22

Thank you so much - I ordered the dress in navy and rust, 2 shirts, 3 jumpers, a cardigan, two pairs of jeans and a pair of trousers. Everything is being kept apart from the trousers which were just a tiny bit too small.

I am delighted - currently overhauling my wardrobe and recently sent back £500 worth of clothes to Next as all too small, £350 worth of clothes to Long Tall Sally as all comically too big (and I'm 5ft 10) - all of the above from Anne Weyburn cost around £230 and is much, much better quality.

Thank you 😊

I think something along the lines of black trousers with a blouse and / or jumper / cardigan would be fine. Swap trousers for skirt and tights or wear a dress.
I don't think you need to wear a suit.

(NC) I'm so glad! I'm 5ft 10 too and a size 16 and I was pleasantly surprised by how heavy the dress was and how well it hung