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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wear a dress and not a suit?

53 replies

soupforbrains · 22/03/2018 11:36

I have job interview tomorrow. It is my first interview for 7 years as I've been in the same job all that time.

The interview was set up yesterday pm (wednesday) and is scheduled for 11:30 tomorrow(Friday). I only put my CV online on Tuesday so this has all happened very quickly.

I have just now received an email confirming the address details fro the interview and who I should ask for etc.

The email (from a recruitment agency) ends with "The office dress is smart, so if you could wear a suit that would be great."

This has worried me a little. I currently work in an office environment where the dress code is smart but it doesn't stipulate suits for female staff. I find it difficult to find suits that fit (big thighs, massive bum, smallish waist, big bosom and VERY broad shoulders) so I always wear smart office dresses and do not own a suit.

Obviously it's only 24hrs to the interview and I don't have time (or the money) to find and buy a suit. Will it be ok to wear a dress, not a suit?

Obviously I was always planning on dressing smartly for the interview, but it hadn't dawned on me that a suit might be required. Have I been terribly naive?

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 22/03/2018 11:37

I haven't owned a suit for 15 years. I don't know any women who wear suits for business nowadays. A dress will be fine!

Good luck!

PinkHeart5914 · 22/03/2018 11:38

I’d wear a dress & suit jacket personally

MTBMummy · 22/03/2018 11:40

A smart dress with maybe a jacket will be fine, I recently had to go through this (but came from a very casual work place before 18 months of being a SAHM - I interviewed at a financial organisation in a smart dress - and it was fine.

Original poster
soupforbrains · 22/03/2018 11:41

See its the jacket that is the difficult part. Because I have such broad shoulders I've never managed to fine a suit jacket or blazer that fits. So I don't own any.

I know that if I had a blazer it could 'dress up' almost anything.

OP posts:
thecatsthecats · 22/03/2018 11:42

Office dress and a blazer. If they take exception, do you really want a job there?!

I have similar issues and body shape - my boobs even exceed Bravissimo curve sizes. My default smart is a thick quality jersey dress, and a cropped, non closing jacket.

I honestly wouldn't want to work somewhere that didn't see that as smart and formal enough.

senua · 22/03/2018 11:42

Is there any chance that you can visit the address beforehand (eg lunchtime, going-home-time) and see what current employees are wearing.
I think dress+jacket is acceptable.
Good luck.

Freshprincess · 22/03/2018 11:43

A dress with a smart jacket would be my go to.

I got rid of most of my suits last year, when I couldn't remember the last time I wore one.

BoredOnMatLeave · 22/03/2018 11:43

I would imagine that is a generic line that gets sent mainly for men so they don't turn up in chinos/shirts.

A very smart dress would be fine, If you can get a jacket I would but if you struggle I wouldn't worry.

Luckingfovely · 22/03/2018 11:44

I only ever wear smart business dresses - suits scream 80s secretary to me. Have you got time to shop? What you need is a soft blazer, not at all like the stiff jackets of old.

Zara has tons normally, H&M too. For some reason they all seem to have ruched sleeves at the moment, but that's often okay over a dress.

Lichtie · 22/03/2018 11:45

You can look smart and professional without a suit, don't worry about it and good luck.

Original poster
soupforbrains · 22/03/2018 11:46

I'll just have to go with my smartest dress and no jacket. thecats I'm totally fine with not being able to close a jacket because of the boobs, but I've never found one I can get on because my shoulders/back are too broad.

I will then invest some extra time after this interview trying to find myself a nice black blazer that will go with lots of things so that I can smarten myself up for any future interviews.

OP posts:
Original poster
soupforbrains · 22/03/2018 11:47

Luckingfovely I have tried H&M their size across the back shoulders is just not big enough for me. Sad

OP posts:
PattiStanger · 22/03/2018 11:48

Can you check with the agency on how strict the dress code is?

BikeRunSki · 22/03/2018 11:48

They are just trying to stop you going in jeans.

Lovestonap · 22/03/2018 11:52

I agree that they've probably had people go to interviews in jeans etc before and want to make sure you understand it's formal office attire. Which can be really varied for women.

Agree with the poster who thinks that line is added on to stop men going in too casually, because of course men do still wear suits to an office

Original poster
soupforbrains · 22/03/2018 11:53

Thank you all.

I've emailed the agency to say that I don't currently have a suit, and would smart officewear i.e. a dress or skirt and blouse be ok.

There is a big part of me that knows that so long as I'm smart it doesn't matter, but the rest of me is just really nervous about the first interview in years and wants peace of mind.

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 22/03/2018 11:53

A dress is fine OP, no need to take it so literally. It’s just a general request for formal wear to stop men turning up in jeans.

If they stipulated ‘dresses’ they would rightly get compliants of sexism.

Mouthtrousersafrocknowandthen · 22/03/2018 11:54

Making an educated guess I would suggest that's a template email and more likely addressing male candidates for whom the default is no longer a suit so they need to be reminded not to show up in casual gear.

I am a contractor and go for lots of interviews every year, even so I get young people at agencies advising me what do in these emails. I dont read them any more. I rarely wear a jacket as it all gets too hot and bulky under a coat. A smart dress whilst carrying a coat is fine.

Original poster
soupforbrains · 22/03/2018 11:55

thanks Mouth

tatiana yes I know that but I would have thought that stipulating 'smart officewear' would have done the trick if that was what they meant. specifying 'a suit' is what unnerved me.

OP posts:
ishouldntsaybut · 22/03/2018 11:56

A dress will be perfect. If a jacket is not suitable have you thought of a long line cardigan. I have a couple and they actually smarten up an already smart dress.

MarissaLou · 22/03/2018 12:02

You’ll be fine in a smart dress OP. Just make sure you’re wearing smart shoes too, either low heels or smart flats. Good luck, do you best and relaxFlowers

morningconstitutional2017 · 22/03/2018 12:03

How could anyone object to a smart sober business-like dress? I wouldn't and I can't believe that the agency or interviewers would either - and I wouldn't mind betting that many women in offices (including the 'higher-ups') wear dresses to work. Obviously a jacket helps with the 'image.' Best of luck.

Fundays12 · 22/03/2018 12:12

I was a Recruitment Manager for years and a smart dress of smart trousers and shirt are fine. I didn’t expect candidates to wear suits just to be in appropriate business dress.

TempusEejit · 22/03/2018 12:14

The problem is one person's "smart officewear" is another person's "jeans with no rips in."

Do you have a shellsuit? Grin

kateandme · 22/03/2018 12:29

wot ere you planning on wearing over the dress?
have your tried evans.
tu sainsburys and asda can be quite good with broadness.
do u have a link for dress or similar too?
go feeling good and confident.that wot ur wearing is beautiful and smart.dont lok bashful at going in what makes you feel great.
don't worry.i no this is scary firs ttime nerves.but you sound like you could really want/enjoy this!so yay.be excited and enthusiastic.
ready to show them wot ur made of.
concentrate more on knowing the role and feeling that ooze out of you.good luck.let us know if you can,want to.
very excited for you.xx