To wear this to a job interview?

[Abitlosttoday]

I have a job interview and nothing that fits or looks right. I really like this dress. Is it too casual? It's a creative role, mid-manager level, NHS.
I have order stuff online but none of it looks right. Having had a baby and a pandemic, plus working from home, I have lost all touch with formal wear. Help!

With smart black shoes, black opaque tights and a black blazer, I think it's OK at a push.
I wouldn't wear it personally, but I work in a corporate environment where you would only ever go to an interview suited and booted.

I’m also senior NHS and I would not wear that either. It’s not formal enough for a mid manager interview where I work - appreciate other workplaces might be different though.

A plain blazer, sensible shoes (probably a small heel) and ensuring the split was non existent would go a long way toward making it appropriate and at least you like the dress and can wear it afterwards.

Definitely don’t do sensible court shoes and a black blazer with it.

I’m an ex NHS mid manager in a creative role…not smart enough for an interview in my opinion. Maybe ok once you got the job on days you had no external or higher level meetings

Jesus, are people really concerned about a slit in a dress being unprofessional? I'm sure OP is not going to have her crotch on show.

No idea about mid management interviews but I need to know where this dress is from it's lovely.

It's a beautiful dress but too informal for an interview though I think with a dark blazer cardigan to tone it down a bit it might work.

Having said that I honestly doubt that anyone would reject you based on that dress if you ace the interview. Good luck. Hope you get it.

I totally disagree that it’s ‘too colourful’ for an interview. Jesus do people think it’s the 50s or something?
I hate the idea that women have to dress in dull boring clothes to be taken seriously.

OP you can wear colour and pattern and still be professional.

Heeled ankle boots or flats would be fine with this, it’s a good cut and length.

Far too casual. Even for an admin role. It’s right for a summer bbq.

It’s not just the slit it’s the whole dress. It’s just not appropriate interview wear for that role level unfortunately. It’s still formal attire in interview for jobs within the NHS and their contracted services.

The more I look at it the louder and interview inappropriate it seems to me but op I absolutely love that dress. Where did you get it from?

Love it, so long as it's with smart shoes, opaque tights and a plain dark cardigan/blazer.

I tend to wear something mildly quirky to interviews (e.g. smart black dress with a pelican print). I'm going to be working there and if they can't handle that, we aren't going to gel in the office.

P.S. I'm band 7. I think it's fine for up to 8a but not sure about beyond as I don't tend to work closely with 8b+ (though the one 8b I did work with regularly is VERY casual...)

I wore basically this but slightly different colours to my interview for my current job, also public sector and creative. Wore it with tights and heeled black boots with black leather jacket but you could also wear a cropped blazer if it's a bit chilly. Think it's lovely and a great choice for an interview. I always think dress for the environment you'll be working in, if it's not a suit job don't wear a suit.

Also if it helps im a band D and my manager is a band F and she wears a myriad of midi dresses in a variety of prints for every formal occasion and looks fab!

Yes with a smart jacket and smart shoes.

Agreed. That just ruins the dress and is neither beast nor fowl.

If you're going to wear it, wear it right!

It doesn’t look like interview attire to me.

Interviewed about 100 people
It's fine. Would wear the black with it though to contrast the colour a little

I love it but would pair it with a blazer and some smart shoes/heels.

I don't think there have been D or F bands since agenda for change many years ago now? ( Sorry totally off topic. )
Love the dress OP. Perfectly ok for an interview. I need to know where you got it as I want it!

Definitely. Gorgeous dress, I like it so much I just bought it!

And I see it’s lined so won’t look too flimsy/floaty casual.

I think the dress is from hush
I think for a creative role this dress is fine
Wouldn't bother me if someone turned up to an interview wearing this

I think it’s a bit loud for autumn and rather informal for an interview. I would tone it down with black opaque tights, boots and a dark jacket or long cardigan.