To ask what to wear to an informal interview

[BSrmmmmm]

I have an informal interview tomorrow, same company but different role
what do I wear I’m worried I’ll either be too casual or too OTT?!

What do you normally wear for work?
How would you dress for work if you got the new job?

Err on the side of too smart. No-one will ever judge for being overly smart but they will for being too casual.

The kind of work clothes you would wear for an important meeting or event.

We have a uniform usually! It’s a similar role just at a different branch!

Always better to be overdressed for an interview. Be formal, I would not go for casual.

I would dress as smartly as I would for a formal interview at a new company. It all helps to create a good impression.

I'd wear what I wear to work every day/in line with others who have the role you are going for

Advice now is not to go TOO smart unless the role requires it else you look like you are aiming too high and don't know what you are applying for

Go smart, but not a full suit.

Smart clothes generally make a better impression on hiring managers than casual ones.

Eg trousers or a skirt (not jeans) with boots or shoes (not trainers), a smart top or jumper (not a hoody or t shirt) and a jacket (could be a blazer type or a wool coat - not sportswear). Hair smart and styled. Make up if you wear it. Et voila! Good luck.

Smart blouse and tailored trousers

Many years ago now, there was an internal vacancy that 2 internals and 2 externals went for. No one expected the externals to have a chance. I showed them both round the department and I wore a blazer and skirt type combo. My colleague who went for the post didn't wear a jacket or blazer. I remember thinking she ought to have dressed at least as smartly as I did for my role. The interview panel had senior people who didn't know her personally. The other internal was so nervous that she answers a question in her mother tongue. External got the post.

Previous interviews I've gone for the jacket, blouse, trousers combo and got nowhere, (not necessarily because of the outfit) I'm mid-50s and a weird shape 5 foot 8, 38G bust, fat belly and big hips, long legs but short top half, so "suit" options look like shit. Jackets are either too tight or oversized or both at the same time in different places. I have a big belly and hips but normal width legs so trousers that fit me at the top swamp my legs or are too short.

I had an interview today via an agency. I decided to just wear what I'd wear to the office normally. Stretchy houndstooth check trousers with a drapey jumper and ankle boots. Turned out both the women interviewing me were dressed similarly in jumpers and trousers and one with DMs.

I don't know the outcome yet but I feel went OK, I don't think they noticed what I wore, possibly because it already fitted in with "normal" for the company.

Sorry, that's not necessarily helpful, but if you already work for the company I'd go with what's standard workwear rather than "suited and booted" if that makes sense.

This is good advice.

I was told to go one level smarter than whatever you would be expected to wear on a day-to-day basis in the new role (which I appreciate is a bit harder given that you wear a uniform usually).

I think the informal aspect of the interview is a bit of a red herring here though. It’s still an interview and you will want to come across well.

Good luck for your interview today!