Smart clothes help please!! Size 12/14

[Zerofashionsense]

After a few years of casual work (& having children!) I have an in-person third-round job interview for a ‘proper’ job coming up. Eeek!

I’m in tears trying to find smart clothes that suit me. Everything I ordered looks frumpy or unflattering. Size 12 on top with medium size boobs, 14 on bottom with wide bum, but usually 14 is too big on waist. I also have no idea what’s the ‘right’ kind of thing to wear. Professional role but not lawyer/ finance level professional.

Happy to spend £200 ish if it’s stuff I can wear other times. Will need to buy more if I actually get the job!

Any ideas gratefully received! Thanks in advance.

Try separates- a nice plain colour skirt with a blouse from a drapey material ie not stiff and sculptural, with a black blazer. Check Next, M&S and Hobbs for blazers

I have similar fitting issues. I also like to wear a colourful print dress that skims thebody without clinging anywhere (with princess seam and a flared skirt), with a black blazer.
Most people seem to think a dress should be snug all over to fit well. Actually, it looks better if it just skims the body. Camilla is a very good example of wearing skimming clothes

Don’t cry - there’s no need!

Firstly - spend half an hour googling and comparing all the alterations services in your area. (It’s likely the better ones will be in the most upmarket area and consequently more expensive, but …) Why would you think mainstream brands care about catering to your exact waist / hip measurements? They don’t. When you buy a size 14 pair of trousers or skirt, you will almost certainly need to get them altered to fit your waist.

Anyway - I’d forget all the dated legacy work wear brands; if you want to look current (ie capable of swift, innovative critical thinking in a 21st century professional environment😂) you want somewhere like

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women

By the way, there is a thriving Style & Beauty board on MN!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty

Thank you all so much! I didn’t get the job, probably because I was more worried about looking professional than actually doing well in the interview. But I now have a few staple pieces that I feel confident in going forwards. Onwards and upwards!

Well, that at least is excellent news. So you’ll feel more relaxed for your next interviews.