Smart clothes for the Large of Nork, and other interview questions...

[FreudianSlippery]

not actually got any interviews yet :( but I'm hoping for some soon and just realised I have nothing to wear! I've been a SAHM so don't own anything smart.

I'm not applying for anything requiring a suit so I was thinking smart black/grey trousers, but have no clue what to wear on top?

I'm a size 18 but 38Gish on top so shirts often look silly.

Also, make-up/nail varnish/hair - I'm normally so unkempt - hair down or up? I have long brown thick hair prone to Frizz. Don't normally wear any form of cosmetics but should I wear a bit of clear mascara etc just to tidy myself up?

Clueless... Advice please? :)

Pepperberry (Bravissimo new name) for a shirt. Will do wonders for your self esteem and IME my bravissimo clothes take a good 7lbs off me

Hair up, if in a style not a ponytail.

get some brwon mascara, clear is no good, and some blusher too. Rimmel/Max Factor is fine and cheap.

Splash out on John Frieda Frizz-ease or moroccanoil if you can afford it.

Short nails please, with a polish (dark if you're neat, clear/pale if you're not).

Stand up tall, shoulders back, spritz of perfume and GO GET EM!

:)

Thank you. Unfortunately I have lots of scarring on my arms so I need long sleeves ideally.

What is the verdict on smart jumpers, over a shirt?

I have pretty much no money right now (hence the desperation to get a job...) so am off to tesco most likely...

Got plenty of make up etc - I just don't use it - so I'll use brown mascara and clear nail polish.

Also - jewellery? Earrings? Delicate necklace is ok I assume?

I like the jumper/shirt combo personally so yes! Go easy on jewellery - chic is your watch word.

Grag a fabulous bag at Tesco, that should 'finish' your outfit well.

It depends on the sort of job you are going for, but if you are expecting several interviews you might do better with a suitable dress, a jacket to wear over it and a cardigan or two for anything less formal - you could use the component parts as the basis of your work wardrobe or socially depending on how things went! Just be sure your bosom is under control - when we interviewed recently "Miss Nice Cardigan" got the job and "Miss Max Cleavage" didn't.

I've actually just got my first underwire bra for 2 years, as I'm not BFing DS in the day anymore. It's not very cleavagey but gives much better shape underneath clothes (actually makes them look smaller yay!) instead of a rather matronly appearance which wasn't a good look on a 24yo...

The jobs I'm applying to are office/retail and don't have an overly smart dress code but I hear it's still better to be smart for interview.

I've actually never had a successful formal interview before so I'm terrified!

If I'm interviewing for an admin post I'm looking for someone quietly dressed but not "dressed up" who looks smart/comfortable/low key. They always say if you really want the job it is a good idea to pop by and see what the people who work there are wearing.

That's good the particular job I'm hoping for is in a place I know well and they are smart casual. Some wear jeans but not all so I'd rather go for the smarter end.

If the place is smart casual I think it still would be good to look like you've made an effort, as it shows you're taking the opportunity seriously. Also if you can combine that with showing some of your personality in your clothes you'll feel professional but not not uncomfortable.
Good luck!

Bright colours or is that a bad idea? I have dark hair and olive skin so pale stuff looks a bit crap. Turquoise looks good, and red but I'm thinking red is a bit too much?

Also shoes, oh god I forgot shoes. Never wear heels... Black pumps?

Hmm I always think it'sbest to overdress as you will look smart and professional. You then dress like everyone else once you've got the job. I've (so far, though terrified about tomorrow) never had an unsuccessful interview with my overdressing approach.

I'd personally say, if you really want the job- go to the hairdressers and get your hair sorted (stand-by appts are often cheap) the day before, wear black mascara if you're dark featured on your top eyelashes only, not really much need for other make up other than if you have any blemishes then a tiny bit of concealer. Maybe some blusher but sounds like you may not need it.

Then nails, I always go for clear or pale nails as it's professional. DIY 99p bottle of varnish

I'd say for an office job wear something that's one step down from being a suit. Eg dress + jacket, or black trousers+shirt kind of thing. I'd avoid jewellwry simply because I think it can be hazardous judging what other people find nice, iyswim, and I think it detracts from a smart appearance, but I'm in a minority, nothing wrong with some stud earrings or a simple necklace but I wouldn't wear them

Er, classic bag and classic shoes

If you can invest in a shirt that fits you, then it will come in very handy

good luck

Black pumps, black trews, and a nice jersey top in a colour that compliments you - red, turq etc, and a smart black cardi. Could do quite a lot with the components of that for the basis of a working wardrobe!

I'd wear red and turquoise under a black jacket to an interview, but on their own they are a bit bright I think for an interview.
I've got similar colouring to you but when I need to look smart I wear mainly black, or a white shirt, or coloured shirt, but my interview outfits are normally something like a pale blue top with black because I think pale blue is a nice colour that nobody will hate, or even cream.

Yep colourful tops under a black cardigan are fine

What've you got tomorrow vinestein? Good luck anyway :)

Well, back now, that was exhausting! There wasn't much choice. Got a navy pinstripe suit it actually looks really good, much more slimming than the others I tried. Got some tops to wear underneath (was very mindful not to get anything too low cut!) and some shoes.

I did find some shirts that looked fab but wouldn't be appropriate for an interview - because they were fitted they made me look really busty and like I was trying to use my boobs as a selling point

I want to get some tops that I can wear with the trousers but without the jacket... Difficult though as I'm so flabby on my post-babies tummy :( I like the jacket as it holds me in...

I'd get a dress and a jacket

Aah me and a dress do not mix. :(

You just need to find the right dress. Dresses are so easy to wear.