Workwear or interview trouser suit

[BranchingOut]

Any suggestions for where to go for a good quality workwear or interview suit? I can possibly go to Oxford Street or any other central london shopping area over the next week or so.

I don't really like black or navy - pale grey, chocolate or possibly another colour would be fine.

My budget is maybe £150 for jacket and £100 for trousers.

Bump

Any views on these places for interview or formal workwear:

Hobbs - which concession to go to on Ox st? (If I choose to splash a bit more cash)
John Lewis - which concessions?
Debenhams
House of Fraser - which concessions?
M&S

Am I forgetting anywhere?

What is the opinion on M&S suiting these days?

I don't think M&S would normally cut the mustard for a good quality interview suit. One of the best I have is LK Bennett. Another good one I bought was Fenn Wright Manson. Hobbs are good too and have some nice suits with dresses. Personally I think you should wear a jacket and dress or skirt suit for an interview - it's more ladylike IMO.

I bought an interview suit at M&S 2 years ago (I don't like them, but needed one). Lots to choose from and plenty of different lengths/fittings. Saved me trying different shops. I got pale grey. Try there if other shops haven't got something.

Aha, Fenn Wright Manson, LK Bennett - yes, I knew there were places I had forgotten. Thanks.

Any opinion on Jigsaw for suits? Kew? Phase Eight?

I too prefer a jacket and dress combination, but my job sometimes involves, bending, stooping, sitting on the floor etc so it can come over wrong if you look too 'dainty'.

I don't think Phase Eight do much in the way of suits. I've got a few 'stretchy' dresses from there but no suits.

I had a Jigsaw suit once and it was nice but it was a long time ago.

What's your job by the way (if you don't mind me asking?)

Does it have to be a whole suit? You'd be sitting down, behind a desk. I'd focus on the upper half, good quality jacket, shirt.

Thanks, I probably do need a whole suit due to lack of decent clothing for the bottom half!

My job is teaching/school management, but a typical interview process can involve a presentation, panel interview and a demonstration lesson. In the classroom you may need to sit on tiny chairs, bend over to work with small children etc... Not to mention lugging to the school any resources you may need for your teaching! Anything too 'Mad Men' won't work.

Update.

Well, I went to Oxford Street and saw a couple of lovely suits in the Hobbs and Reiss sections of John Lewis, but they were really a bit beyond my budget, especially as I am not my ideal size at present. May wait for the sale!

I tried on a couple of cheaper suits from Linea (House of F) and there were always problems with either the cut or the fabric. In the end I found myself thinking that my five-year-old suit hanging in the wardrobe at home was probably better than buying something new.

I finally went to M&S and bought a rather excellent shift dress for £45. It looks very smart on, fits well and gives me a second option for interviews. The one I bought isn't on the website but it looks a bit like this

Jigsaw trouser suits are nice but I have never bought one- they tend to swamp me. They also tend not to stock them over the summer.

Other places are Banana Republic in Regent St- do good work/office wear.