Interview outfit - what shall I buy?

[becstarsky]

Help, please dress me! I've got an interview coming up - creative industry but business role. When I used to work I wore jeans with a jacket for everyday or a smarter skirt and blouse if I had a meeting - all bought at places like Reiss and Whistles. I think I might be a bit old for jeans at work now though.

Looking through my wardrobe of 'smart' clothes it all looks very obviously like it was bought 5 years ago when I was working... A few pieces will be fine for everyday work once I start especially if I mix and match them with new stuff, but I think for a first impression at interview I don't want to look like I've come out of mothballs and give them a visual reminder that I've been out of the loop for 5 years!

What should I buy for the interview? Or which shops should I go in? I can spend around £150, ideally on things that I can use for everyday work once I start at a job, and I don't have to buy the whole outfit - I've got basics already (white shirt, white t shirt, shoes, a few suit separates that might be okay if I put them with something new). I'm a definite pear shape, about a size 14.

Have a look at Cos

oh, are you excited? I think you should wear a suit for an interview - but maybe that is old fashioned. How "creative" is it?

super excited and nervous Bugsy! It is a creative industry and usually casual - I'd have to be careful with a suit - easy to look old and stuffy or corporate. I once wore a black pinstripe trousersuit - years and years ago - to an interview with a recruitment consultant who was compiling a shortlist for one of the 'edgier' companies and it was a big mistake. She said "Sorry, but I know what kind of person they go for, and you just won't fit." I'm sure it was the suit!

But if the suit had a bit of an edge it could work well. I used to have a black trousersuit with an asymmetric jacket and nipped in waist which zipped up diagonnally and had a scarlet lining with very tailored trousers. That suit was just ace - it was my go-to suit for meetings - but I'm too fat for it now so I gave it away. The young'uns at the company will be wearing jeans with a smart-ish top, but obviously I need to be much smarter.

Thanks for the recommendation on Cos tethersend That stuff does look lovely. But I'm a bit worried about my curves - it looks a bit 'straight up and down' and I've got such a big backside that... I dunno. I'll browse the site...

I'd go for a classic shift dress with killer heels or statement bag ..

Hmmm, in that case maybe a jacket & skirt? Something classy but contemporary. Have a look at Mint Velvet & Fenn Wright Manson, they are good for curvy & reasonably contemporary. Or maybe something quite classic teamed with a funky top or shirt from French Connection? Have you thought about shoes / boots?

Ah, now I have actually got a classic dress which looks good on me - imagine this one - if it doesn't pop up then scroll down - it's the bright green one, but the one I have is navy. And I've got a gorgeous grey Joseph coat that would go over the top. But I don't think any of my shoes would do it justice - what colour/style heels would work? And what colour tights?

Ooh, if you're curvy (missed that, sorry), then you should get this, no question. It's beautiful.

x-posted Bugsy - and our thoughts are turning inevitably to shoes ...
Will have a look at those shops too though - so tempting to just buy something new!

oooh tethersend I loooove that dress!

It is beautiful. And, rarely for a dress, smart enough for an interview.

Gorgeous grey Joseph coat sounds very good. Not sure about the dress though. I like it, but it looks a little 'girly' for an interview. If it is the fitted top with gathered skirt green dress you are talking about.
Think tethersend's Hobbs bernstein dress is good though. A funky take on pinstripe. Teamed with some killer boots ......

the secret at ANY job interview is not to wear an interview outfit, but to dress like you already work there.

So if you are not sure what they wear go and hang about tomorrow morning, evening or lunchtime to have a look at them. Clock what the people who work there wear, and look like that. If there is a range of allowable clothes, then tend to smarter end of the range.

you don't want them to think 'she looks smart' you want them to think 'she would fit right in here'

Think you're right about my navy dress. It will work for a meeting at work, but not for an interview. Still unsure also what to wear in terms of tights/shoes with it as well...

Right, will go to Hobbs and try that on tomorrow! Might need shoes too... My feet grew a whole size during pregnancy so I don't have many heels that fit, just kitten heels and ballet shoes - but I think that dress calls for courts, doesn't it? Black courts and opaque tights?

stubborn, I couldn't disagree more!

But perhaps that's because I'm a teacher and teachers are not renowned for their sartorial elegance

If I followed your advice, I would have turned up for interview at my current job in a wrap dress, leggings, fly boots and a bright scarf knotted over on itself. Or a flippy skirt

NO.

Black or grey courts, opaque or nude tights and a vintage brooch would be my choice.

Black opaques if you would be worried about nude tights laddering or don't feel totally leg confident, with black heels or I think smart heeled boots could work too. Possibly slimfit suede ones, but only if they are in immaculate condition.
Not sure about the look like you work there thing. Alot of people in the office I work in look reallly scruffy day to day, but they all know they have to wear best bib & tucker for external meetings & all the functions we attend. Everyone comes for interview looking properly smart.

Fraid I'm with tethersend - I worked in that industry for a while, and I know what I'd see if I went there this evening as they come out of work - a bunch of kids in baggy jeans and t-shirts getting onto their skateboards to go home... Well, not all of them, but there are quite a few of those. at the idea of me - a size 14 'lady of a certain age' wearing enormous jeans and walking into interview with skateboard under arm, saying "SSup? This job is for me, I will fit in here, aaah-eye?" Nah. I have to look a leetle bit creative so that I don't stick out like a sore thumb, but they'd expect me to be the office smarty pants as far as clothes were concerned.

Oh, like the idea of a vintage brooch with that dress tethersend

You're spot on Bugsy I am definitely not 'leg confident'! My legs haven't been 'out' since the old king died... I find boots difficult due to ridiculously muscular calves (I blame striding up hills with pushchairs!).

tethersend -- I did say choose the smart end of the range. For an interview as a teacher, dress like the smart teachers do. For an interview as a deputy head, dress like a deputy heads do.

OP yes this is correct. I don't dress like the kids do, dress like the people your age/grade/job dress. If your are intervieing for CFO, dress like the boardroom dress, not how the art-school creatives do

stubborn- that is how smart teachers dress; even management

what's wrong with a flippy skirt anyway?

sprogger Back when I was working a girl turned up for an interview for a relatively senior position wearing skinny jeans, uggs and a T-shirt that bore the legend "crack whore". Well, it was a very creative idea of what an interview outfit should look like, but not the kind of creativity I was looking for unfortunately!

I do love that Reiss dress. Oh I'm going to be so dangerous once I start earning my own money again - it's been yonks since I had money to spend on myself...

UPDATE - Just got offered the job

Thanks so much for all the help! I wore that dress tethersend recommended with black court shoes.

Now to go out and buy a working wardrobe - the sales are going to be such fun