Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Interview outfit help!!!

8 replies

bumperella · 19/01/2013 23:22

I've an interview for a job I really want. It's office role, reasonably senior and for a charity. I've a very "corporate" CV and the job is a lot less corporate than my last one, and I'm pretty over-qualified for it (but I want it as is much more interesting, much shorter commute, and part time).

Should I wear a suit - probably a chocolate brown trouser suit, smart but possibly a bit "power dressing" given the role and my CV?
Or something a bit "softer", but still smart? Was thinking of a skirt-and-top outfit (skirt is dark coloured, knee length with pleatedy-thingies at the hem at the back (kick pleats, maybe?) definitely office rather than evening but with a sort of tonal pattern - nicer than it sounds, honest!).

Any advice?

OP posts:
tethersend · 20/01/2013 10:04

I'd always err on the side of smart, TBH.

Could you get a tailored dress? Something like this... softer than a suit, but still sharp and business-like.

Valdeeves · 20/01/2013 10:05

I'd go smarter too - it sends the right message.

Bluestocking · 20/01/2013 10:10

Agree with erring on the smart side. Don't fall into the trap of thinking it'll be all tiedye and Birkenstocks. Once you're safely in the role, it might be, but not at interview!

ajandjjmum · 20/01/2013 10:21

Apparently (according to those who know!!!) brown is not good for interviews.

DD recently bought a smart dress in the sale from Episode which she wore with a jacket, which looked smart but not corporate, if you know what I mean!!

Good luck!

Bluestocking · 20/01/2013 11:07

Brown not good for interviews? Might be true for men (brown suits can be a bit dodgy-looking for some reason) but not for women, esp not in the public/Charity/NFP sector. Although maybe I'm biased, because I wore a chocolate brown trouser suit when I interviewed for the role I'm currently in, which is in many ways my dream job, so I feel OP will have the same luck in her outfit!

bumperella · 20/01/2013 11:22

Problem (discovered this morning) is brown interview suit has mysteriosly "shrunk in the wardrobe", so black one it is.
Loathe to buy something new as am not applying for lots of jobs, I just really want this one, but love the idea of dress-and-jacket combo.

It's been 10 years since I last had an interview (was in previous job for 8 years and have been self employed since) so just wasnt sure if suits were a bit old-fashioned for women now. Thanks all for your adivce, really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Bluestocking · 20/01/2013 11:26

Don't you hate it when items of clothing "shrink in the wardrobe"?!
I love the dress-and-jacket combo and I'm sure you'll look great. Best of luck with your interview!

ajandjjmum · 20/01/2013 11:53

Maybe you're right Bluestocking - I just assumed that when I was told brown was a bad colour for interview suits, it applied to both sexes! Grin

Happens a lot in my wardrobe bump!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page