Help me glam up for big interview!

[Zara1984]

Help me, wise MNers!

I have a job interview next week (first of a series). It's a big deal of a position, in a flashy big-money firm. It's a marketing type role so I need to look ace. I however am a bit rough around the edges right now as I'm on maternity leave with 7 month old DS! My current job doesn't require corporate dress so I haven't had to Suit Up etc for a few years now. I can't believe to be honest I even got an interview, as it's quite senior, but I do fit the role well. There are only couple of other people being interviewed so I have a good shot.

I need to look Kate Middleton-level classy. I am blonde (just about shoulder length hair), size 14 at the moment but good hourglass figure, 5'6 with short legs. If I am dressing up for a business thing I often wear a nice well-tailored dress (Whistles, Reiss) with a blazer. Bright block colours look amazing on me. Bold patterns make me look fat and I don't like wearing them at interviews. I will have to wear heels too I know. I will get some Spanx too, to hold in any remaining mum tum!

I have booked a salon blowdry before the interview. Will do my own makeup but will get salon to do my nails (buff and clear coat polish).

Links to suggestions of dresses/blazers/outfits would be very much appreciated!! Normally I would scour TK Maxx for an amazing bargain designer outfit but I don't have the time now that DS is here!!

exceptions could be made for this kind of graphic pattern

Your link goes to reiss home page...

What's your budget?

Grey Dress and Jacket

DH vetoed the dress anyway as was too informal in his view. here is another one

Can spend a reasonable amount. Say £500 for a whole outfit? Can that get me super-glam?

Oooh i like that Hobbs outfit. Definitely fits the bill. Out of stock tho :( I could call and ask if it's in stock at my local store, maybe?

Is Jaeger in your price range?

Yes to Jaeger.

Sorry, but I think that black lace Reiss dress is too 'evening'

Fair enough on Reiss dress being too evening! I am pretty brain dead.... need to go to bed now. DS was boisterious all day and I have been preparing for the interview all evening.

If anyone wanted to post some links to more dresses/jackets etc I would be very very VERY grateful! Going to do a recce tomorrow with DS in tow and then on Saturday will go out and buy while DH has him.

Will call Hobbs stores as I definitely like the look of Abir jacket and dress.

You need this jacket with this skirt, but move fast as there's only one of each left in your size.

Thank you tether, they both look fab. The interview process is 3 stage so I need to get a little capsule wardrobe really.

Austin Reed dress. It's patterned, but I'd say it was a graphic pattern so might pass?

LK Bennett dress with matching jacket

This LK Bennett dress is for sale in a bright purple if you like bright colours

Really liking the second LK dress and jacket. That would fit the bill. Would go for the Austin reed dress if I got thru to interview with chief exec I think?

where are you? If you are in London, go to Fenwicks. They have loads of smart, forgiving dresses. Its usually calm compared to other shops, large changing rooms and and staff are lovely. I had a similar - must smarten up suddenly after first baby-moment and got a lovely capsure wardrobe there that is still going five years and another child later.

I'm in Dublin oranges but I will be in London next weekend to visit family. So if I get through to next interview round, fingers crossed, I can to go Fenwicks. Sounds perfect!

Shoes - I am chunky of leg (but muscly, not blobby) so I am thinking mid-level heel. Will look at LK heels as they are always quite comfy. Could get myself some nude Slegdes to ramp up the K Middy factor haha. I've lived in flats since pregnancy... but I don't think I can get away with a low level heel for this interview and based on my leg shape.

Am out at shops now. LK Bennett Dilys tailored pleat dress in orange? Sorry no link, am on phone. With navy blazer on top?

Here's the link for anyone interested!

Looks like it would be a very flattering dress and the orange colour is very current. Think it would look good with navy jacket.

Thanks snowgirl! Yes that's the one. It was really flattering, esp as I discovered I need the 16!

Shop assistant suggested this navy jacket but I thought it's a bit boxy and pricey for what it is. I was thinking of getting a navy jacket elsewhere but it does need to look really good. Was thinking Zara or Mango? The ones I saw in Zara today were horrible faux double breasted ones though.

All the lovely items that were linked to here were all sold out!

Need to get shoes too!!

And spanx and tights....

If you've got a hourglass figure I think that LK Bennett jacket would show off your waist nicely. It nips in at the waist, so doesn't look boxy to me. But you'd really have to LOVE the jacket to spend that much on it.

A blazer sounds like it wouldn't be nipped in enough to show your waist which the Dilys dress looks like it would accentuate. This Jaeger jacket is longer than the LK Bennett one, (so less boxy?) but still nipped in at the waist. It's expensive, but there's 20% off.

I like the jaeger one more, thanks snowgirl! Yeah don't love the LK jacket enough to spend that much on it

One thing I'm thinking of though - if I get navy jacket, what colour could my shoes and handbag be? I don't wear navy a lot so I'm wary of spending loads on accessories in that colour

Going to a designer outlet this morning - going to see if I can pick up at least a jacket and shoes on a bit of a discount (will be last season's stuff).

DH wants me to try on the dilys dress in the turquoise shade too. He hasn't seen the dress in person but was concerned the orange (it's quite peachy) might wash me out as I'm pale too.