Help turn frumpy 37 year old mother into formal-yet-cool looking interview candidate!

[Pittacos]

Having spend the past decade in the public sector with quite a casual dress code (which, sadly, means that I have allowed myself to become really quite frumpy), I now have an interview for a much more corporate job.

It's quite a 'young' environment, (I think I will be about ten years older than most of the other staff) so I don't want to appear too matronly.

How do achieve looking smart and formal, yet also fashionable and cool? Please help me, I have literally no idea.

Face: Quite youthful-looking (could pass for mid twenties)

Hair: Long bob. Reddish-brown (happy to get a cut)

Dress size: 12 pushing a 14

Height: 5'2"

Body shape: Un-toned and wobbly. Boobs about a 34 D. Fat tum.

Budget is flexible, but don't want to go tooooo spendy as will regret it if I don't get the job!

I don't have an actual recommendation of specific clothes, but if you go on pinterest and look up workwear you will find lots of brilliant ideas. It always has me drooling.

Also, surprisingly, Matalan often has quite nice workwear very cheap. It's worth a go.

At a stab, I woould say pencil skirt and courts with a pastel blouse?

Matalan workwear. Some great stuff v. cheap IMO

What are your legs like? Could you do tight work trousers, smock blouse in a nice non creasable material and a blazer? Team with heels, a bracelet and earrings but nothing showy.

I think Wallis have some nice nude / coral separates too, if those are your colours. At least, I can see them in the lookbook but can't actually find the dress I like to have a closer look or would link!

Thank you but I think I need to be more speedy than Matalan for interview... It's quite a corporate environment and I don't want to look obviously 'budget' iykwim?

Something from Whistles. Or a more modern shape of dress with pockets from somewhere like Hobbs NW3 range with a jacket if needed and some funky shoes?

Ok that sounds good. Any links/suggestions gratefully received!

Funky shoes? Help!

I would get a jersey wrap dress (maybe Baukjen as decent quality and you can dress it down for your current job or sell on ebay if you don't get the new job) or a shift dress (they have lovely ones for very reasonable prices in M&S) and a nice necklace and some coloured shoes. Please don't wear a skirt and court shoes and a pastel blouse. I think that is a very hard outfit to wear unless you are very slim and buy expensive stuff that fits perfectly. The 'blouse tucked into a skirt' look is super difficult to pull off IMO.

I love a pencil skirt/dress and some courts.
Also, a good blazer. I think it's time to go and try tons of stuff on. Pick things you wouldn't usually. I like the NW3 range, Cos and jigsaw, also French Connection do some great classics (my navy linen blazer is the best thing I own). Also, think about colour - something bolder or slightly different material can make the difference from dronewear to something stylish.

Actually I have heard really good reviews of the Banana Republic 'Gemma' dress - but may be too late for you to order as you say you want to be speedy (their delivery is super slow IMO) but here it is - plenty of colours and prints: bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/browse/search.do?x=0&y=0&searchText=gemma+dress

I have several M&S shift dresses that have all been much-complimented and that have been worn in a corporate environment and not looked out of place. This one looks nice, but there will probably be a dozen if you go to a large M&S store. If you have a bit of a tum then a wrap dress might be easier to wear though - all my weight is on my big fat legs and my waist is not so bad so a shift dress is a good shape for me, but the Baujken wrap dress is a flattering fit on all shapes.

You don't say if you need a suit or not...

Black dress

would look good with a cropped black jacket

jacket 1 or jacket 2 with a black skirt

This suit is lovely, and a bargain:

jacket

skirt

Just mentioned Matalan as you said you didn't want to spend loads. It is quite good for what it is.

I have a bit of tummy and find wrap dresses unflattering.

Can you give an idea of colours and your body shape?

I second the matalan suggestion- they do very good workwear.

I have a friend who is very posh 'county set.' She recently had an interview at short notice and felt she had to get something new overnight. She was thrilled to bits with her £50 Matalan suit and told everybody how much it cost. She looked great.

Did wear it with crepe silk blouse from Jaeger though

My best interview suit is from Dalston Market

"Body shape: Un-toned and wobbly. Boobs about a 34 D. Fat tum. "

Do post on a bra intervention thread sometime...

I think you can't go wrong with a decent pencil skirt, nice blouse and heels. Skirts you can't really tell the difference between cheap and expensive as long as it fits properly - try M&S, try Next, try bloody everywhere but it really must fit properly. Top must not show your bra or too much cleavage, otherwise it doesn't really matter IMO. Absolutely do get your hair cut the day before, or even on the day if your schedule allows (if not then do a proper blow dry in the morning).

I would not wear a suit if you want to look "cool" - I would wear a dress with a jacket. I agree that Whistles and NW3 from Hobbs is the look to aim for.

NW3 are very good, as are Jigsaw if your budget will stretch to them.

m.bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/division.html?dn=bd5002

m.bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/category.html?dn=bc57325

Banana republic is quite a decent priced shop for quality workwear.

I am a manager in a creative industry and just got a new job. For my interviews I wore one of those ruched Whistles dress, bright lipstick, a navy manicure and statement jewellery. For my last interview I wore a Damsel in a Dress shift, a brightly coloured Oliver Bonas necklace and a beige manicure.

I think I looked professional but contemporary. I wouldn't bother with funky shoes as you'll be sitting so they are unlikely to notice. But definitely get a haircut and a manicure as it makes a huge difference. Hope that helps!