Help me with my interview outfit please - belinda, remus, pinkpear, all other workwear folk help!

[enormouse]

I have my first interview in several years on Thursday - in a non customer facing service role in a bank.

I ordered a few suits to try on - 2 grey - 1 skirt, 1 trouser and 1 navy (which looks like it won't arrive in time).
I've tried on both grey suits but I feel ridiculously uncomfortable in them. Both need alterations and I don't feel confident in them. It looks like I'm wearing a suit of DPs.

Do I need to wear a suit for the interview? I could do temporarily take in and shorten the trousers myself if necessary but the whole suit makes me feel uncomfortable.

Can anyone suggest smart non suit options or things I can order right now to arrive by Thursday?

I'm 5ft 2 and a size 8. Thanks

a dress with a jacket? dress with a bit of stretch in it?

rl mate has this - looks v nice www.marksandspencer.com/petite-metal-bar-trim-dress/p/p22282974

plus its petite

That's great karl I would prefer a dress.

What do you think of this www.joythestore.com/lou-structured-jersey-pencil-d with a cardigan and nude courts?

go for it

Structured dresses like those look great. But how about swapping the cardi for a blazer? Doesn't have to be formal, but most blazers look better than most cardis IMO.

Good luck, by the way - really great news!

Thanks Belinda and Karl. I've ordered the joyce dress. Hopefully it'll arrive in time and I won't have to go to the interview feeling like Annie Hall.

What length blazer would you suggest Belinda, I've got a short one and a longer length one - both grey.

And shoes?
I'm hedging towards round toed nude courts. But I have black heeled Mary janes (probably bad as they'll make me shorter) and pointed snakeskin courts (office dorsays) as alternative options.

I'd be thinking the grey snakeskin courts if you are wearing a grey blazer / jacket (not sure on diff b/n blazer and jacket btw). Just do a try up session and see which looks better? I think short might, but a try on session would be best. Walk, sit, get comfy w the outfit, fuss, tweak etc so on interview day you put it on and then forget about what you are wearing.

Enormouse! Congrats on the interview, that grey dress is lovely, totally appropriate in this weather and a bargain too.

Snakeskin shoes would be lovely with it - I agree with Belinda, try everything on (including tights if wearing them) and just be ready to go on the day of the interview.

Short jacket might be better to fall at your waist, but it's hard to say without seeing you and the jacket

Thanks guys . I'll do that.

What is going with next sizing? I ordered an 8 and 10 trousers, which would be my usual sizes but they were massive. The trousers were falling off me! I suspect if I ordered off next again I'd need a 6 or a 4.

I like the Joy dress but think a grey jacket might be hard to 'match' with it - a little, fitted black one might be easier. I like the sound of the snakeprint shoes - deffo not nude.

This is a decent length on me (am also 5'2) but I am a 10-12 and needed an 8, so I suspect the 8 would bury you and I doubt they do a 6.

congrats Enormouse Joy dress looks good from the front, though it depends how those pleats at the back neckline fall- hopefully they dont create a humpback look... I really like the ones Karl and Remus posted from M&S. I would agree with Belinda and go for a blazer not a cardigan, and as you are petite, probably a shorter/petite fitting one so it doesnt swamp you and the dress. Defo snakeskins on the feet!

another option is this still available in petite navy, gets good reviews in all colours (inc washing) and will be a good option for workwear when you get the job.
and then something like this with it.

Are you sorted now Enormouse?

Hi meriboo, I should be. Just waiting on my dress to arrive today. Bloody yodel.

Got my documents and bag packed and ready. And have spent the last few evenings on interview prep. In truly crap fashion, I've gotten my first period having DS2, so I feel crappy and fat and bloated. I didn't get one for over a year with DS1.

Thanks everyone for the advice and words of wisdom.

Oh and thank you for the suggestions, meriboo, remus and karl. I'll keep them in mind if I get the job. Feels very weird to be looking at the petite section as I just feel like a short person, not a petite one (if that makes sense).

I work in Financial services world and interview often. All the suggestions on here are great and would be appropriate.

I am also 5'2" and the most useful jacket I have is black hip length but with 3/4 sleeves so you can see a nice watch or bangle. It smartens up smart casual and is really adaptable for work (and does not drag on teh desk and get the cuffs all dirty :) ). Mine was precis petite.

But most importantly good luck, and a nice smile and a firm handshake are must haves for all interviewees. Be yourself, do not play a "part" and if the job and you are the right fit all is good :)

Good luck for tomorrow enormouse - let us know how it goes. You will look fab x

Good luck. :)

And good luck (I wish all my interviewees did prep like you!)...let us know how it goes :)

GoodLuck Enormouse

Good luck today, enormouse!

Good luck from me too, enormouse

Good luck!! You should try Next - they have some great work wear and their sizes seem to be okay.