Quick & urgent question re:interview - must I wear a suit?

[Ifem]

I hate suits.

Hard to find one that fits (am 5'11, looong legs, busty). Feel like a schoolgirl in trousers suits.

BUT...what the hell else to wear? Its for a management position so I HAVE too look smart. Not sure about suit dresses or pencil skirts either. Feel like a sexy secretary with my legs out and I want to appear serious.

Help!

How about a dress that isn't a suit dress? There's nothing wrong with 'having your legs out' if there isn't too much leg on the knee or just below and for gods sake please wear hosiery
I can't advise on suppliers as am a mere 5.5....

What industry are you in?

I always err on the side of smart, so would definitely go for a suit if in doubt, although there will be countless people along in a minute to tell you a dress and cardigan is fine it's not

What do you look like (size/colouring) and what's your budget?

PS am in a senior management position myself, wear dresses all the time. Always taken seriously

Hahaha, just seen tethers post.
Just as she predicted

PS cardigans are not ok

Its education, school job, senior management

I'm a pale brunette. I really cant wear proper heels as am about 6'3 in them and totter like a drunk teenager.

Choices are limited as interview is on Thursday and very few shops cater for my height.

Urgh.

I think I'm going to have to go with a trouser suit. Browsing Next online

I've been told you should always dress smarter than those interviewing you, so yes a suit.

Next get slated on here, but I find their Tall range ok if you don't want to spend a fortune no a new suit

Oh yes, dresses are fine as long as they are paired with a jacket- the cardigan is the offender

No cardis are not okay. Dress and jacket, skirt and jacket or trousers and jacket. Jacket doesn't have to match, so doesn't have to be a "suit" ( but it probably should coordinate...).

Ok OK...suit it is.

Next have the sum total of two suits. One black, one grey. Grey suits me better but what too do I wear underneath?

God I am crap at this.

Oh dear. That is depressing.
I'm NHS, don't know if school dressing is similar?
My prejudices tell me there are lots of cardigans in schools...

And shoes. Gah! Would smart heeled black ankle boots (kitten heel) be OK underneath trousers?

Dun1urkin - uniform at my current level is dress and cardi

This is for a senior role in a school that has 'high aspirations'

I think I need to be smart.

Also - hair - up or down? Its long. Up?

How about this jacket with this dress?

tethers I actually have two dresses that are quite similar. But my blazers are a different shade of black (why is there more than one shade of black, goddamit?!)

Would I need heels?

Heh heh heh
Yes, judging by The Apprentice...

Dresses can have sleeves.
Shoes don't have to be high heels.

Get a suit if you are persuaded in that direction.

And when everyone tells you to wear a blouse underneath, do make sure it fits your boobs...

I'd do kitten heels or pointed flats

Hair up

Dress on its own is smart if it has proper sleeves (rare)

I think shoes rather than boots, but it depends on the cut

Under your suit - a shirt would be smartest. Otherwise a top with a simple neck line and a necklace if you are comfortable with it ( ie won't fiddle with it)

I know I'm fighting a losing battle here, but more than 50% of the female Chief Execs & Finance Directors I know wear dresses most of the time (only mention finance as that's my field)
Good luck for Thursday

I got a management job earlier this year and had the same dilemma (nothing to do with being too tall, unfortunately). I bought a very dull suit from Next, but in hindsight I wish I had gone for the dress & jacket option instead.

I would say dress too. I have three rules: no bare armpits, no bare legs and no open toed shoes.

The problem with suits is that when they are cheap / cheap looking and / or I'll fitting they actually look very unprofessional.

I am in senior management and do lots of interviewing if that makes a difference.

Dresses can be smart and professional and show a bit of personality, which I don't think is a bad thing.

Good luck whatever you choose to wear

Dresses are fine, IMO (am a teacher if that helps) just NO CARDIS

Long Tall Sally doesn't have a great range, but I do like this dress and this jacket

Dress wearing financial services folk here too dun1urkin

Good luck for Thursday OP. If you are time short but close to a big shopping place a quick personal shopping appointment might be useful? I like families advice for what it;s worth.

Remember tidy nails.

The most important thing is to wear something you feel confident and comfortable in. Stand up straight, firm handshake, nice smile.

Ill, clearly.

This sort of dress