Suit for interviews - teeny, tiny budget

[BatshitCrazyWoman]

I am about to start looking for a job, after a very long time out of the work place. I'm looking for a suit for interviews, but haven't found anything. My budget is probably around £100, less if possible (will probably need to pay for some alterations, judging by things I have tried on recently).

I am a size 10, hourglass shape, biggish boobs, and 5ft 3ins tall.

Back in the day, when I was working, I had well cut suits, and I am struggling with the fit of the ones I am trying on now, to be honest.

I've looked at La Redoute, Next and M&S so far, can anyone suggest anywhere else? I don't mind ordering online.

Just had a chance to log on again, and saw all the replies - thanks everyone! Belinda I love that suit - my only question is that I will most likely be going to interviews in late November/December - and my feet will freeze with the bare feet/heels combo you're wearing on your blog - it's a 15 minute walk to the station, uphill, for a start! I can't imagine what I would wear on my feet with that style of trousers if I actually wanted to stay warm? I have various tops/blouses that would work with a suit, or under a jacket, so I don't need to buy one.

I have suitable shoes (well they're sort of boots, really) that I can wear with full length trousers, if I was wearing black or grey. If I start to look at dresses (and I like those posted, but I think the Collectif one will be too long on me and look frumpy), then I need to add suitable shoes to my shopping list. As most shoes with no straps fall off my feet, I will have to start hunting now (saw a girl lose her shoe onto the track at Mansion House station this morning, and that happened to me once, too - not keen to repeat the experience.)

The Mango jackets I liked were this one and this one. I'm no fashionista, so I await the S&B comments! I'm not looking for jobs in the corporate world, so I think either of those would work.

I like the second jacket you linked to best :)

Hi!

Hmm, keeping warm is a challenge when wearing cotton! Can you stretch to the Banana Republic wool flannel trousers? They come in grey (online) and navy (only instore) and are £70 less 25% at the mo.

Re boots I've attached pics of Capucine, the French Vogue editor, and you can see she wears slim cropped trousers w ankle boots, deliberately leaving a little gap. She also lives in Paris (warmer) and often buries her face in a cozy scarf. She may also layer w Heattech.

Re the jackets, neither have a wool content, so I think you will be cold! Plus, I don't find acrylic wears well. Will think and come back w any good links.

Zara? I'd go for a nice shift dress. It would probably be cheaper and more versatile. Wear it with a smart shirt and heels for the interview and it can then be worn with a cardigan, or with a long top underneath, sleeveless in summer etc

These are the wool flannel trousers, and they seem to have added black to the online range, but no mention of 25% off: bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=57999&vid=1&pid=000129449U014-17329

there's some really cheap suiting options at house of fraser here

what about a dress and jacket combo
and you can buy a skirt later to match

jacket here

dress here

Thanks everyone. Belinda I don't generally tend to feel the cold, and would be wearing a coat, so it's not so much what the suit is made of, rather the bare feet and ankles - they would be turning blue, I imagine! I'm also allergic to wool (and mohair, angora and alpaca) ....

I like the Linea dress - it's a definite possibility, if I can sort shoe issues, otherwise it's a no go.

I don't ever wear classic buttoned, collared shirts. As well as being busty, so fit is an issue, I can't bear the feel of a collar around my neck, and my hair gets all messed up with it and I think it looks messy - I much prefer very pared down, simple clothes.

God, I'm so fussy, no wonder I've been having problems. Thanks for your patience!

jimmybim yes the second one is my favourite, I think I will order - if it fits then I already have everything else, so will be sorted for just under £60

I love all the dresses being suggested, but they will all involve trying to find shoes that stay on my feet, as well as the dress/jacket purchase.

What about trawling the charity shops in an upmarket area and having a dressmaker make the required adjustments, you should be able to buy better quality for the same price as high street polyester shit. I am the same height and dress size as you and would never wear above/ankle length trousers with a gap between them and boots/shoes it makes shorter people look even shorter. Perhaps a dress and jacket with knee length boots would be good.
Good Luck

BigPaws was gonna say Warehouse - got skirt suit and top there and it came in at approx £120 all together. great value

Just a thought:

Have you considered going to a charity shop? I used to volunteer in one a few years ago (CR) and we would get brand new suits in that we would sell for under £30.