Interview outfit...advice please?

[HilarysMantelpiece]

I've had few ventures into this corner of MN but have always had success with your advice

My morning post has brought an interview appointment for 2 weeks time. Probably my dream job but a few years early...the type of post that possibly wont become available again quickly (think dept head with approx 20 staff...I really should have my Masters for it, but life, children, SN have got in the way for a while....School Principal type post).

I have got in touch with an interview coach and have started practicing answers, scenarios etc. Water, meditation, exercise is being ramped up.

The most important thing for me is that I don't make a fool of myself, as I see this opportunity as a "shop window" for me to show what skills I have.... even if I don't get the job (chances are slim, realistically) I want to leave the room and have them thinking about what role they can use me in as they have been impressed by my presence, skills etc.

I'm very hourglassy, mid-40's, 5'5", about 10lbs over my normal weight.
Legs only look good from knees down and even then, only when in heels. I have a good waist, 34B chest, huuuuuge bum (small children snicker at it). In Next I'm a size 10 top, 12/14 bottoms.
Leg length is disproportionate so that my waist looks smaller and bum looks bigger IYSWIM (shortarse).
Very, very celtic colouring.....

I feel comfortable in this Hobbs dress in black (sorry, can only find a thumbnail type pic) but it may be a bit dull? How could I make it memorable without frightening the horses?
Structured dresses like this, I like. Haaate clingy jersey (e.g. I have this Phase Eight dress which is too clingy and va-va-voom for work on me).

I have a marvellous outlet near me with Hobbs, Jaeger, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, French Connection, Gerard Darel etc.

Advice on suitable dresses, heels etc much much appreciated.

I've had a look on TheWorkwearEdit but can't see "interview" type outfits. But I may be missing something. In any case, I don't have the confidence (figure-wise) for Belinda's stuff as my physique is cheese to her chalk.

I'm no style and beauty expert, but I've had advice on here before about interview outfits, and I've done a fair amount of interviewing from the other side too.
I think the two most important things are to feel comfortable/good about yourself, and to be neat and tidy. Actually you don't want your outfit to be memorable or distracting.
So I would - wear the dress if that is what you feel best in. Perhaps get some new shoes (it doesn't matter what as long as they are clean, smart, comfortable and YOU like them). Perhaps add some subtle jewellery. Make sure hair and nails are neat and tidy. Face - whatever make-up you feel comfortable with, but again - think clean and tidy. I don't normally wear make-up day-to-day but for interviews I definitely do mascara and a soft lip gloss and make sure eyebrows are behaving. No perfume.
Also, my top tip (sorry if it's obvious), but if possible leave bags/coats etc at the reception if at all possible. It means you can be less awkward when meeting people (eg shaking hands is easier), and you don't have to worry about gathering belongings or leaving things behind at the end of the interview.

Ok, I'm not at all keen on the Hobbs dress; although it could be smartened up with a jacket, it just doesn't feel smart enough to me.

How about:

Cos

Thank you mabel.

You don't think a black dress is too funereal/party?

I shall have to find shoes... I have a frumpy old pair of Clarks which are perfectly fine under trousers for day-to-day work but probably not good enough to live with this dress IYKWIM?

No bag- tick
Professional folder?

Subdued make-up- tick
Blow-dry...- probably too early in the day to fit an appointment (venue approx 90 minutes from home). But I have my BBH thanks to MN and can get good cut n colour without panicking, the previous week.

jaeger checked

blue jaeger

Tethers, I really like that Cos dress. Thank you.
Lovely styling too...I could see myself marching confidently in with that, and having it in wardrobe for tough meeting days also.

I have some COS but the sizing is a pain- nearest store is a day away from me. Its showing as only a 34 and 36 left and I suspect thats too small for me.

Bugger, sorry- didn't check sizes.

I think you need something sculpted/structured but not clingy IYSWIM. Will look.

Tethers, the checked Jaeger is the style of shift dress that should work on me but ends up being so dowdy.
I have a huge differential between waist and bum (and it's all junk in the trunk).
I find it very difficult to get a shift dress that fits at the hips, comes in sufficiently at the waist and chest ... without looking slightly trampy.

On the other hand, I loves the blue jaeger. Lovely colour and would have to try for fit.

Yes to structured- that's why the Hobbs work for me...it is fitted without clinging.

Very generous of your time, tethers. Thank you.

I shouldn't read these threads, I've fallen in love with the Cos dress too.

Blue Jaeger is nice. I would happily wear that to an interview.
Not sure about the folder - I've never felt the need to take anything into an interview. But some people do, or maybe it's a bit of a crutch somehow (not necessarily in a bad way).

Can i jump in? I have a second interview for a job next week, I wore a nice dress to the first interview, do you think i could wear it again? (two women interviewing me and i caught one sort of clocking me up and down obviously admiring my dress!!!).

I have a Prada suit but it's heavy wool and a bit small so I don't really want to wear it.

But i'm just not sure about wearing the same thing again...

www.jaegeroutlet.com/Silk-Hobotai-Jacket/660102H,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_660102H_color=80600&dwvar_660102H_size=8&start=3&cgid=women-jackets-outlet

www.jaegeroutlet.com/Silk-Hobotai-Trousers/730087H,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_730087H_color=80600&dwvar_730087H_size=8&start=3&cgid=women-trousers-outlet&prefn1=size&prefv1=14

www.jaegeroutlet.com/Tie-Neck-Blouse/655725Z,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_655725Z_color=10100&dwvar_655725Z_size=6&start=58&cgid=women-tops-outlet

www.jaegeroutlet.com/Silk-Keyhole-Blouse/650123J,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_650123J_color=10100&dwvar_650123J_size=8&start=85&cgid=women-tops-outlet

Whoops posted too soon!

I rather like the jaeger trousers, either with blouse or with the jacket and a plain cami top (keep the jacket on).

I think you need to be very smart for what you have described. Also I believe its good practice to take something that you have a few questions or prompts in and to write notes in.

Wips do jump in- is your dress distinctive i.e. could it be re-styled in a way that demonstrates your resourcefulness and creativity?

Mabel yes, on reflection, I think you're right. Hands free is the way to go. Any clutching, to my mind, demonstrates anxiety. I want to project calm- not too attached to the outcome. They would be glad to have me on their team in any capacity.

Cockbollocks thank you- those are lovely. I like it. Is it smart enough for interview?
To me, that outfit is for a busy work day, where I have lots of off-site visits.

I am of any age where my first smart work outfits revolved around wide-legged trews. I still have some that are over 10 years old which I continue to use for work. Too aging on a 40-something? As in, I'm still wearing what I always did, rather than a cutting edge way? (Not remotely a stylish field of work, but people are not immune are they?)

Oops, cock didn't read your second before I posted.

It is quite distinctive - sort of draped front. I think i might just bite the bullet and get a new one.

This is now a good price but might be too clingy on the bum.

Or perhaps a panelled skirt to balance the bum, with a very nice shirt. If you've got a nice blouse and a good mac to go over it, with smaret accessories, I'm not sure you even have to wear a jacket, but if you wanted to, a posh cardigan jacket would do.
Another one here would look very nice with a plain white top and navy trousers.

Another blue one

Colour block

tethers beautiful dress which would be all sorts of wrong on me
It would be a very lumpy, pasty, middle-aged version of Kim K.

Mounstrous those are beautiful pieces.

The first dress- not a chance as above. I may be being hard on myself, but, this is an interview and I don't need the stress of looking in a mirror and seeing my worst self reflected back and therefore not performing well.
Comfort while being professional.

I'm intrigued by the red skirt plus shirt and jacket combo..... will need to try them out.
With my figure, fit is everything.
I cannot buy dresses in next for example. 14 is falling off and makes me look at least a stone heavier. Emphasises all my weaknesses. 12 is too tight.
Hobbs I can walk into and have a pick of size 10 dresses- different proportons.

Wips I would wear something different. Even if the only reason is that it's one less thing for you to worry about!

CB I've often seen people bring papers into interviews. Not one of them has ever had to write anything down. Some have questions written down, but to be honest I think it's possible to remember a couple of questions and "invent" a few new ones based on what you've heard during the interview.

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with taking a folder into an interview, but usually people don't open them at all!

The black Hobbs dress should be fine but what material is it? I would wear smart shoes, a nice necklace (not a long one cos of your chest size) and if you can borrow a decent jacket (in any colour) that would be great.

I wear smart shift dresses to interviews - these are easy to wear & less fiddly than suits with shirts/blouses.

What do people think of this?

Neither I struggle with jackets - think its the proportions again. I look like a rugby player. All big shoulders and widewidewide.

The black Hobbs that I have is a wool mix so quite structured. I would struggle to find a jacket for over it. Mostly bare arms is quite informal isn't it?