I've got an interview...... HELP!

[PeachesMcLean]

What on earth do I wear? I've got shoes - black heels - t-bars. I've got a black linen jacket (simple one from Next a couple of years ago). And I've got a grey jacket which would also do (not highly structured but very formal for me).
Do I buy a new suit? And if so what? (not got a huge budget)
Or do I just get trousers or a skirt to go with one of the jackets?

And how do I stop the whole thing looking deadly dull? (I'm really not an interview suit kind of person, and it's a PR / communications type of job)

Hate interviews, hate them.... AND I've got a presentation to do. Grrrr.....

I'm in arts fundraising and tend to avoid suits largely because potential funders - whether corporate or individual - like to support us partly because we are different to the world in which they tend to mix on a day to day basis. I always do people the courtesy of looking smart but usually in a less typical way (often plump for the dress/trouser combo's I suggested earlier). Another consideration is not wanting to appear too well off because it can be perceived that the charity has enough money to pay you a high salary, which is rarely the case! Whatever I choose, the ultimate consideration is that I must feel comfortable in whatever I'm wearing because it shows when I'm don't and reflects in my "performance"

In guidance I read when I was going to interviews it said that it was always better to turn up and find yourself overdressed than underdressed.

There's a coincidence, willywonka, that's the job I'm trying to get out of.

lol peaches - you're clearly saner than I am!

No, I love it in a lot of ways and to be honest the job I'm going for isn't my dream job in any sense, but that's a whole other thread. Would love to stay in the arts but that's just not always possible.

BTW - had I realised you had a background in fundraising, I would have tried to avoid stating what I now realise is likely to be the bleeding obvious to you!!

No no no, sometimes that's just what I need. It's all very well on a day to day basis at work but this whole interview thing is a different kettle of fish, plus it's more social welfare so they might not look the same on the whole silk scarf and funky necklaces malarky. Neither of which I've ever managed to pull off with any degree of style.

You do realise Dominiconnor has gone for a long shower to make himself clean after realising he's been conversing with Arts people. I'm sure he's not impressed

I had an interview recently and went out with an unlimited budget and ended up getting this suit from M&S on the basis that it is:

-cheap
-doesn't look cheap!

• is versatile (wear with smart top, take off jacket if need to dress down, keep jacket on if need to look smart)
• it is so comfy and lycra
• it goes in the washing machine
• I like the style - it has binding on the edges that gives it a current look.

Best wishes with the interview!