Budget interview outfit needed from Matalan or Asda. Help please!

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Currently very excited but apprehensive. Received an email this morning inviting me to an NHS interview for a band 3 healthcare worker position. The job would involve me wearing a uniform. So i don't want to buy something expensive (i.e. put on the credit card) that will only be used for a short interview. Spent most of my 'spare money' at the garage yesterday anyway so definitely want to stick with Matalan or Asda so i can use my vouchers/gift cards.

I have £30 voucher for Matalan and £25 gift card for Asda. Willing to add up to £10 of my own money to these if absolutely necessary (but would rather really not).

Can anyone find me anything from either of these shops (or a mix of them both) that will make me look somewhat professional? Needs to be available in store (i.e. not online exclusive things).

I'm 5'7. Pear-shaped. Wide bum and waist.Size 14 normally for trousers and 14 on top. I have average sized legs but a very long torso. Lots of dresses that look knee-length on models online usually sit a good few inches above my knees. But i'm not tall enough for any 'tall' ranges. My chest size is 32E (have done the bra intervention on here to confirm). Blouses gape when i sit down. And buying a bigger size just ends up very baggy.

I have long, thick wavy black hair (down to my waist) and very pale, freckled skin.

Would also appreciate advice on a hair style and what makeup i should go for. My hair would be tied up during the job. But i look better and feel more confident with my hair down. Is hair down a big no for this type of interview?

Here's what I already have. Hopefully i can use some of this (but please be honest if none of it will work):

Patent heels: www.very.co.uk/v-by-very-lisa-almond-toe-mid-heel-court-black-patent/1600083268.prd

Matte faux suede black heels (photograph 1) which need a good cleaning.

Very dark tights, lightish black tights and nude tights.

Black blazer: www.very.co.uk/v-by-very-tailored-blazer/1600120181.prd?_requestid=89995&Ntt=blazer

Patterned t-shirt: www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/sale-offers-3422804/tops-4589715/tall-geometric-print-t-shirt-6686794?bi=60&ps=20

River Island black bag (mainly faux suede; photograph 2)

Jasper Conran multi-coloured bag (mainly navy; photograph 3)

Thank you for any advice!

Have found this lot so far if anyone can give an opinion:

Worried this may be too low cut (similar necklines gape on me as i have a narrow-ish upper half). Also concerned it may end up too short when tried on: www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2639088_c270/essential-tailored-fit-suit-dress-navy

Really like this, but it's not lined and the fabric seems rather see-through in the picture: www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2649143/mock-wrap-skirt

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2658272_c438/high-neck-sleeveless-blouse-cream

Buttonless blouse (so no gaping) but too casual?
www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2658272_c438/high-neck-sleeveless-blouse-cream

Hello,

Firstly CONGRATS on bagging an interview....

I will throw in my twopennethworth here for you happily, hope it helps.

I think the tailored dress you linked to would be a fab and quite classic one for an interview, also gives you some options to accessorise/add colour. Also much cooler for a day like today!

I much prefer the monochrome handbag to the black one-looks more professional and structured to me.

I think that given the dress is quite unfussy, you could get away with the patent heels.

So then the jacket I feel is perhaps a bit of an opportunity to break up the colour of your silhouette and show off the waist the dress will give you?

So maybe a waterfall blazer (bit more summery (you might wear it again:-) could be an option?
I'll find a better link and price but maybe like this? Will google Matalan for you...

www.ebay.co.uk/i/272694698234?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=33676502101&rlsatarget=pla-271883407635&abcId=893836&adtype=pla&merchantid=116550609&poi=&googleloc=9044973&device=c&campaignid=707291931&crdt=0

I will do a next message on hair / make-up

Hope the above helps

Matalan black jacket with white belted trim

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2649448/waist-tie-jacket

£14 navy dress!

direct.asda.com/george/womens/dresses/gathered-detail-dress/GEM570275,default,pd.html

I have the navy dress and I think it is lovely, fits a bit on the tight side over the bum on me so would be worth trying on first, perfect for an interview and classic so you could wear it again!

Good luck!

The Matalan navy dress that is!

direct.asda.com/george/womens/coats-jackets/bell-sleeve-lightweight-jacket/GEM568063,default,pd.html

This lightweight bell-sleeved jacket would be lovely with your tailored dress underneath... Also comes in a blush colour, but that looks a bit "wedding" possibly?

Think you would need a chunky statement necklace with the two.

Now hair and make-up... I interview frequently and I suppose neutral, fresh and not caked make-up is what I look for. I want to meet and get to know a person who is comfortable and confident enough not to need a mask they might wear clubbing if you see what I mean. Be yourself as much as possible

Fresh, dewy foundation, maybe muted blush with neutral eyeshadow, mascara and a lipstick that suits you?

You feel more comfy with your hair down, but the job requires you to wear it back, so perhaps a half up/down style could be a good compromise?

Thanks so much for the recommendations!

Managed to get to Matalan earlier this evening to try on the navy tailored dress. Unfortunately it is no good for my pear shape. Size 14 was perfect around my tum and bum but massively baggy at the chest, back and neck. Size 12 was far too tight at my bum and still very baggy at the chest and neck. I picked up the 14 and brought it home as i may be able to get a friend to nip it in a bit. But very likely i'll return it instead.

Really like the navy Asda dress but unfortunately it's Online only (can't use a gift card) and only size 20 left in stock anyway.

Oh dear. My friend is too busy to take the dress in for me and told me it's hardly worth the effort taking in a dress that i'd only wear once or twice. Which is true.

Just tried it on again to see what it's like with my blazer. It's far too baggy. Can't get away with it. When i pull it down at the front, it's making my cleavage very obvious and puffs up when i sit down. So it's going back tomorrow. I'll see if i can find a niceish top and some safe black trousers instead. just worried i'll look like i'm going to a funeral with black trousers and black blazer. I'll try finding a top with navy in it so i can still use my bag (it's navy and white, not black and white as it appears in the photo).

You could always go for a more fun blouse to liven up the black trousers/jacket combo. This Asda one perhaps?
direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/pineapple-and-floral-print-sleeveless-blouse/GEM556412,default,pd.html

Matalan do some nice slim fit black cigarette type trousers which are more flattering and stylish than the standard black 'work trousers' they do.

You could then use your black bag as the blouse livens the outfit up?