Interview outfit

[ShyOyster]

I’m completely out of touch with Very Serious Business Wear as I have been working in smart casual environment for a while and only interviewed internally, so no big deal.
I somehow managed to get TWO interviews next week in very serious places in financial sector. The problem is, I’ve absolutely ballooned recently to a size 22-24, apple shaped, massive boobs, decent legs. Please help me find something suitable. Budget completely negotiable, ideally under £200 but I know with bigger sizes, there’s no such thing as good quality cheap clothes so prepared to stretch.

Sorry, I should have said, I’m quite tall. Also, in general prefer dresses/skirts to trousers but that’s also negotiable. I’m desperate.

I have always found hobbs works for me and their selection is quite palatable.

Is it ok for bigger sizes too?

Boden have a bright pink jacket in the sale in size 22. Would that be any good, over a plain black dress?

Are bright colours acceptable for interviews these days? God I’m clueless!

Long Tall Sally is my go to place for this sort of thing. I'm 5'11'' and a size 20 and I've always managed to find something.

No idea!

They'll probably have a full price version in black. I've got one from last year and it's the best work jacket I've ever had!

It's called Elizabeth Ponte blazer - £98 full price in black.

Thank you. Investigating right now!!!

I'd book a free stylist consultation with John Lewis, there's no obligation to buy. They will suggest styles which suit your body shape and colours, this will give you ideas for future shopping trips. This will also save you wasting money on expensive mistakes.

I'd also buy separates in a range that you can add to later on. So jacket and skirt or trousers and then buy the dress and other separates in the same fabric later. This way you have a coordinated wardrobe that you can mix & match.

Look at Jaeger and the John Lewis Kin range.

John Lewis

Thank you, I’ll have a look at John Lewis. I only need one outfit at the moment but will definitely have a good look around.

Due to the nature of these companies, you would be best off playing it safe with something conservative looking in navy, black or grey. You can always add a pop of colour/personality with a nice scarf or other accesories. Pinstripe would work well in slimming your shape down and always looks smart.
If you go for a skirt make sure you wear tights.
Good luck and let us know how you get on x 💐

This is my interview/funeral dress:

www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Elbow_Sleeve_Ponte_Sheath_Dress/pp/P_37866.html?cgid=12096&dwvar_P__37866_color=%20BLA

In the sale as well, so quite good value. Machine washable and easy enough to iron. I'm a 20-22 at the moment.

Ski40 that’s what I was thinking, I have always worn really conservative clothes for interviews anyway. I have a stunning tailored dress and jacket, all black but such great fit, which used to be my interview outfit. Sadly, it’s size 16...
BarleysFiddle I love this dress. That’s the sort of thing I was thinking of. Plain, safe. I’d wear it with tights and black heels, job done. Thank you.

I'm a similar size to you OP and work in a corporate environment. Some of my best buys for work are from the US, but I would also recommend a plain black dress from somewhere like Evans or simply be, with smart heels and a nice blazer and jewellery.

Navabi is also good but not cheap!

I also find that everything looks more officey with shoulder pads and sometimes buy dresses for work and get dry cleaners to add shoulder pads for me

Good luck!

www.navabi.co.uk/product/a-line-dress-in-petite-and-tall-51210/?colorcode=0700
Would you consider this appropriate? I like it a lot but not sure it’s formal enough.

Hmmm. Might be ok but I would go smarter if possible as I find that looking smart when bigger is enough of a struggle. I have curly/messy hair though too which makes it worse...

Forgot to mention studio 8 is also good and stocked at John Lewis and Debenhams

Thank you. I kind of thought that myself, it’s just not classic and sharp enough..sadly.
Looking st studio8 now.

Hi do I link? Can show you a lovely dress from navabi which I had shoulder pads put in and love...

But can't link

Can you just copy and paste the link please?

To make it “clicky”, you just use double brackets

Can't link but here's a photo of it. It's quite small so size up when ordering. I had small shoulder pads put in the black version and it looks really smart with chunky jewellery, nude tights and smart heals. Good luck for the interview!

Copy and paste didn't work in my phone sorry. It's by vento maro if you search for it on navabi and well within your budget

Oooh I love it! Thank you so much.
Unfortunately I also had a quick look at other items by the same designer and now I want most of them

sorry to jump in OP but can anyone also recommend shapewear to go under such a dress to make it look as good as possible pls?

Oh god yes. Granny pants to keep the flab from overflowing. I’m a big fan of Trinny and Susannah’s shapewear and have a whole collection going on