Interview Outfit

[Jen224]

Can anyone help with some interview ideas please? I'm mid 40s , 5'4" and size 18 and struggle to find something flattering.

It's for a consultant role so I'll be visiting customer offices in various sectors so probably needs to be a suit unfortunately. They tend to look terrible :(

How about a dress and jacket? I would sooner see a job candidate looking good than sticking to an increasingly outdated norm.

I wonder if personal shopping services are any help - I don't know anyone who has used one, but if they do what they say they do, they might be worth a try www.johnlewis.com/our-services/personal-styling

I did try John Lewis personal shopper in desperation previously, she kept bringing shapeless smock type dresses (like the one she was wearing!). She was a bit lost because I didn't know what I wanted, just the event I needed to look smart for.

OP I am your exact age, size and height! (sometimes am a size 20)

My smartest interview outfit is a shirt dress, with a large statement necklace under the collar- and a blazer over the top- it looks really smart and also comfy and forgiving- would that help you?

Morning Jen,

Depending on exactly the sector, women usually can get away with more stylish outfits than formal suits. If you can invest in 2 decent blazer jackets and pick colours you would usually be drawn to (www.next.co.uk/g6226s13#332175).

Outfit options I like include:

Dark chinos (next are good), white shirt (Asos have some nice slightly different to standard options which are flattering and some M&S) and an interesting jacket in pale pink / green or blue with matching jewellery and shoes (match shoes to jacket or trousers.

Or I do bright red / pink / green trousers with a white or black shirt with a white or black suit jacket.

For more formal options, I have a grey suit dress and jacket with nice shoes and matching jewellery and handbag. Or black trouser suit with a nice red or patterned blouse (oasis / warehouse).

I would recommend browsing online in oasis / warehouse / next for ideas then set aside a day to see what styles suit you. Focus on one basic style of suit and nail that first, then you can build up a collection. Mines taken a while but I can rotate happily now. I did find M&S the friendliest to trying different styles to getting a perfect white shirt, and the least intimidating to me.

Good luck :)

Thanks everyone I'll hit the shops

How about trying another personal styling thing ..Debenhams? They have lots of different brands and in a big one you should get enough choice.

I am thinking of doing this sometime - going down the personal stylist route. Mind you they would have to get over the size 18 hurdle and just when they think they have got me something I would remind them that I hate Viscose with a passion!!!