Help! What do people wear to job interviews?!

[DancingLady]

I have a job interview this week. First one in about a decade. I've kept my oar in with freelancing but I've had two kids and have NO IDEA what people wear to interviews now. I have no work clothes: my wardrobe is Mum Wear (jeans, stripy tops) and Fantasy Life (vintage dresses).

Industry is book publishing, so creative and not super-corporate.

Help please! Links appreciated. Budget is pretty tight and I'm a 12-14 so no shorts-suits please. :)

I would wear something like this that you could also wear outside of work and there’s a size 12 in stock!

www.jigsaw-online.com/product/mini-foulard-dress/J36203_BL010

@DarlingCoffee I like that dress although have actually never bought from Jigsaw. Are the clothes cut for straight - up - and - down people or do they allow for breasts, hips etc?

Sorry, but I wouldn't wear that dress if you paid me. It looks really frumpy on the model so goodness knows what it would like like on an average sized woman.

I'd wear trousers and a shirt or fine knit and an interesting bag/shoes.

some smart slim leg trousers (even supermarket ones will do. I have a few niece ones from Sainsbury's). I don't wear high heels, I wore some brogues to my last interview. something I can easily use in my day to day wardrobe and a nice top for a tenner from an ASOS sale. I certainly would not get a suit.

It depends on the level of work but if, any of it's client facing, I'd look at a trouser suit because they're both modern and smart. I should add that I'm not in the creative industries - so if any posters are I'd take their word over mine - but I do work with them and, from what I've seen, they may dress down for day to day work but, if they're meeting a big new client or going to an event, they still look surprisingly corporate - not in the law or banking league but suited and booted. (This is outside London - it may be different there.) Also you can wear it afterwards as separate pieces and so get your money's worth.

If your budget is tight, I'd start with Zara as their tailoring is still reckoned to be pretty decent (just been talking about it on another thread.

This kind of thing with the matching trousers (plus a top underneath!)
They've also got wider leg trousers if they work better for you.

If you can go up in price there's similar stuff at places like Baukjen, Massimo Dutti, Arkett, Jigsaw.

I interview candidates and female candidates wear anything from trouser and skirt suits to dresses and shoes.

I generally wear trousers, nice top, blazer and flats. Today actually I wore black straight leg trousers, black brogues, a white slash neck top and a dark grey blazer.

How about grey slim-leg trousers and a bright coloured silk blouse? Smart but not overly corporate.

Oh, I just saw that you're on a tight budget, so probably not a silk blouse (not real silk anyway). Still, a cotton one would do just as well. I would generally not wear black trousers or skirt with a bright top, as it can look rather cheap and/or uninspiring.

I forgot to say that the other thing about those trouser suits is that, if you get there and feel you've overdone it, all you have to do is take off the jacket. I think it's much harder to fix if you're under dressed.

What are your vintage dresses like? Isn’t there one that could go under a perhaps borrowed jacket?

Thanks, some really good suggestions there! Hadn't looked at Arket for a while. Cos and Stories might be good too. I like that Jigsaw dress but seems maybe too casual.

I like the idea of slim-fit trousers, brogues, shirt and blazer. Don't own any trousers (!!) but can get some before Friday.

My vintage dresses are 1950s-1970s so while I'd wear some of them to work, I'm not sure they'd be suitable for an interview.

Can't go wrong with a suit!

It has been many years since I saw any woman in a suit. Trousers and a nice shirt is fine as mentioned above.

origami where did you get your dark grey blazer from I’m looking for one. And your slash neck too actually... thanks

Sharp trouser suit with a touch of something jazzy. (Handbag, shoes, nails etc).

Even if it's casual office, people still expect candidates to make an effort. It's a bit like going to a party where you ask if you can bring anything and the host says "No, it's all sorted!" You should still take a bottle. Or flowers. Or something. It shows respect and effort.

Also dressing smartly shows that you aren't assuming you are "in" already and adopting the casual dress ethic of the company. A nod to the environment is fine, but even in all but the most casual of casual offices, tailored wear will get worn on occasion by some of the people there. Obviously you don't need to dress like a corporate banker with a briefcase, but you should still wear something tailored. Also make sure your nails are clean and filed at the very least, your shoes are clean, your hair is clean and your handbag is not scuffed or dirty looking. Interviewers do notice these details.

Try H&M's slim leg trousers. I've had some good ones from there on a budget. You could probably find a cotton blouse or shirt there too for under £18. Nice shoes and a bag in one of this season's colours from Zara. A blow dry also makes you feel more polished and confident IMO.
Good luck