Please help, I have a BIG important interview coming up and nothing to wear

[HelpIHaveNothingToWear]

Ok, so in a few weeks I will have an important work interview. Been advised to dress smart (“business attire/office wear”). I’m a jeans and to shirt kind of girl and have nothing to wear!!! This is a huge opportunity for me and could be life changing. What do I wear?! And where to I buy it?

Relevant info:
I’m a 10-12 (about 5”8). Hour glass and as such feel much more comfortable in dresses than trousers&shirts combos.

I bought this but I don’t know if it’s too short?!

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0577513003.html

Also I quite like colours and patterns and would never usually wear something so black!

Thanks!!!

I'm about you're size and have just gone to Miss Selfridge at my local outfit and have bought a few of their jackets in different colours for work.Black smart trousers/ skirt and a black top with one of these coloured jackets looks lovely and didn't cost me the earth .

HI OP, i can't see the dress you linked. Personally, I would wear the 'spring bloom' version of this dress and then a navy blazer like this. Its a little pricey but you will be able to wear it within the office too, not just for interviews x

What sleepismysuperpower posted is perfect. Smart, but you could wear again and again. I bought a very similar dress in the Boden sale, not expecting much and wore it to work today and was much admired.

What type of industry is the job in? That might help us to help you out, sounds exciting!

This is it. Much nicer on.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/penelope-jersey-dress-navy-floral-spray/sty-j0334-mul

I think industry, career level and age are factors. None of the link items say BIG INTERVIEW to me, but are probably perfectly suitable to others

You could try a smart black bodycon dress with a black blazer, boring I know but a classic. It will be versatile and an outfit that you can rewear etc

Managed to find your H&M dress - I think it’s interview appropriate but also think there may be better options out there!

Industry makes a huge difference. The ditsy floral dress linked is not smart enough in my opinion but it's a more corporate background.

Phase Eight online shop. Always something on sale, good quality, great styles

I'd say a lot depends on your sector and the role you're being interviewed for and how 'high-powered' (not the best word) it is. If it would be a large salary bump you might need to spend a bit more money to reflect that, unfortunately.

If they're looking for you to fit in or stand out, taking your lead from what everyone else there wears would be a good guide then making a bit smarter because it's an interview.

If you google 'workwear shift dress' there are lots of choices of cuts and colours, it doesn't need to be black or navy if the cut works - and lots of them would really suit an hourglass figure. A matching jacket would be great too.
Flowery dresses are lovely but often don't feel business-like enough so it depends on the role and how well you carry it off - I'm 40 something and anything in jersey would be too casual, I'd need more structured tailoring to smooth out the bumps.

Also smart shoes (especially) and bag to match.

Good luck!

Yes from me on Phase Eight too.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

So more info:
I’m an academic and it’s a big Fellowship interview (think ERC/UK research councils). So giant work opportunity but as a “breed” us academics are notoriously frumpy🤣

I’m early thirties and quite fair.

Loving all the suggestions!!!

Phase eight is always good.

Today I wore a navy wide leg jumpsuit (phase eight) that nipped in at the waist with a Wallis short cream waterfall jacket. Pewter pointed toe courts and a grey/pewter bag. Statement silver necklace and simple earrings. Polished but still me!

I would wear the dress you posted myself. I'm in Engineering so formal office wear. If you feel it's too short, opaque tights and flats but that's weather dependent. If it's more than a couple inches above the knee then I'd rethink it and definitely recommend phase eight. Something with a sleeve (capped or short is fine) as it looks more professional.

I've just had a similar sounding interview and I'm a similar age. I wore a patterned jersey midi dress (would have worn something more structured but I'm pregnant) and a smart jacket in a light colour - I think it looked fine. Other female candidates of similar ages that I spied while waiting were similarly dressed, in structured shift dresses and tailored jackets. They were mostly in dark colours but I suit light colours better. I wore plain black heels but flats seemed more popular with other candidates.
The interview panel were dressed more smartly than academics usually are - although that's not hard! Think suits for men, smart dresses or shirt and trousers for women.

I can't get the link you provided to work (just goes to home page) but think the jersey tea dresses others posted will be too informal and possibly age you a bit.

PS, my non-maternity dress of choice would have been a brightly coloured plain shift dress. I have one from Hobbs and one from Vera Moda that I bought not cheap (maybe £70?) years ago but have lasted well.

Wide-legged trousers, soft blouse, vintage shoes? www.thehouseoffoxy.com/lookbook/aw-2018-part-1. If the link doesn't take you directly to the picture, it's no 6.

I'm 5'8 and H&M dresses are too short for interviews. Have you sat down in it?
The last thing you want to do is be fiddling with a dress during the interview!

Dress and jacket are always a good choice. Do you know any women in real life in a similar role you could check with? Good luck!

I think the dress in your first post is too short for an interview - it will be way above your knee when you sit down.

I'm also an academic and because everyday work clothes are so casual I think it can be really hard to dress for an interview. I'm also always reluctant to spend a lot on clothes that won't get worn much later on.

I'd wear wide legged trousers and a tucked in silk shirt or a dress of midi/below knee length and a smart jacket. If the dress has a pattern, I'd go for very simple accessories. If both jacket and dress are plain, I'd wear a statement necklace or big brooch to stop it looking too corporate.

Good luck!!