Kick ass outfit for big job interview

[FirmlyRooted]

I have interview nr 18 for a big job coming up, it is supposedly the final round with a c-suite executive. What can I wear that says I'm an exceptional professional, confident and innovative but serious enough to lead a strategic function?

I'm 38, size 12 ish, 5'6, long hair. I'm thinking it needs to be dark to signal seriousness but I also want to come across as confident and innovative. The Fold has a wrap jacket I'm eyeing up.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! And also thoughts on whether it needs to be trousers or if a skirt will work. I prefer skirts but worried about being too girly...

Out of interest what have your interviewers worn?

I work in Tech inc Fintech with clients based in Canary Wharf, and I’ve been in meetings with CEOs in jeans and tshirts!

I like the first jacket better. It’s different - in a good way - and so adds a bit of interest. It doesn’t look remotely bath robey to me.

The first jacket is Devine

Good luck

Navy I've worn for all 3 interviews I've recently had. A navy pleated dress from H&M Classics, navy suit jacket and tie belt dress from Next Directory (appalling quality of dress but jacket was passable!).

I'd be temped to go for either of these dresses or the J Crew dress in yellow as it shows personality. I have the jacket below too which I've worn for interviews.

Personally - I think - you've come this far - you can afford to dial it down a bit. Too uber smart and it's trying too hard. For this one you want to say smart but approachable. Definitely not a suit, but I'm biased.

poshmark.com/listing/Black-blouse-with-white-piping-59c7cc6e6d64bc0ff901f2a0

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0119-5324-9845L00&productvarid=0119-5324-9845L00-NAVY-RED-IVORY-12&refpage=shop-business-suits

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0119-5324-9845L00&productvarid=0119-5324-9845L00-NAVY-RED-IVORY-12&refpage=shop-business-suits

www.jcrew.com/uk/p/womens_category/dressesandjumpsuits/weartowork/sheath-dress-in-bistretch-cotton/L2611?color_name=crisp-yellow&noPopUp=true&srccode=Paid_Search|Shopping|Google|PL_XPROD_ALLPRDCT_ACQ_XXX_EVG_COGBR_EN_EN_P_CRWI_AW_CPC_PLA,Brand_All_Products_XXX,PRODUCT_GROUP,71700000032259016,58700003833649802,p32805794623&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid_Search&utm_campaign=PL_XPROD_ALLPRDCT_ACQ_XXX_EVG_COGBR_EN_EN_P_CRWI_AW_CPC_PLA,Brand_All_Products_XXX&utm_content=Shopping&NoPopUp=True&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjwr8zoBRA0EiwANmvpYLtAr0coTaOXYeKl-d1p39-u6qlzFpRk5ZQFrQfBxuZg51WOv5EtIRoCf38QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm just intrigued what job needs 18 interviews?

TheCat: great links, thank you. I might order that Hobbs dress.

Love the blue Jcrew dress, great price in the sale too

I think we're similar looking OP and my smart colour of choice is navy. I think it looks better with dark hair, as blue and brown are more complimentary and the overall effect is less harsh I think.

I don't really have any advice as to exact outfits though, I'm sure you'll find something great.

@swissmilk - a finance job in the city of London.

Thanks @small2018 but what is meant by a finance job? (I had guess it was that from the previous replies) do you mean a broker etc?

swissmilk it's working in the finance sector (Banking, Insurance, etc), so all the usual corporate type jobs just highly regulated, i.e. there's a process and a rule and close scrutiny for just about everything.

swissmilk it’s probably not just that it’s finance, it’s an organisational culture thing as well. In some organisations you need to make sure all the important stakeholders buy into a senior hiring decision otherwise the person won’t be able to get anything done when they arrive. There are a few organisations that are famous for it.

AskMeHow - I agree with navy being better as you age. I'm 47 but apparently look younger but have noticed in recent years that black looks either too severe or too sexy (even in a slim fitting expensive work dress!) especially when teamed with heels and hair tied back.

Thanks for the replies to my thread de-rail.
So 18+ interviews is only for the really top jobs?
In which case, how does the op not know what to wear?

swissmilk I think it’s clear that the OP does have a good idea of what to wear. But she doesn’t spend her life being interviewed by exec level people, so she’s canvassing opinions to make sure.

I’ve been in meetings with CEOs in jeans and tshirts

I think this is a bit of a red herring. When I was in consultancy we had a rule that we normally dressed two "levels" above clients.

Attire was broadly split into:

1. business formal (dark tailored suits, closed shoes, ties and cuff links for men)

1. business casual (smart separates: fitted Capri pants and blazers, closed shoes, open collar with blazer for men)

1. casual (smart separates, women could wear sandals, a pullover over a shirt rather than a blazer)

1. dress down, (jeans - no rips- converse type trainers -but not "running" style- t shirts etc)

So basically when meeting clients only 1&2 were acceptable. There may have been some divergence if it was an offsite meeting which necessitated a less formal approach.

Now I'm in house I often dress 3 if no big meetings and 4 if it's dress down Friday but if a vendor turned up like that I'd be very unimpressed.

@DramaRamaLlama that's really interesting, very clearly structured.

I picked up this dress today, it looks good on me with a dark jacket. Light grey suits me better than white. It's an option

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0119-5148-9045L00&productvarid=0119-5148-9045L00-DUSKY-BLUE-NAVY-12&refpage=promotions/sale-dresses

FirmlyRooted I have a C-suite job in a medium-sized company. Your ideas are all great. You can’t be too smart or conservative and do try to be comfortable both nothing digging in etc and not wearing something you feel awkward in. I loved your first Fold jacket. Hobbs also good idea. Reiss, Windser London, LK Bennett? If it were me I’d go black suit. Skirt is fine. I personally am drooling over this blouse currently: www.reiss.com/p/printed-blouse-womens-kaya-in-white-red-cream/?category_id=11001&gaEeList=W%20-%20Sale%20-%20Tops

PS Good luck!

Gee is this nonsense still going on ? In the days of virtual offices and effective work life balance I’m amazed anyone still goes into the office nevermind cares what people wear to it. Come and join us in 2019 the waters lovely

I work in a creative industry, so casual, and I’ve found this thread really interesting. I thought “work wear” was dated (don’t mean this as an insult, genuine observation). I’m also surprised that there are so many layers of formal.

I love your first choice OP. That jacket screams c-suite. I'm sorry but I don't love that Hobbs dress at all - I think it looks a bit cheap (especially for Hobbs!).

Good luck!

I agree with the first jacket, that is perfect. I have a couple of Fold dresses and they are brilliant for all occasions. Best of luck!

Another vote for the first jacket, much nicer than any of the other options. Agree with namechanger re the Hobbs dress.

I personally love this dress (if the colour suits you):

thefoldlondon.com/product/waverley-dress-forest-green-wool/

What can I wear that says I'm an exceptional professional, confident and innovative but serious enough to lead a strategic function?......what shall I wear.....oh the irony

@PrincessLouis I love that pink shorts suit