What to wear for interviews

[twointhemorning]

Would people be kind enough to help with ideas for what to wear to an interview?

I have two interviews in approximately 2 weeks time. I need a suitable outfit to wear. One is a promotion in my current company, the other is a sideways move to a role in local government. It’s over 5 years since my last interview and my jackets don’t fit :(
I currently work from home, so don’t have a lot of exposure to people working in offices so I don’t know what the current trends are.

About me:
• 5ft 2in
• Age early 40s
• Size 16
• Busty
• Size 5 shoes (prefer to wear flats)
• Fat upper arms and thighs
• I have cool colouring (a summer in House of Colour)
• Don’t like large patterns/ prints, fussy details

I’m a bit bored with my current work wardrobe and feel that everyone (at my current workplace) has seen it all before. I tend to wear either navy trousers and coloured top, or navy dress; then add a coloured cropped cardigan or knitted Chanel style jacket. I want to smarten up the cardigan/knitted jacket look for interviews. The trouble is a lot of petite brands (e.g. Boden) only go up to a 14 and I would probably need a 16 or possibly an 18 for trousers and jackets, but could probably get away with a 14 for dresses and tops.

Any advice?

Was going to recommend Boden but hadn't realised they only go up to s14 in petite. That's dreadful. When I worked in local and central government my go to for work wear was Hobbs or Précis Petite ( I think John Lewis). I also got some good stuff from jigsaw but I don't know if they do petites I used to have a seamstress take up legs and sleeves. My suggestion is you invest in a good dress and a jacket. Then add in trousers and a skirt later. Hobbs etc usually do a range that you can get different pieces. They aren't cheap but very good quality. Reid's or Jaegar too. I used to get stuff in the sales. Hobbs shoes. Good luck with the job.

dress

jacket
The jacket would go,with black skirt or trousers too. Have a look

Thank you for replying @Sooverthemill

A lot of petite ranges stop at size 14, so it is a problem.

I don’t really like the Aida dress and jacket. It’s a bit too “look at me” with the stripes, I would feel a bit self-conscious. It also looks similar to the type of dress and jacket combo our Chief Executive wears…

I’ve taken the plunge and ordered some navy separates from the Hobbs Kora range in the sale, so I’ve ordered trousers in an 18, the dress in a 16 (no 18 in stock) and the jacket in an 18. The order is on next working day delivery so will probably come Thursday. I might have time to get some alterations done before the first interview a week on Friday. I’ve not worn Hobbs before so I’m having to guess at sizes.

I’ve gone a bit Hobbs crazy and ordered a handbag too!