What to wear for NHS 8b interview?

[WhatToWearFor8b]

I've got an interview for an 8b post (starting salary a bit over £50k). It's quite a technical role rather than patient facing or management. Day to day clothes would be something like what you might expect of a teacher - smartish, no jeans, but comfortable.

I don't generally buy new clothes - I'm a charity shop shopper. I'm also really pear shaped, so fitted dresses don't fit bust and thighs.

I need to buy a suit, don't I? I own a beige linen jacket with a bit of floral embroidery, which I have previously worn to an interview with black pencil skirt and black shirt. But that's not an 8b look, is it?

Assuming I do need a suit... Where on the high street should I go for something that won't break the bank that'll likely be worn very very rarely?

The dress I wore for my interview is now in the loft as I've swapped my summer and winter clothes over. it's very similar to this one though, which is what I'd wear with a black jacket if was being interviewed tomorrow. I know your style is different but it gives you an idea of how smart i was

And this is another interview possibility from my wardrobe.

A wool mix navy A-line skirt (if this shape suits) and smart knit or shirt. I wore a camel knee length pencil skirt and cos white interesting detail smart blouse to mine (back in summer though).

hettie any idea where I might find a suitable knee length a line skirt? Anything shorter than that and I won't be comfortable. I can find mid calf almost skater in fullness, which I'm not sure about from the POV of what shoes if nothing else. I own several sea salt skirts - the one that fits me best is this shape.

Emma thanks, that's helpful. It's not that I don't like your style - I just doubt it'd fit.

I think women wearing an actual suit for interviews is quite rare these days, agree you can get away with smart separates which can then be re-used separately.

To be honest just wearing some kind of sharpish jacket/blazer sets you apart from some of the things people come in wearing these days (I’m in HE so probably not dissimilar expectations). That’s the bit you can see over the desk/table and is usually a useful garment to have around.

Workwear has generally become far less formal I think

I wore a Phase 8 dress with a black jacket for my interview at that sort of level. I’m a weird shape, apple rather than pear, and shortish. I could never find dresses that worked on me, but Phase 8 are cut for more, erm, middle-aged shapes. I’ve found a few there that actually look decent and I wear them for work all the time.

I’m not sure about Next to be honest, and I have tried quite hard there. I wouldn’t put all your eggs in that basket.

What do we think about wrap-type dresses? I've bought this, it almost fits (bit tight round the upper arms - the sleeves need a bit of tugging and arranging to sit in the right place). I discovered a black jacket in my wardrobe (it's 20 years old and I'm sure the collar isn't this year's style, but it's a Kaliko jacket in decent nick and it fits.)

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_038020517360_-1

It's cheap, so it won't last forever, but it's black for now and it's something I would wear for everyday work clothes even once it's gone grey and shapeless .

I've got black patent heels or Skechers black matt leather flats (a bit like these. I'm thinking flats with a wrap dress, or heels if I go for a pencil skirt (which I haven't got yet - the ones I bought were designed to be below the knee, but are too loose round the waist so they are sitting really low on my hips so they are too low on my shins and I can't move my legs far enough apart to negotiate stairs without hitching up my skirt!).

How does bravissimo fit you? I've always found the clothes too pear shaped for me.
www.bravissimo.com/collections/dresses/?limit=48&page=1&sortBy=default&f_type[]=dress

Isn't the whole point of bravissimo that they are for the fuller bust? I have the complete opposite problem - loads of loose fabric.

I was imagining you in an 8 curvy (or there abouts). I find the clothes fitted in the top and waist then flare out loads at the hips (which look dreadful on me as an apple :D) which I thought might work for you.

Nah. In M&S sizing I'm a 34A.

I'm reasonably broad shouldered, and I've got my winter stores around my upper arms and thighs. My waist is in proportion with my boobs, and my tummy isn't exactly flat but it's not something that needs to be hidden.

OP I think.that Principles dress with a black jacket would be fine.

When is the interview? Good luck!

Thanks Emma. Interview is the week after next - I have put some thought into what I'm going to say as well as what I'm going to wear, honest!

For skirts: hobbs

Well, vipers, here's my debrief:

I wore this:
www.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/dresses-265974/monochrome-dogtooth-fit-and-flare-dress-9221142
with a black jacket.

And I got the job! No formal offer yet, so biding my time, but I am, as they say, well chuffed.

I feel your pain! I'm an 8c but work in an office, not patient facing and wear jeans to work every day. I recently went to an 8d interview and possess no smart clothes and would never wear a suit in a million years.

I went to Evan's (am a size 20) and bought some black trousers and a smart shirt. Did the trick - got the job

Good luck - don't buy anything you either won't wear again or will feel uncomfortable in - hope it goes well!

Ooooh you got it!! Congratulations!!!

oh well done!
what shoes? out of curiosity.

Thanks!

These red ones, with nude tights.

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-round-toe-ballet-pumps/p/clp60275240

@WhatToWearFor8b congratulations

Well done!!

I bought one of the dresses from Wallis on this thread for an NHS interview too, unfortunately it swam on me, so picked something from my wardrobe. Congratulations, it's a great feeling