Interview outfit for amazing job!

[PersisFord]

Oh please help me!

I have an interview coming up for my dream job. It is a senior level post in a department completely full of very nice but very conservative men in their 50s and 60s. I suspect that I should wear a suit (they all wear suits and ties and cuff links everyday!) but what suit? Where from? What shoes? I can’t wear heels at all and would really rather not have a short skirt or anything low cut....but I want to look smart and nice and feel confident about myself. My current job is very casual and I haven’t worn anything except chinos and a jumper to work for years.

I’m a 10-12, red hair, pale skin, and I hate my tummy (csection pouch). I like to wear black or very bright colours - not a pastel fan. Would ideally like to buy and try on online. The budget is difficult - if I get the job I will need lots of grown up clothes so if it’s something I could wear again then I would spend up to £200 for the whole outfit I guess. Plus shoes - all I have is some very battered brown brogues and various biker boots.....

Watching with hopeful anticipation....

Hobbs is quite good for smart corporate wear office stuff. I have a lovely classic black dress from them that is years old wears really well, and I often wear it to work even though we generally slum about in jeans just because I like it - it was generously cut and has a bit of stretch to it so still fits now I'm a bit fatter and definitely hides the bulges. It gets teamed with bright jackets or contrasting scarves - I have a big thing about scarves at the moment. Love wearing it to work even though we're not remotely 'smart' as an office more practical. I wear it with flat Mary Jane style shoes (or sometimes leopard print flat shoes & matching scarf) and 60 denier+ tights.

I think it's a bit like this style, but all black and longer (maybe model is very tall?) www.hobbs.com/product/gracie-dress/0219-5176-9845L00-BLACK-BORDEAUX.html#gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzPuEytTk5gIVibPtCh2nwgo9EAAYASADEgLGAPD_BwE&cgid=sale-clothing-dresses&sz=60&start=0&pid=0219-5176-9845L00-BLACK-BORDEAUX&pos=0
I also have a very nice plain couple of pairs of black M&S trousers and plain coloured tshirts, plus
I have a black jacket, a black and white check jacket and black and white brouges, also a red jacket/red shoes combo plus assorted coloured scarves/coloured tights to match, so could wear that dress or the trousers and top every day for a month and make it look different, yet I don't have masses of different clothes.
Today is a slumming it in jeans day, which is good because I just tipped 1/3 a cup of coffee down them.

Potentially budget busting, but the Fold and Winser are both good for grown up work clothes. They have good sales.

Good mix and match pieces are key.

This is all excellent advice. If I had a dress, would I wear it with a jacket? Is that really 2010?

Gillian Anderson on the winser website!!!! That looks amazing!!

Hobbs is good.

Go to Debenhams. You can book online, a free personal shopper and they'll bring loads of stuff to the changing rooms for you to try on.

Maybe I'm a bit old..or maybe we haven't good enough heating, but it's cold in here without a jacket or a cardigan, so always wear one.

I think a fitted dress with a jacket or cardigan is great for feeling smart and confident. Also look good with a scarf. I have found nice ones in Hobbs but also Next, which look surprisingly good quality.

Hobbs again! You might find some of their office suitable dresses on eBay.

Hawes & Curtis do some fabulous women's shirts and many of them are lovely & colourful. They look great with pencil type skirts.

A dress with sleeves. Not. Cardigan, too casual. A jacket can look fussy.

Can you wear boots with a small heel?

The fold is great. If you have red hair what about a bright emerald green?

Another vote for Hobbs . And Boden have a pretty good selection of workwear now.

Boots with small heel would be fine. What kind of thing though?

I would LOVE a bright green dress! Am investigating all of these like mad (as kids watch fireman Sam and eat left over cheese from Christmas!)

I’m no good at links. LK bennett have some great dresses in the sales. The Fold goes on general sale tomorrow.

I don’t like Hobbs, looks ‘cheap’ to me & it’s not!

Boots, any black, navy, grey ankle boots.

Smart black slim trousers, a black jacket, and a high necked patterned blouse would be lovely, and you’d get good wear out of them as separates. Hobbs is good quality, but I’d look at Marks as well. What age are you? I would say Hobbs can be for the older crowd (ie me, mid 40’s)

I really like this but is it too casual? I would rather have sleeves....but if I kept a jacket on?

I am 38

Probably about time I got some grownup clothes anyway!!

That's really lovely. Doesn't look casual at all. You will need a jacket though

It’s a bargain too. What kind of jacket? Would a blazer type one be ok? And could I wear smart flats (if I buy some)?

I don’t think that dress is a bargain. It’s like a top & skirt. Will have to be dry cleaned regularly. I’d get a skirt & a few washable tops for that.

Smart flats are grand. I find boots more comfortable & I think they look smarter

I had the same issue - recently got a promotion and needed a wardrobe refresh.

I booked into John Lewis for a personal shopping experience - it was absolutely life changing and has given me the confidence to wear clothes I would never have considered beforehand

A well cut black blazer is super versatile. For the Hobbs dress, look for the matching jacket, Hobbs almost always makes entire outfits.

I wore a mix of Hobbs and The Fold for a big job interview, went very well and I'm now 3 months in.

I have this and its really lovely

thefoldlondon.com/product/northcote-dress-navy/

Lovely dress Newhouse!

I always wear one bright item. It helps you stand out amongst a lot of black and grey. I usually wear smart black trousers, fuschia or red blouse and black coat/blazer.