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....

That's what I wore for my last interview. Didn't get the job but I looked nice at least ...

That fold dress is gorgeous. I’m loving hearing the interview stories!

Can I ask about shoes? On the websites everyone wears high heeled court shoes which looks lovely but is not possible. With that navy fold dress, for example, what would/do you wear?!

I always wear heels in the office, bring them in a bag and get changed either in reception or just round the corner for meetings. Block heels are much more comfortable than thin heels. For walking I use smart flats or in the winter black ankle boots

Another good brand is Libby London and Reiss has some lovely suits too.

I would recommend Dorothy Perkins for cheap(ish) but good quality office wear. You need to be comfortable and confident in whatever you wear, I would opt for a black suit (trousers or skirt, whatever you feel more comfortable in) and a bright or patterned shirt. Alternatively a colourful suit and then a plain shirt, I personally wouldnt invest in a really expensive suit until you know what you like wearing. For shoes I wouldn't worry at all about heels, something flat like loafers would be fine and you should be able to get a lot of wear out of them. I would avoid ballet pumps though.

I think when wearing a formal suit type dress that you do really need to have a formal shoe and something with a heel even if it is quite a low heel.

If you wore trousers then a flat shoe / brogue type thing would be fine.

It is obviously personal choice though!

The LK Bennett sale will have lots of bright smart dresses. I'd check them.out online.
I would always wear a heel, but I think you'll be fine with a smart morgue if heels are an issue.
The most important thing for an interview is that you feel.comfortable.

I think maybe a little heel might make me feel smarter. I’ll try some on - if I stick them to my heels with those gel things that might be ok. Is it still expected to wear tights if you are smartly dressed (clueless)?

If I get this job and have to dress like this every day I am going to spend about my first 3 months pay on clothes!!!

Hi OP, if you are going to a corporate role with men who wear cufflinks every day, you will have to go very smart for the interview.

I would also add, wear heels - my friend works in this environment and even though she is very tall she always wears heels. Nude heels would suit the navy dress.

I second going on the LK Bennett sale pages - you will need that level of spend to look like you are a senior executive - and you need to walk into that interview room as if you already have the job.

Look at old episodes of Suits - the Jessica Pearson character always loved amazing but also very corporate.

Another option is trousers - wide leg, mid heel shoes and a short tight fitted jacket - see Tia Leone in Madam Secretary for ideas on how to wear trousers in a senior role.

Good luck - it sounds like an amazing opportunity.

looked amazing!!!

The Hobbs dress is lovely but in our office I wouldn't get much wear out if it as the AC is set to Baltic. If you run a bit cold, you need to consider that. I would be tempted to go for a suit skirt and jacket if it's really traditional. Have a look on LinkedIn and see if there are any pictures of women who work there already, see what they are wearing.

For shoes I've got a couple of pairs of pointy flats which look quite smart. Heels wise I've recently discovered block heels and they are so much comfier than stilettos.