Primary school teacher interview outfit

[hen10]

I am already a primary school teacher, 44, size 14, 5'5, long body, short legs, freckly, pale, dark blonde hair (this is not how I always introduce myself but will be useful here🙂).

I have an opportunity to apply for a permanent post in my current school alongside external applicants. I want to look polished and smart at the interview and also generally move away from navy trousers/colourful supermarket top which I have fallen into over the years. I want to look colourful/interesting but not ditzy, smart but not 'office' wear. I am ambitious but have fallen into a 'comfortable' look which I don"t think is serving me now.

I have about £100 to spend on a dress I'd wear again in the classroom or separates. Can anyone help? What would a stylish person wear? Thanks

What do you want to wear?

That's the point, TomNook - I don't know. I haven't bought clothes at a clothes shop probably for over a year. I pick up various tops from Sainsbury's and pair them with sensible M&S trousers. It's practical but frumpy and I want to try to change the way they think about me ( I know this is not just about clothes, but clothes are important). Given that I can't go clothes shopping in real life and need to buy online, I was after some ideas for the interview and onward. Some of the younger teachers wear shirt dresses, but they are much thinner than me.

Maybe a smart, knee-length dress, I'd prefer that to separates.

What KS? Eyfs go florals and flats, KS2 more formal and bold colours. Ks1 somewhere is between.

I once went to an interview, was successful and belatedly realised that I had been wearing the school uniform colours!! Maybe I unconsciously generated the impression that I belonged there. Worth a try, maybe?!

If you are already working there, the school will have pretty much decided whether or not you’re getting the job. So as long as you’re appropriately attired, what you wear isn’t going to matter.

So the question is, do you want the new clothes for you, rather than for this job? If you do, crack on. Otherwise use the £100 on something that will give you pleasure.

Good luck, anyway.

Thank you, KS2 - I've been jeans and no make-up since lockdown as working mostly from home and small keyworker groups. Just wanted to turn up and look like I was smart and ambitious, rather than a middle aged safe pair of hands. But perhaps this is psychological and nothing to do with clothes. Still got nothing to wear though? This from Next? www.next.co.uk/style/st534474/856579#856579

Nothing wrong with being a middle aged safe pair of hands!

I quite like the dress, but I think it could be a bit cleavagy. And it’s not that smart.

Hi Hen, that dress looks nice, but it depends on your boob size whether it's good for interview.
As a woman of ample boobage I'd not because they'd be popping out. Small/ medium boobs it will look great

Have a look at hush dresses and maybe Boden online. I'm 5'2 and find there sizing really generous but maybe sometime a bit more workwear, with colour or pattern is more memorable. And looser fitting so you don't feel stuffy.

Nice dress from next but you can do better. Have you had a look on zara?

This one from hush? Not what I would usually wear but that is not a bad thing. Too casual?
www.hush-uk.com/clothing/dresses/charlie-twist-dress_2-grey-white-check.htm

Something like this as long as the cleavage isn't too low? Beautiful colour.

Love the one from Hush @hen10

Not too causal at all and shirt dresses are very versatile

I like the Hush dress but think it's too casual. I wouldn't ever too far from what you wear now, otherwise you might feel uncomfortable. But maybe: new trousers and top and add a blazer, which you can remove but creates a good impression. A necklace? Make sure nails are neat.

This blazer is pretty relaxed looking, would tone with any colours etc etc. There's a pink version which might suit you as a blonde.

Hobbs have a great sale on and their dresses are really versatile and normally good fabric that hangs nicely/well cut etc

I’d go for navy skirt or trousers, a striped navy and white top (not a T shirt) and a red or coral jacket. Something practical, smart, and lively looking.

You’d look like a holiday rep tho. Don’t do that.

www.hobbs.com/product/primrose-colourblock-shift-dress/0120-5684-9083L00-NAVY-WHITE.html#cgid=sale&is=false&sz=60&start=0&pid=0120-5684-9083L00-NAVY-WHITE&pos=15

With bright coloured flats? God, I am not good at this even when the shops are open.

I do like the hush shirt dress - might just buy that anyway and see what it looks like on.

I like the colour block dress. In my very humble opinion, ambitious primary heads/dep heads tend to look expensive and quite polished. Like they’re already living in that better income bracket than us mere MP4 mortals 😂

Have a look at Boden for dress ideas that you might want to wear for other occasions. I think you're right to up your game a bit for the interview btw as people like to see an effort being made and that you do have other clothes when necessary.

I would avoid wrap styles unless they're really well cut and fit perfectly, which probably means more expensive than the Next dress.

The Hobbs one is smart and unfussy, which is good for an interview. Make sure there's nothing you'll feel self-conscious about, especially when you sit down, and well-fitting but not tight.

Boscoismyspiritanimal that is exactly what I mean. I need to up my game. The lockdown haircut won't be helping😁