What on earth do I wear for interview?

[Riddlediddle]

It is a good 6 years since I last has an interview and will be back in the game soon. I am looking for office based roles so will need to look smart and professional. Do women still wear full suits or is it now more jackets and dresses?
I am early 30s of average height and size 10 clothing.
Can't afford to spend much on an outfit but have about £70 put to one side for this purpose.
Please help!

It’s really up to you what you wish to wear. In my workplace, I have a few female colleagues who wear black trousers and a shirt and some who wear dresses or like me wear a maxi skirt and smart top.
For an interview, I would wear a simple black pair of trousers, polished black shoes (not sandals), a white shirt and black blazer.

Primark has some decent workwear as do new look and even Asda so you need not spend a lot!

Good luck!

In a corporate environment people certainly do still wear suits, especially for interview.

What kind of industry are you looking at?

Do you have anything from when you were working before?

It varies so much. In my industry if you turned up in a normal corporate style suit to an interview you'd stand out for all the wrong reasons.

I'd probably wear a blouse / smart tee tucked into trousers or a shirt dress? Poss with a blazer over it

I've lost a lot of weight since my last interview so I have nothing I could use. Likely to be in a government sevices/nhs environment as office staff. I'm just clueless on what is the norm?

A blouse and smart cigarette trousers or a pencil skirt with a blazer. That would be my go-to.

Just have a look at highstreet shop websites OP for smart clothing. Don't worry.

I’ve done a couple of interviews for govt/nhs intelligence and people were wearing suits.

No one will care so long as you are smart. Oh I wore a dress and jacket for second one. That seems to be more the thing these days, but equally a suit is fine.

I don’t know exactly what you should wear.

I did get some general tips that were useful. This was for face to face interview but some would apply to one online

If possible don’t make the interview the first time you wear the outfit properly- a bit more difficult with coronavirus. It means you can tell if you feel to hot.

Make sure you feel physically comfortable- not too tight or that it’s too small. Check that out sitting down as well as standing and reaching up (eg you might hang your coat up on a high hook).

Comfortable shoes. If wearing tights take a spare pair, but in a zipped pocket.

Make sure any jewellery is simple and definitely not noisy (eg large earrings).

Take a suitable bag, big enough for what you need eg just enough for passport and keys and wallet/larger if you have to take a file of papers

An umbrella/good coat if you may need it

For NHS (I've nearly done 30 years) you will be fine in smart trousers/skirt and blouse or shirt. Wear something you are comfortable in so you don't worry about gaping buttons or pulling stuff up or down.
As long as you are smart no one will pay much attention

I would go to a charity shop and look for something smart to wear - would begrudge spending £70 on clothes for interviews although l know you can wear them again if you get a job. I would say smart trousers, a nice top, nothing too busy and polished smart shoes. Can get away without a jacket at this time of year.

I would definitely wear a skirt or trouser/blazer/blouse combo.

There are loads of blazers on the high street now. I’d get one in a longer line that I would then be able to wear with jeans and heels for a night out.

Better to err on the side of conservative/smart for an interview. You can’t go wrong with that.

Something like this with neutral shoes would be perfect. You could swap the blouse for a crisp, clean simple white v neck t-shirt.

I’m CEO level - suits are ok - most female interviewees wear dress n jacket/smart cardigan or trousers blouse/shirt jacket/cardigan combo
As long as it’s clean - not ripped - massive logo ed - cutesy - or inappropriate - I probably wouldn’t even notice!
I’m generally more interested in do you meet the essential criteria - job spec - have you done your research etc
I’m not enjoying virtual interviews at all though!
Last week we commended someone on their fab wallpaper n probably judged someone negatively on the chaos in the background of their zoom images

Shoes will be the expense. Look at what you already have an go from there.

Ballet flats, court shoes, brogues would all be fine.
No trainers or sandals.

About 3 weeks ago I wore a green floral sleeveless blouse tucked into slim black ankle length trousers and pointed flat shoes. I did take a jacket but didn't bother with it.

My last interview I wore a smart zebra print a line dress with a fitted black blazer, black tights and black ankle boots...

Interview before that I wore black wide leg trousers with a green pussy bow blouse and my blazer.

@Atalune

Something like this with neutral shoes would be perfect. You could swap the blouse for a crisp, clean simple white v neck t-shirt.

Hadn't seen this - this is pretty much the exact silhouette of my outfit and I got the job.

For my last couple of interviews I wore black narrow straight leg trousers, a white shirt, and a fitted black jacket. For a second interview I wore a black knee length shift dress and jacket. Both times with smart black heels. My aim is to look professional and put together but for my clothes not to be distracting from my interview performance for me or the person interviewing me.

I was thinking of avoiding black as I thought it may be too boring but in fact it sounds like it may actually be perfect! I will get online shopping!

www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/clothing-203535/workwear-203568/dp-petite-black-square-neck-pencil-dress-9888060

Would this be ok for an interview dress?

Can get away without a jacket at this time of year
Are you joking, it's been pouring down for the last 5 days and its bloomin' freezing!!

That dress looks fab. Can you add a tiny bit of colour, in an idea world?

Will order it - for £22 I can't complain. Not breaking the bank for an outfit I will hardly wear x