Smart, casual - interview - HELP, please!!

[SVDW1136]

Hi MN S&B,

Please, please help me!

I need a smart, casual interview outfit.

I am 5ft 2, size 10/12, hips and leg are where fat likes to settle. Still have baby weight, and feel a bit frumpy. Pants usually look awful on me due to my pear like figure.

The assessment is for a role in mechanical industry (complete departure from my current career where I wear suits) - a full day of psychometric tests, and an interview with managers. It says “smart casual, but be comfortable” as it’s a long day.

I have to travel overnight, and I don’t think wearing a suit/dress is appropriate as it’s a traditional “lads” industry. I most certainly will be the only woman at the assessment so I don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons i.e. wearing a dress when the job has a uniform of pants/polo shirt etc.

I was thinking maybe some sort of pants/jumper combo, but struggling to find something decent.

I can’t afford to spend a fortune as I’m on mat leave. Thinking maybe £150 total on pants, jumper, maybe shoes/boots.

Please can you guys help me, you people are wonderful wizards! Many thanks xx

A blazer (which you might take off during the sessions)
A top with long sleeves - nice blouse or possibly a cashmere jumper with accessories, in a beautiful colour
Smart dark trousers with a bit of stretch
Low heel shoes or boots

Message it gives "I am comfortable with authority and taking responsibility, but open to new ideas and prepared to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in.

I’m attaching a few ideas. The jeans should be swapped for trousers with stretch. Choose a jacket to suit your height. The cashmere and trousers is an excellent idea. Or the white shirt ideas are good but not the long cuffs! Otherwise, there’s something for everyone.

Here’s a few more.

I'm guessing you're in the US as you refer to "pants", so dress codes may be slightly more formal over there, but I would wear dark grey woollen trousers and a cashmere polo (turtle) neck sweater, plus a blazer like a PP said, which you can remove.
Sensible shoes if you're going to be on an industrial site.

Here are the ones I found

Wonderful suggestions

Anyone have links for me, pretty please? Trousers especially, please. Bonus points if you’ve actually purchased them and are my shape/height!

I’m actually an English lass, but have spent a lot of time working in the US, sorry for the pants/trousers confusion!

How old are you?

In my industry (tech) smart casual is good fit jeans or fitted trousers, heel boots, a trendy blouse and blazer. Would this work for your industry?

On these pics they are wearing heels but I think you could swop for chunky heel boots.

I get really sweaty in interviews (lovely I know) so I have to be mindful with tops so they cover.

I think zara is good for this stuff

www.marksandspencer.com/mia-slim-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60133212?image=SD_01_T59_5174_Y0_X_EC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=srp
This whole outfit from M&S for example

I work in a technical job. I guess you would wear safety boots for any actual site/factory type work, so for site meetings I go for the sort of outfit that would not look ridiculous if I had to put safety boots on to go and inspect something. Whilst still being slightly smart because I am the Engineer and they should tremble when I approach .

Don't wear fashion boots that look like safety boots (despite the fact they are on trend) because that might make you look like you don't know the difference. I've had men before look at my DM's or whatever practical footwear I've worn to drive there and sniffily say "you won't be able to wear those on site they aren't safety boots" Duh yes my car boot is full of PPE.

The m and s black trousers with stretch priced at £59 are brilliant. I have them. I think they are the ones above.There are then lots of choices of cashmere or decent shirts. I like loafers for smart casual but ankle boots can be great but not DMs! They also have lots of jackets so you could get everything at MandS!

Ok, I’ve ordered a new navy petite suit and a roll neck grey jumper, going to see how it fits, as that will give me the option of jacket/no jacket.

Can I wear this with black low heeled boots and a tan bag??

Sounds great, good luck

So I either wanted to set myself on fire for not losing all the baby weight (breastfeeding makes me eat like a pig), or set the suit on fire!!

Would it be really that bad if I wore a smart dress with a blazer and boots??

What was the problem?

Size 10 too tight on the jacket and trousers, but size 12 too big. The roll top jumper was clingy and terribly fitting. I am short, and have big hips/thighs/bum. I think dresses suit me better. Feeling a bit stressed by it, surely smart dress is just smart dress?

Go with the dress, don't get stressed. I'm sure you'll be fine. It's a nightmare shopping at the moment without being able to try things on.

Try a dress and a coat. Blazers and dresses are not great. Wear short boots with it? Wear what’s comfortable! Doesn’t have to be trousers.