Interview outfit

[Marmaladegin]

I have just been offered an interview for dream position after a dry couple of years career wise and I'm very excited. Now that workwear has become so much more casual, I'm not really sure about interview style. On one hand this is quite a prestigious (academic) interview so I want to show the respect by making an effort, on the other hand I'm likely to be one of the older candidates (early 40s) and don't want to look try-too-hard/ outdated in formal office attire which really isn't me. I'm hourglass (ish) 12. I'd quite like to look fashionable but professional. Any ideas gratefully received.

I spend far too much time daydreaming about outfits for academic positions I never apply for …

Generally I start by imagining finding the perfect thing, in my size, reduced to pennies in the sale at Studio Nicholson. Or Margaret Howell. Or Raey at Matches Fashion.

But then I remember they’d be seeking me for my unique individuality - and plump for something devil-may-care from MSGM. (Knowing their clothes are beautifully made and last forever.)

Often, in these fictional scenarios, some section of a grateful public has gifted me a large and handsome work bag from The Row - from which, at an opportune moment in the interview, I might extract my Faber / Forward / Pulitzer Prize winning tome …

In truth, both the men and women at the blah blah graduate college I’m most familiar with do look surprisingly smart - but this is probably a result of age and liking nice clothes. Might be different elsewhere.

PS Massimo Dutti is really good at the moment.

I would go to the place and gang out see what people wear. Rather than what the pp has posted. All very nice with young models my mind goes to Laura Ashley, Boden Kit and Kaboodle. Nice fabrics, heavy cotton. Cord even velvet well cut with a chunky aran cardigan flat boots and a beat up old satchel. Go, gang around or scout their website team page. Look at press clippings. But remember it's an interview, not an awards ceremony

Sorry for the typos, my nails are too long! I hope you get the gist. Research the place and see how others dress, especially the interview panel.

Everything in this!

I don't work in academia but I'd imagine they want you to look out together enough to be able to wheel out in front of the Vice-Chancellor, corporate donors, and regulatory bodies.

I'd suggest a blazer over a midi dress (plain or pattern) or fine knit jumper/blouse with trousers in the same colour as each other (but contrasting/complementary to the jacket).

Relaxed suit with a top and shoes that make you feel good. I did my last academic interview in this get up with a white t shirt with the name of a film director on (I teach film) and a pair of trainers. Lipstick. I'm 45, I got the job.

I suspect @Greensleevevssnotnose is your rival, and is trying to sabotage your chances!

I'd still wear a suit (but a clean, tailored one in a dark colour) for an interview somewhere like that, even if I knew I could turn up to work in a dry robe after it without raising any questions.

To add a bit of interest, or boho twist, the shirt could be print: tiny floral, or a dark geo print. If that's too much/you feel uncomfortable in it, then use jewelry to give some edge: a few gold minimalistic rings, an ear cuff. Add some killer ankle boots, in faux croc or with a pointed toe.

Two dark dresses at different price points. And a cool suit.

Nah I work in finance and was thinking of Hogwarts teachers and the professor's in the movie and my professors at University of Sussex 30 years ago. Also my friend's wife is a Prof at Glasgow and dresses how I described.

images.app.goo.gl/eabVnwu8aDY427Mx7 I was thinking of this

What has ‘Dark Academia’ to do with Laura Ashley or the label you mentioned with droopy pink jumpers embellished with sparkles?

Really not sure you’re intending to be helpful At All.

This is exactly the sort of help I need, thank you all. Especially @RandomersAssociation for the detailed reply. I'll pull myself together and start looking. I know it's not an awards ceremony and I'm confident in my ability but it's a highly competitive area and after a career break I just don't want to feel (more) nervous because I'm wearing something that's more suited to a workplace culture (and my own body shape) of yesteryear.

And academics are scruffy sods but I don't think that means you're expected to turn up to an interview looking scruffy- surely in all jobs you dress far more formally when being interviewed than you would if you were doing the job?

Ps @tinselvestsparklepants I love the sound of that outfit but I'm not sure I'm ballsy enough to wear trainers to an interview, which is a shame because part of my anxiety about this is that I can't wear heels any longer (severe injury to one leg) which leaves me a bit stumped (ha!) as far as interview shoes go, as I really don't think I suit chunky flats...

*surely in all jobs you dress far more formally when being interviewed than you would if you were doing the job?'
Yes absolutely!

Re footwear, i really like skirts/dresses for working well with a flat boot (ankle or knee high) rather than loafer.

Yes that's what I think. But @Greensleevevssnotnose was suggesting scoping out what they wear there, and I don't think that really tells you much about interview dress

As a rule it's not a bad idea to see what people wear there every day and then take it up a notch in terms of formality.

Just because everyone was so helpful on this, I wanted to tell you the advice was clearly good.... I got it!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS! Well done!

Congratulations. But what did you wear?

Thank you! I wore:
Silk v neck shift
Heatgen tights from M&S (amazing)
Fabulous leopard print court shoes from Hobbs

Many congratulations, @Marmaladegin!🎉

Now that you’ll need a whole new wardrobe of not too ‘try-too-hard/ outdated’ clothes you may find this stupendous thread a worthwhile investment of time. Wonderful discussion and an astonishingly excellent list of sources.

Thank you @RandomersAssociation !!!

I am absolutely on cloud 9! I was thinking the same thing about the wardrobe situ so I'll be off to have a read of that now.