Dress for interview

[ElleLeopine]

I am planning to look for a new job, and need an outfit for potential interviews. Please can I have opinions on the below dress? I am a short apple shape. I am 16-18 on top, but I have good legs. I look slimmer front on than from the side!

https://www.pennyplain.com/catalog/product/view/id/11293/s/penny-plain-blackcurrant-high-back-v-neckline/category/15/

And if this dress is a no, please could someone recommend an alternative, and advise if I will need a jacket or blazer over the top?

Many thanks 😊

Hopeful bump!

Editing my post having said it wa ok. Having looked at it again - it's too short and looks cheap and I don't like the colour. The black version is better.

Don't bother with a jacket- dresses over jackets are difficult anyway. Just wear outdoor coat and a cardigan if it's cold and take them off when you get there.

Assuming that is your budget I think these M&S ones in that price range are better and if you can push another £10 or £20 there are other better options in M&S .

https://www.marksandspencer.com/midi-utility-shirt-dress/p/clp60643275?intid=mobileapppdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-tie-neck-mini-relaxed-dress/p/clp60633648?intid=mobileapp_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-tie-waist-midaxi-shirt-dress/p/clp60635913?intid=mobileapppdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22579900?intid=mobileapppdp_share

I really like that OP.

It's such an easy fit, and very flattering on an apple shape, unlike long-line tie-waist shirtdresses which can look like dressing gowns on anyone who isn't tall and willowy.

Just consider the colour - purples can be hard to team with other colours.

I'd also wear a slip under it to prevent cling or static (matalan and M&S have plenty of options for slips)

Second wearing a slip.
Unless it's the height of summer I always wear a slip under all unlined dresses.

If you like that dress, it'll do. It looks terrible on the website with bare legs and heeled ankle boots.

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle thank you for taking the time to post and find all those links, but they really are not the right shape for me. I need structured stretch to skim over my stomach, and not too much length and volume as I am short.
The shape of the one I posted is good I think, but if there are better quality ones out there then I don't mind spending more.

@fernsandlilies thank you for understanding about the apple shape!

Is the colour so bad? I thought that the black might be too sombre - I suppose I could add a scarf 🤔

I don't get the whole "shape" and "flattering" thing.

I'm a 14 on a good day, a 16 on a bad day. I look at a dress on a "do I like it" ? basis; and if I do, is it available in my size ?

Re colour, it's not that purple is difficult but that's a drab version of purple. Purple should be rich and vibrant.

Sorry, can't help.

I do get that, but sometimes I have tried on a dress that I have loved on the hanger, only to find that it is made for some one of an entirely different shape to me! Taller, slimmer here, more full there, longer in the body. And you get to know what will actually look half decent on you.
But I am quite an odd shape 🤔 😅

I was at a conference this week with mainly women presenters, and those who looked best ‘put together’ were wearing jackets over dresses. There was one woman wearing a black and white tweed cropped jacket over a dead plain black dress, and it looked great. Those wearing ‘just dresses’ seemed (to me) to look a little more self-conscious. This was on stage, mind, so not the same as behind an interview desk.

Of course it can look good but it depends on the dress and the jacket. It needs worked at- not just the MN "wear a blazer".

I like it, can see (as a fellow apple) why the shape would work and I disagree with PP, I like the aubergine colour. I would wear with a long simple, silver pendant personally (and maybe another shorter silver necklace to "layer" ). What's your shoe plan?

@floradora thank you!

I have either flat black shoes, or block heel oxblood loafers.

I don't really want to spend any more on shoes or jackets right now 😩

Flat black shoes and black 40- 60 denier opaque tights will be fine. Your loafers might be too. It doesn't need a jacket.

What about a jacket from vinted? Simple lines eg: https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/3884937181-bonmarche-classic-cut-black-chinese-collar-jacket-top-size-16?referrer=catalog