Job interview - jacket necessary?

[22fgjiyt]

Hi all - I have a job interview next week, would usually wear a suit however have put weight on and it no longer fits 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'd rather not buy a new one as already trying to shift the weight. Is a jacket for an interview still the done thing? Or would a smart dress be enough?

Thinking this and my usual work mac, smart bag and shoes. Is this acceptable these days or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new suit?

Job is finance related, in the city.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-taylor-ponte-short-sleeve-dress/black/p110829199?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappios&size=18&&_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Agreed. Dress on its own or a suit that's meant to be a suit- fine Random jacket over dress- no, cardigan and skirt, no.

While I am usually a "wear a jacket" person, I would consider that dress to be fine - it's highly structured and tailored (most dresses would not be okay for an interview in finance). I also assume you'll have good accessories, wear heels etc and will be overall well groomed - hair, make ups, nails?

Also, suits are quite dated. I can't remember the last time I went into the office of one of my clients and saw a woman wearing a proper suit.

I promise you that dress - with some jewellery, decent shoes and a smart bag - is definitely fine.

I've interviewed in Local Authority/Legal and Construction roles and never worn a jacket (well not for the past 20 years or more).

I just wear black trousers and a smart blouse and plain black coat and court shoes.

That dress doesn't need a jacket

Thanks all, still a definite mix of responses.

This is the suit I currently have so would buy something similar to this.

For context, I bought this for my current v similar job and have not worn the jacket since the first day I started 2 years ago.

I definitely wouldn't get a jacket to go with the dress. Options are a) suit or b) dress as is

I haven't got the time to charity shop unfortunately.

Yes, I agree. I work with lots of banking and financial services clients, and I almost never see women wearing suits anymore. Jackets over dresses/skirts - sometimes. Particularly true for larger women (including me) - slimmer types just wear structured/tailored dresses or a skirt and smart top of some sort, but those of us who have more curves might toss a jacket of some sort over the top.

Either go for the dress with jacket (would do one that doesn’t have a button in a different colour to the dress) or the dress without a jacket. Wouldn’t bother with a suit like what you have posted.

No to a suit. Dress is better

I prefer to wear a jacket or blazer but that dress is smart and professional.

It's personal preference but I don't buy a suit and wear the pieces separately because I think a lot of suit jackets look very suit jacket-y rather than as a nice stand alone. I tend to have a range of separates, which would include nice jackets.

who ever fastens their jacket? Unless it looks very very small, I'd wear it anyway, and just not fasten it. otherwise, I'd buy one from a charity shop (have done this)

Work in city also, suits are quite dated now for ladies I think, I wore them all the time in 2008-10 but a “proper” suit doesn’t form part of my working wardrobe and actually I gave the last of the ones I had away only recently. The dress you have selected is perfect for an interview. Looks smart without overdoing it and with neat hair / jewellery / shoes will be the perfect look! Good luck!!!

Thanks all for your input and luck!

I'd wear the dress and a jacket of the dress - what do you have against doing that?

The dress is lovely.

I'd get non matching jacket to suit my proportions

It's doent matter if it doesn't do up.

Jacket with the dress*

i would just wear something I feel comfortable in, a bit smarter than what I would normally wear for work. If they don't like it, then I would know that it's not the sort of place I would want to work.

Can you wear the dress but just take a jacket with you in case it’s needed. At my office right now you would be so cold (unless you’re someone who is always hot).

Have you tried vinted for a suit, they are often very cheap, I have a fee from there including austin reed ones

The more I think about it, I feel like the dress will look less smart with a random jacket.

Interview is Monday so I haven't got time to rely on vinted and have little time this weekend to try and charity shop.

Have a suit arriving today just in case but considering I haven't worn in two years, I agree it's not the done thing these days.

I'm leaning towards just the dress tbh.

Has anyone had any issues with lactose free formula milk powder?

My 4 month old baby was very poorly from formula when she was born so we only used it for a couple of weeks and persisted to full time breast feed, I have been reluctant to try her again after Drs and other friends and family saying ‘she might be ok on it now!’ As it was so distressing for her being that unwell from bad wind and reflux I can’t even bear to try it. I was tempted to try it at the 6 month mark after reading that babies guts are a lot more mature around then but the last couple of weeks we have had a repeat of her having lots of wind and crying a lot, not as bad as it was from the formula but we think from an uptake in milk I was drinking as it seemed to coincide, so this has given me the confirmation I needed to not bother with cows milk based formula as I think she must have some form of intolerance.
I probably won’t try cows milk again until she is 1 year old and even then she will be weaned onto it very carefully to see.

However I am planning on returning to work over the next couple of months part time and have a real struggle pumping my milk out!! Does anyone else have issues with expressing ?!! It constantly has me frustrated & I have to pump 2-3 times to get enough for a single feed.
This now brings me to thinking should we try lactose free milk??
I will speak to a healthcare professional but sometimes find speaking to those with personal experience is better before making a full decision.
Has anyone had any negative experiences similar to the cows milk? My babies suffered enough.
I haven’t decided when to return to work as there is no urgency as I am self employed but I will need to start to make even a small income around the 7-8 month mark latest even if it’s just a few hours a week. I will try to fully breast feed for as long as I can as I prefer that but it’s getting to a point where top ups may be needed from formula in the future.

Please let me know your experiences!
thank you!!!!

p.s has anyone ever had a baby struggle with very bad wind during teething as before thinking it was the milk we thought it was her teeth as she is going through that also. Seem to get mixed opinions on whether bad wind comes with teething… enough to make her cry and struggle to feed and pull off the breast from time to time.

Hey - you might want to re-post this so it's not on a random thread about a jacket in style and beauty!

I’ve got an interview next week. If I don’t get it because I’m not wearing a jacket then I’d consider myself lucky not to find myself working for petty people with the wrong priorities.