Interview dress

[rongy]

Hello
I have an interview for a permanent post in my current job (doctor- I usually wear scrubs everyday and I have no smart clothes).
You are expected to look smart but comfortable.
I got analysed and I'm a warm spring hourglass with a bit of a belly. Im 39, size 12 and have ginger hair. I suit olive green, bright greens, blues.
Would really appreciate if anyone could share if they've bought anything recently that suits. I bought 3 dresses from Hobbs but they didn't suit. Budget could be £150
Thanks

Bit over budget (and unfamiliar to me designer) but … interesting:

https://gatherandsee.com/collections/dresses/products/lana-dress-forest-green

Considerably cheaper but easy to wear:

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.flared-polo-shirt-dress-green.1221511001.html

Completely excellent, as long as your interview day doesn’t coincide with the first summery day:

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.deconstructed-wool-midi-shirt-dress-blue.1221884001.html

That's a gorgeous dress @WhatWillIWear !

I meant the first green one, the cos ones are nice, but that first one is fabulous.

@WhatWillIWear thank you so much!

Either of these? Both warm spring colours I think.

https://t.ly/Pm66-

https://rb.gy/21rpbo

Good luck with the interview!

The Gather and See would look amazing. I’m might be similar to you- true spring and gamine (mix of curvy and masculine).
I find dresses difficult for my body type. Also am short with cankles. I find knee length, non flared and non puffy sleeves looks best on me.

The coral and green would both look nice- with a jacket.
https://www.reiss.com/style/ST341021/C14968

This one gets my vote! Think I’ll invest myself

@dudsville @WhatWillIWear @rongy

https://www.mirlabeane.com/products/lana-dress-forest-green?_pos=2&_sid=5f43e96c9&_ss=r

Found it direct on brand’s website for £80 cheaper!

That's fabulous, @Motherofpearlxoxo!

(I hope I would have price checked if I'd been planing to buy it. )

Agree, the Mirla Beane one WhatWillWear posted is absolutely gorgeous.

@RiverRed I actually bought the shirt company dress! But I felt the colour was just a bit too bright and I might not be taken seriously

@Easipeelerie they are lovely, coral is one of my recommended colours too

Thanks so much everyone, this has been really helpful

A few more options - Hobbs one might be a bit too traditional / boring but seems very work-appropriate. Nobody's child one is a similar green to the shirt company one so maybe not that either!

https://www.hobbs.com/product/magnolia-dress/0124-5359-9045L00-GREEN-12.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=18056921002&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18056921002&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwYSwBhDcARIsAOyL0firfetr63997GFfCdgLnYTD4GBS4Y1QskqYb4gJ9lSNv8fgmq7HkKMaAtYFEALw_wcB

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/textured-jersey-wrap-dress-green?variant=44695981195430&istCompanyId=5cb36b28-3b54-4573-9793-5e46611a0358&istFeedId=862761a5-2bf0-4417-ab0a-7e46ee93302a&istItemId=mttxqwqia&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwYSwBhDcARIsAOyL0fhtGTdks_yHZcpKTrC0rcIq77PN95jb9v9oAZXHcYUbahOqLLJ5uiYaAu65EALw_wcB

https://www.johnlewis.com/nobodys-child-zora-long-sleeve-midi-dress-green/p111646937?size=10&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwYSwBhDcARIsAOyL0fjg2PRlbXSQyhlk2ZOuHGv3mhcoA2A8HseWlJvfqc5PLZIqagDySwYaAulFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

@LightandBreezy I like the Hobbs one. I had saw the jigsaw one online, it is a great colour but the waist is a bit strange, but I think I'll try it!

@rongy I think the Hobbs one is potentially a good colour and the neckline will be flattering, and ultimately something that makes you feel relaxed and confident is great. I agree about the waist on the Jigsaw one, there's an odd additional pleat in the fabric that has been sewn in. I'm not sure if it's supposed to make it more forgiving on tummies but then doesn't work with a very slender model. Worth a try though! Good luck with the interview :)

I think all these dresses are lovely and very fashion forward, with interesting colours and silhouettes , they would be beautiful as you swish around the room.

But the Op will be sitting behind a table, so all that will be seen is her top half. And the NHS isn’t really known for sartorial elegance and being fashion forward . The interviewers will probably be a consultant or two and someone from HR, not Vogue magazine.

Id wear either

a plain dress with a blazer ( lots of lovely linen ones around now , ecru is spring like, will be in your palette and is good for work paired with contrasting colours underneath)

a blazer with a plain top and smart wide leg trousers

a non patterned dress with an interesting top half ( like a collar ) and sleeves without a blazer . Probably needs to be A line or cocoon shape as shifts and some waisted dresses can be unflattering if you have a tummy (ask me how I know ). And if you don’t have anything on top of the dress you need to feel super confident with the shape.

Yes these might be boring and conservative choices but it’s a very conservative profession . No one ever missed out on a medical post because their clothes were not on trend.

Let’s face it, every single man ever appointed to for a medical post in the history of the NHS has worn to interview

a suit with collar and tie
smart trousers with a Collar and tie or
suit with an open neck shirt

And they all got the jobs.

You want the interviewers to be focussed on your wonderful Cv and interviews answers, not wondering what is going on with the waistline of your dress and why you keep adjusting it.

Sorry I know that’s not a “ Style and Beauty “ type opinion .

The panel will be 3 consultants, someone from management and a lay person.
Yes I agree that is why although the bright green dress was lovely I sent it back.
I need a colour that is flattering but not too "garish", (black is terrible on me) need to look smart but also comfortable but also show some personality/stand out.
I have heard in the past "don't wear pink, you won't be taken seriously"
I have a few things on the way thanks to this thread!

Best of luck in your interview @rongy

Let us all know how you get on!

I agree that black will not suit you, that’s why I suggested an ecru linen blazer ( or similar ) the shops are full of then right now. And underneath you could wear

any of the darker beiges all the way up to milk chocolate
any of the blues from light navy up to mid blue
the subtle greens or purples that are in your palette

A mix of light to medium neutral colours will make more traditional office type clothes look professional but not corporate. That alone will make you stand out from others in grey and navy suits.

Id avoid the pastels (not serious enough ) and the brights ( as you say too garish for a healthcare interview ) from your palette.

Separates in your neutrals can be mixed with your pastels / brights for out of work outfits eg the blazer with a floral summer dress and trainers, the smart trousers with a tee and sandals.

I have to say that IMHO the whole “ show your personality through your clothes “ is not that important for the type of job you are going for. They want someone who is clinically excellent with the right academic background , who is genuinely interested in the role and has the people skills to work with patients and fit in with the team / teach students etc.

They are more interested in weeding out the entitled arseholes who will be a nightmare to manage / work with than picking someone with a Sparkling and Interesting Personality. There’s already too many Big Personalities in most departments.

Of course I don’t know the job you are going for so I might well be wrong 🙂

I hope you find an outfit in which you feel comfortable and I wish you every success.

I’d wear a jumpsuit with a blazer .

Well what kind of 70s vibe is that don’t wear pink 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ fgs . Them Not you.