Job interview - help!

[DoingJustFine]

I’ve got a lovely job interview this Friday at a big company in London and I have nothing to wear! I want to look cool, stylish but understated. And 20 years younger and 3 stone lighter.

I’ve got long hair and I’m sort of glamorous but I’m mid-50s and can’t walk in heels anymore.

i used to be slim but recent stress-eating means I’m now a 12-14 with a gut, thighs and chunky upper arms. The outfit must hide all of these, please.

I look nice in dresses, wide trousers, navy blue, teal, dark green and black.

Budget up to £300 including shoes.

Thank you!

I love a cos dress. They are made really well and I have a navy one that always comes out for big events or interviews. Always try them on as they can sometimes look a bit shape less on the hanger. Good luck!

What's the company? Without knowing specifics, you can't go wrong with wide leg trousers, a smart tee, a thin belt, a blazer and some smart trainers- however this isn't much use if it's an exceptionally formal industry. In my industry it would be fine!

£300 on an interview outfit seems like a splurge- without knowing your finances of course!

Pinterest is good for inspo.

£300 on an interview outfit seems like a splurge

Not for everyone, @sweetpickle2. For some people that might have seemed an impossibly small amount for a whole outfit thirty years ago, let alone today.

(I’m a bit wary of the MN tendency to suppress differences in life experience, spending power and spending preferences.)

(Think what I meant to say is that some people enjoy ‘splurging’ on clothes. New or pre-owned.)

Fair enough @BlossomBlossomBlossom- I personally never buy new outfits for job interviews as it feels like I'm jinxing it! That is just me though.

https://www.reiss.com/search?w=dylan I have these in navy and black I wear them with a white blouse and cropped jacket. I can also get away with wearing low comfy heels on. as the trousers only show the pointy toe and small bit of heel it makes it look like I have some tall heels on underneath.

I bought this for a recent work event, and found it comfy to wear and really smart. The tie across the front helps with the tummy control! Easy to style up and down. John Lewis usually have Hush clothes so should be able to try on in store.

https://www.hush-uk.com/trinny-jersey-midi-dress-midnight-navy/011587-1659.html

Thank you all so much! Those Reiss trousers look amazing.

I’m just back from an after-work shopping spree where I didn’t buy anything. I tried on wide-legged trousers and I liked them but I felt fat. Stylish but fat.

i got home to an ASOS parcel. I bought a black crepe wrap-over dress a few days ago. i really like it on. But my husband, who is lovely in every other way, said it was gorgeous but looked a bit casual for an interview.

I’m tempted to buy those Reiss trousers and a silky black vest top and ask my friend if I can borrow one of her 50,000 blazers.

I will keep you all informed.

I always buy new clothes for interviews. I also very rarely get jobs from interviews. (I usually get work through word of mouth.) so your jinxing theory might well be 💯 correct.

How do Reiss sizes come up IRL?

I’d get the Hush dress which isn’t ground-breaking but is entirely ok, and spend the change from £300 on something when you’ve had time to consider and choose properly - and lose weight for you are really unhappy with yourself. The Reiss trousers are wonderful

..if you are really unhappy with yourself

The Hush dress is gorgeous but sleeveless. I’m really self conscious about my arms.

I’m definitely going to lose weight! This has been a bit of a wake-up call.

I would go with Hobbs stevie trousers (wide legged navy) with phase eights ripley navy boucle jacket and a white t-shirt or blouse depending on industry….

Won't OP boil in wool trousers in London?Especially if she gets there on the Tube?

Although they’re not expensive I’m assuming the Cos trousers are a reasonably good quality summer weight wool - they describe it as canvas - which should be wonderfully light and breathable in ‘normal’ weather. The great thing about wool is that it hangs well and doesn’t crease easily.

Oh fair enough. They are lovely.

I think its just me who is hot all the time.
I have a navy Hush dress with a tie front similar to one linked above that I wear for interviews. Its not high fashion but is very versatile and dress up and down.

I have shopped!

I’ve got a black waistcoat/wide-legged trouser combo from River Island; white shirt from Mango; and (half-price!) pointy low-heeled shoes from Dune. I did 14k round the shops, and had a neutral manicure.

I love my outfit. I feel really confident in it. The trousers are huge but the waistcoat is really tailored so it creates a tiny waist.

Those Reiss trousers arrived while u was shopping and they are NICE. Just insanely flattering. They give me an arse I haven’t had since the 90s. So if I get the job I’ll keep them, or if I don’t I’ll return them. I won’t wear them to the interview as I feel more confident in the wide ones.

Thank you for all your help. Please wish me luck - it’s my dream job.

The job is in publishing/media.

Oh, well done! Your outfit sounds cool and fun and importantly you sound excited about wearing it.

Good luck with the interview!

Excellent!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Honestly these wide-legged trousers that the youngsters wear are SO comfy. Plus they hide everything. Plus you could probably shoplift a new fridge if you needed to. I’m never going back.

Bah, COS have sold out in my size in the barrel leg trews. Probably just as well, given my current PayPal credit balance (I'm not sure if their 4 months 0% credit/Pay in 3 plans are the best or the worst thing that has ever come to the market for me) after buying some summer essentials. However, I have asked to be notified when they are back in.

Enjoy your interview, OP, and your outfit sounds great. Best of luck, you sound like a great addition to any team.

BTW, what do people do for manicures these days? Does it always mean gel nails? I generally count it a good day if mine are clean, and paint them myself if I can't get the garden out of them. But I think I need to up my game.

River Island, huh?

🤔🤔🤔

My fridge is useless …