HELP!! Job Interview outfit, size 22.

[HCisFKDup]

Hi,

Could anyone help me out with finding an outfit for a job interview?

Possibly something I could wear more then once, maybe like a dress?

I'm 5ft 2, size 20/22 and have a weird body shape... my belly is big and my hips are wide. I've attached a photo.

And also hopefully keep it below a £50 budget as things are tight at the moment.

Thank you

Tu do some brilliant dresses and jackets, their £22 jackets maybe can smarten up something you've already got? Look nice with jeans and t shirt after

A plain coloured wrap dress would be great.

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/curves-navy-d-ring-belted-midi-shirt-dress/p/881867941?extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Generics_Core_EC_Test_Google_DV_m_AGID_166942481451_PRID_8818718&gad_source=1&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQjwvb-zBhCmARIsAAfUI2t2MLVJKnBNLCUeDO8CpXE2OixUbWGwJo-IdrXqSLc_RHNfxggVEKwaAn3oEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvb-zBhCmARIsAAfUI2t2MLVJKnBNLCUeDO8CpXE2OixUbWGwJo-IdrXqSLc_RHNfxggVEKwaAn3oEALw_wcB New Look £35.

Or Popsy are very flattering and comfortable.

www.popsyclothing.co.uk/products/sydney-bottle-green-wrap-neck-dress

www.popsyclothing.co.uk/products/rowena-navy-wrap-neck-dress

Also was going to say that a really good bra is important - i have had great ones from Sainsburys for under £10 if your budget will stretch. Someone mentioned therese coffey upthread. Often thought that decent underpinnings would have been transformational.

There’s nothing the least ‘fashion forward’ about shirt dresses. And the reason I know they can look fabulous on larger sized women is that one of the most elegant people I’ve ever known - undoubtedly at least a size 22 if not more - has worn versions of the shirt dress since the 1970s and has always looked magnificent.

As to what might suit the OP - we only have one photo, but I genuinely don’t think a blocky shift dress would do her particular shape any favours.

I also don’t think a patterned tunic and very cheap black trousers would make the best impression - but each to their own.

Fortunately she’s free to choose exactly what she pleases - just as we’re free to disagree over hypothetical outfits.

I'm a size 20-22 and a bit apple-y and I have a couple of similar dresses which suit my shape surprisingly well. I'm 60 and I'm told I look quite chic.

(I can wear skater style but I absolutely cannot wear anything belted like the shirt dress. But then neither can Megan Markle 😂)

A lot of the options here are far too long. I am same shape/height but a older. This is what I'd go for:

black column dress, size 20, petite, £24.50
https://www.next.co.uk/g29529s4/185342#185342

beige boxy jacket, Tu, size 22 £25
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc143719637

If you could stretch to a dramatic black and white bag it will make it look a lot less boring. I read somewhere it's good to have something for people to remember you by. This would probably do the trick..

Black and white, Ebay £8.50
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326148861460?itmmeta=01J0KR2RF2BJ9SFGY4EY8Q7BMM&hash=item4beffcae14:g:m-UAAOSwD2xlkUU8

Um, that was quite rude. I specifically said I had the same dress! I certainly don't look dire in - well, anything, but particularly that dress in which I have received many compliments and have even inspired other people to buy one too.

I look like you and am also a 22. Definitely recommend Sainsbury’s.

A lot of the options here are far too long.

Have you never considered having your clothes altered to fit, @Sparsely? Taking up hems is a relatively cheap alteration, shortening at another point, like the waist, takes a little more care but should be worth the cost for anything other than throwaway items.

I have to disagree with your suggestions for the OP. That’s a perfectly nice dress for casual wear but thin t shirt material surely isn’t appropriate for a formal interview? (Unless it’s a t shirt under a jacket.) Adding the beige jacket and stripy bag turns it into a holiday outfit.

But I do realise we all have different experiences of work cultures - and I guess the OP knows the level of formality required for her interview.

Good luck!
try dress for less https://dressforsuccess.org/

try Vinted plenty new items listed

Same size and height as you. I usually find great maxi dresses at sinplybe for that price or under especially if i check sales.x

Similar size here and I swear by (oddly) dresses from Nutmeg at Morrisons. Reasonably priced. Wear them for work (or I did ... Moving to job with a uniform too 🥴)
Had been in Sainsbury's yesterday and they currently have 25% off clothing which might help a bit too.

Good luck!

Why on earth would the OP want a maxi dress for a formal job interview with the NHS? (Or a private health institution?)

I like some of the budget dresses suggested better than the £500 dresses often suggested on S and B! Maybe because I love plain-ish shirt dresses. I do agree many of them look long though even on the models.

Here's my no polyester contribution: Buy Navy Linen Blend Wrap Dress 14 | Dresses | Tu (sainsburys.co.uk)

H&M were my go to for cheaper work outfits and interview ones. They do good smart stuff. Sign up to H&M members (free) and you often get members prices which are cheaper than the RRP. These would all be good depending on if they suit you, shapewear with the dresses and a small heel too:

[[//Fitted blazer - 3/4 sleeve - Regular length - Black - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)

[[//Blazer wrap dress - Sleeveless - Short - Black - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)

[[//V-neck wrap dress - V-neck - Sleeveless - Black - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)

This gathered midi dress is at member's prices:

[[//Gathered midi dress - Asymmetric neckline - Sleeveless - Black - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)

[[//V-neck blouse - V-neck - Long sleeve - White/Striped - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)

[[//Cigarette trousers - Regular waist - Ankle length - Black - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)

If you already have a black or navy smart jacket wear that. Minimal jewellery and makeup and smart handbag. Tights too if going for dress.

For me it's always been work dress plus jacket/blazer, or pencil skirt, jacket/blazer and blouse/shirt. Better to go smart than not.

In olden days suit but not now.

My friend who's size 18/20 always wears smart work dress, jacket/blazer or trousers, on more expensive side but she invests in this and keeps it.

Next have trouser suits. Wear with a blouse or plain t-shirt underneath.

Suits at Next are generally more expensive, if OP wants to open a Next account then following suits are good but... found this nice work dress which I personally really like at M&S. Also there's nothing sadly in Next clearance section. On a good day I've found workwear dresses which are interview smart in Peacocks and Primark:-

[[//Asymmetric Ruched Midaxi Bodycon Dress | M&S Collection | M&S (marksandspencer.com)

[[//Buy Navy Blue Elasticated Back Wide Leg Trousers from the Next UK online shop

[[//Buy Navy Blue Tailored Single Breasted Jacket from the Next UK online shop

I had a very similar work dress to the M&S one but from Mango workwear a few years back, black, but knee length and gave it to a friend. Why on earth I did that I don't know!

Shirt dresses look pretty dire on larger sizes

Only if they're the wrong shirt dress. There's a multitude of different cuts and styles of shirt dress out there, to suit pretty much any shape.

Regardless of size/shape, any job interview requires a certain level of formality. Personally I would look for a shift dress in a colour like navy and wear a matching blazer on top. I’m currently a size 12-14 but was an 18-20 for a long time and this look always served me well.

Likewise! A fellow apple shape size 22 here and shift dresses do tend to suit me better than shirt dresses.

anyway hope OP found something to wear and more importantly, got the job!