Job interview outfit for interview with a small magazine?

[Startingagainandagain]

I have worked from home for the past two years and done remote job interviews for my last two roles so not used to dressing up for work anymore.

I have a face to face interview in a couple of weeks with a regional publishing group to edit a local/regional hard copy and online magazine that focuses on culture, art, events and local activities, community groups, shops and so on.

Any advice on what I could wear?

I am middle-aged and arty. I would need something that says creative/trenddy-ish but also looks professional enough for an editor role.

No idea of what I could go for...

Have you had a look to see if they carry any advertising for clothing companies? Might be good to go for one of them! Otherwise something from a local indie clothes shop so you can talk about that?

Seems to be beige/sand/cream everywhere I look; maybe base your outfit on that? Good luck anyway; sounds like a fab job!

Finery London have some nice interview appropriate dresses

I think you’re overthinking …

Why not just go as yourself? What sort of clothes do you wear when you leave the house? Where do you usually shop - do you care about being fashionable or are you more utilitarian in your approach?

To me the difficulty (if there is one at all) is that you’re using words like ‘arty’ and ‘creative’ but that doesn’t seem to translate to an awareness of, or interest in clothes - so I’m a bit puzzled.

If it were me I’d be browsing:

Lemaire
Margaret Howell
Rohe
Studio Nicholson

but I don’t know if that’s your style?

You might lean more towards

Plumo
YMC
Colenimo (there’s a new red dress that would make an amazing interview outfit).

Obviously any of these looks could be vaguely recreated to suit any budget.

'@JadedFilly · Today 06:15

I think you’re overthinking …
Why not just go as yourself? What sort of clothes do you wear when you leave the house? Where do you usually shop - do you care about being fashionable or are you more utilitarian in your approach?
To me the difficulty (if there is one at all) is that you’re using words like ‘arty’ and ‘creative’ but that doesn’t seem to translate to an awareness of, or interest in clothes - so I’m a bit puzzled.'

Indeed.

When I say 'arty' I mean that I am a painter as well and most of my stuff is casual clothing covered in oil paint...

The rest is pretty much trainers, colourful jumpers and wide leg trousers and army jackets. Lots of vintage/charity shop stuff.

Don’t go too smart. I almost lost the best job I ever had because I turned up in a dress and blazer and looked ‘too dressy’.

I would look at Cos.

What would you wear to a private view or opening night type thing

If it wasn’t actually snowing on the day I might start with something like this:

MHL jacket

with a white version of the shirt shown, but slightly more serious looking, almost to the floor length twill trousers. Plain belt. Brogues. All very neutral and grounded so I look ready for any eventuality but also authoritative. Don’t know if that’s the sort of thing that might work for you, @Startingagainandagain?

Budget please?

Thank you everyone for all the advice! really useful.

@JadedFilly I love the jacket you are suggesting and funnily enough I have one very similar to this (had not thought about wearing it).

So I think I might wear that jacket as a starting point for the outfit and take the suggestion of wearing brogues (I have a pair of black ones).

I have a white shirt that would work but I think I wanted to wear something in bright colour as a top, as I am pale blonde with pale skin.

Budget is tiny so I can either invest in a smart pair of wide trousers or a bright top/or shirt :)...although I will check out my usual charity shops.

Glad to have helped. (Apologies for early morning dismissiveness - long sleepless night!)

I would keep things neutral; one bright colour would unbalance the outfit. Maybe have a look on Vinted / Vestiaire for a good pair of trousers?

My office mate just got these:

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1091186020.html

The whole waist is elasticated but doesn't look like it (it looks like a proper waistband) so they're very comfortable apparently and the material makes it smart but not dressy. I wish I'd seen them first!

what about a white shirt plus some pretty Jewellery or a bright scarf or something depending on your style? Think that would look very professional

(I think that would look fussy and old fashioned, but it’s not my interview!)

I'm telly rather than print, but I think in more creative industries workwear hasn't changed that much post covid as we never really did 'workwear' in the first place. What sort of thing would you have worn pre WFH because that's probably along the right lines?

Actually it would look rubbish on me but some very cool arty people somehow make it look good!