What to wear over a pencil dress - job interview

[lavenderandlemon]

I have a job interview this week, planning to wear a black pencil dress - not the most fashion forward, I know, but it suits me and looks professional and it's not a particularly exciting or creative role so I'm not worried about dressing a little boring, but what to wear over it??? I don't know if a blazer is a bit too 80s power dressing (plus I have a big chest so depending on the cut a blazer can sometimes make me feel a bit too busty), but then what else? Is a cardigan too casual???

Personally, I think a cardigan is fine but it probably depends on the role. I have a big interview in April and I'm probably going to wear smart trousers, a nice top (to be decided) and a cardigan. I'm in academia though, if you're in banking then the level of smartness may well be higher.

Either have a blazer or go without - no cardigans

https://www.johnlewis.com/mango-karakoy-textured-tweed-jacket-pink/p113178681

could you do a little jacket like this? This one doesn't have the buttons at the chest like many others do.

I would wear a jacket personally and think a cardigan is too casual.

@mdinbc oooh, that's nice! I don't really suit pink, but I've ordered some similar ones in black and white, thank you for the suggestion!

@JustLikeThatBluebird not academia, but maybe similar in level of smartness. Which makes it hard, because I feel like a proper suit would look a bit too much and that I'd gone overboard, but it still needs to be fairly smart!

It depends on the cardigan. Smart cropped type chanel looking cardigan jackets are in many shops at the moment. I bought a cream one tipped with navy in monsoon of all places which is good thick cotton and hangs beautifully.

I agree with the suggestions of a short, collarless Chanel-style jacket, either in a tweedy or a softer knitted fabric. Firstly it should work with the style of dress you'll be wearing. Secondly, if you wear it with a classic dress it'll signal that you know what's modern but you also know your own mind, which doesn't sound like a bad message, regardless of the sector. (I know some interviewers wouldn't notice but you never know who's going to be on the panel.) And thirdly there are loads in the shops at different price points, from high end to Sainsbury's.

This was an idea I was going to suggest. I noticed that Boden have something that might work.

Please don’t wear a cardigan, they always come across to me as almost apologetic. It just shouts lack of confidence to me - go get a round necked blazer!

Blazer and dress up with a light colourful floaty scarf. Black dress says safe, blazer says modern/ professional and colourful scarf says personality.

No to a cardigan!

Blazer. Don't worry if you look too smart for the actual job. You'll create a good impression.
Not a cardigan.

This was what I wore in the 1990s. Isn’t that dated now?

If I go into work in a blazer my colleagues assume I'm in court that day. I'm wearing a cardigan today, I'm definitely neither apologetic nor lacking in confidence! Few industries require formal wear these days.

I think an on-trend cardigan would be perfect for toning down (without fighting against) a smart dress. As people have said, there are lots of Chanel-style and tipped cardies about at the moment. I'd go for one that's slightly longer / more drapey than boxy.
I'm busty too and a cropped, high-necked jacket is absolute kryptonite for me!

It's an interview not a flipping work day!

Depends on the work environment OP is going for an interview in a smart environment. Cardigan sounds too casual. Modern blazers are great and versatile I don’t mean scarf tied like some kind of air stewardess…

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions - I had a bit of a panic shop and settled on a cardigan that was textured to look like a Chanel jacket...and then it was so warm on the day that I didn't even wear it! 😂