Interview outfit

[Mepop]

I haven’t been for an interview in a very long time as I have been a stay at home mum. I live in jeans. I have taken the scary step of trying to get a job again and have an interview soon and suddenly realised I have no clue what people wear for interviews nowadays. The job is an admin type job. I always used wear suits to interviews but now I think maybe just formal wear? I need something cheap that I can buy preferably online as I have few formal clothes. Essentially I have a white shirt, black skirt a black suit jacket some white vest type things (which are see through so probably no use) and a black dress I wore to a funeral.

I had a Quick Look on Next’s website and all the trousers are super wide. Is that what people wear now?

I would really appreciate any help. Thanks.

Depends on the culture of the organisation, but I do think things are a bit less formal since Covid imo. If you go with the white shirt and black jacket with some new wide-legged black trousers you can’t really go wrong I don’t think, save you buying a whole new outfit. Or the dress if not too formal?

I think in most office environments now you’ll find a lot of people in wide legged trousers. I personally wouldn’t wear a suit jacket. I don’t think people tend to dress quite as smartly for interviews as they may have used to. As PP said, the dress might be a better option? Or if you’re happy to get some new bits that you could wear anyway if you get an office job, a cropped jacket would look nice with wide legged trousers and a white fitted T-shirt tucked in. You could try new look and asos, they will have loads of stuff that is very reasonable.

Can you just wear your white shirt and black skirt? Sounds fine to me

I’d wear slim, tapered or barrel trousers as they suit me more than wide legged. A top and loafers. Belt and bag. Matalan have some good cheap office bits in their et vous range.

I've got an interview for PA admin role and I'm wearing a thin knit long sleeved jumper in a mushroom colour and a navy/brown pleated midi skirt. Some sort of heeled shoe.

This is my fall back. I am between sizes and struggle to find trousers that fit.

So white formal looking long sleeved shirts, do they get tucked in nowadays? Again I never used to tuck in my shirts.

Yes, tuck in your shirt.

That outfit will probably do - but if you’re hoping to have more interviews or are preparing a work wardrobe you may want to think towards ‘smart casual’ rather than ‘formal’ clothes.

Even if you’re not interested in buying from them I would have a look at the websites of:

Uniqlo
& Other Stories
Cos
Studio Nicholson

to get your eye in to newer shapes, colours and proportions for work wear. Be guided by what you see there - not just clothes but footwear and accessories, make up and hairstyles.

No one will care what you wear to an interview for an admin job as long as it’s smartish. Personally I wouldn’t buy a new work wardrobe until I’d got a feel of what other people wear in the office. The degree is smart vs casual varies hugely.

fingers crossed you smash it!