Interview outfit SOS

[Bumblebee413]

I’ve been given an interview a week today, which is wonderful, however I am having a real panic about what to wear.

I’ve just had a missed miscarriage and gained weight eating to combat the nausea so none of my clothes are fitting quite right at present and as you can imagine I’m not feeling full of life and confidence in general.

The interview is for a senior level job in healthcare, so I want to be smart and professional, but memorable. Colour wise I suit autumn/ jewel tones and sadly neutrals/ white completely wash me out, which isn’t great for work wear choices!

I’m 5”2 and pear shaped. Any help would be wildly appreciated. I would just love to find something that helps me feel like I can achieve what I know I am capable of. But so little time to find something!

What’s your budget?

If money no object invest in a Hobbs dress and jacket which you should be able to wear again. Or Fenn Wright and Manson wrap dress (if they stlll do them).

I haven’t looked for interview wear for ages but I do recall shopping in a hurry for one I bought a stretch black M&S knee length skirt, colourful blouse also from M&S and a black jacket I already had. I know most people say dresses with jackets for interviews though. What about a trouser suit?

What do you have already? Do you have shoes and a bag?

You could also look in Tu Sainsbury’s as I’ve known a few senior manager types dress from there, they can have some gems.

Thank you both. I have shoes, although may need to add a bag to the list. Mine are all fairly casual and my good interview one gave up the ghost a few months ago.

Budget is ideally less than £150 but I am up for investment options too.

If you have a week then I would get onto Vinted today - I have picked up some great workwear on that (Hobbs and LK Bennett mainly ) for a fraction of the cost new, including some super "jewel" colour jackets and well tailored black/navy blue dresses. Don't forget that sleeveless dresses will work with a smart shirt under them since that opens up a load more options. You don't say what size you are but I am a short pear as well so for sheath dresses for Hobbs/L K Bennet it might be worth going up a size to give enough room on the hips

Could you give the actual clothes size you need at the moment?

Sorry, I forgot that key bit! I’m a 12

I have panic bought these from Vinted ahead of getting a chance to go shopping and have a navy and a black jacket that will both hopefully fit as the weight has come on around my stomach and hips. I am now thinking that the stripy one will absolutely draw attention where I don’t want it with the horizontal stripes.

Would these dresses be appropriate for a professional interview or back to the drawing board?

They both look fine to me but, for interview, I would incline towards the green one with a black jacket and accessorise with a decent scarf or necklace (I am a scarf wearer but I know not everyone is!) - good luck!