Upcoming job interview attire.

[Anon543210]

Hi all you lovely lot.
I've got a job interview coming up after being out of the workforce for various reasons for the last 7/8 years. This will be my very 1st face to face interview and I want to make sure I look as professional and presentable as possible.
I'm looking for a at least knee length smart skirt, a nice neat white blouse or shirt or maybe even off white like a beige or cream colour if the top is smart enough and a black blazer.
I've recently lost a lot of weight and gone from a dress size 18/20 to a size 8. Also I am only 5ft 2in my budget for the 3 items altogether is probably about £50 do you think this is doable or do I need to stretch my budget to about £60/£70? Can any of you lovely lot find something for me as I really want to get this right and I am so nervous. Thanks so much for any helpful advice and suggestions.

What industry? What you've described would have been appropriate last time you were in the workplace but in many industries would now look incredibly dated.

Also, for such a small budget you might need to think about maybe one new item that can go with something already in your wardrobe or if a whole outfit is required buying second hand.

Hi thanks for your reply. Without being too outing its in the travel and tourism industry and when I did a Google search of what people have worn for interviews for that company and forums from people that work for the company and what they wore it was very much the concensus to be smartly dressed in either a smart skirt at least knee length or trousers a blouse and a blazer amd for men a tie I'm a woman so obviously don't need a tie it also advised to wear hair up neatly in either a smart ponytail or a bun and minimal make up nothing garish and over the top. Since losing the weight I've got like 3 outfits all of which are casual (think jeans and vest top) and I've not had the money to fill my wardrobe yet so been buying bits as and when. But with this job interview coming up I'm now realising I am going to need something smart. I do have a blazer but its one of them thats a bit more casual, it has no buttons and is a bit oversized but I could maybe get away with it and then just concentrate on a skirt and blouse.

3 items for £50 is a big stretch! A dress like this one would be smart enough and fit your budget

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su481344/aj7150

Thanks for your reply I'm not sure I am entirely keen on that dress but I would consider a smarter maybe more fitted dress and then I wouldn't need a blouse and I do have a blazer but its more smart casual than smart but I could probably make it work somehow.

Congratulations on the interview and good luck! I agree, a smart dress would be perfect, especially if you can somehow make it work with your blazer. The dress pp linked looks great! Lots of luck!

If it's the industry/role I'm thinking of, your outfit is pretty much the standard. You'll have to stretch your budget a bit but it's doable and H&M is your best bet:

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1244452001.html

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1261593002.html

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1256772001.html

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1295399001.html

And of course good luck!!

Congrats on the interview. For your budget you can get some decent items from the supermarkets. A dress with a blazer is also fine. A black blazer goes with everything and you can wear it again.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147042221

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc146178135

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147688073

May not be to your taste but take a look :)

@Anon543210Forget the blazer. Black blazers are some to death, especially with a white shirt. It’s very very dated and yes, you could wear it to a funeral! Honestly, don’t buy one.

Wear your coat to the interview and be interviewed in a dress. That’s easy enough to buy for £50. Start at M&S. Loads to choose from. It will be decent enough quality.

Better to err on the side of smart and ‘dull’ for an interview than risk something more on trend. Especially if it’s not in a creative type of time. And buy from vinted, you’ll get an outfit for £50 easy, just make sure you’re buying really good quality (like new condition). Good luck!

Ooh I love some of these ideas definitely going to take a closer look at some of these thank you.

Thank you for the ideas I like the 2nd blazer.

Thank you for your reply I am leaning more towards a dress now because then its just the 1 thing I have to buy instead of 2 or 3 and I'm sure I can get a decent smart dress for my budget I'm just a bit worried coz the only coat I've got is like a puffer coat do you think that will be ok?

When you get to the lobby put your coat over your arm and then it doesn't matter if it's a puff jacket. Reception may even take it for you depending on the company. I wouldn't worry too much about the coat.

I quite like a lipsy dress for work OP - uses up the budget but it's the kind of thing you'll wear all the time.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su969086/h79853

What colour is your blazer?

My blazer is black.

another option from H&M:
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1275644001.html

black blazer should work with quite a lot which is handy.

Good luck with the interview!

I'd love that dress if it was in black i always look washed out in that colour.

@Anon543210 with a £50 budget I wonder if you are aware of:

https://www.smartworks.org.uk/

It might be worthwhile for you to get in touch with them, for help both with clothes and interview skills.

Do you mean smarter than the dress in the link? In what way?

Definitely try vinted Brand new with tags to get something better quality for your budget.

Ignore!

I’d always go for Tu or H&M. Alternatively get a Next account and get some bits from there. They do smart navy blazers and work dresses.

I worked in HR for 15 years and I have to say the knee length skirt and white blouse is very tiresome, sorry.
When a woman walks in in a stylish/colourful/unusual cut dress/trouser suit she oozes confidence.
Try having a look around charity shops, I've seen some really nice work attire in charity shops.

And the Next one you first got sent was lovely with some heels. Good luck!

I swear by matalan for workwear, how about something like these:

https://www.matalan.co.uk/clothing/roman-black-short-straight-leg-stretch-trouser/15223518.html

If you search womens workwear there are some lovely bits within your budget

Just to say, I’ve worn skirt suits for interviews. This was admittedly in the legal field. I did feel more smart in them.