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.

Wear a dress. It’s only one thing you need to buy then plus you will stand out.

very good luck.

@CoralOP It always amazes me how potentially interesting people want to wear a boring uniform to advertise themselves at an interview. Nothing especially wrong with a suit but choose well cut with an interesting shirt under. However £50 won’t cut it. So one long sleeve dress is a better option. It’s better to show your personality and not be an office clone.

Ignore some of them but there’s a few in there I would consider if I was you.

https://www.roman.co.uk/dresses/work-dresses?filter=true&fit=petite

Black is tricky because it can look cheap if it is. It’s not the priesthood, if you tinker with expectations but look supe4 professional, you’ll stand out in a good way. I always think Next Clearance is wonderful for these situations. I found a smart navy dress ( Hobbs ) and a plain white jackety cardigan , for less than £70.00. You need to think about shoes too. These will also work when you get the job. Good luck!

Go to a charity shop op xx

@Anon543210 , have a look at Outfit advice for presenting at a conference | Mumsnet. Some great suggestions there.

I agree with H&M and charity shops - have a bit of an open mind and fingers crossed you'll be lucky. My only advice would be to find something that you can wear and that doesn't wear you! You'll have enough going on in your head without worrying about tugging a skirt down or a jacket that's too tight. Good luck x

M&S also have cheaper skirts and blouses. Have got something there when in a hurry.

H&M work stuff is actually quite good. as is Mango workwear.

What shoes do you have? But agree with a dress and cardi - very versatile. You can fill up your wardrobe cheaply via Vinted. Huge congrats on the weight loss!

Re shoes. I’d always go comfy or carry heels in my bag to change into.

I had an interview yesterday all be it in another industry, I wore a knee length navy jersey 3/4 length sleeve dress with a pattern on, tights, suede ankle boots, and smart ish cardigan in the colour of the pattern. I had positive feedback back from the interview today, I wore a very similar outfit to my last interview 2 years ago and got that job as well. No one attending the recruitment days were wearing blazers.

Did an interview recently, just above the knee cord skirt, lightweight knitwear jumper (charcoal grey) cord blazer in dark maroon, thick tights, boots. I got the job. Friend helped me with what to wear.

Ooh thank you this is definitely something I will look into.

I constantly worry about having to wear smart dresses/skirts with me being short its so hard to find something that doesn't drown me i could look in a petite range but even that is hit and miss sometimes.

Thank you yes this is definitely the option I am now going to go for as like everyone says it's only 1 thing I have to buy then.

5'2" isn't short. The average height for a woman in the UK is only about 5'4".
You're a slim size 8. Use it as an excuse to but some lovely dresses.
Plenty of retailers do a decent petite range.

I've got a couple of options for shoes, I could wear my plain black not patent high heels they are not the massive tall stiletto heels but they would give me a little more height with me only being short. There is also these really smart not quite high heels/ankle boots that I got for a funeral but they would look good with the right dress I think another option is i have some really smart looking black leather Chelsea style ankle boots with a block heel again not tall at all and could probably work with a nice smart dress.

I have got a similar skirt to the one u described i dont know if u know them but its a halara skirt from tiktok shop just above knee length corded skirt and has built in shorts sewed in underneath them that u obviously cant see when the skirt is on but I didn't know if it would be smart enough I have it in 4 different colours aswell I have black, acorn, khaki green and then not quite navy but a not quite baby light blue its kind of in between.

You sound like you have all the options covered here - I often wear my chelsea and ankle boots with dresses.

Yeah I've got loads of shoes luckily losing weight doesn't effect my shoe size lol

My skirt was 'white stuff' sort of style, I'd go for one of the darker colours if you want to use one x

You are lucky I've lost ten stone and my feet are now 3.5 down from a 5

Why the lol?

Stilettos will look dated.

How long are the skorts with built in shorts? Usually that means they are pretty short, which might not be suitable for an interview.

I’m going to join in the dress idea. Lots of sales on right now so you should find something you like in your budget.

I would either go dress or I’d probably look at trouser separates given you’ve not got many outfits for your new size?
If you bought a smart pair of black trousers, they are always going to be useful and you can the mix and match with different tops should you get the job or for other occasions. The are easier to style and choose chooses for than skirts as well.

If it were me I would look at supermarkets clothes section (sales on atm) and/or vinted. I’d probably get a decent pair of trousers for £25 at a supermarket or H&M and then pick a nice blouse or smart top or two on Vinted which may only cost you a fiver!

Remember to prioritise how you know you’ll be most comfortable above anything. If you don’t wear heels often, go for smart flats and if you don’t tend to wear your hair up and would be uncomfortable, then do leave it down and don’t just follow advice for the sake of it.

I worked in recruitment before and this kind of outfit is a failsafe. I only had an issue twice regarding what someone was wearing - once for a tshirt and once for smart jeans. But people can pick up on body language if you’re wearing something you don’t feel right in.

Good luck!