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.

Tesco are on point with their clothes at the mo, and they have 20% off until Sunday

I think you'd be better with a colour than a black dress but if it doesn't match your jacket exactly it could look odd.
Buy M&Co Green Petite 3/4 Sleeve Tunic Dress from the Next UK online shop
Buy Roman Red Petite Zip Detail Pocket Shift Dress from the Next UK online shop
Buy M&Co Grey Petite Jaquard Button Work Dress from the Next UK online shop
Dresses | Petite Red Leopard Jacquard Ponte Shift Dress | Wallis
Red Petite Tie Waist Front Dress | Roman UK
Taupe Petite Zip Pocket Stretch Dress | Roman UK
Khaki Petite Button Stretch Midi Dress | Roman UK
Navy Petite Boucle Contrast Sleeve Dress | Roman UK

Also, if you've got any friends or family of a similar size ask if they've got anything you can borrow!

I don't like any of those.

Charity shops, Vinted (if there's time) or buy from a supermarket and take it back after the interview 😉

Wow im still a size 5 I didnt know your feet could shrink like that i guess I learn something new everyday.

I second Matalan, they've also got a huge sale on at the moment. I've just bought an outfit for a funeral there for under £50, very similar to what you're looking for.

Ah brilliant I already get discount on F&F clothing in tesco as I've got clubcard plus so I will have a look next time I go.

I would go and have a look in charity shops. Tell the staff what you’re looking for and they should be able to help. Good luck

hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your post @Anon543210 .

My niece (22) is applying for jobs & we're looking to get her an outfit sooner rather than later. She has a lovely, well fitting black dress from Vinted - it looks great. The next bit is shoes & a jacket.

Don't want to be top to toe black - help! What sort of jacket??? does it need to be the same colour as shoes???

Mango have some nice bits in their sale. I’d go for black wide leg trousers, flat, pointy shoes and a top you feel comfortable in.

These centres are amazing - a real help to friends of mine.

Good luck! Try George at Asda

You’re going to be seated at interview so be as unfussy and uncreased in your top half as possible. So silkier fabrics like shell tops, viscose blouses, etc may look smarter than a boxy tweedy jacket, a 100% cotton or linen shirt, or anything oversized. And smaller, neater jewellery rather than something very chunky or statement-y. Neat nails, nice grooming. You want to look impeccable without distraction. Bright eyes, tidy hair. Simple things like heels that you can walk in across a tiled lobby!

I did an inperson interview during Covid with masks and social distancing, very difficult to build a rapport and engage naturally.

@exse24LondonerMy DD is a barrister where black is the uniform. For any other job (apart from funeral director) black on a 22 year old is not the right colour. I’ve no idea why everyone thinks they need a jacket either. Wear a long sleeved dress. Offices are heated! Young people are far more likely to wear separates. Mango is a great shout. No 22 year old should look like a 52 year old.

The blazer is a good call, because it's smart and formal. Always wear more formal clothes for the interview than for the job!
A dress may look better than seperates?
Remember that you want them to focus on you, not the outfit.

This is really bad advice and so is coat over your arm.

As someone else has suggested try H&M or New Look for office staples they still have sales on and you could find something close to your budget. Dress/blazer or smart trousers/shirt/blouse/jacket is perfect. Better to be overdressed than under. First impressions count

First impressions count but I don't think a corporate look is needed.
You need to look like you are clean and smart.

Being too overdressed can go against you. Many organisations wear smart casual.
Just make sure you are dressed on the more smart than casual side.

Whatever you are wearing, please make sure it fits and covers your underwear… The last three women (and 2 of the guys) we were interviewing for a corporate position either had their bra (cleavage) or the top of their pants (back) on show.
I assume they didn’t intend to, but 5 out of 7 interviewees is a bit much. We ended up not hiring at all in that round.
our dress-code is business casual, but we draw a line at underwear on show.

@Mykittensaremyfriends On a cold day, the staff will take the coat from you! No one goes into an interview grabbing it. What part of the planet are you on? On a cold winter day, you wear a coat. Not a flimsy cheap jacket. Interviews are not formal like a funeral, so a dress is easily the best option with a coat over for cold weather outside. Very strange ideas on here!

I worked for someone ex- military. He sent a young male underling home for coming to work on a Friday with his underpants showing.
I did think it was a bit harsh, but he was a decent boss, so these things can matter.
Bra straps/cleavage showing is another no-no.

@OhDear111 the op has said she only has a puffer jacket which is not suitable and would be big and bulky to drape over her arm going in as you suggested. Much more professional to where a blazer or smart jacket over the top of a dress. Only strange idea is yours and really no need to be rude when you are the one giving really bad advice. First impressions count

Mango suit have smart clothes.

@Mykittensaremyfriends Why do you insist it’s draped over her arm? Ask to hang it up???!

@OhDear111 why do you insist anyone wearing black is going to a funeral? And wearing a jacket is so wrong? They are both wardrobe staples and suitable attire for an interview. A long sleeved dress with a jacket looks so much smarter rather than a puffer jacket which the OP would then have to faff around with taking off and leaving somewhere - it’s just an unnecessary distraction when she can walk in with a dress and jacket without the need to need to take anything off. Thankfully the OP has received some good advice from others as to what to wear

This thread has given me food for thought. I've an interview on Friday. I was going to wear my favourite work dress (fitted, square neckline, ever so slightly above the knee, teal) with a black blazer as it's short sleeved. Should I wear a cardigan instead?!