I’m clueless about clothes and style and need an outfit for a job interview - please give me some inspiration!

[icebearforpresident]

I have an interview coming up for a promotion at work, a public facing role within a local authority. I’m currently a part time member of staff, the job is for a full time management position.

I’m confident in my application, my experience and my interview skills but when it comes to presenting myself I’m beyond clueless. I want to look professional and stylish and make a good impression on the interviewers, who work higher up in the same department. I’ve met one of the two before.

For work now I wear black jeans or trousers, a smart top and a pair of smart black trainers, it’s not a corporate environment and smart casual is fine. Even in the new role I wouldn’t need to make drastic changes to my wardrobe. But I really want to look right for the interview, I want to look like management material basically. I could do such a good job in this new role and I don’t want to let myself down.

I’m plus size, on a budget and buy most of my clothes from Next, Simply Be & Fat Face. I already own this and think it could be styled appropriately for the interview but I’m terrible at putting an outfit together because I really struggle to picture how clothes look on me in my head.

I’m on a budget. Can’t stress that enough. If the dress won’t work I’m open to suggestions but can’t spend loads in a full outfit.

Hi,
I don't think the dress is right for an interview,a bit too floaty and fussy patterned.
I think,keep it simple and sleek.
Being well groomed is the most important thing.
Smart trousers,loafers and a crisp shirt in a colour that you like.I think not patterned or frilly,just well cut and ironed.
Maybe get your hair styled/blow dried at hairdresser if it would make you feel good.
Light make up if you wear it,minimal jewellery and if you look good you will feel more confident.
Have a try on of things you already have and see which makes you feel good.
Best of luck !

Good advice above; your dress really isn’t ’management material’ (unless on a zoom call from your back garden after you have the job).

You want plain, crisp, neat (and reasonably contemporary). Are you familiar with

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/

Not knowing your clothes size I don’t know if their sizes would work for you - but even if not, take a look at the separates in the Uniqlo : C, and J W Anderson collaborations. The more office-y things there - cropped cotton shirts, straight trousers and skirts, relaxed blazers are very much the kind of thing that will look smart without being over-formal and dated. So if necessary look for that sort of style at Next.

Your black trousers with perhaps a lighter coloured, lightweight jacket with a plain white top should be fine. (I would personally wear shoes rather than any sort of trainer, others might disagree.)

Thank you both. I can honestly say I have almost no clothes that make me feel good, that dress is one of maybe two things I own that I feel confident in. But that’s an issue for another day.

I’m a size 22 and struggle with shirts due to my bust. I own one shirt for work, which is oversized and relaxed so I can wear it with some buttons undone and a top underneath so the buttons done gape. I’ve always assumed Uniqlo would be too small for me but see they stock up to a 2xl in a top I like so will check their size guide when I have time (going to need to dig out a measuring tape but past experience from similar shops makes me think a 2xl is probably more like a 16-18) and see if it will fit. I have been looking though and have found a nice pair of wide leg, textured trousers from Next which look smart, those, a smart top and a blazer (which I already own) could work.

I wear trainers for work but have black ankle boots which I would wear for the interview.

You will do great!

Keep it simple: buy a suit dark grey, black or dark brown and pair with loafers and a plain T-shirt.

you want the focus to be on you. AND you want to look like a leader.

Hi OP, as you’re on a budget I’m not sure you could afford to buy a suit and a cheap suit is really obvious and usually creases badly. I also think you want to remain comfortable and in your comfort zone with what you choose as that will help with confidence.

I would suggest you could do a dress, but I’d keep it to a block colour and a non-fussy design, but with some structure. You could make it dressier with a statement necklace or earrings.

Something like this:
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su791875/h70781
If you went with black, gold would pair well.

As always check on Vinted - you might get a better brand for cheaper which leaves money for accessories or new shoes.

Good luck!

It’s not a long thread - you’d think people could read the OP’s update before replying …

Not sure who that was directed to, but if me, I did read the post. I picked out from it that OP can feel confident in a dress, struggles with shirts, has found some trousers which could work with some existing items.

I don’t usually post in this section or much at all so is the etiquette that if someone states they may have found something no one posts any longer?

I’ve no idea what their problem is either - I wish people would be more direct and quote the post they have an issue with! Don’t worry about it

This took a weird turn…I’ve actually been watching the thread but had never quite gotten around to replying and appreciated the dress that someone had suggested even after I said I had seen some nice trousers.

I definitely can’t afford to buy a suit but in my current and (hopefully) new role a suit would be too corporate anyway even for an interview.

What is your budget?

I am fortunate in having excellent (and cheap) charity shops in my town. Is this an option for you?

I would probably use your existing black trousers (definitely not jeans), a nice drapey top, or t-shirt and blazer. Loafers are smart and practical for footwear.

I’d get a black blazer and wear over the dress. Good luck

I've seen people ace interviews wearing things that would definitely not pass the "what to wear at interview " advice test anywhere. I was part of the SLT panel for a group exercise at the CEO interview and the successful candidate wore the most characterful shirt imaginable. Ive also appointed the woman who turned up to interview in jeans because she knocked everyone else out of the park (and was a fantastic hire). I wore a smart suit and lost the job to a colleague who wore a bright coloured dress. That was literally the feedback - she looked like she'd be a whirlwind.

I would argue that that dress, if it makes you feel comfortable and good about yourself is better than a smart suit that makes you feel self conscious. How would it look with a blazer, tights, smart shoes, maybe a belt?

Otherwise, the blazer and wide leg trousers sound great. My go to colour combo is navy suit, turquoise top because that makes me happy.

I’d do this but just smart trousers rather than a full suit. Some wide legged ones with a plain white t shirt and smart shoes, primark, Zara, next, M&S, h&M, new look all do this kind of thing

I think what you wear day to day sounds fine in your environment, maybe a cheap pair of non trainer shoes. And a blouse you would normally wear maybe ina new colour. It's more important what you say as what you wear. I went for an interview yesterday in black and white check trousers black roll neck and black jacket, carried as it was too warm. Director level job and the panel were in jeans shirts and gilets. You already have the internal candidate advantage so use that knowledge

I agree smart trousers, thick t shirt and blazer, boots. Sounds like you already have most of this so maybe new Tshirt (I got a new one from M&S the other day and it was a bit thicker than previous seasons I think) and then maybe some accessories? Belt, necklace, earrings. Nothing too spendy - I get some great belts from Tu in Sainsbury’s (got a leopard print one the other day that makes me smile). Then to echo an above poster, grooming wise perhaps a new lipstick if you are a make up wearer?

Actually I think your dress is fine. I would buy a decent black blazer ideally with a bit of texture, and wear with smart black boots and some jewellery. I'd personally get the blazer 2nd hand so you can go for better quality on a budget.

100%

your dress is fine OP. I do lots of interviewing and as long as a candidate is smartly turned out, I focus on our interview discussion, not judge them harshly for their attire. Your dress is very smart, and if you feel comfortable and confident then wear it and ace the interview, even if you wear a black cardi over it, as it's short sleeved, that would be fine if you can't stretch to a jacket.

good luck!

I agree. I do a lot of interviewing and think that dress is fine. If you can wear tights, I would to cover the split. Black ankle boots and a black blazer (charity shops!) or tidy black cardigan is equally ok.
focus on the grooming and tidiness
good luck!

I really like the black dress linked above OP! I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable in myself at the moment and I’m liking dresses in this shape - maybe not this exact one with the price but to show what I mean: https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv053167/v71178

If you've got a large bust, avoid shirts. I never wear them because of gaping.

If you can afford a new dress then I'd go for a black dress with a smart jacket. The Next black dress linked to above is good , and multi purpose.

My "go to" interview dress is a navy one with white polka dots. Quite plain in design, not too corporate but smart enough for an interview.

Good luck!

Personally I think women look smarter in a blazer. Next have a great choice.

That dress is absolutely fine OP. I interview people for jobs in a smart casual environment and that with some smart black boots would make you look like you’d made an effort but are wearing something appropriate for the work environment too. What you say in the interview will be so much more important than your outfit.

The dress is fine for an interview - you like it and feel good in it- a black blazer would work well with it. If you wanted to buy something new (just because) then why not another fat face dress if their clothes work for your body-, there's a few currently on the site which could be seen as more traditional/muted interview wear- Alexia, Danni or Livvi. Could wear with black boots or brogues, dress up with jewellery or scarf if that's your thing. Or I also love a Uniqlo skipper collar shirt - can be dressed up or down and doesn't gape (because it doesn't have buttons!). I would say an XL is like a 16/18.

What will the interviewers be wearing, do you think? I'm sure you will have seen them in interview mode while you have been working there. Copy their style, so far as you can that still suits you.