Urgent interview outfit help please!

[petitpasta]

Out of the blue I am being made redundant. I have managed to bag an interview for a senior role in an education charity. Director job title, working directly to the CEO. Charity does not work in schools and is more vocational education focused.

I have recently lost 8 stone and wasn't expecting to be job hunting so I don't have an interview outfit.

I need opinions please on these outfits. If they're not suitable I need to do an online shop now for delivery tomorrow or Saturday. I have six possibles so I will add 3 here and 3 in another comment:
Option 1: grey dress
Option 2: zig zag skirt
Option 3: snake print dress and lemon jacket

With more details now on your job I think you should be investing a few quid on a more flattering outfit for this interview. My first thought was how old fashioned all of these clothes look. Yes your clothes are not doing the job but I think it would be to your advantage to make more of an effort. I note you have lost weight but anything you buy nice will do you for a while on the job. I would recommend a pair of wide leg trousers which are loose around the stomach area teamed with a neat top and a loose jacket.

Buy now.

Thank you for your honesty. I've spent so many years buying from what I could fit into and now I am finding being mid 50s and suddenly 6 dress sizes smaller (opening up a LOT more choice) quite overwhelming. My current job is home based with visits to construction sites so I have been buying clothes I need for that only.

Hi @petitpasta well done on your weight loss! Are you at your goal weight now or hoping to lose any more? Just thinking if you were looking at more expensive pieces like a jacket you would want them to last for a while.

I'm being super picky here (sorry) but the jackets you have posted are collarless, but the tops you have paired them with have high necklines that sit above the jacket neckline which makes them look a bit off. I think if you had a top with more of a scoop neck they would look more stylish with those jackets.

Also think the blue trousers may look more jeansy in the photos than in real life but it's hard to tell, do you have a link for them on the website?

I do think for the level of seniority you might need to pick up something new for interview if you can.

I still have 2-3 stone to lose but that will take about another year.

This is the link for the trousers in the current colours

https://www.marksandspencer.com/woven-barrel-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60748279?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

In real life the trousers don't look like jeans and are a mid cornflour blue colour

Hi @petitpasta
Congratulations on the weight loss & the interview!

I am in agreement with pp who have noted that for that salary & level of seniority i would expect to see a higher quality interview outfit. One that signals i am a woman in my prime, i know my stuff & you need me in your organisation

I would throw a bit of money at this because if you get the job you'll can wear to client or board meetings & if you don't you'll have more interviews coming up.

I"d look at sites like me+em for a modern updated dress style + pay special attention to how they've styled it with shoes / jacket proportions & length etc

@TheOriginalFrench Exactly. I did. You have to spend more. Not elastic riders from M&S!!!

What size and height are you op? When is interview? What shoes do you have?

Not riders! Trousers!

Fairly frustrating day shopping today but I have bought this:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-silk-printed-midi-dress/p/clp60784118?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

And these (they're 11% linen so hopefully won't crease badly) :

https://www.marksandspencer.com/relaxed-wide-leg-trousers-with-linen/p/clp60775426?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share
Also another dress which I can't find on the website but I've attached a photo. It's a caramel colour and cotton. I think it's risking being too casual but it's a similar shape to a Me&Em dress someone linked to.

And I really do appreciate all the help. The weight loss is opening up new shops i couldn't use before and I am honestly a bit overwhelmed

Well done OP. You have moved away from the older styles into something far more sophisticated. I said very early in this thread that the old idea of ‘interview’ clothes was outdated and aging. You need to look smart, individual and in charge. I hope you feel great and nail the interview.

I’ve had a similar experience. It’s like choosing clothes for a stranger at first!

Great choices!

Final options I think:

For those commenting on shoes I have a knee injury and can't wear heels at all, so flats it has to be

I've not been able to find a jacket so I have shortened the one I have already as jacket styles seem quite cropped in the shops. It needs pressing but it is tidily done

Also, I have now got a second interview next week for my absolute dream job. That's in a heritage setting (think gorgeous old building) and is a COO role.

I forgot to add this as a wildcard

I love the wildcard and the ochre Jaegar dress. (I tried that dress on and it’s great you got a bargain in the sale). Which do you feel most confident in?

I think the ochre dress and white jacket is the best combo - they go very well together, and you look really nice, and professional. I don’t think the white jacket goes as well with the brown and cream dress - the white doesn’t work with the cream colour.

Congratulations on all your interviews too!!

Thanks for the updates OP. Clothes shopping is so exhausting! What do you feel best in? I personally think the blue trousers and white jacket looks great, and very professional. The mustard dress and jacket could also work. The jumpsuit is fab but maybe a bit too casual fit an interview. But you should definitely go out for drinks and dinner in that one. Best of luck with your dream job interview!

Both the wild card and ochre look great on you!

Oh these are so much better! I think ochre and white jacket, well done OP!

I, too, think the ochre dress and white jacket. Congratulations on your weight loss and your upcoming interviews. Good luck!

Grey dress gets my vote!