Interview outfit ideas for a senior NHS role after having a baby

[polka72]

Interviewing for a senior position in the NHS but recently postpartum and nothing I own fits.. last time I did an interview was pre-pandemic!

I'm probably a size 10 maybe even 12 now (previously 8 but also pretty short so was in proportion) now carrying extra weight around the middle and will likely need "shapewear" to wear underneath.

Would ideally like to wear a dress and a blazer but can't seem to find much of this anywhere these days?! I'm mid 30s so don't want anything too dated. A friend of mine said trouser suits are much more popular now rather than dresses/skirts.. is this true? I'm not keen on skirts but could work with high-waisted trouser suit. For shoes, thinking flat black ballet pumps/loafers (can't wear heels are a knee injury).

Very grateful for some suggestions! Thank you :)

Vinted is full of corporate clothing from good brands at low prices you could get a few and try them out . Personally I think those corporate dresses in black or navy are outdated now and I’d assume someone was more junior . A silk blouse and some tailored light trousers from jigsaw /boden reiss type places . A bit of lipstick or bold jewellery also good to give some personality. Also me&em has some nice bits. Think less traditional corporate and more smart colourful with texture and quality cuts .

https://www.boden.com/products/women-textured-tab-short-dress-blue-and-white-texture-d1474mul?variant=42742678749393

Does this miss the mark too..?

I think I'm struggling to find something that is suitable but also still feels a bit like me

A couple more slightly different options that I like the look of:
https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-flannel-tailored-belted-dress_bkk21405?colour=grey

or this whole outfit with a white blouse and raspberry waistcoat suit: https://www.karenmillen.com/product/lily-and-lionel-pandora-tailored-herringbone-print-waistcoat-in-pink_p-8d80fd80-04b8-4672-9058-b82b7975fb39?colour=Raspberry

Wise ladies of MN, any of these more suitable? I think I'd feel more like myself/ confident

You seem obsessed with wearing a very short dress. It is not appropriate. The Boden dress with button at top of thigh will give a very poor impression.

However, I am giving up now as you don't seem to be listening to any advice. You know best.

I hate to say this because it sounds horribly snobbish but all of those look a bit - secretarial to me. I thought you were aiming for serious woman taking a big step up in her career vibes. The dresses are too short and they don’t say “Take me seriously”.

If you like Karen Millen and want trousers, this is more the kind of thing. It satisfies your original impetus towards a suit but in a modern way.

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-compact-stretch-wide-leg-trouser_bkk29604?colour=grey+marl

Its not that I'm obsessed with wearing a short dress but rather most most midi/longer dresses totally drown me. I'm aiming for around knee length (if of course it comes up shorter then I'd be returning!) just that from experience "mini" lengths are around knee length and anything marketed as longer is significantly longer on me. Perhaps trouser suits is best afterall as will avoid this altogether. I might order a couple of plain block colour dresses to try and if that fails, go for a trouser suit. Thanks everyone for your input!

Do let us know what you settle on and how the interview goes. I’m really invested in this now and I really want you to get the job.

@BIossomtoes That's super lovely, thank you. As is probably apparent I'm not really into business attire, I'd rather just do the job! The lack of an appropriate outfit is stressing me out when I'd rather get on with it prep for the interview. I think I'll order a few that people have suggested on here and hope one just feels right.. will update the thread!

These are all awful. They look like ‘90s funeral outfits not 2020s interview outfits. OP, I’d go with something like black wide leg trousers, a cream shirt or t-shirt, and a tan jacket, with a tan leather belt, tan shoes and a tan bag. Some simple gold jewelry and that’s a finished look. The last thing you want is to feel like a trussed up chicken in some sub Thierry Mugler ‘90s outfit or something that isn’t you or you don’t feel comfortable or fabulous wearing.

Thank you for the honesty. Any chance you could link me up to the kind of thing you mean? especially given we can see this is clearly not my forte!

Agree! OP, ditch the dress! 👗

https://pin.it/1HZ81kszY

https://pin.it/SkPFq0xSC

Second from the left in the upper row (both links) would be my outfit ideas for an interview taking place on a high summer day. Wear an accessory in your colours close to your face to bring up your skin tone.

That was brutally honest! But I'm afraid I tend to agree ... sorry!

You said you don't want to look dated, yet I'm late 50s & wouldn't wear these - they look far too "polyester Next workwear in the 90s" to me.

You said you have dark Mediterranean colouring, & like dark & bright block colours. There's no need to play safe with entirely camel/navy/cream etc. What about a dress like this (it comes in petite so the length should be on the calf & not swamp you)? It will suit your colouring, is linen-blend fabric so not too hot (nor should it crease much), looks smart & professional - but also will project confidence ...?? It's in stock & in the sale on John Lewis in size 10.

I would remember someone in a smart red dress - I'm afraid I wouldn't remember any of the dresses you've been looking at ...

https://www.whistles.com/product/panel-linen-blend-dress-41126.html

This collarless linen jacket is also in the sale in a size 10. I can't tell if it might be a smidgeon too long to work over the dress, but it's worth trying. Or trying with a top & trouser combination.

https://www.whistles.com/product/222939.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Whistles_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22797692313&utm_content=agid_188306982451-ad_764340769902&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=&network=g&device=t&placement=&targetid=pla-294505072980&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22797692313&gclid=Cj0KCQjwornRBhCrARIsAON5exFyQxYDv_rtmMqE5wRder0gW6Hxg9GBiUSa6uQ3Y1ynjPKlnaO0yOwaAuCbEALw_wcB

Alternatively, this is also in the sale in black or cream (which I think would also be good with the red). Out of stock right now but probably on Next/John Lewis etc.

https://www.whistles.com/product/anne-ponte-button-jacket-40715.html

Most important thing is for you to be comfortable, otherwise you'll be worrying about what you're wearing. Good luck deciding and good luck for the interview! (Written by someone who recently wore a black trouser suit and cream blouse to a senior interview... and got the job.)

This dress (also Whistles petite) should also work with the cream &/or black jacket, & is in the sale.

Can you wear a tiny heel, @polka72 - or do you need to wear absolutely flat shoes?

https://www.whistles.com/product/223582.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Whistles_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22797692313&utm_content=agid_188306982451-ad_764340769902&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=&network=g&device=t&placement=&targetid=pla-294505072980&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22797692313&gclid=Cj0KCQjwornRBhCrARIsAON5exHc4UGmmOkhnMPF3WRdp1I_-TUnD_-TokqAVgDtaFC6v0AGoj91XnQaAg7wEALw_wcB

I’m in a senior role and never wear suits. I have a variety of jumpsuits though that I wear and these can be dressed up or down v easily

I am regularly on interview panels for consultants. You don’t need a suit- though if you like them you can wear them. Maje do reasonably priced suits that are modern and I like them. I would say a simple dress in a block colour with a jacket/cardigan if needed. Or tailored trousers and a nice shirt. For my own interview I wore a simple black collared dress from Cos which I still have and wear often! If you invest in a suit you’ll have opportunities to wear it- meetings, conferences, even a clinic if you felt like dressing up. There’ll be plenty more opportunities as a consultant than as an SpR!

OP - you keep talking about ‘business attire’…. But you’re not in the business world nor interviewing for a business role!

By trying to fathom what business people wear for business role interviews you are hugely missing the brief.

Countless people have told you on here that you want to aim for intelligent / elegant / professional / stylish…. Yet you keep coming back to ‘business’ wear in horrid 90s corporate mini-dresses. It’s frustrating how entrenched you are in your misapprehension about what a clinical B9 interviewee would wear. I’m B7 NHS and am frequently in meetings with Consultants. Absolutely none of them wear power suits / body con / mini dresses. We’d all think they were v odd if they did.

Please listen to the posters above or else you’ll look more like an Apprentice contestent circa 2011 than a respected medical consultant.

If you want to fit in, choose slightly out of date, drab polyester easycare in neutrals that don’t go. Or fit. Add beads or ‘cheerful’ craft shop jewelry. Scuff your shoes. The message should be GIVEN UP.

Not really. Clear colours, poplin shirt, clothes with corners (tailored), structured flats, smile.

I think you are overthinking this a bit and some of the comments on here are not really helping. I have done three of these interviews and am not all that great with clothes. One was during Covid on zoom so I only had to think about the top half and I can’t even remember what I wore to the other two. I got two out of the three jobs and the one I didn’t was nothing to do with my clothes.
Wear something that is reasonably smart that you are comfortable in. It doesn’t matter if it is a bit dated. The chances of anyone on the panel knowing it is a bit dated are pretty low, and even if that’s what they think they are vastly more likely to pull apart something you say than something you wear. Avoid anything even bordering on short, you don’t want to be preoccupied with having to keep pulling it down. And it’s really not necessary to go full-on business suit.
I would allocate a day to a shopping trip so you can try on stuff there and then. Get something that fits, is smart enough that you feel confident in it, and that you won’t be tempted to keep fussing with. Then get on with the interview prep as that is what matters.
It’s really stressful, best of luck!

This sounds all good. I think most people are forgetting you are petite, my nana was just 5ft and a business woman and wore smart workwear but that was in a different era and you got clothes made for you. She always told me to wear a smart costume (suit) to an interview! Yes, I know dated advice now.

Some petite women prefer shorter dresses or knee length as it suits them and is comfy. I was with a friend yesterday (French woman, London based) works for investment/banking company in west end as office manager and one of her favourite outfits is a Mango suit black origami (sort of cut/moulded at shoulders) plain sleeveless dress I used to have which I gave her which is knee length on her, she’s about 5 ft 3, slim, 46 years old, but gets bloating which can change her size. I don’t really know The Fold or Finery, Sezane and similar much myself apart from seeing it on this board or online or on my SIL but some women are Cos/Arket type and some aren’t. I loved Joseph for odd smart workwear. You also don’t need to spend loads on a suit/workwear you won’t wear much. That’s why I suggested eBay/vinted too as there’s loads of designer and reiss/jigsaw etc workwear there. I ditched/gave away most of my smart workwear over covid when I wfh but still kept some of it.

Agreed with pp about small heel/kitten heel. I always wore flats and changed into small/kitten heels when I got to interviews. A bit of height works for shorter women, looks smart and elongates the leg if you’re wearing skirts/dresses.

Yes agreed! You have to feel good and comfy in it. If you don’t feel happy in a midi dress even if it’s petite then you won’t feel happy or comfy! Agreed just above knee or on knee is a good length.

That is nice.

Some of the comments are very unhelpful. OP as an interviewer as long as you wear something which would be appropriate to wear to work I wouldn’t care if it’s dated! What you wear will make a far bigger difference to you and your confidence levels. I know if I’m not dressed for the occasion I struggle to feel ready. I would say the majority of those I interview will wear clothes similar to The Fold. Loads available on Vinted and on the Medics selling groups (PM me for details if you need). I’d say they are on the dated side but very appropriate.

What do you actually like to wear to work/during the day? I think a more formal version of that will be something you are most comfortable in.