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 :)

Look on Vinted, a lot of people buy interview suits and then sell on. I did.

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm glad I posted and got a range of opinions. Based on what everyone has said I'm swaying away from "short" dresses but will order one or two block colour ones from Boden and Karen Miller I think and if it fits/feels right then pair it with a collarless blazer.

Although it may be dated, think I will also order a couple of midi / pencil tailored dresses from The Fold +/- Hobbs as don't have stores local to me. I might be wrong but I can't imagine the panel will be as fashionable as many of you on here and this feels more traditionally smart like I can't go too far wrong. If its not flattering on my postpartum + petite height then will aim to go for tailored high-waisted wide leg trousers with a full sleeve blouse in a pale colour such as cream or pale blue. Hopefully I'm now more along the right track and can move on from worrying about what I'll be wearing!

I’ve asked ChatGPT to create the outfit I described with a budget of £250 and it came up with this - I think something like this looks smart without looking uncomfortable. I agree with a PP though. The best outfit is a polished version of the kind of clothes you’re comfortable in - rather than going against your natural aesthetic.

Thank you, and we're saying its acceptable to have a mismatched tailored outfit? (mismatch probably not the right word but you know what I mean.. that the jacket and trousers aren't a co-ordinated/made of the same material)

I've come across some patterned trousers on sale on Whistle, presume these are too casual for an interview even if paired with a cream blouse? I might buy it anyway to use for standard workwear if its not nice enough.

Also came across these dresses which I quite like, before anyone comes at me that theyre short mini dresses, I'm certain it will be at least knee length on me. Never heard of this brand before but hoping it's smart and structured enough to be appropriate for an interview, short enough not to drown me and enough colour in the sleeves to feel interesting yet feel like my style. Someone tell me if I'm totally missing the mark again..?
https://uk.saintandsofia.com/products/ella-fit-flare-dress-red-fade-spot https://uk.saintandsofia.com/products/esme-zip-up-dress-purple-gradient

I swore I wouldn’t post any more on this thread!

That AI outfit is so staid. It has no personality at all and it’s about 30 years too old for you @polka72 (I’m assuming so anyway, given that you’ve just had a baby). Do you have a link for the Whistles trousers?

The latest dresses you’ve posted would be good for a night out but not for an interview for a serious job. Do you have a stylish friend who could go shopping with you so you can try things on and get an honest verdict?

All these sound fine! You can try on and post here for opinions. My worst nightmare (used to enjoy it!) would be shopping for a suit or smart dresses so perfect you can try on your orders at home. Plus clothes shopping with a baby, or young children is never ever fun! 🤩 and they can’t give you constructive criticism, yet!

I used to love Karen Millen back in the day (00s) for going out and smart workwear, but fear I’m too fat for it now! They do do some very flattering clothes though. Well, I think so. Also, fashion is subjective.

Those comments are totally unnecessary and rude. Reported.

Agreed. Nasty and uncalled for.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/suits/products/stretch-crepe-drape-midi-dress-green

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/dresses/products/linen-pleat-front-shirt-dress-red

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/dresses/products/optic-swirl-crepe-ruched-dress-red

dress with a blazer ? Or if it’s hot a shirt dress wouldn’t need a blazer . A long shirt dress would be great as it’s got a collar it’s automatically smart.

It’s a good opportunity to get some colour and not black . Longer feels more classy and senior to me. What will you wear in the job day to day ?

This is a good outfit, classic and very polished. The only problem with clothes like this is that materials and construction have to be high quality, because the outfit is so simple it draws attention to small details. Of course it’s fine to wear mismatched top and bottom.

I see posters mentioning the use of ChatGPT in outfit planning on MN a lot - & my cynical self thinks "where's the fun & creativity & flair in that"?!!

So I did scrutinise this out of curiosity. And while I agree that in principle (especially for an unconfident dresser) a camel blazer, cream shirt & wide black trousers with tan accessories & gold jewellery could look good - the actual execution of it is really soulless!! It looks very bland & conventional - I think to go so plain & low key is quite a difficult thing to carry off well on a tight budget.

What I don't understand is how it's meant to show a £250 outfit??? Am I missing something - maths never was my strong point?! The clothes come to £130, the accessories to £175 - & the jewellery to £170??? Which comes to c. £475, not £250??

The thing that stood out most to me though (second to the fact that it didn't add up), was that, if you have £250 (or £475) to spend on an entire outfit - why on earth would you spend £170 on jewellery?!!!

This is an interesting, non-technical, popular science piece that I really strongly recommend reading before talking about/using/ranting about ChatGPT: https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/07/a-jargon-free-explanation-of-how-ai-large-language-models-work/

Hi OP, I’m 5ft 3 and sometimes have to look smart in my role for client presentations. My favourite place for work clothes is Reiss Petite. Although pricey, their suits are well cut and in proportion. Some nice colours as well and a good balance between stylish and smart. Their outlet section is definitely worth a look. Suits have taken a bashing on this thread, but totally depends on the cut and fit. I have a teal coloured suit from Reiss and I’ve had loads of compliments when wearing it. I wear a v neck top underneath to soften the corporate look. A decent white T-shirt can also look good.
Nobody’s Child also has a petite section and I’ve just bought these trousers in the sale.
https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/front-vent-relaxed-trousers-2615017001
the matching jacket would drown me so will probably wear with a cropped jacket. Good luck!

OP, looking at the slightly thicker woven material you like, would this navy dress from Libby London work?

https://www.libbylondon.com/products/victoria-navy-jacquard-dress?variant=56881355850111

You would not need to wear a jacket and being petite, it will probably come down below your knee, which I think is a good length.

I am 5 ft nothing and if I wear knee or above knee length dress, I look a bit like a child. That is just me. I now wear midi or maxi skirts and dresses. The longer fabric gives me more 'presence'. For a long time, I avoided trousers, but now wear them quite a bit as it is more on-trend. Again, the length gives me presence.

Have a look at Libby London dresses. They are workwear. If you have a mum tum, I find a bit of ruching and fit and flare skirt is more forgiving.

www.libbylondon.com/collections/dresses

I have tried The Fold dresses before but they are made for taller women. Never got with the sizing. Hobbs petite fits me well.

Do you work in a science field, @CortieTat ? As that's not my idea of non-technical! It's also very long ... & I'm lazy about reading things I don't enjoy!

Also, I think you might be missing my point slightly. I do (I think?!) understand the basics, in that what we get out of ChatGPT depends entirely on what we put in, so that if this had been developed from the input of, say, 1,000 John Gallianos (what a thought!!), it would have a very different output compared to a program developed by 1,000 M&S head buyers (also what a thought ...). And that the output also then depends on what a person asks it to do. Is that - in extremely basic terms - correct?

I'm not rubbishing it per se. My cynicism relates to the fact that I don't think this sort of thing - where subjectivity & creativity play such a part - can ever be carried out by ChatGPT as successfully as it would perform a more objective, logical, factual task.

And my rant is not at ChatGPT, but at the thought of anything (or anyone) recommending that someone spends £170 of a limited budget on three pieces of jewellery - for a job interview!!

Yes, it is trained on data but no, the article explains why you get a £400+ outfit after asking for a £250 outfit.

I usually link such info because it’s an open forum and someone curious about how stuff works might benefit from them.

Ah, I see. Thanks - & I will pass this on to my partner, who will probably very much enjoy the read & explain it all to me later!

I interview a lot for consultant posts in all specialties. Honestly, unless you turn up wearing something completely bizarre, no one will care what you are wearing. Nothing shorter than knee length, no cleavage showing, but other than that just ensure you are comfortable, and don’t wear shoes you can’t walk in. Trousers and a blouse/cardi, shift dress, skirt and top, it really doesn’t matter a jot.

I regularly sit on consultant interview panels. Most male candidates wear suits (especially for some specialities like surgery). Female are more varied but tend to wear at least a jacket on top more often than not. A very short skirt might be awkward as you sit down. Just look smart. Good luck

But the OP cares about what she'll be wearing!!

When I had to give public presentations or appear as a witness at public inquiries, I didn't just think about my outer layer of clothing. Everything I wore was armour. I started at the bottom - quite literally - & always made sure I was wearing one of my best matching sets of Aubade or Chantelle underwear!! That may sound odd to some, but it all helped make me feel more confident & to be able to "perform" to the best of my ability.

If the OP knows that she looks as well put-together, smart & professional as possible, as well as feeling comfortable, I'm sure it will have a positive psychological impact on her performance in interview?

OP I'm in a senior clinical role - interview wise (also summer) I wore smart linen mix wide leg trousers, smart pumps, top and statement necklace. Trousers and top both navy. Trousers from Sainsburys. Neat and tidy hair/ bag etc... Looked absolutely fine and smarter than some of the other interviewees. I don't think it's as formally smart as you are thinking. 100% most important thing is to feel comfortable in what you're wearing.