Heatwave interview - help!!!

[Notanepobaby]

I've had not one but two interviews scheduled for the hottest day of the week.

I'm in a bit of a predicament because I'm in the middle of a house move - a lot of my things are in storage, and while I did take set a few things apart for interviews, they are nearly all skirt/pantsuits that simply won't work in this weather.

For my industry, this is what I'd usually (be expected to) wear to an interview, but at 32C, I reckon it's the wrong move - both from a comfort perspective and because it might look slightly ridiculous.

So I'm thinking a dress.

However, the dress/skirt options I have either show up my extremely pasty white legs - I'd usually wear tights but, again, it feels ridiculous in this weather - or are too casual, no longer fit me, would show up sweat, etc.

Regarding the legs: I don't want to fake tan because there's too much potential of it going wrong; I do have a nice body oil that gives me a bit of colour but rubs off on clothes. Are there any miracle products that I'm not aware of? Or would a very low den tight be fine?

Also wondering if you have you seen any dresses that could fit the bill? Formal enough to not need a jacket, but not frumpy or too mid-2010s office style? In absence of a jacket, I'd prefer covered shoulders or upper arms.

Any other tips or general wisdom appreciated!

I also have a long, breezy black dress - but it's too informal on its own as it is a light material AND sleeveless (feel like I could do one or the other, but with both, it definitely looks and feels too casual for an interview).

Wearing a formal shirt underneath it feels too schoolgirl style, is there any other way I can dress it up a bit!?

I think a plain coloured shirt dress looks smart and business like. Something like this? They've got it in navy.
ETA linen blend so shouldn't crease.

https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing-and-accessories/womens-dresses-and-skirts/ava-linenblend-shirt-dress-teal-wwj036/?gl=1utxxtxupMQ..gsMQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwpK3SBhASEiwAtV1SPElNr9X6HLYT5ggKqa79ZUivNICJHngZ9mPXAjVwx8QPRIvBLcshoCrW8QAvDBwE

This M&S one is nice!
https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-pintuck-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp61227425#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r3c2%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_QP_100+

Thank you @TemporarilyCantDoMyself ! They are both lovely, especially the M&S one. I would definitely wear them to the office, but I was thinking of going a little bit more formal for the interviews...

Very tricky with the heat.
You sure trousers and a shirt wouldn't be better than a dress?

i always think light wide legged trousers and a sleeveless blouse with a light jacket is the way to go. Presumably your interview is in an air conditioned office so you can just put it on for the interview itself.

I agree with PP - go with a pant suit without the jacket. Travel in something else, and then in loos in the building/nearby freshen up and change.

They’ll have air con, you’ll be fine in what you’d usually have for an interview. I interviewed last heat wave and a bloke turned up in sliders and chino styles shorts and a polo. He was freezing and very underdressed

I wore something very similar to the M&S dress for an interview for a Deputy CEO role recently. I then bought that exact dress and it's lovely. It's waisted so it fits neatly at the waist without bunching. I added a belt for effect. It's 100% cotton but doesn't crease too badly at all given that.

There is nothing wrong with pale skin, there is nothing wrong with any colour or shade of skin.

If you have a suitable dress then wear it.
If a company doesn't employ you because you're legs are too pale would you really want to work for them? (It seems highly unlikely anyone will even notice your legs btw)

I would wear wide palazzo style trousers and a sleeveless top with a cotton shirt over the top. Take off the shirt for the travelling

OK - on your advice, I have actually gone back to trousers and a shirt!

I have some lovely navy palazzo style trousers as per @TreesTreesSky and a "special" blouse that look great together.

Annoyingly, however, they are the one pair of suit trousers that I don't have a good suit jacket for (I have one I can get away with - same material and colour - but it brings down the whole look).

So now wondering if I can get away with just the nice blouse and smart trousers...? I usually wouldn't, but maybe the heatwave will justify it?

DH said take the ill-fitting jacket on my arm so they see I have one, but I don't bring the outfit down by wearing it 😂

@petitpasta that is useful info, thank you!

Good luck with your interview - you will smash it!

Don't worry about your legs being pale. I know it's easier said than done as I don't like having bare legs. I wear in the summer very sheer summer tights, then they give my legs a tanned colour and I don't have to worry about fake tan cause I always get it streaky haha! I will link where I get mine from x

https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/collections/summer-tights