What would you wear for this event?

[unbuttonedowl]

I have been invited to interview someone at a festival. It will likely be hot on the day so it needs to be comfortable and cool. I am a size 12, about 162cm tall, aged 50.

Definitely well outside my comfort zone but a good opportunity and I know if I have the right clothes on it will make a difference.

I tend towards black trousers, boots and knits and the odd floral dress or shirt at work and a teenage boy look when at home (hoodie and tracksuit.)

Any suggestions welcome! TIA

I'd go for a well cut cotton dress, of your favourite style. Avoid floral, go for something in stronger colours/ block colours with statement accessories.

You'll get loads of use out of it.

Do you know some good brands for quality cotton dresses @Meadowfinch I am prepared to spend a bit of money for something I will get a lot of use out of.

Some cotton/linen dresses on here

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/green-v-neck-cotton-gauze-maxi-dress

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/blue-frill-sleeve-linen-midi-dress

I’d also look at White Stuff and Seasalt Cornwall.

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/8073/446537-maisie-poplin-stripe-dress/GREEN_MLT

Thanks I like the Seasalt Cornwall dresses. This one is more my style which is a bit Little House on the Prairie:

https://www.next.com.au/en/style/sv143811/y83307?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11369803629&gbraid=0AAAAADn-_y-LhAOYw5lLoaxLm-sn_DRgB&gclid=CjwKCAjw7KvTBhA6EiwAWnutYVoA_SoQsrYXIEyjL-coJ4lIk51mDIvWwaet_yfObmyE50ei20FWYxoCnkIQAvD_BwE

Link just took me to an invite to the Next app but I like Little House on the Prairie 😀

John Lewis might be worth a browse too. They sell loads of brands.

This one: https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/feather-star-tiered-dress

I will have a look at John Lewis too - thank you.

That’s nice looks cool, lovely earthy tone. Wouldn’t look out of place at a festival.

Hmm … I’ve been an interviewee at a festival - if I remember correctly the interviewer’s outfit was closer to your more habitual dressing.

The dress you’ve linked seems a bit tame for a festival - do you have accessories, or a hairstyle!) that might give it more … oomph? (Of course, you may be all the oomph an outfit needs.)

An easy barometer of suitability might be - how would Jo Whiley wear that?

Two suggestions for style inspiration:

https://www.youmustcreate.com/collections/womens-clothing (Keep scrolling, it’s not all black.)

https://www.eatdustclothing.com/collections/summer-sales-god

It's a writers' festival so tame is probably more the norm. I could wear my usual work clothes but I am very sick of all of them.

These clothes are also beautiful - probably a bit outside my budget though if I'm putting a whole outfit together. The fee is definitely going to go on the clothes.

Oh I’m not suggesting a sequinned leotard!😂

This, for instance has a bit more to it than the Seasalt frock - in the sale. Unfortunately only in a Small on their own site, but may be available elsewhere.

https://www.youmustcreate.com/products/q1zma90-parklife-dress-multi

(There have been times when I’ve found reimbursement of travel expenses after the event Really Not Very Helpful …)

Jumpsuit

Hi @unbuttonedowl , these were on another thread and I thought they are an amazing bargain and the floral one looks perfect for what you might be looking for. 🙂
https://direct.asda.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?cjdata=MXxZfFl8WXww&q=V%20neck%20tiered%20maxi%20dress&cjevent=3b7f5bed8cb811f1835800470a18b8f9&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=cj&loyaltysignal=0

A festival? I’d hot foot it to Free People. The boho vibe is strong there, but most things are very wearable. I’d go dress and boots myself.
Just bought this, which I love and you can boho it up or dress it down depending on your mood

https://www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/stardust-nightie/?color=011

Options:

1. Rent:

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/colette-relic

2. Blow your budget (particularly if your style goals are closer to Kirsty Wark than Jo Whiley … )

https://kemitelford.com/products/cat-belted-voluminous-dress

These dresses are amazing but I am short and kind of an apple. I do have some balloon style pants from uniqlo but I feel like the whole look can go wrong very quickly if you're not a slender little coathanger and I'm on stage so there's added pressure.

I do love the free people look! Very Little House on the Prairie.

I love these dresses - so many colours too.
https://www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/brentwood-maxi/?color=270&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Will you be seated? And what sort of chair or stool will it be? If seated I prefer separates - a statement top and trousers so things don't bunch up awkwardly.

Wear one of the dresses with boots. Also fabulous jewellery and a good haircut.

This is the important first question.

Also is the interview live in person or being filmed? Some small patterns and stripes don’t play well on TV.

If you’re sitting down I would also make sure my shoes were fabulous as they’ll be visible.

Will be seated, but not sure if it's on a stage.... but will need good shoes either way. I actually saw a writer interview tonight by coincidence - interviewer was in a very fine black vest and flowy skirt with gold shoes and golden hair; author was in a pale blue trouser suit with white shirt and white trainers. Both looked fabulous, the flowy skirt probably more comfortable and relaxed looking.

Obviously it depends, to some extent, on how high profile the event is. If it’s a Booker longlist-er being broadcast live to a grateful nation from a mile wide marquee, you may want to beg, borrow or steal something suitably impressive. A slightly less than fashionable poet in a tiny tepee - they won’t have ironed their t shirt so you can be more relaxed about your outfit choice.

Definitely not Booker level publicity, but unless the author specifies no photos (and she's a debut short story writer not Marian Keyes so I doubt it) it will probably end up on instagram and all the rest.

They both sound fabulous. The other thing that’s so perfect I wonder if they coordinated it is that it let the author shine in her blue suit whereas the interviewer is more neutral in black. Which I think is the right way round - people should be looking at the author not the interviewer.

None of this is meant to criticise you OP! Because I would absolutely want to look good on stage and in any photos that appear on socials etc.

And now I want to slink around in a flowy black skirt and my gold shoes…

For shoes, I bought these in silver and have worn them constantly in this hot weather. I'm buying another pair in tan in the sale and the style goes with everything. The silver pair jazzes up an ordinary outfit especially summer dresses.

https://www.moshulu.co.uk/products/leather-strappy-fisherman-sandals-kynance-silver-metallic?_pos=7&_fid=50ede80ca&_ss=c&variant=54168470946115