What should I wear to a school TA interview as plus size?

[iwishiwasonacruise]

Need help please. Have a job interview for TA/LSA at a local school.

All my clothes are casual!! I have a daily uniform of leggings + top or else super casual dresses, depending on the weather.

I am late 40s, plus size and tall!

I'm quite hourglass, I do have a waist, but the tops of my legs are huge.

i'm quite happy to buy something but I don't know where to start. I have lots of blouses/shirts, but I normally pair them with leggings, so bigger/looser top and tighter bottoms. I bought some wide leg trousers today which are quite nice, but paired with looser tops is making me look bigger than I actually am!

I tried a dress with black tights and ankle boots, that looked okay but I'm not 100% sold, it's just about 3 inches longer than I would like. I only have two days left to shop...

Any advice welcome please...

Be gentle, I'm not a follower of fashion at all, I'm a leggings, converse and T-shirt girl, if not that it's a jumper dress tights and docs 🙈

I do get dressed up to go out, but that's all sparkly 😂🤷🏼‍♀️🙈

A modest dress (to the ankles and elbows), blazer and flats.

Black trousers, black or white blouse. Knees, elbows and chest covered. Nothing too baggy but not too tight either.

Something from this Laura Adlington reel?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdZNORdsywG/?stkn=ZWU4anRpMHpxeDZ2

Roughly how old are you and is it primary or secondary? How smart are the staff there?
Primaries are usually a lot more casual than secondaries, and you could wear dark trousers and a shirt/top or a dress that is not too short. You don't need a blazer, and ankle-length might be unsuitable, depending on the school, in terms of going up and down stairs with your hands full. Have neat hair and subtle make-up and nails. Most of the women in my primary do not wear make-up, and do wear trainers and Docs, but for an interview I'd go for proper shoes or boots.

A pair of slim leg trousers and a looser top and a blazer would be fine.

make sure you wear flat shoes, a top that is not low cut. Avoid sleeveless for interview for avoidance of doubt, make sure you bend and sit on a child size chair. School can be hot so be able to take of a layer is a good idea.

good luck

What size and height are you

Black fitted trousers and a smart top or blouse, a midi or maxi dress with a blazer or cardigan if it’s cold. Ballet pumps or black boots.
Whatever you wear, make sure it passes the bending down test; can you bend down without exposing your bum or boobs?
Good luck @iwishiwasonacruise.

I’m an LSA at a college. Our staff wear wide leg trousers and plain t shirt/cardigans or jumpers, dresses with tights, dresses with leggings, anything really as long as it isn’t low cut and you are comfortable. No sports wear obviously!

I would go with your wide eg trousers with a blouse or loose t shirt, tucked in, and a cardigan open on top. Ballet flats or other sensible non trainer shoes on feet. You can probably wear trainers and leggings on the job, but I wouldn't for interview.

Thanks, I'm 46, size 22. I work in primary currently, but the interview is for secondary. I've never been to this school. It's all boys and religious. I have no idea how smart they dress. My primary is definitely v casual. I'm also running hot at the moment 🥵 so I need to consider that too! I think the interview may include some observation in the classes so I need to be smart but also comfy enough to get up and down accordingly. I'm constantly on and off the floor in primary, but I'm v casual there, and also I doubt I'll be sitting on the floor with Yr 7 plus!

I would wear the wide legged trousers with either a Seasalt Larissa shirt or Easel top.

I've never understood the love for blazers for job interviews. The candidate usually looks as though they've borrowed one and is overheating & uncomfortable.

WTF?!

Go with the vibe of the school. Maybe slightly smarter if staff dress really casually, but you want to look as though you would belong there.

This is a good shout - have a look on their website and socials and see what people are wearing.

I worked in a non teaching role in secondary until recently - the bench mark was make sure you can't see up it, down it or through it!

I used to wear smart trousers with a top - anything from a blouse to a long sleeved t shirt; and a lot of tunic dresses with leggings underneath and boots or plain Rocket Dogs.

It’s a school, not a fashion show

Id use one of the tops you already have, like, and are confident aren't going to flash your bra.

Then, as you know that looks best with leggings, get yourself a slim cut pair of trousers - similar silhouette, but smarter.
Polished shoes. Blazer if that's your kind of thing, shirt sleeves if not.

I think your wide legged trousers would be a good start. I have a couple of cropped “ edge to edge” jackets that I would have paired with them which wouldn’t swamp your waist and you could wear over a fairly simple t shirt. They’re a bit smarter than a cardigan. A nice leather bag and some flat shoes ie loafers. I couldn’t see any on M&S but I’ve only had a quick look. You don’t need to wear black to an interview by the way unless you particularly want to.

I did come across these dresses which I liked. They’re not “ nice for a plus size” dress they’re just nice dresses. I prefer the navy one out of the two.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-maxi-t-shirt-dress/p/clp23081614#intid=pid_pg2pip48g2r3c2%7Cprodflag_Online%20Only

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-v-neck-frill-detail-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp23093802?color=CHOCOLATE#intid=pid_pg2pip48g2r2c1%7Cprodflag_Online%20Only

My only question mark is whether they’re too warm at the moment. ( it was 24 degrees where I am yesterday ). They do have this one in the sale which looks a bit cooler

https://www.marksandspencer.com/slash-neck-midaxi-waisted-dress/p/clp23072637#intid=pid_pg3pip48g2r22c1%7Cprodflag_Online%20Only

This summer I had a jersey dress from Sainsbury’s ( chocolate brown and some ruching on the waist) that was such ridiculously good value. It looks much more chic than the price tag. I don’t wear a ton of dresses but they’re much easier to style for these types of situations.

I am assuming the OP is in the UK - or at least in a country where women are able to exercise freedom in how they dress.

If that is the case ankle length dresses are neither necessary nor practical in a school environment.

What on earth is going on here, in 2026?

Thank you everyone for some fantastic ideas! I'm off shopping again today 🤞🏼 also great idea to get on the socials - I'll do that right now 😊

I would go to M&S, get a blouse, wide leg trousers, and loafers.
Not my favourite outfit, but ideal for a school interview.

I think a blazer would be even better over it, but you don’t want to be too hot for a job interview.

Best of luck 🤞

Something you can move in, bent over /kneel without showing your underwear, and no v-necks if you are busty. A v-neck when bending over shows entirely too much. Bra hidden from the side.
Otherwise, clean and semi-formal , so wide legged trousers/flared leggings rather than leggings, a tunic shaped top with at least half sleeves etc.
Not in education, but the v-neck is the one thing I regularly have to talk about with employees as many busty women are entirely unaware how much they have on display

But neither is it a convent. She doesn't need to cover herself up completely.

Blouses are a good call, but preferably not white (see through), and keep that second button closed (top button open).
I would avoid really long dresses if thr school has stairs! over the knee is probably goof idea IF you like dresses/skirts. Otherwise wide legged or flared trousers with stretch

Of course she does. It’s a school.