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 😂🤷🏼‍♀️🙈

I would go with a dress and tights if you are comfortable in them anyway. Dress in something you feel confident in. But secondary is more formal usually than primary and definitely no cleavage or above knee dresses.

I imagine most of the women on this thread have attended school, @americangirls. Many will be parents of children in British schools. Some of them may teach in those schools.

I doubt that many of them would advocate for prospective TAs attending their interviews in clothes adhering to the values you clearly hold.

The OP is of course free to wear an ankle length dress if she chooses - she is absolutely not obliged to if she prefers something else.

It’s inappropriate

Enjoy your day, @americangirls.

🤖

Is it a Jewish school? If it is please cover your knees and elbows with a dress or shirt and skirt. Also your collarbone so no deep V necks.

This will be appreciated.

I’d play it safe for schools. Black trousers and a smarter top then you normally wear. Most people don’t dress too formal for interviews unless they are senior leadership. School TA can’t wear anything too tight, short or too low.

lol I’m a bot because I think you should dress modestly and professionally for an interview?😂

Your wide legged trousers sound perfect. Just wear a more fitted top that is a couple of notches smarter than a t shirt!

Would you wear a blouse like this?

https://www.finerylondon.com/products/jolin-pale-blue-lace-cotton-puff-sleeve-top?variant=57101085344076

@americangirlsModest and professional does not mean an ankle length dress. Below the knee is just fine. No cleavage, no bare shoulders, nothing too short or tight is really all that is required. An ankle length dress is generally inappropriate for a school setting anyway (rushing up stairs, legging it after wayward kids, breaking up fights).

OP I would go for either wide legged jersey trousers with a more fitted top, slim leg trousers with a looser top/blouse or a below knee length jersey dress. Don't wear black trousers with a white shirt/blouse though, you'll look like catering staff or one of the kids. If it's private I'd wear a blazer as well, if it's state I wouldn't unless you want an extra layer for warmth.

Sounds like you have some great ideas already.
I'm sure you will look lovely whatever you decide on.
Try not to overthink it though.

Sorry you said that you have a dress and black tights but that the dress is three inches longer than what you would like. What is the actual length of the dress? If it is below the knee I would go for that. No point buying clothes if you don't need to. I personally avoid wide leg trousers after tripping over them in front of a client.

Yeah, but it's not amish.

Job interview in an Amish school… that would be a fun fashion challenge 😊

There's modest and then there's dressing like a novice in a convent.

Ladies! I picked up both of these tops today and both look great with the wide leg trousers 👌🏼 so hopefully either will be ok. I think I'm going with my ballet pumps as the boots I have make me even taller than my ridiculous 5"11 height. I might even look for some different shoes tomorrow, maybe a loafer or a low wedge, but for now I have something workable - thanks again all 🙏🏼 (if the photos don't come up straight away they should follow shortly)

Trousers and a nice blouse.
A blazer isn't necessary.
So long as you don't wear leggings and a t shirt you'll be ok.

They will be more concerned about how you interact with the children and answer the interview questions.

Research the school via their website and note the key points.

Good luck.

That black one looks great.
Congrats on the shopping. Good luck in the interview.

The green one shows far too much cleavage.

There is literally no cleavage showing

Also the OP could be a B cup bra and not have cleavage at all. The green is absolutely fine

@theblame standing up - no clevage.
bending over - highly likely everything on show. I had this conversation literally a couple of weeks ago with an employee (with a smallish cup size) and a similar top. I could tell her the colour, material and decorations on her bra after a meeting. Very awkward and very unprofessional.
a simple black vest would fix that though, its otherwise a lovely top!

TAs always wear ‘leggings and a dress’

I do wish we had a laughing emoji.

Today I'm wearing a V neck above the knee tunic top & bright clashing tights with Birkenstock Londons.

I like the green and I like the shape of the black one too ( I personally don’t go for print but that’s just me ). I think the way they’ve styled that black one is god awful. The length of those trousers with those boots is all off. I think the way you’re planning to wear it with wide legged trousers and ballet flats sounds much nicer.

( that green top might also look nice with some indigo jeans. M&S used to do some nice high waisted ones with a wider leg and a seam down the front. Not for an interview but another occasion )