Interview. What to wear?

[SmokeAndBone]

I've been offered an interview for a job I really, really want. A support role in a University.

The thing is, what to wear?

To give you the full picture:

I have no dress sense whatsoever, tend towards frumpy, buy clothes in Sainsburys. I don't intuitively know what to wear to look good. So I need specifics!!

I am short and fat - 5' 3" size 18/20 with big tummy, and bottom.
Mid-brown, shoulder length hair, dark grey eyes. Hair too layered to wear 'up'
Tend to wear 'autumn' palette of colours - dark brown, navy, forest green.
Small feet
Slim lower legs

I don't want too corporate a look, so not a suit, want something softer.

All ideas welcome.
But I do need details - length/cut of trousers or skirt, best accessories, handbag etc.

Please help me make the right impression!

something like this

with a navy blazer

tights

smart pumps? like these?

your hair will be fine down.

good luck!

I don't want too corporate a look, so not a suit, want something softer.
Most universities will expect a corporate look at interview along the lines of suits or tailored dresses with jackets.

I'm thinking dress as well...
Not so much to get wrong

A dress wouldn't be as flattering as a skirt suit in black with an nice blouse

Just followed the link to a leopard print dress -unless you are particularly flamboyant or work in the rovers pub (no offence pp) I don't think it's at al suitable

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F113283025813

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F263960654474

With this blouse . Good luck !

Night

I would say only wear a suit if you feel comfortable in it.
Nothing worse than looking stuffy and uncomfortable. You need to look warm, approachable and welcoming to students. I think any of these would look nice with a blazer over them. I can't remember the last time I saw someone in a full suit at the Uni I work at. Have a look at the Univerity's social media etc to get an idea of the place if you haven't already or even go for a wander around.
Wallis 1
Wallis 2
Wallis 3
Very also comes in plain black (would look fab with statement jewellery)
Debs
Debs 2

Good luck!

Coco the dress comes in other colour ways!

Hogtini love the colour of those teal dresses, perfect for me. I already work at the University and in general only the male staff wear suits. The dress code is quite relaxed, it's more a case of finding what suits me. Or not, in the case of suits!

Thanks for the tips. I'll pop back and let you know how I get on.

I can't remember the last time I saw someone in a full suit at the Uni I work at
But you don't go for an interview wearing what you'd normally wear at work. And plenty of staff do wear suits at universities.

Ha ha sorry I realise it looks like I've contradicted myself in my PP. What I meant to say is, it's normal to wear a suit or tailored dress to an interview for a support role at a university. In that sort of a role you may be able to ratch it down a notch once you're in post but plenty of people wear very smart/corporate clothes whilst others are more casual. Senior leadership team will always wear a suit.

Oh yeah definitely smarten up for interview then notch down. I was just saying there's other options such as the suit jacket/blazer over a tailored smart dress.