I’m about to be made redundant. Help this size 22-24, 5’5” inch 48 year old dress for interviews

[Notateacheranymore]

I’ve spent the last 7 1/2 years in an office job where going around the factory and site yard was a part of the job for pest control purposes (food factory), so my work attire has been jeans, cargo trousers, t-shirts, sweaters, etc.

I was taken to a meeting on Monday last with LM, HOD and Head of HR to be told that redundancy consultation was starting. I’m now emotionally half out the door, and even if I’m not the one picked - my score put me 2/2, so 🤔- I think I’ll be gone by the end of 2024.

Help me dress not too expensively for any prospective interviews. Been into town this afternoon, and all I came away with was a pair of pyjamas and 2 bras from the local George store.

And before anyone suggests it, NO, I’m not going back to teaching. Left 10 years ago last December because it made me consider ending my life.

My standard work wear and interview wear is a Popsy dress. I am shorter than you but same dress size and the trapeze shape is very forgiving

Thank you, @ArticSaviour , I’ll have a look.

I tend to wear black trousers and a white top with a colourful open blouse over it, nice necklace.

Or long maxi skirt with white top.

Remember you have to feel comfortable.

Did you find anything?

People either love or hate but I would go for a floral Popsy go up to 24 . They have pockets. I love them not the height of fashion but they suit me made in the uk as well.

I went to Yours and Roman stores in town. So so much holiday stuff, but I got a black skirt, and white and green blouses (solid colours, not patterns). I already have either a jacket or a bolero cardigan that I can wear over the top depending on whether I go for the white or green.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

@ArticSaviour, I looked at Popsy and although I liked a lot of the stuff on there, I wasn’t confident about the delivery time. I decided I was more comfortable about having something in my hand rather than worrying about a delayed delivery.

Usually the delivery for Popsy is quite quick

Coming back to this thread to update.

I was unemployed for exactly 7 weeks, having been made redundant 1 week after that initial meeting. All the legal procedures were followed, it was me that wanted it to be quick. My team mate colleague is a chap a few years younger than me (I'll be 49 in Oct) with less qualifications, and he has an 8 year old and a 4 year old. He has already done 20 years with the company where I had done 7, so he was going to be more expensive to make redundant, and as he is on a slightly lower salary than mine was, he was also cheaper to keep on.

All in all, I felt my prospects of getting another job were better than his, and my only dependents are 2 cats. As I said in my OP, once it was announced, I was emotionally on my way out anyway.

On Aug 5th, I started a job with my County Council, working on the Safeguarding team responsible for Children in care and CP cases. After nearly 10 years working for companies whose bottom lines were profit, and the corresponding KPI's, I'm thrilled for that to no longer be my main concern.

I have taken a bit of a pay cut but it's not like I really chose to leave, and actually the County Council employs more people than the factory I used to work at, so even if this job isn't totally what I want, there'll be other jobs for me to apply for.

All in all, yay for me!!!

Great to hear your update OP and fantastic news!

Best Wishes in your new job and all the new opportunities it will bring:)

Oh well done OP, lovely update!