Help dress me for potential interviews

amother

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 10:43 am

I'm desperate for a new job but have put off looking because I gained a ton of weight and look positively ridiculous in suits. I work in a professional but not corporate environment and I've been told suits are not absolutely necessary but I still have to look professional and presentable. The problem is that none of my clothes fit me and I don't even know where to start looking. I just applied online for a couple of interesting sounding jobs but need to prepare in case I get an interview. So help. I'm about a size 20 and don't know where to start. Anyone?

Barbara

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 11:52 am

amother wrote:

I'd still wear a suit to an interview. And suits can look amazing on women your size. Straight skirt, or trumpet skirt. http://www.talbots.com/online/.....Woman
Two or three button blazer. Shell or blouse with a pop of color. Mid heels.

Try Talbots, Nordstrom, Lane Bryant for ideas.

Once you get the job, you can wear skirts with cardigans or sweaters, and dresses.

iluvy

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 11:55 am

Barbara wrote:

I find myself saying this on every professional dress thread Smile

, but this really depends on your field! At every interview I went to, most of the interviewers were wearing checked shirts and jeans. A suit is really not always appropriate.

amother

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 12:32 pm

Barbara wrote:

I didn't say suits can't look good on a woman my size I said they don't look good on me. The jackets never fit right and some how I always end up looking like a kid playing dress up in her dads suit.

Dolly Welsh

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 12:38 pm

Explore Roaman's for the right shirts, blouses, skirts. It is absolutely true that you must dress for the environment you are going to.

You can figure out what the interviewer will be wearing if you try to imagine that. It is good to dress exactly like her. You want to look as if you already work there, not as if you are a stranger.

If you are unsure, lurk around that street and observe what the people there are wearing.

Follow your instincts.

amother

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 1:15 pm

Dolly Welsh wrote:

I work in medicine and I'm often interviewed by people wearing scrubs. So I'm always dressed better than them because I obviously can't show up to an interview in the same. Also, Roamans really isn't my speed. Feels like most things are more appropriate for someone 15-10 years older than me. Also, objectively speaking, while some of those outfits/suits were nice for the right crowd non were professional for interview type situation.

Barbara

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 1:41 pm

amother wrote:

Speaking gingerly ... even in the photos, the quality of the materials used by Roamans seemed poor, and the styles unprofessional.

In any case, almost never wear suits, but I do expect that job candidates will be wearing suits, or something on the same level of formality as suits.

amother

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 2:22 pm

amother wrote:

I feel for you. I also look horrible in a suit jacket, no matter how tailored it is. I usually interview in a sweater and it may be a bit casual but it is more my style and age appropriate. right now, I am in love with eloquii's stuff. here are a few things that might work for you (though I don't know your body type so I could be completely off base)

http://www.eloquii.com/ribbed-.....=tops

this sweater with a black or metallic belt and a black pencil skirt. I happen to really like the necklace they show it with. the sweater is oversized on the model, giving it a casual look but if it's more fitted, it might be potentially dressy.

http://www.eloquii.com/colorbl.....de=33

also with a black or navy skirt. (navy is generally harder to match.) with this top it needn't be a pencil skirt.

http://www.eloquii.com/open-kn.....=tops

this is a fun cardigan, perhaps not serious enough. there are also several other long cardigans on this site. I happen to like the whole look of the black cardigan but the pink one can work nicely as well.

you can also do a non-solid skirt with a solid cardigan. some skirts I like:
http://www.eloquii.com/striped.....kirts

http://www.eloquii.com/colorbl.....kirts

http://www.eloquii.com/studio-.....e=150

all of those would work with this cardigan:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ci.....aters

and another essential, the button down shirt in black or white:
http://www.jcpenney.com/essent.....c=JCP|dept20000013|cat100240005|cat100250043|RICHREL&grView=&eventRootCatId=&currentTabCatId=&regId=&rrplacementtype=item_page.dpcontent1

other good stores to try are the aforementioned talbots and lane bryant or big department stores- online or irl: macys, nordstrom, some bloomingdales (most don't have a plus size dept), lord and taylor or the lower end jcpenney, kmart, kohls.

if you give me specifics of what you like or what styles usually work for you, we may be able to narrow it down a bit more.

amother

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 4:04 pm

amother wrote:

I LOVE that first top with the necklace. Is that professional enough though? I feel so insecure when I'm not wearing a suit but then when I DO wear a suit I feel downright pathetic for looking so awful. Also, I think that top may make me look boxy but can definitely order it. Gotta say though, I'm not loving the prices quite as much as the products!

And about tailoring--I just sent out my resume to a couple of places today. May not have the time to order and alter before a potential interview.

chickpea_salad

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 5:45 pm

Two websites that might be of use:
http://www.kiyonna.com/
http://www.igigi.com/

I found a couple pictures that might be of inspiration:

This sort of jumper over blouse look might be nice, in slightly more professional colours:
http://cdn.citychic.com.au/liv.....3.jpg

The skirt on this one is too shiny to be professional, but the gray, white and black layer nicely here
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/file.....13136

A slightly looser shirt (layered over a shell) tucked in to a skirt:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini.....6.jpg

I don't know how you feel about peplum, but it can look *like* a suit jacket:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini.....8.jpg

A soft draped jacket might make you feel less boxy:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini.....b.jpg

amother

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 9:00 pm

amother wrote:

I'm not sure if it's professional enough. if it fits the way it does on the model, it isn't. if it's more fitted, like a sleek tunic tied up with a belt, it's the kind of thing I'd probably wear on an interview.

the prices, I know, I know. I only discovered this site after I put together my work wardrobe and while I like their stuff, I can't bring myself to drop the cash on those. however, when I was in the interview phase of work, I did by some nice basics such as a couple of black pencil skirts at full price.

if you feel that it will take too long to order online and then tailor, your best bet is probably a brick and mortar store.

justcallmeima

Wed, Jan 21 2015, 9:34 pm

Definitely wear something that makes you feel good in it even if you think it might not be 100% professional, rather than wearing something you feel uncomfortable in. Confidence is EVERYTHING in an interview. If you feel as though you look good, you will exude confidence and will be able to "sell yourself" to the potential employer. if you feel as though you look like a shlump, your lack of confidence will come across in the interview! Hatzlacha rabah in finding a great job!!