Larger ladies - please help me with an interview outfit!

Jezebel_Barbie · July 2014

Is it just me or is it really hard to find stylish, flattering interview outfits when you're fat?!

I will be interviewing for an office position, the style will need to be more on the formal side but it's not like I'm interviewing to be a lawyer or anything. That said I also have very little experience in the industry and have not yet completed my qualification (it's possible to get jobs without the qualification, just very hard to do so) so I'm doing everything I can to give myself an advantage in the areas I can – like appearance!

I am 5'1”, so teeny tiny height wise, but a pretty hefty size 20-ish dress size, and very top heavy. Finding clothes in general is a nightmare, and this is making me lose the will to live.

Can any overweight ladies (especially with similar proportions!) help me out please? Outfit, style or shop suggestions all welcome!

EternalFiend · July 2014

Having just had an interview on Friday I hope that I can help! I'm taller than you at 5'7" but I am also rather top heavy - something that I wanted to... shall we say minimize? I didn't want to risk looking unprofessional!

My advice would be an a-line skirt/dress to balance out your top, making sure that's it at least as long as your knee....
I wore this dress to my interview in a pale pink http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/dresses-203543/view-all-dresses-2523253/tall-lemon-waffle-dress-3062756?bi=1&ps=200

To smarten it up (depending on how formal you want to look) you could easily put a black blazer on the top!

A really simple look would be black a line skirt, white shirt and a blazer on top!

I can't really help with trousers because I'm not a massive fan of them myself, but I hope that I can help anyway! Good luck with your interview!

itsbasschick · July 2014

roaman's has a few nice dresses / outfits for those of us under 5' 5". although i sometimes have the skirt hemmed. if you DO go with them, look up "roaman's coupon" as there's usually a good one at retailmenot.com

macy's has some nice stuff in the plus sizes, but my favorite plus size outfits are at nordstrom - they're more expensive but soo sweet. and depending on where you live, ross has some very nice designer plus size stuff. i'm lucky enough to live by 2 ross stores with nice clothes - my daughter (who's just under 5' 3" and 200 pounds) works at a bank and every stitch she works in is from the brentwood or beverly hills ross.

CindyMarcuzAdams · July 2014

A nice skirt and blouse with maybe a light blazer on top or a skirt with a nice top with no blazer. Is it a first interview?
Keep in mind if you only have one skirt you can change things up by changing the top.
Thrift stores are great places for business atire.
I wish you good luck.

Cindy

RodaRose · July 2014

Monochrome colors work on short women: navy, charcoal, dark brown, burgundy, black, or deep green -- for blazer and skirt. You could wear a blouse in your favorite color to brighten your face. A-line is good. Hem that falls at mid knee.

socalkay · July 2014

http://www.justmysize.com/plus-size/clothing/clothing-collections/agenda-coordinates

http://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Howard-Womens-Plus-Size-Pantset/dp/B00GUAB3U0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_a_5/177-5964699-5173422?ie=UTF8&refRID=19NV0GZBG8KNP1R62646

http://www.amazon.com/Le-Suit-Womens-Plus-Size-Herringbone/dp/B00ISQQFJ8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_a_36?ie=UTF8&refRID=19NV0GZBG8KNP1R62646

http://www.simplybe.com/dresses/work-dresses/icat/careerdresses

Mobil2004 · July 2014

Start with the feet. A nice 2 inch heel will do wonders for your height. A skirt that comes to the knees and is more of the "pencil" design. A loose "flowy" skirt will make the width width of your hips carry all the way down to your knees. Choose a blouse that comes down to the bottom hip upper thigh thigh will help to lengthen the torso. For business attire I usually go with Lane Bryant, Cato's, and Torrid. They are definitely on the pricey side but well worth it. As a fellow "fluffy" woman I have found that the right fit provides a flatter to my figure that is invaluable. I've put some links below to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Bottoms/Skirts/The+Pencil+Skirt-515611.jsp

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Sale/Clearance/Lace-Front+Raglan+Tee-10112226.jsp

http://www.famousfootwear.com/en-US/Product/36805-1031315/Touch+of+Nina/Black+Satin/Womens+Carmelita2.aspx

The peep toe pump from famous footwear is one that I own and LOVE!!! Very stylish, low heel, comfortable and a classic style that never is out of date.

Dragonfly11 · July 2014

Hey There
I so understand. Finding good professional plus size clothes is more challenging but not impossible!

Try these shops:
Dressbarn ( they have a reg and plus sides to the store) mid range in price, store card available and coupons available

Talbots plus - great work slacks the double weave bistretch are my go tos comfy and no wrinkles - a little pricey but worth it to me for good slacks also have petite length

Both also offer online shopping and offer good choices for a professional wardrobe.

Good luck on your interviews!!

Janet

Jezebel_Barbie · July 2014

Thank you so, so much for your replies! I will go and check out all your suggestions, thank you.

It will be a first interview, yes. I'm only sending out applications at the moment but I'd rather give myself time to scour the internet and the high street to find something appropriate than panic buy something horrific and ill-fitting at the last minute. All my previous jobs have been bar or retail work, so that polished, formal look hasn't been much of an issue before.

It does seem dresses and skirts are advised for the short and chubby which I can probably live with if I find the right one (I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl usually). I have ordered this dress to try on: http://www.next.co.uk/x5356s2#899256x53, it'll definitely need something to cover my upper arms though, it's going to have to be a blazer isn't it? Any suggestions where I might find a cheap, well fitting blazer? Every time I've tried them on in the past they have been way too tight over the shoulders and arms.

socalkay · July 2014

Blair's clothing tend to be cut generously. Make sure you check the sizing info because, if I have a problem with Blair, it's usually that the garment is too large:

http://www.blair.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=blazer

socalkay · July 2014

http://outlet.blair.com/p/womens-clothing/dresses-suits/blossoming-bouquet-skirt-set/pc/626/sc/646/21255.uts?rank=rank7&count=500&q2=646~Dresses+&+Suits&store=7&page=13&q1=626~Women's+Clothing&q=*&cl=Y&sc=Y&x2=c.t2&x1=c.t1

RodaRose · July 2014

That's a very pretty dress. It is great for an interview.

busybeeme1 · July 2014

I suggest wearing a blazer or one piece suit. You can check Lane Bryant for some great ideas. I think a solid look on top and bottom looks flattering, maybe with a nice cardigan and spruce up with jewelry. Stand tall and welcome them with a big smile. They will be impressed and you will look professional. Good Luck on your interview!

socalkay · July 2014

Oh, oh - this is good:

http://www.onestopplus.com/clothing/Duster-Jacket-with-A-line-Dress.aspx?PfId=120210&DeptId=11588&ProductTypeId=1&ppos=5&Splt=0&StyleNo=2270

Meerataila · July 2014

I have never gone wrong with a black blazer, long black skirt, and a solid-colored blouse. I hear blue is a trustworthy color, if you want to try a little psychology.

If the interviewer thinks you look too professional, they're probably not planning to pay you enough to make it worth your time anyway.

Jo2926 · July 2014

I always expect someone to interview in a suit or similar - even though our office itself tends to dress slightly more casually most days. For a women a wrap dress with a jacket and heals always fits the bit if a full suit id too much for your style.

Not sure where you are based, I assume UK given you have ordered a dress from next. If so try Yours clothing - I'm somewhat in love with them at the moment!

http://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/P/Black_fully_lined_jacket_with_revere_collar-(16775).aspx

shirleygirl910 · July 2014

When I was size 26+ I investedin a black top and pants and then concentrated on a nice jacket. If you have a different top and skirt or pants they eye stops at the waist. I am 5'8" so I never had to worry about length, but I notice skirts accent shortness. I have a whole closet now of cute jackets with peterpan collars or differnt patterns in the material, a different cut or piping. Something that the person looks at the jacket and not on your body type.

meshashesha2012 · July 2014

wear something similar to what you'd wear on a daily basis, so there really is no need to wear a suit unless that's what you'd wear to work.

for interviews i usually wear a black wrap dress with a tank or tee underneath to cover up the cleavage or a black pencil skirt and a nice top in a solid color. i've never worn a blazer and god help me i will never ever wear a friggin' pant suit. then again i've only really interviewed in NYC and Bay Area so the dress codes might be a bit different.

Larger ladies - please help me with an interview outfit!

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