Starting to Work Wardrobe: Size 26

I picked out a job interview outfit for a friend of a friend --well, actually a relative of a friend. It was her graduation gift, so I was told to get first, not second, market stuff and keep it under $200.

Details: Size 26ish all over, but more like 24 in the waist, somewhere between hour-glass and pear-shaped. (Haven't actually met this person, just second-hand observations, plus measurements.) Medium height. Everything must be washable, no dry cleaning, little or no ironing. She's not "into" fashion, so no piling on the groovy accessories (as I am wont to do). All blues and purples are ok; but only cool (blue) greens; black, white and gray are good, as are berry colours; but no coral, warm pink, bright red, yellow, or orange--(sigh)--no brown or tan. No scarves. No trousers. No high heels. 

I do like a challenge.

Here's what she got for her graduation gift/interview outfit (which I totally ripped off and re-accessorised for "Job Hunt!" in my earlier post):

Not earth shatteringly chic, but not dowdy either. Some may disagree with me on that one, but IMO the fit makes the difference--fit and flare, just-below-knee length with pretty shoe, plus high hip length jacket means that she shows off her shape without being squeezed into anything--no belts, no spanx needed. If her field was more artistic, the challenge would be a bit different.

Anyhow, while I love to have fun with clothes, sometimes work is just work. Having a uniform to get you through, so you can think about other things, is OK. You are allowed (provided, of course, you can find the stuff out there AND you can afford it.) One of the things I like about the UK clothing sites is that they acknowledge that sometimes people need just nice enough stuff to work in, so there are these reasonably priced, OK looking items that they label "work blouses" "work skirts" and "work court shoes," sometimes with helpful additions (if you speak British) like "smart office."

Here's a "work blouse" from yoursclothing:

Now the relative of a relative's friend has a job offer (lucky gal). And needs a working wardrobe.  No real dress code in the company except that certain things have to be covered and no jeans are allowed and the over all vibe is rather conservative. $150 to spend on additions to the interview outfit to get her through the summer.

I went over a bit, but not by much: $167 with shipping.

The fit-and-flare dress is a hit--and still on sale, so another two of those, plus a skirt, plus inexpensive cami's and some lightweight cardi's that can either be buttoned up as a top, worn on their own or under a jacket, or layered over the cami's.

I'll spare you the details, but you could make at least 18 different outfits from this stuff plus the interview suit--more, actually, if you don't mind looking like an Easter egg from time to time. 

(Personally, this Borg-asmorg of cool brights would drive me nuts in a matter of days, but the recipient is, I hear, delighted, in fact, tickled, um, fuchsia.) 

You work it, girl.