"Smart Casual" Clothes Question..

Breezay

Last night I had a group interview at a store (one that I would really love to work for!). I'm not sure how it went, I'm hoping I came off well! They've said that the next stage is a work trial & we need to wear "smart casual" clothes. I'm not sure what this means exactly? Or if I actually have any smart casual clothes!

I'd love to know what other people think! I'm not skinny, so there are some things that I can't pull off! Lol. I dressed quite smart for the first stage (because I wasn't aware it would be a group exercise. Everyone else was quite casual.. But no one had been told what the evening would entail! As far as any of us knew, it was just separate interviews).

Help!

milliemonster

Are you male or female? in my last job when we had 'smart casual' dress code for certain days/events (was a blue chip company) they meant no jeans/trainers/combats etc, for me as a female I just used to wear a pair of trousers and a blouse or nice top, the chaps would just wear trousers and a less formal shirt. Hope that helps

Hermia

milliemonster wrote: »

Are you male or female? in my last job when we had 'smart casual' dress code for certain days/events (was a blue chip company) they meant no jeans/trainers/combats etc, for me as a female I just used to wear a pair of trousers and a blouse or nice top, the chaps would just wear trousers and a less formal shirt. Hope that helps

I agree. The dress code is smart casual where I work now. I usually wear black trousers, black shoes/boots and a top. The men all wear smart trousers and a top or shirt without a tie.We cannot wear jeans, flip flops, trainers or any clothes that are covered in slogans/pictures/band names etc. Jewellery needs to be discrete.

OP - don't worry if you felt you were a bit too smart for the first stage. It's better to be too smart than too casual.

Breezay

Sorry, female! Lol.

Yesterday I wore my black boots (Although they were under my trousers, so just looked like normal smart shoes), smart black trousers & a longish, blue tunic-type top. Do you think something like that would be good to wear if I get the trial? It's a pet store, so I don't want to be too smart (although I honestly don't mind getting covered in muck, I have pets, I know what to expect! Lol). But I don't want to go too casual either. Some of the outfits yesterday were very casual! I felt out of place a bit :S I'm talking leggings and wooly jumpers, short dresses & high heeled boots. And there's me in my smart outfit!

Breezay

Hermia wrote: »

I agree. The dress code is smart casual where I work now. I usually wear black trousers, black shoes/boots and a top. The men all wear smart trousers and a top or shirt without a tie.We cannot wear jeans, flip flops, trainers or any clothes that are covered in slogans/pictures/band names etc. Jewellery needs to be discrete.

OP - don't worry if you felt you were a bit too smart for the first stage. It's better to be too smart than too casual.

I hope you're right! Considering no one knew it was an informal group thing, it was interesting to see what they were wearing. Only me and one other girl took any sort of folder with achievements in as well.

What kind of top would you suggest? I think there's such a fine line for women when it comes to distinguishing between smart casual and smart! Lol. I'm not sure I have a top that would fit the bill. A jumper is probably too casual, isn't it? I was thinking maybe smart shoes & trousers, then a purple jumper? But that might be not smart enough. Ack!

graspandsave

good luck in the process

just remember don't wear denim, that not smart, its just casual.

what youve suggested sounds fine, but if you thought it was too smart , then make it a little more casual with say a polo shirt and the same trousers?

Wooly jumpers and leggings IMO come under casual not smart.

Go in something that make YOU feel comfortable, (and clean and ironed (Which from the sounds of it you will anyway, perhaps this is advice for the others that went!)_

Perhaps take in something than can be removed/added to make it more casual/less formal


be comfortable and you'll come across well and confident
hope you get the job

Hermia

Breezay wrote: »

I hope you're right! Considering no one knew it was an informal group thing, it was interesting to see what they were wearing. Only me and one other girl took any sort of folder with achievements in as well.

I wouldn't worry about any of that. Better to appear too keen. I think bosses worry more about getting someone to smarten up than getting someone to go more casual. I wouldn't worry about asking someone not to wear a tie, but I would worry about asking someone scruffy to wear a suit. I've met enough people who go off on a "I'm an individual" rant so know it can be a pain in the bum.

Breezay wrote: »

What kind of top would you suggest? I think there's such a fine line for women when it comes to distinguishing between smart casual and smart! Lol. I'm not sure I have a top that would fit the bill. A jumper is probably too casual, isn't it? I was thinking maybe smart shoes & trousers, then a purple jumper? But that might be not smart enough. Ack!

I think as long as it's plain and has long or 3/4 length sleeves it should be alright. I think a jumper is fine as long as it's not baggy. My rule is that if the top would look okay with a suit it's smart enough.

To be honest, if you are a larger lady I think it pays to go smarter as long as you can still move around and get involved in any group activities. I think model-like ladies can carry off casual clothes better in a work situation. I know where I used to work there were two slim and tall ladies who wore plain jeans and a white t-shirt every day. They looked really smart, but the rest of us would have looked like we were going down the supermarket!

EndlessStruggle

I would do black trousers, plain coloured/striped basic tshirt and a black cardigan. Thats my smart casual.

Acc72

There are quite a few of these threads - the general consencus seems to be that if in doubt you are better off being too smart than too casual.

I can't speak for the ladies, but if it was me I would still go dressed as I would to any usual interview - suit, shirt, tie etc. (or I might go crazy and leave out the tie !).

Breezay

Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it.

Just had a look online & came across this: http://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/P/Black_Pinstripe_2in1_Top-(14389).aspx

(Hope it's ok to post the link?)

Would this be suitable? I was looking at a different one before, but it's short sleeves & I really don't like my arms! Plus, this has 3/4 length so I wouldn't need a jacket. It's a lot of black, but do you think it would be ok with my smart trousers & boots?

I'm having to buy things in specially for interviews at the moment! My last 'proper' job was self employed pet carer so I wore mostly joggers & things that were warm & easy to cycle in. Now I'm a student so I have jeans & hoodies etc!

I really hope I get called back. I'm so nervous & they said they'd take a few days to decide! If I get the one-to-one interview at the end then I'm going to have to be so careful not to gush too much about the store! I absolutely love it there. I know their products so well I hope I can make a good impression!

Errata

Would this be suitable?

It looks quite formal and something that many office workers wear.
I'd suggest: dark flat shoes, dark trousers, polo top, cardigan. Casual enough to get down on your hands and knees with comfort if necessary, smart enough to serve a customer.