Worst outfit that a potential Nanny/Au Pair could wear to an interview??

[pixiella]

I'm going for a sort of informal live-in Nanny position - basically the lady who's children I nanny for now has recommended me to her friend as I need somewhere to live in London from September onwards while I am at University and they need someone to help with the kids at bathtimes and mornings because they've just had a new baby.
I spoke to the husband and he offered me the room for free (just have to buy my own food) and in exchange they want help with bathtimes and mornings.

But apparently (according to the lady I nanny for now) although the husband is very laid back, his wife is quite uptight and a bit strict. I know it's an informal interview but looking after someone's children and living in their house is still a very serious and important role so I want to give off the right impression and I don't want the wife to feel threatened by having a young student living with her....?? Do you know what I mean?

So outfit choices.....? I have no idea ! I'm studying fashion so skinny jeans + pretty top + blazer or dress + tights is my usual uniform but I don't have very many 'formal' or smart clothes in my wardrobe at the moment, apart from waitressing gear !

Help would be VERY much appreciated. For example what would be the WORST outfit/image that a potential Aupair/nanny could wear which would make you not want her to live with you ?

Thanks xxx

p.s have also posted this in the Childcare section but have only had 1 reply and my interview is tomorrow so need some more advice so posted it here too !!

[LouLovesAeroplaneJelly]

well don't wear nipple tassles and a thong..

Nothing trashy, tarty, see through ripped or dirty. Nice jeans and a nice shirt and jacket/cardi. Skirt and top. Dress and flats. What you would wear to lunch with your grandparents is the best way to describe it.

Good luck with the interview!

[Powdoc]

Yup, an outfit which you would visit your grandparents wearing. No need to be mega smart, but fairly conservative. I'd go with a dress and tights, provided it's not toooo short or low cut.

[MarthaFarquhar]

I would expect that you would be asked to interact with the children in some way, so I wouldn't wear a skirt/dress.

I reckon trousers - not jeans for interview, even if it's a jeans job, shirt or fitted top, flat shoes (not trainers) - ballet pumps perhaps. Good accessories to feel a bit less boring IYKWIM.

[AnyFucker]

Leggings and a dress would be preferable to jeans I think

some people are still a bit sniffy about jeans, they think it makes you less professional somehow

good luck !

[TheOddOne]

I wouldn't recommend this look

Good Luck!

[PortAndLemon]

Worst, probably orange prison-issue jumpsuit covered in bloodstains with half an ankle-chain attached (or a whole ankle chain with an exra dismembered foot).

I agree with pp - go with the more practical end of what you might wear to visit quite fuddy-duddy grandparents, maybe. Trousers and shor-sleeved blouse, maybe?

[snigger]

Are you sure you want this job? Be sure to know the ground rules from the start - it might be second-hand information, but an uptight reputation rarely makes for an easy working relationship...unless you actually are Mary Poppins

Good luck, agree with the conservative trousers-not-jeans approachable look.

[Powdoc]

Oh, yes. When you say 'tights', I had automatically assumed you mean the sort which are so thick that they are almost leggings. Totally agree that it should be something you can get down on the floor and play with the children wearing. No 'american tan' 10 denier..

[Alestorm]

How about something like this?

[screamingabdab]

I'd go with something like wide-legged Linen trousers and a nice top, and blazer, or cardi if it's cold.

or leggings and dress if linen trousers too "daggy" for you (I am quite old )

Good luck. Let us know how it goes

[screamingabdab]

Oh, worst : anything showing norks or tummy

[snigger]

Of course, if any London Mumsnetters are due to informally interview a potential live-in student helper and read this you've had it! (Although they'd probably be chuffed you cared enough to ask )

Good luck again.

[pixiella]

ok...thanks for all the replies...

takes childcatcher hat and machete out of suitcase

i hadn't thought about not wearing jeans...I guess I just thought that I would maybe look/feel slightly uncomfortable and stuffy if I wore smart formal trousers because I don't usually wear them. But actually I do have a pair of dark grey, wide legged trousers that I could wear that are raaaather smart.

Also yes I was thinking of wearing tights that are so thick they are almost leggings, not those flimsy ones.

The interview is basically me going to meet the wife and kids...see what they're like, what the house and the room is like and then I'll make up my mind and they'll make up their mind. They're aware that I'll be at Uni so the arrangement will have to be quite flexible which works well for me which I wouldn't get so much with a normal au pair job I guess.

anyway thanks for the advice everyone

[pixiella]

wooppps snigger i didn't think about that !! eeek...! well yes lets hope she'd be flattered that i want to make a good impression....and the uptight thing was only second hand information......Oh dear I'm getting paranoid now!

i'll let you know how it goes!

[passionfruity]

Given the 'Jude Law and the nanny' story (and others...) also bear in mind that the wife may feel concerned at the prospect of a young, trendy, pretty (not sure?!) woman living with her family, particularly if she's got a new baby and is feeling frumpy etc.

So I'd avoid wearing anything too tight / that shows off your figure as well as anything that's low-cut.

[screamingabdab]

passionfruity. But the husband might look like this:

Jude Law. Not

[pixiella]

hahaa yes that's what i'm worried about....im not going to blow my own trumpet but im not a minger...and i am young and she has just had a baby and I would definately NOT hire someone even remotely attractive to live with me if I were in her situation I'm sure! I just want to look non-threatening cos I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable..because I am a nice person and not a Jude Law stealer !

But no..the husband doesn't look like that. But he is an actor (can't say who obv.) and rather handsome but of course WAY too old for me and married and a Dad and I would never even think about it ! (hence why i want to show this to the wife with my image without actually saying 'don't worry i'd never dream of sleeping with your husband' or turning up with facial hair, drawn on moles, baggy tracksuit bottoms, greasy hair etc)