Interview + Assessment day on Monday - dress code 'casual'. Help

[Cardboxed]

The coming Monday I have an interview and assessment day. They sent the e-mail out yesterday and they said that I should dress 'casual'. It's a professional firm and the day will involve making presentations and group activities. In my mind casual means jeans and a jumper, but then again I don't want to be too casual. I know the whole suited and booted look will also look out of place if everyone else is 'casual' so I want to be somewhere in the middle. What sort of look would you recommend?

[PurpleDaisies]

I'd probably wear nice jeans, a shirt and flat shoes/converse trainers, maybe with a casual jacket.

That is a difficult one!

[SeaRabbit]

Wear what you feel good in - just a bit more casual than what you'd normally wear to work.

[EdithWeston]

Business casual is a frigging nightmare.

What is the standard for an ordinary working day there? I'd aim to go one notch down from that.

Maybe Chanel-type well structured cardigan with a good skirt or blazer with chinos? I'd avoid denim and try to include a jacket or something g that's very close to a jacket.

[ooerrmissus]

For this kind of thing I wear smart trousers, like suit trousers perhaps, with a shirt and a jumper over, or a knitted top with a camisole under it. Something like that perhaps?

[Cardboxed]

EdithWeston An ordinary typical day there would be a trouser suit or pencil skirt for women.

The fact that they've said casual to me means everything and nothing. I'm well rehearsed about the company itself but this dress code thing for the day has totally thrown me.

I'm thinking black jumper and grey cigarette trousers with ballet shoes? I don't want to be too OTT but again I don't want to feel like the one who didn't interpret the memo correctly iyswim?

[FuckOffJeffrey]

If the normal dress code is business (suits and the like) then I would take casual as business casual rather than normal casual. I would do smartish trousers with nice top and wear flats rather than heels. I would avoid jeans to be on the safe side. I always thing it's better to be overdressed than underdressed in these situations.

[BettyBi0]

I think grey cigarette pants and ballet shoes sounds great. Not sure if you should add a bit of colour though as the black jumper might just be too officey.

Definitely no denim!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Is their day to day dress code actually business, or is it business casual in the office and more formal out with clients?

Personally I'd go with a not too formal dress rather than jeans. Or cigarette pants or similar, but I'd probably steer clear of denim

[leadrightfoot]

No denim
Nice pair of trousers or tailored skirt
Shirt and or jumper
Or fine knitted top
Flat shoes

Layers might be good as if you are actively doing things rather than sitting working in groups as you can adjust your clothing to meet the temperature you need? If just in an office type setting then not so relevant