Advice on teenage girl interview outfit for University

[Frecklesfrecklesfreckles4]

Hi, my DD has an interview for university coming up and we need to buy her an outfit. We could do with advice on what to wear. She normally wears jeans and big hoodies! She was a size 14 but has recently lost weight and is probably about a 12 now. Thank you!

[7to25]

What is the interview for?

[Abraiid2]

My daughter wears straight black trousers. Smart blouse. Suede black male boots. Either a white or black unstructured jacket, which she usually takes off.

Most candidates seem to wear something similar.

Trousers from Primark. Jacket New Look. Blouse was from Hobbs sale.

[Abraiid2]

Ankle boots not male boots.

[Frecklesfrecklesfreckles4]

That's useful thank you Abraiid!
7to25 the interview is for Maths

[MrsGsnow18]

H&M would be a good place to look for either a trouser/blouse combo or a plain grey, navy or black dress. Cardigan or jacket over the top.
she might not be into dresses but I always think it's easier than having to pair two separate items together.

[Olswitcharoo]

She's a young lady and shouldn't dress too fussy duddy. You can dress smart without power suits from the 90's. Here are some I googled.

[Olswitcharoo]

It's good to stand out a little too, if everyone comes in the same old boring suit, the one that doesn't leaves an impressionz

[hibouhibou]

Won't they choose candidates based on their interview performance and grades?

If this was for a fashion course then maybe she should make an effort but for maths??

[7to25]

Maths???
Anything. Non matching, use random numbers to decide what to wear.
Honestly.

[PurpleDaisies]

If her sixth form has a dress code she can just wear whatever she'd normally wear to school. Round here they're all "office smart".

Basically not jeans, nothing too short or low cut, no visible underwear and shoes she can comfortable walk in so she's not tottering on the way in and out.

Good luck to her.

[TheCakes]

I'd probably go for slim black trousers and a jersey blazer or similar.

[AgathaMystery]

I am an interviewer for a uni... I am ashamed to say I really notice what the candidates wear but it forms zero percent of my decision making.

The course I interview for is quite niche and I notice clean, tidy hair and nails and clean shoes. I know it sounds boring but it's important. It shows me they've made an effort and want to make a good impression.

Otherwise it is mostly smart trousers and a top on the girls. I always think a casual blazer looks nice. It's nice to see a bit of personality. Last year I asked a candidate where her jacket was form it was sooooo amazing (Zara).

I don't think you can go too wrong with most clothes - or even in your school uniform. It's things like filthy hair that make me pause.

[WorraLiberty]

What a strange thread for a mother to start.

Just advise her to wear whatever she wears to 6th form, which I presume will come under the heading of 'smart office type wear'.

My DS has an interview next week and will be wearing his usual shirt and trousers I expect.

[FurryLittleTwerp]

I remember my Interview Outfit with a slight shudder.

1983. Mum liked to influence my style help me choose.

I had a lilac tweed fitted jacket with a multicoloured pleated tweed skirt in shades of green & purple. Worn with a dark green blouse. Everyone else was in sombre shades of navy, black or grey with pale blouses looking much more normal

She influenced me so much I actually like it for about five minutes & never wore it again, once the interviews were over.

DS is currently having interviews. The girls we've seen have mostly worn trousers with unstructured drapey tops & low heels (not flats) & have looked lovely but a lot more casual than the boys in their suits & ties.

[stayathomegardener]

DD had her last interview today for photography.
Black Jeans, wedge boots, green leather jacket and lucky pants she informed me.
Everyone else was very casual too, looked like they could have been out shopping.
But that was for photography.
Didn't occur to either of us that there might be a particular outfit.

[stayathomegardener]

DD got an unconditional, definitely go for lucky pants.

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

Just advise her to wear whatever she wears to 6th form, which I presume will come under the heading of 'smart office type wear'.

Not all schools have a uniform/dress code, particularly in sixth form.

[Frecklesfrecklesfreckles4]

Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond! I know interview performance and grades are more important than what she's wearing, but for a shy teen who is used to hiding in a hoodie and jeans it's one less thing to worry about if she's confident that the outfit she's wearing is appropriate. So it's very useful to know what the "norm" is and good to have other suggestions as well (I love some of those outfits Olswitcharoo !)
Thanks for the good luck wishes for her too PurpleDaisies!

[bojorojo]

Yes to Zara. My DD wore striped black/white trousers and orange knitted top and black suede chunky lace ups (brothel creepers) to her Art course interview. She is super slim and it looked wow! However, they asked questions on her portfolio, but she knew she looked good.

I really don't think a suit or business clothes are remotely suitable for a 17/18 year old. They want to know if she is a mathematician! If she is not used to wearing such clothes she will feel very uncomfortable.

Therefore, a really good standby is a pair of fitted black trousers. Well cut that really fit. Could be smart black jeans no-one will know if the top is longer. Brogues or ankle boots and a coloured top, but not wildly patterned or ultra bright if she cannot carry that off. Top can be a shirt style or a chunky knit. Lots of girls are wearing a long chunky knit that is above the knee (not too far obviously) and opaque tights and long boots or ankle boots. It is best to look your age, not that of your Mum.

[Frecklesfrecklesfreckles4]

There isn't a special dress code for her 6th form unfortunately, it could make life easier if there was.
Well done to your daughter *stayathome gardener, looks like lucky pants it is!

[bingohandjob]

I interview for universities. Advice is to wear what you feel comfortable in with some caveats:
If for a vocational healthcare course consider impression you are creating with eg jangly jewellery/if hair is in face tie it back - err on smart casual but nothing so 'stiff' it makes her feel awkward
Be comfortable in what you are wearing so if it is new, wear it for a good few hours few days before so you know eg the label won't annoy you, the trousers feel ok sitting down in, skirt doesn't ride up and make you feel uncomfortable - you could be traveling long distance in car/train or sat waiting around so be comfy
Just common sense - if happier in normal gear just wear clean, erring on side of smart trousers and top just avoid logos etc
As previous poster said, good scrub up beforehand
If she doesn't know already, worth asking the university about format of the interview - some are more marketing/recruitment drives from the university to get your child to say yes! This will put her at ease!
SMILE, eye contact and practise shaking hands - this will make the biggest positive impression
Rehearse with your DD saying "hello, it's really nice to meet you" and at end "thank you for taking time to see me today, I'm really excited about coming to your university" - this does not come naturally to lots of young people but makes a HUGE impression on us interviewing
Good luck - if she's being interviewed, she's in with a good chance!

[CountFosco]

At work all the young ones (including apprentices so 18 years old) seem to live in skinny ankle skimmers. They all wear chunky heeled flat shoes and a loose fitting top with them. Age appropriate but smart.

[Manumission]

Why is she not wearing jeans and her best hoody?

Won't she feel most comfortable in that?

If she wants to smarten up half a notch a tshirt or a checked shirt or whatever would be equally okay. Casual really is fine.

[Postchildrenpregranny]

Used to do lots if practice interviews for sixth formers .Girls who fiddled with or kept tossing back their hair were very irritating and were told so. Try and practice sitting still with hands clasped loosely in lap unless gesturing to make a point.
If wearing a skirt make sure it's a decent length so its doesn't embarass you or the interviewer
Black skirt and plain top are safe but I don't think the outfit matters much .

[PurpleDaisies]

*Why is she not wearing jeans and her best hoody?

Because that's not appropriate for a university interview.