I know I'm old and times have changed...

[Athleticpotential]

but is it OK to go to an interview in leggings and flip flops?

It isn't a senior role and there's no particularly formal dress code, although actually leggings are not allowed and flip flops are banned for safety reasons, candidate would not necessarily have known that.

I know what she looks like shouldn't make a difference and maybe it's all she had etc, but surely it's still normal to make some sort of effort to be smart for an interview?

Was she attending because the job centre made her perhaps 🤔

Tricky one. Surely it depends on whether she just rolled out of bed and couldn’t be bothered making an effort, or is unemployed and in poverty, with literally nothing more suitable to wear?
Did she otherwise seem a good fit for the job? Because if so, you can enforce the dress code once she is in post and has a salary to buy clothes.

No. I worked in a casual dress code environment but when I interviewed for promotion I wore more formal clothing, as did everyone else. Things may have relaxed but not as far as leggings and flip flops in an interview! If you aren't specifically told that casual wear is acceptable then you should really dress formally for a job interview.

I guess if the interview was for a surf shack or other beach front business it might be okay.

But no, flip flops are not okay for interviews.

I would be a bit surprised by that. Did she seem otherwise well prepared?

No that’s not acceptable at all even for entry level jobs.

Yanbu

No, the flip flops in itself are just a no. Was the rest of her appearance smart? Did the interview go amazingly well and she was a perfect fit for the role?

What's the job role?

Flip flops are only acceptable if the interview is for handing out deck chairs. Otherwise no.

Or maybe she was so confident that she had all the right qualities for the job, she thought it didn't matter what she wore.

It would put me off someone. It sends a signal that they don’t care that much

This effectively.

No, not ok. I’d give this one a miss.

Perhaps they didn't want the job? Deliberate sabotage?

I saw the person before me coming out of an interview in some weird huge baggy trousers and a huge wooley jumper a few weeks ago and I thought the same !

Unacceptable.

But I do know that a small minority of people only apply/attend for interview because their are told to from their work coach. So they throw the interview by turning up unsuitable dressed, smelling of alcohol/smoke etc.

I'd be more rigorous about how you shortlist as usually those who are just doing the bare minimum will submit sub par application statements with no effort put into hitting the job description bullet points.

Deffo sounds like the Job Centre made her attend.

I get your point, but I find it hard to believe this person has no other footwear than flip-flops.

I think it does dived in the job though. What was the interview for OP?

@Georgyporky ·
Deffo sounds like the Job Centre made her attend. ·
Deffo sounds like the Job Centre made her attend.

Jobcentres can give vouchers to buy smart clothes . Where I live the vouchers are for Matalan.

I was going to ask what the role was but then decided it doesn’t matter as I can’t think of any role where this would be acceptable.

She was clean and tidy, but in grey marl leggings and hoodie with flip flops.

I don't think it was due to the job centre - she is currently in work

She didn't give a good interview, I was wondering whether to include attire in the feedback.

It's a kitchen job, so smart clothes not a requirement, but definitely no flip flops!

I used to be judgy about this stuff, but I've recently known someone who is struggling with physical health and changes to her body that she has no control over, and as a consequence clothes don't fit properly. She couldn't easily afford new clothes for an interview and nothing fits right anyway.
It had no bearing on her ability to work - she is intelligent and kind and hardworking, basically all the qualities you'd want.
I now think it doesn't matter how people dress for interviews

Leggings would depend on the top, a tunic or longer blouse would work with a legging if it is a decent thickness, cut and fit. DD has a pair which I find looks a lot better with the right top than cheap and badly cut formal trousers.

Flip flop - no way

I would always dress slightly better than the dress code at the place of work. If that one is unknown, dress smart is normally the best.

For kitchen work particularly I would have thought it obvious that flip flops were a no go.

I think if you feel able to, feedback on her attire when you turn her down would be kind. Either she’ll learn from it or she won’t, but at least you’ll have given her the chance to avoid making the same mistake in future.

Nope it's not appropriate. It shows a lack of effort, not what you want in food preparation and hygiene.