To think teens aren’t expected to dress smart for an interview anymore?

[TeaAndBrie]

My DD16 has started applying for weekend jobs.
she has successfully secured an interview for a high street fashion shop. They have stated the dress code is ‘dress to represent yourself and the brand’.
what does even mean?!
I am used to interviews being smart dress but I work for the NHS so wondering if we’re a little old fashioned.
my daughter pretty much lives in joggers/sports leggings and tops which wouldn’t be appropriate. She doesn’t have any smart shoes and she wears black trainers for school. She has done v smart AF1s in several different colours.
I am happy to get her things if needed but not really sure what they would be looking for.
she has some black trousers and a black top from work experience she did in the summer so thinking that would be okay but perhaps lacks the individualism they’re hoping to see.
has anyone got any experience of what is expected from teens these days?

If they wanted her to dress smartly, that's what they would have said.

I used to be a manager in a very casual outdoor clothing store that asked all interviewees to wear clothing "appropriate to the environment they'd be working in". One woman I interviewed turned up in a suit (jacket, blouse and skirt), tights and high heels. Needless to say, she didn't get the job.

It all sounds like a rather discriminatory employment process; if you're not young and trendy you can't get a job there ? It sounds like your daughter fits the bill though Op, and I hope she secures her Saturday job!

Personally even in my youth I couldn't have given two hoots about what the staff were wearing in River Island, or looked at them for fashion tips; they were just someone to let you in the changing room or serve you at the till,

I suppose times have changed and stores have to follow the marketing strategies dictated to them from head office.

Yes Tea she really enjoys it. She's on an 8 hour contract but there's always overtime available so she just decides when she can do that. Pay isn't great compared to other retailers but they get a great discount and uniform allowance. I hope your DDs interview goes well.

It’s not that teens are not expected to dress smart. It’s the industry. I worked in a high end department store 20 years ago. They had a similar dress code for interview.

If the job was in a office, she would be best wearing something more like traditional interview wear.

Black trousers, white or black top and some jewellery, whether low key or more in your face, whatever her style is.

@TeaAndBrie dress code is ‘dress to represent yourself and the brand’.
what does even mean?!

It generally means you have to wear the store clothes, purchased from you own wages (albeit with a staff discount, maybe 25%)

My DD14 wore a fitted, ribbed white bodysuit under a short tan coloured skirt with black doc martins.

Interview was for a pharmacy and she got the job.

Good luck to your DD!

My DD works in a restaurant and previously in a high street fashion store, a club and upmarket cinema. She goes to interviews in her own casual clothes and make up. She is trendy and attractive. I know that shouldn't matter but it helps. She knows she needs to be in tune with the vibe of the place and their potential customers.

They're not going to think someone dressed like a Marks & Spencer's HR manager has got a clue about their customers.

Why isn’t your daughter finding out what to wear for HER interview??

I would not call River island pricey at all. Basically though they want her to wear high street fashion preferably from their shop.

It means dress in the style of the brand. I’d add that she should also be well-presented (no stains or loose threads or crumpled things etc) but not “smart” in the traditional sense.

People send their 14 year olds out to work?

And employers employ them?

In the UK? In the 21st century?

Wow …

Yeah I think there are holes in that story for sure.

Having worked in retail the main thing is to show you understand professional dress as well as fashion.

No slogans, tidy hair, clean appearance (clean clothes) make up professional if she wears it. Also sensible shoes she could stand for 8 hours in.

Black trousers are always a win.

DD who is 18 has a part time job in Next, in the home department rather than the clothes. When she went for her interview it was summer and she just wore a floaty dress and her trainers. DS works in a supermarket, he obviously knew he'd be given a uniform when he started work but went for his interview in the trousers he wears to school (plain black) and a short sleeve shirt. No suits and ties required.

DD does have to wear Next clothes for her work. But she gets 75% off what she wants to buy and doesn't have to wear their shoes.

We’re not in the UK, we’re in Australia.

Its an after school/weekend job, 14 is standard here for your first job.

All her friends have jobs, lots of them via the school’s careers department.

They always have courses, work experience, interview prep etc. going on at school. They have ‘careers’ as a lesson once a fortnight from year 8.

She’s been there 2 years now, absolutely loves it and just bought her first car with the money she’s saved from working there.

Not sure why that’s weird?

The only impression that gives is of someone who didn’t bother to read the brief. Which isn’t a good one. Bad advice.

Why would there be holes in my story?

14 is standard for your first after school job here!

Or, as I once saw in Abercrombie, wear the clothes from the shop with the tags on and put them back on the shelf at the end of the day 🤮

People send their 14 year olds out to work?

Err...yes? Why shouldn't a 14yo get a job if they want some extra income?

Apologies, assumed UK or Ireland.

@Igglepiggleslittletoe 14 isn’t that rare in the U.K. either 🤷🏻‍♀️
i wouldn’t say it’s the norm - but not so usual as to call bullshit. Most of the 14yo’s that I know who work, it’s kitchen shifts / waitressing in non chain pubs.

The UK have strict laws on 14 year-olds working including only being allowed to work 5 hours on a Saturday during term time. There are loads of other restrictions on working too.

I was quite surprised to read she'd bought a car after two years. I didn't know 16 year-olds could drive cars in Australia!

She just needs to look cool and attractive. Teens are more likely to buy clothes from a hot young and cool assistant than the opposite.

I once got offered a Top Shop sales job I didn’t apply for just on the basis of what I was wearing as I browsed in their store! I looked good that day. Wistful sigh…

Anyway, I have no idea what is cool for teens right now but I’d suggest black trousers, a bright funky top that shows areness of latest trends, and something subtly tasteful that shows individuality like earrings / necklace / make up choices.