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?

Agree witb @Testina . I once got rejected for a job in PR because I came across too conservative/boring 😬 wearing a suit can be the wrong thing to do.

Her pharmacy job has 2 hr shifts after school and 3 or 6 hour shifts on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. 5 hours on a public holiday and in school holidays she can do full 8:30am - 5:30pm shifts.

You can get your L’s (learners permit) on your 16th birthday. So you can drive with a fully licensed driver in the passenger seat. Not sure if it’s the same in the UK?

She was very lucky with her car, an opportunity came up through DH’s work so she bought it and he fixed it up, and got her to help with some of it.

You have to be 17 in the UK to drive.

She needs to look at clothes they are selling and wear similar. At interview it will look like she fits in.

Yes, we know that.

But the person posting about her daughter saving up for a car isn't in the UK.

For a teen in a high street store I'd go for something on the smarter end of teen dress

Nice skirt and bodysuit, DMs/loafers. No joggers or crop tops but not officewear. Baggy trousers and a jumper or body suit tucked in. River island isn't a very smart store.

Obviously still clean, well presented. Add some cool jewellry.

If a teen going for a general job interview I would still expect them to be smart, but I don't think I would ever expect a 16yr old to turn up in a suit. Just smart trousers and a basic top is plenty for a teen

That’s quite different from the UK, children are only permitted to work 2 hours on a Sunday!
Good on your daughter, sounds like she has a sensible head on her shoulders.

It all sounds a bit contrived, who writes this crap about “representing yourself and the brand”

A quick look at River Island marketing shows their target audience is 18-30 so there’s a vast range of styles; dressy, sporty, casual, office wear, formal.. don’t think your dd should overthink this. Just don’t wear a suit!

A friendly approachable manner, some work experience and a brain are equally important qualities.

Teens are far more likely to buy clothes from a hip, cool assistant
I mean yes that’s what the River Island marketing team are promoting and op’s dd should go with that but really?

Ive never bought clothes because I thought the shop assistant looked trendy. Most shoppers hate sales assistants trying to sell them clothes.
When I was a teen I would have felt intimidated by a hip cool assistant and would much rather friendly approachable staff that left me alone unless I wanted a shoe from out the back 🤣

I get it but you have to wonder about the marketing team enforcing this rubbish.

I recently went for an NHS group interview thing for a HCA role. There was a young man literally in a tracksuit and trainers and he got the job.

I would suggest that you and your DD visit the shop in question to see the kind of clothing that their staff actually where .

In response to your actual OP question - DS did an apprenticeship in business admin at 17. He attended his interview in his school trousers, his one smart shirt and a pair of his dad's smart shoes with cotton wool in the toes to stop them slopping up and down. When he started in the role, the expectation was smart trousers, shirt and tie. And some new shoes which fit his feet!

I would think wear something similar to what they sell

I agree with going to see what the sales assistants are wearing, whether they wear makeup or how they have their hair. Top shop assistants were always quite glamorous. River island tend to look like clones in our four local ones. New look has a good cross section of the demographic age/style range. Primark have some lovely trouser suits in, in fashion colours, as well as pin stripes etc.